A/N: To answer your question, how about 2 months of waiting?
Well, first off, sorry for the delay. I had some writer's block and then I started to write other stories, creating one for Sword Art Online and another one for Skyrim. Then my sister went off to scold me for writing too many at one time so those will have to wait. After that, my internet did a sky dive and my computer decided to stop working. I almost lost this story but luckily I didn't. I should back up my files soon.
I thought I explained what the black tower was a few chapters back? In case you forgot, the black tower is something formed out of the school when the program went berserk.
As for who is in the group that is currently storming the castle? Well, here's a break down.
-SSS (Original)
Consisting of Yuri and the others (minus Kanade and Yuzuru), these are the original SSS who are heading up the tower
-SSS2
While I have not made a list of who is in the group from the SSS2 exactly, here are some that are in for sure.
- Katsuragi Rei
- Kusanagi Yamato
- Saya
- Tenryuu Shuusuke
- Kai
- Fujibayashi Kyou"
- Sakagami Tomoyo
- Testarrossa Iris
- Goudatera Takako
Well, these are the main guys anyway.
This chapter is already quite long, and the next few should be also just as long. Maybe they may take longer to write, since I'm really tied up in the office these few days. New drawings will be posted soon! I've already drawn what Kou looks like, so look forward to them!
Angel Beats!
What We Live For
Operation 47
Lust
The group raced up the uneven spiralling steps, heading up the twisting tower. As they climbed higher and higher, the ground below seemed to shrink and fade further and further. The stairs just kept going, on and on. Eventually, the ground was no longer visible as the stairs led out of the base of the tower, which was broader, and into the neck of the dark tower. Despite the steps being uneven, the group still managed to push on at a hurried pace. With Nakamura Yuri at the lead, the group just ran without question.
Katsuragi Rei knew of what made the legendary SSS leader quicken her pace. The Apocalypse program. He knew that stopping his two 'siblings' would cause the program to shut down... on a normal day. But something told him that even defeating those two, the program may still run. That came to his second objective. Ensuring the passing of the SSS2. The SSS2 leaders were somewhere in this tower and it would be through them that he can convince the SSS2 to pass on. Truth be told, with the appearance of the SSS, he did not need to worry about the rest of the SSS2. He just needed to convince the few most powerful people in the SSS2 to pass on. That will not be an easy task, not to mention that they were the ones who could probably cause the greatest amount of disruption to the system if left alone. The group suddenly stopped, making Katsuragi snap out of his slight day-dream.
"Why have we stopped?"
Kyou asked out loud.
"... Because it seems we have reached... something."
Came Yuri's reply. The stairwell seemingly cuts off into a short flat plane and standing right before the group in the middle of their path was a large pair of stone doors that covered from floor to ceiling. Carved into the door were sculptures of women and men, all in rather illicit poses, seemingly fawning over one another in a picture that depicted a mass orgy.
"... Is this suppose to be a shounen story? Or a seinen one?"
Yuri asked in a slightly sarcastic manner as she walked up towards the gate. Something told Katsuragi that this was bad news.
"These doors... they're unnatural."
Yuri muttered as she traced her finger across the surface of the door. A trail of black smoke from the door followed her finger.
"Black essence."
Yuri muttered, pulling her finger back.
"Hideki~, I'm scared."
Yui's annoying voice came out. Turning around, Yuri saw Yui being fawned over by her idiotic childhood friend.
"There there, I'm right here, Yui."
Somehow this really irked Yuri. However it wasn't only the idiotic couple that were making weird noises.
"Hisako~ I'm scared!"
That Fujimaki is acting all weird around Hisako, who just summarily ignored him.
"There's something in the air here."
Naoi Ayato said, looking up as though there was some visible floating substance in the air.
"Something?"
Yuri quizzed and Ayato nodded in return.
"Yes, most likely it is a product of the thick concentration of black essences. It seems to be subliminally manipulating us. Of course it is weak so does not affect us unless we're weak in mind. I'm God so I won't be affected such trivial-"
"Right, so weak mind means being affected."
Yuri summed up his point while cutting him off before he could go on some long self-indulgent rant to feed his narcissistic ego. Yuri still wonders why didn't Ayato make so much noise when Kamiya was not heading in the same direction as them. Maybe he got over his strange affection for Yuzuru? Most likely not. However there was one person that Yuri was wondering whether he was being affected by this... essence or not. Noda. Yuri turned to look at the halberd wielding idiot, only to see that he looked away from her. He was looking at her secretly. Ah, he was affected. He was affected all right. Best to leave him alone, otherwise he might blow up or something.
"... Let's go then."
Yuri said, using both of her hands and pushed the doors open. The giant doors swung open without much force and the group entered into what appeared to be a giant hall.
"... This place should not exist."
Shiina noted and it was true. This hall was clearly larger than what the surrounding area can provide. This was another case of the black essence distorting the space around them. But what was not distorted was the large collection of strange art pieces. Placed all around this giant hall were statues of naked people in various poses, as well as paintings and drawings either on the walls or on easels or on the floor. The paintings depicted people as well, albeit in a more sexual and crude manner.
"Someone is a pervert."
Yuri muttered as she took a closer look at one of the paintings.
"I prefer if you would call it 'Art'."
A voice spoke up just as the giant doors suddenly slammed shut behind the group, locking them inside the hall. Stepping out from behind one of the statues was a young man with short light brown hair, shifting his spectacles slightly as he observed them with a smile.
"That is... Jinnai?"
Kyou asked in bewilderment. Jinnai, the second leader of the diversion division. Jinnai smiled and nodded in reply.
"Yes, I am Jinnai of Diversion. How well for all of you to arrive."
There was something in Jinnai's tone, his movements, his words, his very presence... something that felt... wrong. All within the group felt it and they knew it.
"... Jinnai, what is going on? Where did all of the Division heads go?"
Kyou demanded, to which Jinnai merely smiled, shaking his head slightly.
"Tsk tsk, Major Fujibayashi. Do you know you're addressing someone of a higher rank and position? But no matter, it doesn't matter any longer. The war, the divisions, the SSS2. Nothing matters."
Jinnai smiled in a slightly awkward manner.
"What do you mean 'nothing matters'? ! Explain yourself!"
Kyou snapped, to which the leader of the diversion division merely closed his eyes, his smile dropped.
"When I said nothing matters, it meant nothing really matters now. Mainly because all of you... will die here."
A sudden blast of pressure exploded from Jinnai, hitting the group hard. It was like the air was heavy, squeezing the breath out of them. Their bodies felt heavy, their movements restricted. This feeling was something the SSS2 knew. This was the same feeling as the S class Angel and above. This was the feeling of a division leader's full strength. Jinnai may be the weakest of all the division leaders, as well as lacking a SSS weapon that five of the division leaders hold, but he was nonetheless a division leader. Someone who had gained the level of respect, recognition and power to stand above all others within the SSS.
"T-this is... what the hell is happening Yurrippe? !"
Hinata demanded. Yuri only knew of one possibility. Something that both Yuzurus had told her about.
"The Angel Program. Tch, so this is what is going on."
Yuri muttered. With the amount of black essence around them, coupled with the corruption within the program, this would prove to be a very dangerous problem.
"Jinnai! What are you doing? !"
"Don't bother trying to reason with him! He's beyond words now!"
Yuri warned Kyou, drawing her side arm. The SSS as well as the Angels that Katsuragi converted all drew their weapons. Only the SSS2 members were unsure. This was one of their leaders here, they couldn't very well draw their weapons upon those that they had entrusted their lives onto.
"Watch out! He's coming!"
Yuri warned just as Jinnai drew his weapon.
[Boss Fight]
[4th Division Leader: Diversion]
[Jinnai]
[Alignment: Neutral Good]
[Type: Lust]
[Level: 80
HP: 540000
MP: 500000
Strength: C
Agility: C
Endurance: C
Luck: D]
[Weapons List:
- AR-15 Rifle (Rank C)
- Remington Shotgun (Rank B)
- Long Sword, Lancelot (Rank S) ]
A shock wave erupted as Jinnai swung his sword across, forcing the group backwards. Yuri gritted her teeth as she looked up, the mad malice that was being exuded from the SSS2 Division leader was almost visible. She turned to look at the special NPC, Katsuragi Rei. No doubt he could see the insanity as well.
"Jinnai! Stop this!"
Kyou tried to shout but her voice was drowned by the violent winds emitting from the division leader.
"This is getting nowhere... Hey you! Don't you have anything to combat this? !"
Yuri snapped at Katsuragi who turned to her whilst shielding his face with his hand from the winds.
"Do I look like some sort of Swiss army knife to you? !"
He shouted back.
"I don't know! Aren't you? !"
"Tch, fine."
Katsuragi narrowed his eyes as though analysing the situation.
"... Saya!"
Katsuragi shouted, and the former Edge fighter rushed forward, brandishing her large weapon, the wooden coffin known as Graveyard, and planting it in front of her to face Jinnai. Yuri remembered that weapon was used against the SSS2 members before. If she remembered correctly it was a weapon that could absorb any attack and reflect it back, but was that its only function? Somehow Yuri did not think so.
"Do it!"
At Rei's word, Saya activated her weapon. The coffin door flew wide open, the violent winds were forcibly sucked into its darkness. Soon the winds were all but swallowed into the coffin and Saya slammed the coffin shut. The SSS group now could catch a breather but Jinnai wasn't easily done in.
"You... do you know what have you done? !"
Jinnai screamed at them, swinging his sword wildly.
"Jinnai... what happened to you?"
"Happened? ! I'LL TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED! LIFE HAPPENED! THE DAMN INEQUALITY OF LIFE HAPPENED!"
The leader of the Diversion leader, the usually calm and calculative leader, snapped. He was suppose to be one who would control the division as Awase was unreliable. But now nothing about him said the same as before. His face contorted with hate, his voice laced with venomous spite, his eyes burned with an angry fury that no one knew existed within him.
"... It is the black essence. He's completely consumed by it."
Yuri muttered. It was problematic enough that the Division leaders were using the Angel Program, but it was now even more dangerous with them being consumed by black essences. The program was like an atomic bomb and the SSS2's crude access into it was like a child given the control that very same bomb. The SSS2 had no way to limit how much power the program would put out, and thus in return they were unable to control how much the program could feed-back into them whenever they used it.
The program, as explained by Katsuragi, was corrupted to the core and that corruption had entered the body and soul of every SSS2 member who used it. If it weren't for Katsuragi's quick attempts to control the corruption, Yuri and the SSS might just have to fight the entire SSS2 at this moment. And the other problem is the black essence. Yuri knew that when the Shadows were made from those essences, and that black essences were powerful but extremely corruptible objects. And this tower was so concentrated with it that Yuri could feel it on her skin. The Angel program had absorbed more of these essences and fed it into these division leaders. That made them violent, unreasonable and lastly... extremely dangerous. And that dangerous came when Jinnai suddenly drew his rifle and fired.
"Get down!"
The entire group took cover behind the statues that filled the hall, Jinnai's wild and erratic shots chipping off some of the statues that the group were hiding behind. But only one person wasn't hiding. Yamato.
"Yamato! Get down!"
Kyou hissed but the girl was still somewhat in a daze. Even with the commotion and the mad Division leader shooting his weapon everywhere, she still stood there. Her eyes showing a blank and hollow gaze. Katsuragi knew that this current state Yamato was in was dangerous, he dashed out of cover towards her, tackling her down just as a gunshot went off. Yamato snapped out of her stupor and looked at Katsuragi. His left arm was bleeding from the previous gun shot.
"... Katsu... ragi...?"
Her words barely a whisper but he heard her and smiled.
"Yo, sleepy head. Good to know you're back with us now."
"... W-why? Why save me?"
"Do I need a reason to save you?"
Yamato wanted to say more but didn't. It was that simple to him. Though he may be an NPC, an angel no less, he was still Katsuragi. He wasn't fake, or some imaginary person. He was flesh, blood, bone, thoughts, heart, soul. The feelings for him that she held onto. Those were not fake. Her chest felt tight. She knew that no matter who or what Katsuragi Rei is, she loves him. Since their training days as recruits, she had a slight inkling. Then as wolves the feelings grew without warning and without control. But... She looked to him. His determined eyes. Those eyes that held no lie. Those eyes that constantly looked forward. Those eyes... that did not see her. That was another thing that pained her. His eyes did not see her, but rather... at Kurogane Kou.
"Well, this is getting us nowhere."
Yuri muttered looking at how the group was lost without reason to fight. The SSS2 could not face their own leader at this point and the SSS were unsure on how to deal with an Angel Program user.
"We need to end this quickly."
Yuri loaded her gun but a raised hand stopped her. It was Saya.
"... I'll handle him."
Saya said, lifting up her coffin as she stood up.
"Saya... are you sure?"
Rei asked, to which Saya nodded.
"Yes... I feel that he and I... are similar."
Similar? In what way?
"It's still dangerous, we'll provide back-up."
Rei said, taking out his sword. Saya narrowed her eyes at him but said nothing of it. The Angels that Rei converted had stood their ground as well, stepping forward to fight by Saya and Rei's side.
"Sheesh, you're sure one to be eager to fight, aren't you?"
Tenryuu Shuusuke said with a slight cheeky smile.
"Weren't you the one who suggested to get this over fast? If you don't want to fight, you can always stay back."
Rei countered back, to which Shuusuke merely shrugged.
"I'm just offering my own thoughts on the situation."
"Your thoughts are irrelevant"
One of the Angels replied nonchalantly
"Geh, even one of the NPCs managed to shoot an insult to me. Oi! Katsuragi! What's the meaning of this!"
Shuusuke demanded.
"They're saying what they want."
Rei replied without taking his eyes off the berserk Diversion leader.
"Like hell they are! You're putting words for them to say!"
"Whatever you say."
Rei muttered, not wanting to bother dealing with Shuusuke any more than he has to. Right now the most important thing was to deal with Jinnai, who apparently did not like being ignored.
"DON'T YOU DARE IGNORE ME!"
Like he said. Jinnai aimed his rifle and fired at the group but Saya rushed forward, planting her coffin between the group and the fire storm of bullets. The coffin door flew open and once again the dark abyss within the strange box swallowed all of the rounds fired by Jinnai.
"... It's not enough."
Saya muttered, closing the coffin door before looking up to Jinnai.
"... We're alike, you and I."
"We're nothing alike!"
Jinnai spat, tossing aside his empty rifle and pulling out his shotgun.
"Do you know how much I suffered? How much pain, agony, despair and guilt I had to go through? !"
The hatred, the anger was growing. The malice that was being controlled by the black essence, was in turn controlling the essences within the hall. But Saya stood her ground. Never flinching, never wavering in the face of such power and darkness.
"... No... I will never know."
Saya said under her breath, her words barely a whisper. She tapped the side of her coffin with a finger. The door creaked open slightly and Saya reached inside the coffin. Her hand disappeared into the abyss and shortly after, she pulled her hand out, holding the hilt of a long sword. To be exact, it was the same long sword that Jinnai held in his hand.
[Equip: Long Sword, Lancelot (False) (Rank B) ]
Saya brought the sword up, her eyes showing both admiration, and sorrow at the weapon.
"That is... THAT IS MY WEAPON! WHY DO YOU HAVE MY WEAPON? !"
Jinnai screamed at Saya, unleashing another wave of malice at the young woman, who merely pointed the imitation sword at the wave and the energy dispersed itself before her, shooting past the group harmless as they stood behind Saya.
"... This blade may be an imitation and its power cannot compare to the original, but it still holds the same name and therefore the meaning of its name... The sword, Lancelot... the Knight who fell from grace because of a woman."
Saya muttered, looking at the blade of the sword. The sword itself was nothing special. It was a simple design yet strong and sturdy. It had a sharp edge and was everything that a sword was.
"Just like its name sake... The perfect sword. Not overburdened by useless accessories that a sword does not need, not extravagant or overly sharpened. Not dull either. But still..."
Saya stabbed the blade's tip into the essence filled ground and from the ground a dark shadow seeped out from the crack where the blade buried itself. The blade itself was seemingly dull, rusted, worn.
"The blade will still rust once it has tasted lust."
Saya pulled the blade out of the ground the blade reverted back to its original form. She then looked up to Jinnai, her eyes showing nothing but pity for the diversion division leader.
"... Just like you... Jinnai senpai."
"SILENCE!"
Jinnai suddenly charged without warning, firing his shotgun at Saya, who hid behind her coffin.
"YOU KNOW NOTHING! NOTHING AT ALL!"
Jinnai screamed, emptying his shotgun before tossing it aside and drawing his long sword once more. At this moment, Saya rushed out from behind her cover and charged at Jinnai. The two swung their identical blades at each other and the blades connected, sending a ringing sound throughout the hall as metal hit metal.
"Spread out! Take him out!"
Katsuragi Rei shouted to his Angels and they rushed out, brandishing their own swords and spears, charging at Jinnai. Saya jumped back as Jinnai swung his blade horizontally at her. As she increased the distance between her and Jinnai, the Angels rushed in to take advantage of the opening. But a division leader was not so easily taken out. Jinnai twisted his body, bringing the sword around from a high angle, bringing the blade down on the first Angel. The Angel had no defence, and was cut right through by the blade, disappearing into nothingness. Using his free hand, Jinnai reached out and stopped the attack of a second Angel, sending the pommel of his sword into the abdomen of the Angel before kicking the staggering Angel away.
Raising his blade, he threw it at the third Angel and the blade embedded itself in the Angel's head, killing him immediately. Jinnai rushed over, jumping up and twisting his body, sending his leg in one full arc through the air and crashing it down on an Angel. He rolled across the floor, grabbing his blade along the way and he got back to his feet, bringing his blade through another Angel from below upwards. He turned around and brought the blade down on another Angel but the Angel blocked with his spear. The spear was no match for the sword but before the sword could get through, Saya rushed forward, pulling the Angel by the shoulder backwards before sending her blade forward at Jinnai, who managed to deflect the blow away.
"DISAPPEAR! DISAPPEAR FROM MY SIGHTS!"
Jinnai screamed, sending a flurry of strikes and swings at Saya, who managed to either dodge or deflect them away.
"... Does it haunt you, Senpai? To see 'her' again?"
Saya questioned, side stepping another swing.
"SILENCE! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT MY PAIN IS!"
"... No, I don't... but I know of it."
Saya jumped back, giving herself distance before bringing the sword up to her face, the reflective surface showing Jinnai his enraged self covering half of her face. Then she tiled the blade slightly, and the image on the surface of the sword changed. Changed to that of a young woman, one who looked somewhat similar to Jinnai though slightly older. At the sight of this face, Jinnai froze. The colour of his face drained, his eyes widened.
"T-that... y-you..."
Jinnai stammered, backing away from Saya as though he had seen a ghost. Saya merely closed her eyes as the image of the young woman faded away from the blade's surface.
"Lancelot... the most trusted and loyal knight of King Arthur and being considered by most as the most perfect knight. Neither boasting of his glories nor shying away from a challenge, he embodied the codes of the Knights. But as with all men, he had a weakness. The wife of his lord. He had fallen from grace by a forbidden love. He ran away from the Kingdom with the wife of his lord just when his lord needed him most. He abandoned his duties as a Knight to be with a woman, and after the fall of the great kingdom of Camelot, he came to grieve for the loss of his King, falling into despair for what he had done. Forever would he abandon his sword for the only thing he sees on its surface is the weight of his sins. Just like the Knight, you can only see your sins through the sword."
Saya swung the blade down, walking towards Jinnai, who only stepped back in fear of Saya and her blade.
"W-WHY? ! W-WHY DO YOU HAVE THAT FACE? !"
Jinnai demanded, staggering back.
"... In your case, Senpai, you see a face that brings out only pain. Of your sins, of your guilt. What you did can not be changed."
"Y-you... T-that face...M-Mizuki-."
Saya stopped in her steps. She looked down at her blade, looking at its reflective surface though it only showed her own reflection.
"... Yes... Mizuki... A name you know very well... Senpai."
"I-I see now... why you have that face... why you know so much about me..."
Jinnai muttered, getting his balance despite still being shaken.
"Y-... You're Mizuki's younger sister... Saya."
Saya looked up to Jinnai, staring straight into his eyes as she spoke.
"... Yes. I am Mizuki's sister, Saya. Good of you to remember me, Senpai."
"So... you've come to this World as well."
Jinnai muttered, lowering his gaze.
"So you're the demon that I have to face. The sins of my past. But is that the only reason you came here?"
Saya merely stayed silent at Jinnai's question.
"You would not be standing before me if that was the only reason for your entry into this World. So why are you here? For what, revenge? It's pointless... ALL POINTLESS! ... We're dead. ALL DEAD!"
Jinnai snapped at Saya, who merely lowered her head.
"... No, this isn't about revenge... I'm sure... onee-chan wouldn't want it... But... my life is too similar to yours. What I did in life, only cause pain for others."
At this, Jinnai suddenly stopped. The heavy weight of malice and hatred seemed to be lifted from the hall. Jinnai's expression soften as he lowered his weapon.
"Saya-chan... My path... is one that is unforgivable. For you to walk down the same path is... painful. Saya-chan... why?"
Saya bit her lip, somewhat afraid to answer the question. To face her own problems and painful memories. But she did. When she was consumed by the black essence during the initiation test of the Guardians. She relived her nightmares and she faced them. She turned her head, seeing Katsuragi Rei standing there. He saved her, helped her through the darkness. For him, she would lay down her soul. And so she can face her darkness now. She turned back to Jinnai, her eyes showing a strong will of confidence burning within.
"... I chose my path because I had believed it to be the best course of action. I see my own mistakes now and have accepted them as such. It was because of my foolish folly that led to my best friend suffering alone in despair, and that led me eventually to here. Just like you, senpai, I did it out of love."
Jinnai closed his eyes. His lips curled into a slightly smile.
"I see... so you have walked down my path... but unlike me, you have accepted your decisions and its outcome."
"Senpai... it isn't too late."
Saya said but Jinnai shook his head.
"No... it's too late for me."
[Program: Initialized]
[Corruption level: 400%]
[Engaging DEMON protocol]
A sudden change in the atmosphere made everyone back away from Jinnai. The amount of energy being emitted from his body was like a maelstrom of malice and corruption. The statues and art works all around within the hall started to seemingly melt into a black liquid and started to converge towards Jinnai.
"S-Senpai!"
Saya shouted, reaching out for Jinnai but the Division leader simply shook his head as the malice started to take over his body, colouring his skin black as it crawled upwards from the ground.
"You must stop me, Saya-chan. The madness that has corrupted the SSS2 must be eradicated."
Jinnai closed his eyes as the last trace of him was swallowed by the darkness.
[Asmodeus; Activate]
'I am the pain that stabs the heart
I am the flower that always blooms
I am the softest, yet undeniable sin
I sway the hearts of Kings
I am the fall of mighty nations,
the cause of great wars
All look at me with contempt,
yet hold me close to heart
No defiance, no wall can hold me in
I shall make the most stoic of men fall to his knees,
the holiest of priest to succumb to darkness
I am sin,
yet virtue
I am evil,
yet good
The love of the high heavens,
corrupt
I am the harbinger of all sins to come,
I am Asmodeus,
I am Luxuria,
I am LUST'
[Boss Fight]
[Incarnation of Lust: Asmodeus]
[Level: 95
HP: 850000
MP: 995000
Strength: A
Agility: A
Endurance: A
Luck: A]
Saya could only stare in sorrow at the large black mass before her. The darkness that consumed Jinnai hardened around him. The part where eyes should be were now burning red ambers. His sword melted into his hand, forming a wicked jagged edge. Teeth sharpened like a beast, arms and legs elongated, building up muscles. Spikes protruded from the joints, his spine jutting out and curving, creating a hardened shell like cover on his back. Nothing remained of the division leader. This was a beast. This is a demon. This was Asmodeus.
"Senpai..."
"This is getting out of hand..."
Yuri muttered, drawing her gun out. She needed to step in now. While Katsuragi Rei and his group had taken on to fight this... creature, it was clear now that this wasn't part of the plan. But just before Yuri could get into the fight, Rei raised his hand, stopping her.
"This is main part, Nakamura-san."
Rei said, drawing his sword. Yuri was about to object to his words but she stopped herself. Rei's sword. It was... glowing?
"... I suppose you have a plan on how to handle this?"
Yuri asked to which Rei merely smiled.
"You'll just have to see. Saya! Are you ready?"
Rei shouted out. Saya jumped back, retreating back to where her coffin still stood up right on the ground. She opened the coffin lid and raised the sword to the darkness. The sword seemingly disintegrated back into the abyss within the coffin.
"..."
Saya looked at Rei silently before placing both of her hands on the lid of the coffin and closing her eyes. Rei nodded to her request and shouted to the other Angels.
"Buy her some time!"
Without any hesitation, the Angels all charged in. But the creature was too strong. With just one swipe from his mangled hand, it sent three Angels flying away.
"We'll get into the fight as well."
Kai said, drawing his rifle and charging in. Tenryuu Shuusuke sighed, shaking his head.
"By 'we', he meant me, right? Whatever, let's get this over with."
Shuusuke muttered, drawing his weapons as he walked in to join the fight. Rei turned his gaze to Saya. His grip on his sword tightened. He wanted to do more but... All he could now was to trust Saya to push this fight to the end.
"..."
Saya stayed silent as her ears shut out the sounds of battle around her. Her breathing was slowed and shallow. She mentally shut out all sounds, feelings, smells and sights from her mind. All she needed, was to shut herself off. Her mind urged to pay heed to her surroundings but she ignored them. What she wanted was something deeper. Something within herself. The darkness... of death.
"... I'm sorry... But I have to call you out in order to make senpai pass on."
Saya muttered under her breath to the coffin.
"You're the only one who can bring him back... you were the only one whom he truly loved... onee-san."
[Access skill: Beyond the Grave]
From the coffin a bright light erupted, exploding light all around. The light died down and the coffin door swung open. A figure suddenly stepped out from the dark abyss within the coffin. Dressed in an elaborate form of armour, the translucent glowing figure took the form of a young woman. A young woman that looked like Saya.
"... Onee.. san."
The figure said nothing to Saya, merely standing there. It was the power of Saya's weapon, taking the form of her heart's desire. Saya reached out to the glowing figure but stopped herself. This wasn't her sister. It wasn't, yet was. Her weapon, Graveyard, could absorb the power of any attacker and return them with the same attack. The grave, after all, was the abyss of darkness where all would return to. But if she stored the attacks without returning them, she could harness the power and create something more. The link between Jinnai and herself. Her sister, Mizuki. Saya was not powerful enough to bring her sister here but she was able to draw out some parts. This armoured clad figure was not Mizuki, but something along the lines of an incomplete clone with the essence of the original. Saya closed her eyes. This sin of calling her sister and using her against her former lover is too heavy. Her chest felt like it was being squeezed. But she had to do it. For the sake of ending this nightmare. She opened her eyes once more, filled with determination. She turned around to face the fight.
"Let's go."
Saya charged with the ghostly apparition following behind.
With blades being exchanged, the sounds of clashing steel against steel, Saya dodged the wild swing of the deformed division leader. Her older sister's ghostly apparition leaped in and swung at Jinnai, cutting the enraged beast before it could jump back. Jinnai lunged at Saya, who brought up her arms in instinct but it was her apparition that blocked the attack. The eyes of the beast no longer held any form of humanity within them. Those eyes... that her sister loved.
"Senpai..."
.
.
.
"Senpai!"
I called out to him. He turned around at my call and the moment he saw me, he smiled.
"Yo, Saya-chan. What brings you here?"
He asked, as though he did not know why I was here. He should know. But still I would indulge in his act.
"I'm looking for Onee-san. Weren't you suppose to be with her?"
He rubbed his chin in thought at the question, before shaking his head.
"She stayed behind to do class duties. As for me, I was heading to the club room. Want to join me there? I'm sure Mizuki would come over once she was done."
He offered, to which I merely smiled and nodded, following him towards the club room. Jinnai, a brilliant guy whose studies were excellent, his personality was honest and caring, and his art works had won more awards than any other club combined. Not to mention, he was the boyfriend of Mizuki, my older sister. I sat there in the art club room, watching as Jinnai went about to paint his latest art work, a portrait of Mizuki in a field of sun flowers. A beautiful painting, even by Jinnai's standards.
"This is simple because the model is beautiful."
Jinnai would often say. The door to the clubroom opened and Mizuki stepped in.
"Sorry I'm late, the trash just piled up and- Saya? What are you doing here? Did you sneak out from your club activities again?"
I smile sheepishly in reply.
"Just let her, Mizuki, after all, she did come all the way here just to see you."
"Jinnai! Stop spoiling her!"
What a joyful scene. If only it could last.
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Swinging her imitation sword, Lancelot, Saya charged at the raging beast, but Jinnai jumped back, dodging the attack all together. Just as he looked up, the ghostly apparition of Mizuki charged and brought its own sword down from above but Jinnai managed to dodge that as well, before swinging his bladed arm at the ghost but the blade only went through it like it was air. And through the 'mist' Saya leaped through, bringing her sword down on Jinnai. Blades clashed, metal against metal. With this dance of death, only Jinnai, Saya and the ghost of the link between them could be seen. The rest of the World did not seem to matter, only the painful past of the three.
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How this happen? Why did this have to happen?
"Explain yourself! Senpai!"
I demanded, but he merely looked at me, his eyes darkened with the sort of face that was the complete opposite of the senpai that I knew. The beautiful paintings that he once painted were now stricken black, as though slashed through with a knife. The fall from grace of perfection, into the pits of despair.
"Saya... I... I have done... terrible things... M-Mizuki... I-... I'm sorry..."
The perfect senpai that I admired, that my sister loved, was no longer around. Replaced by an empty shell of a person. The forbidden fruit that was never meant to be taken, Senpai had taken. Falling in love with another woman, not to mention his own step sister, senpai betrayed the trust of my sister, as well as her love. When the truth came to light, it was all too late to repair. My sister, Mizuki, had taken her own life in despair of the betrayal. And soon after, Senpai passed away. The forbidden fruit that taken... would be tasted again.
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She could not face Jinnai. Not after that. Not after what she blamed him for, and not after what she did. What she spite him for, she did it herself. A simple repetition of the same cycle. She spun her body, twisting it just in time to dodge the blade of the Jinnai though it still managed to cut slightly. Spinning one round, she brought her sword down on the toughened hide, causing the twisted abomination to howl out in pain. Jinnai lashed out at her, swinging his arm at her and though she manage to block it, it still sent her flying. Clutching her stomach, she felt the pain surging throughout her body. The pain was great but not as great as that time. Her past. A pain that no matter what happened would never go away.
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.
"Eh? You're interested in Hiroshi?"
I asked, somewhat surprised. Kanako nodded her head vigorously She must have mustered up all of her courage to tell me that. Kanako was never the outgoing type and somehow the two of us became best friends ever since our first year together in middle school.
"I know that the two of you are in the same club, so... ONEGAI!"
Kanako slapped her hands together as though praying to me like I'm some deity. I scratched my cheek as I was at a loss at what to do. Hiroshi and I were both members of the same club and to everyone it would seem the two of us have a friendly rivalry... but... to me Hiroshi was... someone special.
"... Okay."
I finally said to Kanako, whose eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.
"Oh thank you! thank you! I knew I could count on you, my best friend!"
Best friend... huh... I was tearing up on the inside.
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Betrayal for love, the same thing that she did not want to do became her downfall. For the sake of one man, she would forsake the friendship of a person she saw as someone she could trust. Betrayed the trust of a friend. She swung her blade across, cutting through the thick hide but a swipe from the bladed arm cut through her thigh in return. Pain, blood throughout the field. But no matter how much pain she suffered, it wasn't enough, it wasn't the same as before. It was not enough to quell the pain that stabbed her heart from back then. It was not enough to comfort the sorrow that the void within her. She gritted her teeth, shutting out the pain. She swung her blade once more. She no longer saw the dark contorted face of her senpai. She no longer saw the hideous form of a division leader driven to insanity. She only saw herself. She could only raise her weapon against herself. Against her dark and unwanted past.
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Kanako had entrusted with me her love letter. The tiny pink envelope contained all of her courage and feelings. Standing in front of the school's trash incinerator, I had to wonder whether I was in the right mind? The thought of Kanako, the friend who had supported me in my times of trouble, the one who helped me through difficulties in the past when my sister died. The one who was always there for me, who stood by my side when no one else would. And yet... with this one envelope... my world would shatter. I threw away Kanako's letter. Watch it burn up into embers in the fire of my own madness. I placed my own letter instead. By my own hands, I had sown the seeds of my own destruction.
"S-Saya? W-wha... H-Hiroshi? W-why?"
I had confessed to Hiroshi right in front of Kanako.
"I trusted you! How could you do this to me? ! Answer! SAYA!"
Her eyes showing her shattered heart. She ran away and by some guilt-ridden instinct, I gave chase. Kanako did not see the train barriers come down, did not see the train speeding towards her. Her eyes blinded by the tears of betrayal. Why did I do this? Why did I cause so much grief to my friend? I did not hesitate. I pushed her out of the way and instead, I would repent for my sins. With my life.
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The blades clashed, each trying to push the other down through brute force. The energies that surrounded them prevented any one else from interfering. She gritted her teeth as she stared straight into the eyes of madness just a mere inch away from hers. So close that she could see her own reflections. The sins of Jinnai were reflected back onto her. She caused this pain herself and it was the darkness within her that threatened to tear her soul apart. But she was saved. Saved by a hand that pulled her through it all. Katsuragi Rei. He had helped her overcome her darkness not only during the time of their Guardian's initiation training test, but also many times after that.
'Eh? A past that you cannot forget? Isn't that normal?'
He said back then.
'I may not know what you went through and I will never know. But frankly speaking, if it was your past, then it is something that had shaped you into what you are today. There are many things in the past that people would rather forget, to change it over, but if you want to deny such a past, you are denying your present and your future. The pain and suffering that humans go through help them learn and grow. It will be painful and it will be harsh, but humans are not born perfect. You need to accept that fact if you want to resolve your own sins.'
Perfection, ironic coming from an NPC. But what Rei said held merit and was true to her. She needed to accept her own sins and her own past. She did what she did because she believed such actions to be the right course to take. Though she may be blinded by love and tore her friendship apart, she still realized that it was only through such an event that she understood the importance of both love and friendship. The scales of equivalent trade. And in doing so, she understood Jinnai's position back then. Why he cheated on Mizuki.
"Senpai..."
She muttered to the growling beast.
"I will set you free."
She loosened her grip, letting the power of Jinnai to force the blade out of her hand. Everything seemed to happen so slowly. The blade of Jinnai sliding across her chest, tearing through her shirt as well as cutting through her skin, grazing the flesh under. Her body falling, gliding past Jinnai. She twisted her body, facing Jinnai's back. Her foot stuck back to stop her fall. The ghostly apparition of Mizuki, her sister, formed around her, forming an 'armour' like shell around her. The ghostly blade that Mizuki held mirroring the fallen sword of Lancelot despite her not holding onto hers any longer. The ghostly form of her sister moved in synchronized form with her, being fuelled by her power, becoming her blade for her. A skill that could only be done once she had accepted the past of both her sister's tragic death, as well as her own guilt ridden past. The skill that would be used to bring Mizuki's final wish straight into Jinnai. A skill called-
"Shingi (True skill): Sei Ren Sou Ken! (Spiritual love thought sword)"
The transluscent blade went right through Jinnai's body, seemingly ignoring the tough hide that would not break no matter how many times she slashed at it with her sword. Her sword that was filled with her thoughts, her memories, and finally... the last message of Mizuki.
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"..."
'Jinnai.'
"M-Mizuki?"
'Jinnai.'
"I... I'm sorry... I'm sorry for everything..."
'... No... It isn't your fault.'
"But it is! No matter what you say it is still my fault to blame!"
'Jinnai... don't you know? I had always loved your paintings.'
"... I can't paint any more... not after all that."
'But you can. Jinnai, I was pained by your betrayal, but in the end it was something that had to be done.'
"Mizu...ki?"
'You're always the most honest through your paintings... I could see it all, Jinnai. I saw your pain, your suffering. Though you hid it all under your smiles, you paintings never lied. But I kept quiet about it. I had thought that maybe it was all a bad dream... but I knew I could not run away from the truth forever. Just like yourself.'
"Mizuki..."
'Jinnai, let's end this suffering. Rest now, Jinnai. Rest now and when you wake... I shall be waiting for your next painting.'
"... Ah... I'll make sure that it would be my best yet."
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Laying in her arms, the once tough hide that covered his skin now crumbling into dust. Though he may be defeated, his existence fading away into nothingness, but he did not regret anything.
"Ah... I see now... The sky... has it always been so bright?"
He reached out his hand, trembling. Before it fell she grabbed onto his hand.
"Senpai..."
"Ah... Saya-chan... You look just like your sister..."
"..."
"Maybe... one day... I shall paint a picture... with you in it... with Mizuki... Yes... I can see it... a field of sunflowers... the three of us... together..."
She said nothing, but her emotions could not hold as tears swelled up in her eyes.
"Why... do you cry? ..."
He asked, reaching to her cheek, catching her tears as they rolled down.
"Do not worry... I will see you... again."
He muttered before his eyes closed.
"I'm... so tired... allow me... to rest... When I wake... we shall find Mizuki... together... I can't wait... to show her my next... work..."
She said nothing despite the weight of the words leaving a heavy impression on her. She had to stay strong. She looked up to the young man who stood before her.
"... Are you sure?"
He asked. She looked down at the peaceful face of her senpai. This would probably be the last she will see him with this expression.
"... Yes. Please do it... Katsuragi."
She said. Katsuragi nodded, pulling out his long sword. The blue line that ran across the blade glowed slightly. Katsuragi Rei raised his weapon high. She looked back down at Jinnai.
"... I will see you soon, senpai."
[Katsuragi Rei used Blue Gear]
[Access: Insanity Streak]
[Corruption absorption in progress]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[Purge complete]
She stood up, with the weight no longer a burden on her hands. It was painful, to have someone disappear in her arms. But she knew that this was for the best. They had to move on. They all had to.
"Are you alright, Saya?"
Katsuragi Rei asked, sheathing his sword. She looked up to the dark ceiling, wondering how did Jinnai see the sky through his madness. But maybe she did not need to know. Artists were people rarely understood, even in death.
"I will be. Don't worry about me, just focus on what you have to do."
She replied his query. There wasn't much anyone could do to ease the pain of what she had done. After all, this was what they came here to do in the first place. And though she may say those words, she knew that her tears would say otherwise.
"You're crying."
Tenryuu Shuusuke pointed out. She merely smiled and closed her eyes.
"... The sky is too damn bright."