Extraneous: Same here.
A
single gift...
Immortality.
Granted
to the humans,
but
not yet to the demons,
it
would come to them in due time.
However,
one task remained:
restoring
a certain Overlord to his body,
and,
once and for all,
defeating
the darkness of the Lord of Terror...
-Prophecy
di Luce e di ombres: Lines CXXVI-CXXXVI
Epilogue: Requiem of Shadows
Last time:
The war finally came to an end, and Baal was defeated in single combat by Soma Cruz. However, the task was not finished, as the companions still had to escape the Inverted Castle in one piece. Because the warp rooms now refused to work, Saito was forced to institute drastic measures. Trying a Seal Gating for the first time could be hazardous to one's health. That was not the case, as Saito was transported out to The Abyss. The rest of the allies also managed to escape through the use of the seal, and so did all of those allied with the Count. After a few parting words with Lisa, Saito took the allies back to the forge.
After the Count had finished marveling at the wonders of the forge, Saito asked him to assemble those who had been dragged from their own time periods in the main chambers. After they had assembled, Saito emerged from the back room. His appearance had taken a rather interesting turn, but the thing that was noticed above all others was the infinity symbol on the mage's forehead. This, he explained, was the mark of his immortality. He then proceeded to bestow this mark upon those whom he had assembled. When that was done, he gave each of the Chaos Rings the same power he had given to the pendants.
After this had been done, a discussion arose as to what the allies were going to do, at least pertaining to the darkness that was ever-present in the world. Saito suggested forming an organization to help protect any innocents who might end up in the cross-fire. This organization came to be known as the Order of the Shadowed Sword, and they were(for the most part) based out of the castle within the eclipse.
However, the tale is not quite done yet, so we rejoin Saito in his forge...
Onago's Forge: Draconia
Time Period: N/A (exists outside of space and time)
Time: One week has passed since Saito sent each of the allies home
The Oricaltos was a bit nervous as he looked at the piece before him. Well, I can't really back-out now. After all, I've come way too far already, so I might as well finish. With that, he picked-up his pencil and began to write once more, trying to make each portion of his song flow into the next one. Unfortunately, it wasn't working out the way he had hoped, and all of his time was going to waste. All I can do now is hope and pray for inspiration...
"Hey Saito! What's wrong?" The Oricaltos lifted his head in time to see a slender young woman enter his study. Her acid-green eyes were the greatest hint to her identity, but there were other, more subtle signs that he should have been able to detect earlier. "What brings you here, Mina? I thought you were busy with work for the Order." "Nope. There haven't been any reports recently, and you just went and vanished into thin air. Do you know how long Soma has been looking for you?" Saito scratched his head before ruefully shrugging. "To tell you the truth, I've been here the entire time. I just can't seem to get this piece to go right..." "Here. Let me see it." The Oricaltos passed over the music, and Mina looked over it with a thoughtful expression on her face.
"Well, this is your first composition, isn't it?" He nodded, and the reincarnation of Death smiled at him. "This piece is better than some of the stuff that Soma writes, and that is a compliment." Saito scratched his head, and then he paused. "Since when was Soma a composer?" "He picked it up sometime around 2038. I'm not really sure why, but he's actually very good." Taking a closer look at the piece, Mina noticed that, for the most part, it had a fairly serious tone. "What is it that you're writing, a requiem?" "Yes. However, I'm having a bit of trouble deciding how to begin. I mean, I already know what the final portion will be, and am afraid that only I will be able to play it properly." "Why is that?" "Do you happen to know anyone who can play the song "Bloody Tears" on a flute?" Mina shook her head, and the Oricaltos snorted. "My point exactly."
"Well, you end on a high note, so why not start on one?" Saito considered this for a moment or two, and then he smiled. "That sounds like the perfect idea to me! And I also believe that I have come-up with the perfect name for this piece." "And what might that name be?" The Oricaltos smiled as he looked over at Mina. "The Requiem of Shadows. What do you think of it?" Mina scratched her head for a few moments, and then she smiled and nodded. "I think that it sounds perfect. Anyway, I hear Soma calling me, so I have to get out of here." Saito nodded before rising from his chair and stretching. "Thanks for the help, Mina. I really appreciate it." "You're very welcome, Saito."
We pick-up our story nearly a week and a half later. Saito has the approval of the resident conductor to perform his piece. However, once opening night arrives, the Oricaltos hits a major snare...
Hall
of Shadows: Draconia
Time:
Three hours until the opening of the Requiem of Shadows
"Of all the times that those idiots decided to call-in sick, it just had to be on my opening night!" Saito groused, pacing back and forth behind the curtains. It was 5:00, and the performance started promptly at 8. However, nearly all of the orchestra was missing, and Saito had no clue as to what would happen next. "Well, like they always say: The show must go on! It doesn't help that this is a sell-out either." He settled down near the front of the stage, his head hung in defeat.
And yet, another saying came to his mind as he heard several voices approaching from behind the stage: It is always darkest just before dawn. "What in the hell? Where's the rest of the orchestra?" "They all called-in sick, but I have a funny feeling that they are actually here, sitting somewhere in the audience, Soma." The frost-haired man slowly shook his head. He was dressed in a formal tuxedo, as were all of the other males. That, and his hair was no longer sticking-up at all sorts of odd angles. "Well, it looks like as long as we are here, we might as well help you out on this one."
Saito raised his head in surprise to see that Soma was not alone. As a matter-of-fact, all of those to whom he had granted immortality were present, and they were all nodding in agreement with Soma. "But you guys have never played this piece, much less seen it. Are you sure that this is a good idea?" Medusa laughed easily, tossing her hair from one side to the other. "How are you so sure that we have never seen this piece before. After all, it was Mina who helped you out on this one." The Oricaltos scratched his head for a moment, and then he looked at Mina. "Are you saying that you had a feeling that this would happen?" "Yes, and it came in the form of a rather strange messenger." The Oricaltos tilted his head to one side, intrigued. "Would you mind describing this messenger?" "Not at all!" Soma stated with a laugh. "She was a little shorter than you, with white hair, red eyes, and what appeared to be black cat-ears. She was wearing a white dress with a red lower-lining."
At the description of the young woman, the diralec froze in his tracks. Where have I seen that woman before? I know it was a while ago, but WHEN? Does "The Battle of Shadows of the Obligate" ring any bells? What in the name of the Netherworld...? PRAM? Hehehe. Yup, it's me! Listen, I need a favor from you after all of this is done. What is it? Well, I have a bit of a problem... You see, I need to find a way to get Zetta's body back, but in order to do that...you need to go through Ball, right? I'm afraid so. Don't worry. I promise that I'll be there fairly soon. REALLY? Aw, thank you! I should be the one thanking you, Oracle. Let's just call it even for now. Deal.
Saito was openly grinning when he opened his eyes again. "You had a close encounter with the Oracle of the Netherworld. This is twice that she's managed to help me out, but I'm going to be returning the favor soon enough." Looking around at his allies, he picked-up a rather slender baton and strode forward. The others quickly stepped out of his way, until he stopped before a rather large insect. "Do you mind conducting, King of Locusts? After all, I do have a certain flute part that only I could manage." "You're right about that," Medusa groaned slightly. "I tried and tried, but I could never get the tempo right for the opening." Abbadon nodded as he accepted the baton. "It would be an honor to conduct the premier of your requiem, Oricaltos." Saito looked around at his allies once more. "You guys are life-savers. Come on, we've got a requiem to perform!"
Three hours later...
The stage was set, and the curtain rose. The Hall of Shadows was packed, with every seat sold. Sitting in the back of the concert hall, the so-called "Black Shadows Orchestra," the members who were supposed to be performing that night but had called-in sick, were snickering amongst themselves when the curtain finally rose. However, something on the stage grabbed their attention, and they could only stare in shock and surprise. There was a full orchestra on-stage! The only two people missing were the Concertmaster (first-chair violinist) and the conductor. Above all things that they felt, was the cold, rather angry eyes of the Oricaltos. You disappointed me. That, and you actually had the gall to sit where I could easily see you! Pitiful. Now, if you don't mind, I need to see ALL of you after the performance is done. Yes Sir.
There was a moment of silence when the Concertmaster finally strode-out but it was soon broken with hearty applause. Malus Vivode smiled before bowing, and then he turned and pointed towards the back of the orchestra. Lucian played his note, and then the final tuning had begun. After about two minutes, Abbadon strode onto the stage, and stood on the podium. He raised his baton, and there was momentary silence. Then, it was broken when he began the first downbeat. At long last, the requiem which Saito had worked so hard to write, had finally begun.
It was a long and complicated piece, involving sudden pauses, key changes, and enough of a theme to tie all of the piece together. It had caused many of the orchestra veterans problems, even after a week and a half, and yet here they were, a group that had materialized out of the blue, and they were playing the piece perfectly. No one had expected this to happen, and the Black Shadows refused to believe it. That was, until the finale. Suddenly, there was a solo flute rising out of the silence, and after seventeen seconds, it was joined by the rest of the orchestra. This was "Bloody Tears," the penultimate finale of the Requiem of Shadows. When the finale ended after nearly four-and-a-half minutes, there was a stunned silence as the players rose to their feet. Then, in a single instant, the entirety of the concert hall exploded into thunderous applause.
The Oricaltos gestured for everyone to take their bows before moving to the front of the stage. Once he had done so, the applause seemed to grow even louder and more sincere. He smiled, bowed, and then raised his hands. At this gesture, all in the room fell silent. It was then that Saito began to speak. "I wish to thank all of you for attending tonight's performance. However, before you all head home, there are a few issues that I need to address. First of all, I want everyone to look at the back three rows of the concert hall." Everyone did so, and the shock was evident on their faces when they turned back to the stage. "They all called-in, saying that they were 'too sick to perform'. Yeah, right," he snarled, and the audience nodded in agreement. "However, I must thank all of them, for giving me an opportunity I wouldn't have otherwise received. Allow me to introduce you all to a group of very good friends of mine. Ladies and gentlemen: I give you the Order of the Shadowed Sword!"
At those words, Soma and the others once more rose to their feet, and the applause was thunderous as every member of the audience gave them a standing ovation. Saito smiled as he cast his eyes upwards. Don't worry, Pram. I'll be there soon.
Makai Kingdom: Zetta's Netherworld
Time: Three hours after the end of the concert
Pram was sitting at her desk, alone. She had been writing in the Tome practically all day, and she was extremely tired. However, she knew that she still had work to do, and so she go out a pen and paper and began to write once more. She was interrupted by a sudden knock on her door. Rising and stretching her legs and lower-back, she hurried to answer it.
"Yes?" she called, only to hear a voice that she didn't recognize. "Lady Pram? I have a package delivery for you." "Well then, bring it in," she said, opening the door to admit the messenger. However, he had already vanished, leaving the package on the floor. Bending to retrieve it, Pram studied the package, slightly puzzled. It appeared to be a padded envelope, with her name written on the front in a bold, flowing script.
Mystified, she carried the package into her room and closed the door. Then, sitting down at her desk, she opened the envelope and upended it into her hand. A letter fell out, followed shortly by what appeared to be an ordinary music CD. She paused for a moment, and then picked-up the letter. She opened it, but did not immediately recognize the handwriting. However, she suddenly began to smile when she saw the signature scrawled across the bottom. It was a rather long one, and it confirmed her original guess as to exactly who had sent her the package.
Oracle of the Netherworld:
Please excuse me for not being prompt about this. It's just that I needed more time than I originally anticipated on this little project of mine. Enclosed, you will find a copy of the original premier performance of the Requiem of Shadows, my first-ever composition. I just hope that the sound quality is good enough.
Anyways, onto more important matters. As you know, I promised to help you to regain Zetta's body. However, I have a bit of a problem. You see, I don't have a way to enter your Netherworld. I was wondering if you could help me out in this aspect. I will be in the Netherworld when you receive this. Apparently, Laharl is having a few problems with some of his vassals, and he asked me to mediate. From fighter to musician, to negotiator, all in under three weeks! Man, my job never ends. (Pram snorted slightly at this comment.) Anyway, if you are able to help, it would be greatly appreciated. Just send your transportation method as soon as possible. I look forward to seeing you again fairly soon.
Sincerely,
Saito
Alexander Daniel Michael Nathaniel Alan Jeffrey Onago
P.S. You might want to make your method a LITTLE obvious. That way, I won't be looking for it all-over creation.
Pram smiled as she set the letter on her desk. Taking the CD, she headed over to a rather small dresser, and put it into her CD player. She then pressed Play, and settled down to listen. Outside, the messenger chuckled softly to himself when he heard the opening chords of the Requiem. It sounds as if she likes it, Oricaltos. Agreed, Soma. Thanks for dropping it off. Soma Alejandro Cruz, Dracula reincarnate, Lord of Chaos, smiled as he opened the Seal Gate once more. You're very welcome, Saito. Good luck! You too, Soma. Before the grace of God go I, and may His eternal light forever shine upon us. May the LORD have mercy upon their poor souls, for we most certainly will not. AMEN. (See Author's note2)
FIN
Author's note1: YAHOO! I'm finally finished with this story, after who knows how long. Anyway, it's time that I give a warm thank-you to those wonderful people who have reviewed both of my stories so far:
ElementPriestess
Jeikobu
Kyoudai-teiru
Xeno
Kyuuseishu
Setsuna
Kris
(Dark Paladin) McPay
There is much more yet to come for Saito, I promise you that much. Anyways, please remember to read and review ALL of the work that I have done so far. Thanks in advance. Finally, it's time that I sign-off from this story using an immortal quote from The Truman Show: "Good morning, and for those of you I won't be seeing again: good afternoon, good evening, and goodnight." SEE YA!
Author's note2: Consider the lines from "Before the grace," to "AMEN." as the Order's unique variation on the Hellsing prayer. The underlined and italicized portions are stated by Saito, the other italicized portions are stated by Soma, and the "AMEN" is stated by all.
Author's note3: Since a section for Makai Kingdom doesn't exist, I will put my next story, titled Disgaea: Summons of the Oracle, into the next best thing, so it's back to the Disgaea section we go! Hopefully, I will see all of you there.