The Taming of Gods
An Akito X OC fanfiction story. Please leave a review
We're almost at the end- hopefully you guys will all stay with the story until the end- not long to go now!
Musical inspiration: 'Things We Lost In the Fire' by Bastille
Chapter 17
'High school girls, high school girls...' Ayame hummed happily to himself as he took stock of the latest shipment of fabrics that had arrived that morning. Unexpectedly, he was gripped with an a brief feeling of dizziness, before he felt himself swept up in a slithering, writhing tangle of bodies.
'Snakes? Here?' His confusion only grew as his kin enwrapped him. Suddenly, he felt a huge burden he didn't even realise he'd been carrying lift from his heart. Ayame gasped as he felt the curse break; an invisible bond to his soul came untethered and the snakes slithered away, vanishing as suddenly as they had appeared. He was free!
'Hm? What's the matter Aya?!' Mine rushed over to him, dropping the folded fabrics she'd been carrying. Panic gripped her as Ayame sank to his knees.
'The curse… I- I think it broke.' He looked up at her, tears shining in his amber eyes.
'It's over?' She asked, breath caught.
'It's finally over.' They both sighed in relief and burst into laughter, tears overflowing as they kissed passionately.
Across Japan, all of the cursed Sohmas rejoiced as they felt the chains of the curse break from around their souls, feeling true freedom at last. Even those who'd already been freed of their curses felt the whisper of refreshing freeness that swept across the land. The tyrant had fallen at last.
Meda blearily opened her eyes, her vision swimming as the world became suddenly bright. After a moment, the events in the Kami's throne room came back to her and she jerked upright, only to find herself back in her bed in Shigure's house.
'Morning, Sleeping Beauty.' A familiar voice teased. Shigure peered down at her, slight concern shadowing his cheery expression.
'Finally up, huh? Gods, you're heavy. I had to carry you up here and I swear I pulled something in my back.' Kyo said grumpily, though Meda could see the worry etched into his face. Despite the fact that the Kami had been banished they all still seemed tense.
'Akito! Where is he?' She asked anxiously, the memory of his whipping burning fresh in her mind.
'Calm down. He's ok. A little shaken but fine. He's downstairs-' Before Shigure could finish his sentence, the sheets were thrown in the air and Meda was gone.
'Akito!? Akito!' Meda called out looking around the empty living room.'
'Tch. You're too loud for this early in the morning.' A familiar voice approached her from behind. She whipped around to see Akito lounging against the kitchen door, a mug of steaming hot coffee in his hand. Sensing her next actions, Akito wisely managed to set down his mug before Meda launched herself at him, pulling him into a tight embrace. Her hands roamed down his back, checking for any injuries or scars.
'Oof! Kami you're strong.' He commented in an annoyed tone, although he still wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly, as if to ascertain that she was real and safe in his arms. She buried her face in his shoulder, her tears soaking the black fabric of his shirt. He had changed into some clothes he'd borrowed from Kyo. Under the thin fabric of his skin tight top, Meda could feel the firm muscles of his chest. Although she knew she could handle anything that came her way, she felt an inexplicable sense of security in his strong arms.
Akito had stiffened when he felt the vibrations of Meda's sobs and her tears soaking into his shirt. Dealing with crying girls wasn't his forte.
'Hush, it's alright.' He said in an uncharacteristically gentle voice, gently rubbing her back. Meda was so surprised she looked up, her sobs ceasing for a moment. Akito shifted uncomfortably for a moment, before his familiar smirk came back. 'Don't cry. It's not attractive in the least.'
'Jerk.' Meda huffed, shoving him away. She'd been so worried and he was acting as if absolutely nothing had happened. Before she could move away, he'd wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back into his embrace, tucking her head under his chin.
'I was so worried! Are you ok? Whatever happened to the scars from the whip?' She looked up at him anxiously, her emerald green eyes looking myrtle as they darkened with worry and anger.
'You were that worried, huh? I knew it. I'm probably the most valuable person in your life.' He smirked again. Meda rolled her eyes, refusing to give him the rise he was looking for. Now that she was certain that everyone was safe and there was no imminent threat, she was beginning to recollect her usual passive demeanour. 'It wasn't the first time that I've been whipped or hurt by Him. He liked to "play" with me almost as much as He liked to play with Yuki. But whatever He did with me, in that wretched lair of His, for some reason it never manifested when I returned to the real world.' Akito's eyes shone darkly and he shook his head to clear the painful memories that kept playing over and over again in his head.
Unable to hold back any longer, Meda reached up and pressed her lips against his, instantly driving out all thoughts of the Kami as his eyes widened in surprise. Another smirk played across his lips as he yanked her closer and pressed her up against the wall, hungrily devouring her mouth. Her lips were so soft against his. She squeezed her eyes shut as he deepened the kiss, delving into her mouth. His hand reached up and entangled itself in her soft, dark hair, pulling her even closer, if possible.
No more.
No more would he have to suffer torment at the hands of that tyrannical monster that called itself God. And it was all thanks to the stunning girl that stood before him, cheeks flushed pink at the intensity of their kiss. All traces of the fiery rage and passion she'd displayed were gone now, peace stilling the limpid green pools of her eyes. Even his dark heart felt at ease in her gentle presence, but he now knew the pain, anger and fear of the warrior who was hidden beneath her placidity.
'Geez, get a room you two.' Kyo's disgusted voice broke them apart. Meda blushed even brighter if possible, while Akito maintained his smug, lazy smile.
'I-I-I was just… umm…' The boys broke into laughter at her embarrassment, while she hid her face behind her hands. Yuki emerged from the kitchen and promptly had the breath knocked out of him as Meda pulled him into a tight hug, using one hand to pull Kyo in as well.
'I'm so glad you are all alright.' She breathed a sigh of relief. Letting go of them, she graced Shigure with a hug, though he took the opportunity to try and snuggle up to her, earning him a smack on the head from Akito and a deathly glower from Kyo.
'So I guess you two are a thing now, huh? I can't believe all this has been going on under our noses and none of us had a clue.' Kyo glared at Akito, who just gave him a lazy smirk.
'Hatori just called: apparently the curse has been completely broken. None of the other zodiac members are transforming now!' Shigure beamed.
'Did Hatori go home then?' Meda asked, feeling slightly ashamed that in her excitement to see if Akito was alright, she'd almost completely forgotten about the others.
'Yeah. You've been out for several hours, so he went home to check on the others in case something had gone wrong. After the curse broke, although the feeling of liberation was overwhelming, there was also a sense of emptiness. As if something fundamental had been torn from us.' Yuki explained, a serene expression on his face. 'We were really worried about you, you know. You were out so long that if Hatori hadn't confirmed you were breathing we would have thought you were dead.'
A muscle in Akito's jaw twitched as remorse surged through him. It was his fault she'd been dragged into such a dangerous situation. And after all she'd been through… She deserved better than him. His head hung in shame and dark strands of his hair fell forward, covering his eyes.
'You never told us, about your past. About your powers… Why hide this from us Meda?' Yuki gently voiced his thoughts.
'My past?'
'Your family- you said they were slaughtered.' Kyo said bluntly, immediately regretting it as a flash of pain crossed her eyes.
'Ah…' Meda was silent for a moment, her face remaining in a calm mask. However, Akito could see the various emotions flashing through her eyes: pain, regret, grief, anger. Unthinkingly, he wrapped an arm around her waist, just the small contact making her feel better instantly.
'It's hard to explain.' She began, swallowing hard before she began her painful tale. 'I lived with my family in Southern America. I belong to the Quileute tribe, that's why I'm so tanned- I'm a native. The whole tribe loved me so much. They looked after me as if I were something sacred. I suppose in a way, to them, I was. I was born gifted- I had visions of the future and sometimes my touch was healing for minor ailments. It was nothing major, I just helped them predict crop harvests and weather and help with a cold or headache. I didn't even realise… how could I? I was so young.
Anyway, even at that early age I showed remarkable power- power that other people wanted to harness for their own selfish intents. I still remember the day they came, those awful people. I don't know who they were, just that they wanted to take me away and use or experiment on my gifts and me. My tribe fought to their last breath to protect me. It was futile though- every single person in our village was slaughtered or burnt to death. I still remember my mother fighting so bravely to keep me out of their reach. I felt so useless- all these gifts and I had no idea how to use them to fight back. They took me, laughing as my people burned before my eyes.' Meda's eyes had gained a far away look as she regressed into her memories. Her jaw was taut and Akito who was still holding her, noticed how stiffly she was sitting in his arms. They waited in silence for he to continue.
'I was experimented on for a few months- nothing that caused any lasting damage, but they traumatised me nonetheless. They began training me, even at that tender age, trying to turn me into their weapon. Unfortunately for them, my power was not one that could be contained once released. During one particularly stressful vision, my magical skills manifested for the first time- a reflex I believe to the conditions I had undergone. I accidently burnt down the entire base and every single human inside. After that, I fled, travelling constantly to keep from falling into evil people's clutches again.
When I was thirteen, I was taken in by a magical healer in Naples who healed and treated animals, humans and supernatural beings alike. He trained me in magic and helped me develop my healing affinity further. I left his tutelage when I was 16 and continued to travel, using my talents to help as many of those as I could. However, wherever I went creatures and people who could sense my power hunted me down and as a result, I had to quickly learn to defend myself, violently more often than not. I trained in various martial arts and fighting skills, but it was mostly for self-defence. I avoided conflict as much as I could and kept to myself, trying mostly just to help and heal than slaughter. It is not my place to pass judgement or execute wrongdoers. What happened with the Kami… I will never forgive myself for my lapse in control. What he was doing was unforgiveable, but I had no right to take his punishment into my hands.' She hung her head in shame, while the others broke out into loud cries of indignation.
'Don't you dare blame yourself for what happened to that monster. He had it a long time coming.' Yuki said vehemently, losing his usual placid demeanour.
'Yeah! You did us all a huge favour. Have you forgotten what He did to Yuki and I? How He was planning on having me live out my life in a cage. Because of Him I spent my entire life wallowing in self-loathing- the monster everyone despised.' Kyo spat.
Akito cradled Meda closer, as if his mere touch could wash away all thoughts of pain and guilt.
'All my life, Meda, that monster has controlled me. He poisoned my mind against my family and fuelled and nurtured only hate. I had completely forgotten what love was, until Hatori brought in that poor girl whom he was so in love with. At that moment, I began to remember and He didn't like that, so he lashed out. He kept me paranoid with fear for years: a fear that no one will love me; a fear that everyone will leave me and I will be left with Him and only Him for all eternity. You saved me Meda; you saved us all. When He died, the curse broke and now we are all free. I cannot convey to you the favour you have bestowed upon all of us, me most of all. I am forever in your debt for that.' Akito spoke so sincerely that the other Sohmas could do little more than stare. Shigure smiled fondly as he observed how mature his bratty little cousin had become. The effect she'd had on Akito was unbelievable, not only had she improved his health but she'd also freed him from the Kami and helped mend his tormented soul. Shigure was more grateful to her for what she'd done for his family than he could ever express to her.
'Meda that is enough.' Shigure said in an unusually firm tone. They all looked up at him in surprise, as it was uncharacteristic of the Dog to be so serious. 'I won't have any more of this sadness or guilty self-loathing in my house. We've all been afflicted by the curse and the anguish it brought with it for far too long. Now is a time for celebration!' He switched back to his usual cheery self before continuing.
'Let's have a party! Everyone can come. There'll be food and cake and balloons! Oh I do love balloons. Wait, I have to call Aya! He'll help me plan everything out! This is going to be the best party ever! Kyo, run down to the convenience store and buy some snacks.'
'Why do I gotta go? Why can't you get the damn rat to do it.' Kyo instantly protested, before the three of them broke out into amiable bickering again.
Meda watched speechlessly as the older man somehow managed to turn the dismal atmosphere into a much brighter one within minutes.
'You guys never fail to cheer me up.' Meda laughed softly, amused by their childishness, while Akito glared at them for being so insensitive. Before he could say anything however, Meda stopped him, gently saying, 'Let them be. It was all in the past and there's no need for us to taint our present or our future with unhappy memories.'
'You're so strong. 'Akito admired quietly, watching her intently.
'Oh my. Is that an actual compliment? You must be falling in love with me.' Meda teased, getting a cool glare for her efforts.
'Yes I am.' Akito said so quietly she almost missed it.
'What?' She repeated in shock. She was not expecting that.
'I'm not going to repeat it.' He pursed his lips, ignoring her whining at him to say it again. He smiled to himself as he watched his little broken family begin to slowly piece itself together.
AN: And that's the climax folks. What did you think? Stay tuned for a Romantic epilogue and maybe even a few fluffy Akito X Meda chapters if readers would like. Be sure to review/ PM me to let me know soon!