Chapter 17: Betrayal
Disclaimer: I Don't Own Corpse Party or Any of the Characters
A/N: If you hadn't inferred from the title, somebody is going to stab someone in the back at some point in this chapter. Um, Seiko is going to be back in this chapter, in full human resurrected form, whatever. However, she and Naomi are going to have a rocky relationship and you'll find out why when it happens. So, I do hope that you enjoy this chapter! But anyways, let's get into it!
Naomi
Naomi had no idea where she was. As soon as the ritual had been completed, she lost consciousness. Or maybe she had fallen asleep. Either way, she was freaking out. When she finally opened her eyes, she realized that she was in the halls of Heavenly Host. No, this doesn't feel right. I should be in the Reference Room. So, why am I here? She tried to move, but couldn't. She started walking, but soon realized she wasn't the one walking. Well, she was, but she also wasn't. It's as if she was dreaming, or that her body had a mind of it's own. I have know idea what is happening. All of a sudden, there was a flash of white, and then Naomi was standing in the girl's lavatory, staring at Seiko's hanging body. No, I've already done this! I've already witnessed this! Naomi wanted to get out and she wanted to get out now. But she couldn't move her legs. All she could do was just stand there. There has to be way to loosen the rope, so Seiko can breathe! Naomi realized that she didn't even have control of her thoughts, at least to a certain degree. Seiko, although half-conscious, was thrashing around and squirming while her neck was bound by the rope, frantically gasping for air. Of course, no air came.
It seemed like it was a reflex, when in this condition the body had no air. It was clear Seiko wanted to live, but Naomi still had no idea why she was here. Naomi, anyway. She didn't understand what had happened after the ritual was over. "I'm going to save you! I swear!" Naomi said, after realizing that she hadn't really said it. If she were dreaming, than she was just basically watching all this play out, not being able to do anything. She watched as she hoisted Seiko up on my shoulders and undid the knot that had her in that noose. She brought her down and onto the floor of the lavatory, so hopefully Seiko would breathe again. "Stay with me Seiko!" she said. There I go again, with speaking when I really am not speaking. What's going on here? What is this weird dream? Seiko was wheezing and panting, and she couldn't tell if she'd be alright. Seiko had her eyes closed and was no doubt exhausted from the whole ordeal. Naomi gently and carefully pressed her finger against Seiko's neck. She had a pulse, she was glad of that. "Seiko, you idiot! Why would you try to hang yourself?" Naomi's words were a bit harsh. I can't control anything I do... Naomi only got a series of wheezes from Seiko in return.
"I was so, so, so worried about you!" Naomi said. There was only a few pants for air and a gasp from Seiko in response. "You have no idea!" Naomi said, as she laid her head down on Seiko's body. What is going on? Why is there a bad feeling welling up in the pit of my stomach? "It's okay. It's okay now. I'm sorry, Seiko. I won't ever leave you alone again." Naomi whispered. Seiko continued to wheeze in response to Naomi's words. "Do you understand? It's me, Naomi!" she said. Seiko let out a gasp, as if she were in shock as well as fear. "What is it?" Naomi asked. Seiko let out a scream of shock. "Wha...? Seiko?!" Naomi let out a exclamation of worry. "What's wrong? Its me! It's me!" Seiko started hiccuping. Seiko isn't acting like herself... She looked as if she had just seen a ghost, a look of terror was painted onto her face, as if she were fearing for her life. She finally stumbled to her feet, clumsily and darted out of the room. "No!" Seiko let out a scream of fear. "Seiko?!" She must be confused... What was she doing? It was weird. Naomi ran out of the room, to chase after Seiko. I have to know what Seiko is afraid of! "Wait! Tell me what's wrong! It's me! It's Naomi!" she called out. She kept the pace with Seiko's frantic footsteps.
She followed Seiko down the stairs and that's when she heard it. "Sei-!" Naomi started to call Seiko's name, but stopped when she heard a thud, followed by a smaller, much softer thud. "No..." Naomi said, as she continued slowly down the stairs. I've been here. I know what will happen. But how? Naomi got to the bottom of the stairs and let out a scream of terror as she saw it. She saw Seiko's body, with the head being severed from the neck. And the killer: a bloody piano wire. She let out another, even louder scream of terror and shock. "No!" Naomi screamed. "Why? Why?! Seiko... I saved you! I just saved you!" That's when Naomi heard the sound of someone giggling. Naomi turned to see a little girl in a red dress, who was licking up blood that was on her forearm. "Ugh, it smells rotten!" she said, as she cackled. All Naomi could do was scream. Sachiko... Why are you putting me through this again? "Oh, poor you! Poor you!" she said as she giggled. "Did you really think you could save her? Once someone's fate passes through these halls, it's locked in place forever. Don't you see? If your destiny is to die here, than that is what is going to happen, no matter what. And the way you die will get worse and worse and worse. Everytime!" Sachiko now had a look of calmness on her face. "Good girl. Good girl. Don't worry, I'll glady extract all your painful memories for now." she said, before a look of insanity came across her face. "This isn't your first time here, after all... right? We have all the time in the world to savor the new, unspeakable ways that your friend can die..." Sachiko eventually disappeared and left Naomi alone, holding Seiko's decapitated head in her arms.
Yoshiki
When Yoshiki opened his eyes, they were all standing in the Reference Room. Shinohara's body was lying on the table and Naho was levitating half a foot off of the floor, with what looked like a stone the size of a small dinner plate floating just above her hand. "Is that the Stone of Darkness?" Ayumi whispered. "The what?" Yoshiki asked, turning to look at her. "The Stone of Darkness, the piece that finished the gateway back in your world." Naho said. "And no, it's not. This is it's twin, the Stone of Night. And it is the finishing piece to your ticket out of here." Yoshiki stepped forward and tried to grab it from her hands, but it floated even farther above, just out of his reach. "What the hell?" he asked, looking up at Naho, to see her eyes glowing a demonic red. "Your service has been most appreciated. Thank you for helping me." she said, in a demonic voice. "Are you kidding me? What are you talking about?" Yoshiki asked, as he backed up, with his three friends right beside him. "I'm talking about how you just helped me take full control." Naho said, her voice still sounding demonic. "This wasn't a part of the deal! Sachiko was supposed to split the power with you and then you would resurrect my friend!" Naomi said.
"You think some of the power was enough for me?" Naho asked, as she cackled. "That little girl can go to hell. Plus, I did bring your friend back. She'll be waking up soon, healthy as can be. And in return, I get full power and you five are trapped here." Yoshiki raised an eyebrow. "Wait, how are we trapped here?" he asked. Naho cackled again as she levitated the Stone of Night in front of her. "This is the Stone of Night, the Stone of Darkness' twin. It's your ticket out of here. I have your ticket out of here. Are you getting a better picture? You and your pathetic friends are all trapped here! All the people you lost here? Damned to hell for an eternity. Name 'em. Yui, Suzumoto, Morishige. Hell, even those who aren't dead yet will die here. Mochida, Nakashima, Shinozaki, Shino-" Yoshiki had been fed up with this. "Don't talk about Shinozaki like that!" he said, grabbing a chair and throwing through Naho. "And don't talk about Morishige about that either!" Yoshiki felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked over his shoulder to see Satoshi, shaking his head. "You can't do this! We had a deal!" Naomi shouted. "We did have a deal. And I kept my side of the bargain. We have done business. And I can do this. As I take control, you five will just have to await eternal damnation. The total assimulation of this dimension will begin now. Thank you and good-bye!" Naho said, before disappearing, along with the Stone of Night.
...
"I can't believe any of this!" Ayumi screamed, as she kicked a chair across the room. "Well, you better believe it!" Yoshiki said. "I don't understand why you are surprised. She was pretty crooked! She has control over Heavenly Host now and there's not a damn thing we can do about it!" Yoshiki and Ayumi stared at each other, a look of anger in both of their eyes. "Hey guys? It worked. Shinohara is breathing." Satoshi announced, as Yoshiki looked to see that he and Naomi were carefully getting her off the table. "I should have seen this coming." Yoshiki muttered as he looked away from his friends. "I should have never trusted Naho. Never!" He slammed his fist into the table. "You think you are alone here!" Ayumi said, as he felt someone started slugging him in the back. "This is all on us!" He turned around to face her. "Don't you get it? It's over! We are trapped here and we are never getting out!" Satoshi walked over to them. "Maybe. Maybe not." he said, putting his hand on Yoshiki's shoulder. "Don't forget, we still have the Book of Shadows." Ayumi sighed. "Yes, we do have the book." she said in a glum tone. "But that could take days for me to translate." Yoshiki let out a sigh of frusteration, as he walked off into the corner by himself, wanting to comprehend what had happened. We're trapped here. It's true. There is no hope. He expected to hear a response from Sachiko, but he reminded himself that she no longer had control. So, that probably meant she couldn't communicate with them any longer.
He had no idea what to do with himself. He was truely ready to just give up hope. He might as well just give up his life. There wasn't a point anymore. His eyes stung with tears that had been waiting to come for some time. He let them come. He wanted nothing else but to cry. So, he did. But silently he cried. He was to proud of a man to let his friends see him cry. "I had a vision." Naomi said. There was silence for a few seconds. "I'm sorry? What did you say?" Ayumi asked. "I had a vision." Naomi said, in a louder tone. "What was it about?" Satoshi asked. "It was about Seiko mainly. Seiko was still hanging from a noose." Naomi replied. "So... it took place in the past?" Ayumi asked. "Yes, I think so. Anyway, I helped to get Seiko down from the noose and managed to get her on the floor, breathing. When she woke up, she freaked out at the sight of me for some reason." There was silence for a few seconds. "Why did she freak out?" Satoshi asked. "I don't know. All I know is that it led to her death. She ran away from me, down a flight of stairs and was decapitated by a sharp piano wire." There was silence for a long time. Yoshiki turned around, wiping the tears from his face. No one spoke for a while. Satoshi and Ayumi just stood there. Naomi sat on the ground, with Shinohara's head in her lap, Naomi was stroking her friend's hair.
"Yoshiki, help me barricade the door." Satoshi said, as he ran over to a table. "What? Why?" Ayumi asked. "One, we have no idea what is in store for us now that Naho has control. And two, Naomi's vision could be a sign, that Shinohara will try to escape once she wakes up." he said. "Yoshiki, let's go! Now!" Yoshiki moved over to the table his friend was standing at. He and Satoshi pushed the table over to the door, blocking anyone from being able to get to it. They did the same with a couple of desks, placing them on top of the table. They had done it just in time, because that's when he heard it. And he saw it too. He saw Shinohara's eyes flutter open and she was gasping for air before her eyes opened. She just laid there for a few seconds, saying nothing. "Seiko?" Naomi said, just above a whisper, her voice shaky as hell. I understand. You haven't seen your best friend alive in months. Take all the time in the world, Nakashima. "Seiko? Do you know where you are? Do you know who I am? Do you know who you are?" Naomi asked. Seiko's eyes widened in shock as it appeared she was close to hyperventilating. She got up as she stared at Naomi, with her eyes still full of shock. "Shinohara." Yoshiki said, putting his hand on the brunette's shoulder. "It's okay. You're okay. You don't have a thing to worry about." Seiko spun around to face Yoshiki, her eyes wide with fear.
"What is it? What's wrong?" Satoshi asked. She looked at Satoshi, her eyes still wide with fear, shock and what looked like a little bit of confusion. "Shinohara? Do you understand a thing we're saying?" Ayumi asked. She looked all around her. At him, at Satoshi, at Ayumi and finally at Naomi. "Seiko! It's ok! I'm here! It's go-" Naomi was speaking, but was interrupted when Seiko started to scream. She screamed and ran towards the barricade, pushing the desks off and trying to move the table, but was unsuccessfull. "Grab her!" Yoshiki said, as he grabbed her arm, as Satoshi grabbed her other arm. "Stop! Stop! Please!" Seiko spoke at last, as she begin to cry. "Please don't kill me! I don't want to die!" Naomi got up and grabbed both sides of her friend's face. "Seiko, you need to listen to me." she said, as her friend squirmed in her hands. "I need you to focus. What is the last thing you remember? Do you remember being a ghost?" Seiko continued to squirm, trying to get free. But Satoshi and Yoshiki had a firm hold on her and weren't going to let go. "Please, Shinohara." Ayumi said, walking over to her. "Do you remember anything? Do you remember anything at all?" Seiko stopped squirming for a few seconds, gasping and wheezing. "I remember..." Seiko's face twisted and turned into a contorted face of confusion and then turned into a look of fear and shock. "What is it? Anything that pops into your head! What do you remember?" Ayumi asked, sounding intrigued.
"Mochida-Kun, Kishinuma-Kun, let go of me, please." Seiko said, as calm as she could. Yoshiki cautiously let go of the girl's arm, as did Satoshi. Seiko seemed to be staring at Naomi, dead in the eyes. "Naomi..." Seiko said, raising her hand towards her, before bringing back down. "How could you?!" Seiko then balled her right hand into a fist and slugged Naomi in the cheek, sending her to the ground. She tried to continue by kicking her in the stomach, but Satoshi and Yoshiki quickly grabbed her arms again and dragged her backwards a little bit. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Shinohara, calm down!" Yoshiki urged.
Naomi
Naomi broke down and began to cry. So, this is how my best friend greets me, after being without her for so long? "I have no intention of calming down!" Seiko screamed. "This crazy bitch tried to kill me! And she'll probably try to kill all of you as well!" Naomi got up, still crying and looked at her friend in the eyes. "You think I would ever harm you in anyway shape or form?" she asked. "If I were an assassin and were paid to kill you, I wouldn't even be able to lay a finger on you! I would never, ever, ever, ever dream of killing you! Let alone hurting you!" Seiko stared back at Naomi. "That's a load of shit and you know it! You tried to hang me! We were both there and we both saw what happened!" Just then, they were interrupted by a cackling sound. "No, not now!" Yoshiki said, letting go of Seiko's arm. "It appears as I have to guide you all through this." the voice of a little girl said. Naomi looked to the direction of the voice and saw Sachiko emerge from the shadows, along with her Hammer Man. He walked up to Yoshiki and began to growl in an unnatural manner, before raising his hammer. Yoshiki flinched and it looked as if the Hammer Man were about to strike, when- "Down boy!" Sachiko said. The Hammer Man let out a grunt, as he slammed the handle of his hammer into the floor and backed up, away from Yoshiki.
"I've been watching you." Sachiko said, apparently addressing all of them. "What?" Ayumi asked. "What are you talking about?" Sachiko sighed, before laughing a little. "Oh come on, now! Your friend, Kishinuma knows all about what I'm talking about! Don't you?" Yoshiki turned to look at Sachiko. "I do?" he asked. Sachiko let out another sigh. "Ok, I see. I guess I'll have to repeat everything I've ever said to any of you. Here we go." Sachiko spoke and closed her eyes. Her eyes opened again and she started to speak in a monotone voice, with a ominous tone as well. "I have been watching you. I know who you are. I know when and where you are. Sounds ominous doesn't it? Good! 'Cause it fucking is!" Naomi flinched at the tone that Sachiko was speaking in, but continued to listen nonetheless. "I have seen each and every one of your sins. You do not belong in your "perfect" world. You belong here, in hell. Did you really think that you could succeed? Did you actually believe that Naho had told all of you the truth? You are all so stupid! And gullible, too! You will never amount to anything!" Naomi didn't understand, but continued to listen. Sachiko turned to look at Yoshiki. "Your own best friend hates you. You must realize it. You waste your time with your so called friends. Why do you do the things that you do? Why do you get up everyday, when you know in the end, you are nothing but a failure?" Naomi's eyes stung with tears, towards what Sachiko was saying about Kishinuma. "You sound like my father..." Yoshiki said, in a tone full of hatred. "I hate my father."
Sachiko continued to speak in that same ominous tone, this time looking at Satoshi. "I'll be damned. You are actually going to do it, aren't you? You really plan on resurrecting that girl? Very interesting. Perhaps there is hope for you after all. Or not. I'll tell you what. Since I'm so eager to see what you have in mind, I'll let you have this one for free." Satoshi's forehead wrinkled up, as if he were trying to remember. Sachiko turned to look at Yoshiki once more. "You are useless. Why did you drink and smoke? Why did you agree to help them? You knew in the end that you would all fail. Why did you trust Naho. Was it because you actually believed she would help you?" she spoke in the same cold and menacing tone. "Are you getting a clearer picture?"
Yoshiki
Am I getting a clearer picture? "You've been watching us, from our very first visit. You've seen each and every one of our sins. You know who we are, where and when we are. You also know that we should never have trusted Naho." he said. Sachiko nodded. "That's right." she said. "Than, you know how Naho has full power... Don't you?" Ayumi asked. "Yes. I do." Sachiko said. "Really?" Satoshi asked. "Wait, how do we know that we can trust you? How do we know you won't kill us?" Sachiko just laughed, lifting her hand. "If you really don't remember, I'll jog your memory. You allowed Naho to get full power. I don't have full power anymore. I couldn't kill you even if I wanted to." Yoshiki was confused. "So, you don't want to kill us?" he asked. "I never said that." Sachiko said. "So, how did Naho get full control?" Ayumi asked. "Well, that's your fault, now that you mention it." Sachiko said. "How is it our fault?" Naomi asked. "It's your fault because, you allowed her to have the Book of Shadows. And she rewrote it, she broke the rules in some ways." Sachiko said. "So, how did she rewrite the book?" Yoshiki asked. "No, rewrite isn't the right word. More, like she changed a certain spell and merged it with another." Sachiko said. "She took the ritual that was used to resurrect your friend and merged it with a spell that would grant her power over my dimension. That's how, she has power."
"So, how do we get out?" Ayumi asked. "As Naho has control over the dimension, I can't help you with that." Sachiko said. Yoshiki stepped forward. "I have a proposal for you." he said. "Kishinuma! No!" Ayumi said, but Yoshiki got in front of her, attempting to shut her up. "I'm listening." she said, as she hovered closer. "I and my friends help you reclaim your power, we trap Naho somehow, you allow us to go home and we pretend we never knew each other." Yoshiki said, in a confident tone. "Kishinuma! No!" Ayumi screamed, but Yoshiki ignored her. "That sounds fair." Sachiko finally spoke in an uneasy tone. "Do we have a deal? We help you and in return, you allow us to go home. Do we have a deal?" Yoshiki asked. Sachiko looked back at him, before finally speaking. "We have a deal." she said, in a firm tone. She turned around and hovered over to the Book of Shadows. "Come. We have much to do, with so little time." Sachiko said. "It should be abundantly clear that this dimension is seriously out of whack! And you just gave me a promise. And I expect you to keep it!" She turned to face them. "Guess what?" she asked. "You're going to fix it!"
A/N: Yes, our characters (and Seiko) have teamed up temporarily with Sachiko and her forces, to restore order to Heavenly Host. They will be escaping, I promise you that. So, I did hope that you enjoyed this chapter! And as always, don't forget to follow and or favorite this story, as it really helps it out. And if you want to get your input to me, than go ahead and PM me! Of if messaging isn't your style, than you could always send a review my way. I'm going to go though, so have a great day and bye.