after having my computer and a few more electronic stolen, i am so happy I can post this chapter. also, thank you to all that are reading this story, following and even recomanding it toother. I promiss, the plot is picking up.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna HareHare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
" Alright, let see." the Redhead spoke as her only her tails could be seen poking from the back of the van. "Body Bags?"
"We only need one." Mukhara commented as she looked over her third quad of prosthetic limbs. she had no idea what would be awaiting her since every hermitage were indifferent.
"Alright, 'one' body bag and two harinam chadars. " Radha-Shyamasundara Devi dasi spoke with experience. "and...ok, what else do we need. Enough clothes for a week."
"three days in enough, I don't plan for staying longer than needed."
"Seven days it is...gotta bring'em buckets too. And laundry detergent."
Mukhara sighed, she loved her little godsister to bits, but sometime, the hellcat would be overly fussy...
And yet, the amount of time her fuss and overpacking saved her life, the hermit simply surrendered to her loving care and prayed to God they wouldn't need those two body bags. one was more then enough.
Of course, a hermitage in the middle of Aogikahara meant that there would be very little food there. Mostly the remnant of whoever was stuck there and whatever the tourist and uncivilized two-legged pigs would leave behind.
"And how about food, how much did you bring?"
"One big bag of dhal, one big bag of rice and some sun-dried veggies from Uttara."
"Oh?" Mukhara perked up at the name of yet another Godsister. "You got some news with those also?"
"yeah, the old nuclear generator is finally scrubbed clean, and it got the green light from the GBC to convert it into ISKCON Chernobyl eco-village."
"Haribol!" Mukhara's countenace brightened.
"Hare Krishna! Let me tell you, Uttara told me she has never been happier in her life. I mean, after being saddled with those nucular powers of her, doing something that constructive really boosted her confidence."
Mukhara nodded, knowing what the hell corvid went trough and the feeling that accompanied it. "That's good, as long as she remains humble about it."
"Yeah, that's exactly what Maharaj told her. Still, it's good to see her walking with her head held high...in a humble way."
"sure...in a 'humble' way."
"Hey, she improved a whole lot, alright." the red head peeked out of the van again looking disoleased at the words of her Elder in devotion.
Mukhara smiled. "Yes, Indeed she did. What is happening to her is simply a test, Krishna wants to see how she will handle the fame that will follow her."
"Were lready famous, renovating a nuclear power plant ain't gonna change that. " Radha paused for a bit before resuming her packing list Her mood now definitely more sombre.
"I've...also brought some maha sandalwood paste, a maha prasadam garland from Madhava, maha water and some maha Tulasi patra from Pancha-tattva's lotus feet. Oh, and some Narashimha oil and a conch shell..."
"Are we really going to bring all this?"
"well yeah. I mean, yer son's probably committed enough sin to warrant the big guns."The Kasha quietly spoke.
Mukhara rolled her eyes as she, the millionth time today, send a heartfelt prayer to the Lord to be merciful to her departed son. "And I thought he stopped being my son the moment he died."
Yes, even after death, teenagers will always need their parents to bail them out of sticky situations.
Radha-Shyamasundhara Devi Dasi poked her head out from the hatch, he red braid contrasting against the dark interior of the van and the dimming light of the day. "Yah never stop thinking of him as anything else but yer son."
"Yes..." Mukhara admitted as she let her tears fell unimpeded. She should feel ashamed for her attachement...and yet, as she had learned from her Guru, for a woman to cry over a lost son is nothing to be embarrassed about. Even Krishna's mother, Devaki, cried for years over the deaths of her six previous children.
Besides, she knew the philosophy by heart and knew full well that he would soon take another body in a few months...after having paid his due in hell.
Wich was why Radha had brought the sacred remnants; to get him out and onto another family ASAP.
She felt a gentle, comforting hand on her back. Sure enough, Radha had jumped out the van to give comfort to her elder in devotion. the Kasha wore a very practical green kurta and cream coloured pants, a shawl of the same colour covered her breast and head. A yellow urdapunda tilaka adorned her forehead and a three strands Tulasi neclace rested on her neck.
No words where needed between the two, now rendered inseperabe by years of joint service and a type of love only the Servants of Rada-Krishna were privy to.
'From a corps eating hellcat to a soft-hearted, emphatic Vaishnavi...Radha came from so far.'
Especially for one of the youkai who ate her limbs.
"Alright, that's enough tears for today." Mukhara broke her petty pity party. "the night is falling, and I'd rather not waste any more time."
"Yeah, me neither. It's nightfall, ghosties are about to go active. Better catch them when they ain't in a bad mood yet."
And with that, the cat and the hermit finished their preparation, prayed to the half-lion half-man incarnation of Krishna and plunged withing the darkened ocean of tree. Looking first for some clues to the possible location to the hidden realm...or, if they were where lucky, Krishna Kripa Himself.
Of course, they did not count on it since, after fifteen years, he was not a baby anymore. And while he would probably look like both of his mothers-especially the mother that gave the seed, recognizing him on sight and smell would not be realistically feasible.
Well, they could hope. But this would amount to finding a piece of straw in a pile of needles.
After an hour or so of search and plenty of Vaishnava exorcism, they realized a worrying trend; Most ghosts were afflicted with insanity. They kept repeating about how "all was a lie' and 'I need to tell the others' and the likes.
It was extremely heartening, to say the least, to see those poor tortured soul move on to another body, and a lucky few to Vaikuntha. It was the fuel that kept the two Vaishnavi going strong, even with so many children and young women with broken subtle bodies groaning along like Hollywood movie zombies. Their heads bearing holes and leaking ectoplasm as red as blood.
"after this...Lets serve in the Mayapur goshala."
"With the calves?"
"With the calves."
Finally, after following the trail of Ghosts, they reach the eponymous mount fuji's eternal ice cave.
"Holly cra-carpet-wax-monster-foxtrot-tango-voicmail-diego montoya!"
Mukhara stared sideways at her Godsister, whose tails were twitching and puffed up like a pair of angry feather-dusters. The poor cate was on the ball of her feet as she stared at the darkened, ghost riddled entrance.
"...So, I take it that it is worse than I thought."
"worst then you thought?" Radha looked at the hermit as if she had managed to grow a second head."Worst then you-Girl, this is like twelve times worst the old crack between Gensokyo and Makai. The amount of miasma leaking through it is... it's freaking astronomical!"
Mukhara let out a very shaky breath; this was not the first hermitage she had raided. But she had never seen nor felt such amount of polluted ether in her short stint as the huntress of her own kind.
'Oh, Shishu...what have you gotten into' She wondered as both she and her Godsister walked into the legendary frozen cave.
'what the hell have I gotten myself into?' Nanashi asked as he stared as their Client, a certain Nozomi, revealed herself to be a Fairy by the name of Napaea.
It had all started when Asahi, intoxicated with her brand new title of 'professional hunter' Had picked a challenge quest for them to do. And Thankfully, she had been wise enough not to pick the highest one. Even if her dearest Brother had the distinct feeling he would be able to pull through the toughest one with Krishna's help... Even if the Lord did not really do much. So far, at least.
But, as the excitable 15-year girl had once again dragged off her brother to yet another adventure...she forgot something fundamental. Vital even.
She had forgotten to check if her dear brother had finished his heavily watered down fertilizer.
The answer was, unfortunately, no. After the excitement of having Flynn speak to him. Nanashi, between bites of the heavenly bread, had Talked Krishna's ears off about the samurai of hope, and how he had given everyone the chance to dream of the sun again. Completely forgetting about the blue liquid.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead had been less than impress, to say the least. And as he was about to explain why Flynn was not bigger then slice bread, Asahi had grabbed her brother by the wrist, dragging him off to Ueno...
Well, more like sicking him to whatever demons she saw
and collecting whatever body part that was left.
of course, after his talk witch Krishna and how tired he felt, Nanashi was more into negotiating a safe passage then to fight demons
And thus, after a relatively short time, Ueno was traverse, 'Nozomi' was met, and Nanashi had his first ride ever in a terminal.
It was horrible...
Long story short, he, Asahi and the Lord (And Asahi's Angel.) there now in the very pink, very fragrant Magical fairy forest. Meeting the real Nozomi, and (Finally) getting the detail on Their official challenge quest.
Asahi was, Nanashi could barely focus on what the blond fairy queen was talking about.
He felt terribly tired from the fight with those demons who wanted to test their might against the Killer of Adramelech. He could barely keep his eyes open.
'Man...being famous Sucks...'
But there was something that made the whole trip worthwhile; Krishna's reaction to the forest.
Krishna...looked right at home in this setting. The pink petals raining on his dark blue body, his flute playing and dancing steps. All of was enough to make Nanashi forget his hunger pain and the fogginess that accompanied it.
Then the Lord turned his loving golden gaze toward him...and his smile fell.
'No...Krishna, why are you sad? ' He scowled as he tried to prevent his brain from shutting with little to no success.
'wait...shit...no again...'
"Kripa? Kripa!" Krishna was right beside him...he could smell his fragrance, feel his soft hands. He sounded worried.
Why?
He felt something to his lips; it was gritty...like a stone. And tasted like earth. His lips touched something wet, the smell was spicy, fresh...and sulfury.
And heartbreakingly familiar.
"Kripa, please drink."
And he did...
It was sour, salty, savoury with a sweetness he could not describe. He could taste some spice he knew form a long time ago, a taste he could recognize, but not name.
Eventually, this beverage made its effect, and Nanashi's lethargy slowly ebbed until he could finally sit straight and hold the container by himself. Half chugging, Half savouring the content until he could drink no more.
"Kripa...are you feeling better?" That was Krishna, He was supporting Nanashi up with great care, it was clear he was still concerned about him.
"Yeah...Loads better." He admitted. Still leaning against his Lord. "what is it?" He asked as he peered inside the terracotta pot. The content was pure white with a speck of yellow and green.
"It's called chaas, or spiced buttermilk." the Lord answers. "Kripa...what happened?"Krishna asked with deep concern creasing his spotless forehead.
"We would like to know too." He heard a woman, and sure enough...there was the blond, bodacious...
"wait...who are you?" Nanashi asked, It was the client, but with his momentary faint, he had forgotten her name.
She gave a wane smile. "My name is Nozomi, The new fairy queen."
"Oh yeah!" All glories to his cleared mind. "I'm Aegis. But you can also call me Nanashi if you'd like."
"Aegis, huh? I like it."
"Kripa?" Krishna brought back His servant's attention to him.
Right...
"I...I didn't eat for over a month..." He shamefully admitted. It not that he didn't like eating, he just preferred not to puke each time demon meat was on his plate.
Nazomi's eyes grew wide behind her green safety glasses. "Wait! You didn't...Why the hell did your guild master let you go on a quest." spoke the indignant queen. "I swear, men are so insensitive."
"Hey, Dad's not at fault!" Asahi protested.
"Who's at fault then? Santa Claus?"
As they were arguing, Krishna turned to his recovering servant. "Kripa, you ate but a piece of bread, and I did saw you drink this tinted liquid. It was not enough, was it?"
"No..." Nanashi sheepishly admited.
"So why did you not ask for a second? You could have asked for another meal, I would have happily provided." Krishna scowled.
"Yeah, I know...But I didn't want to bother you."
"My dear Kripa, I am never bothered by any request of my surrendered soul, even those who are surrendered by chance only."Krishna patiently explained.
Nanashi remained silent, there had been another reason why he did not take the time to have a good meal.
"Asahi dragged you off again." God once again touched the heart of the problem with terrifying accuracy.
Nanashi wince. "Yeah...she's-"
"Not very nice for a sister. And not always aware of your needs, she is also quite reckless, selfish and prideful." Lord enumerated the daughters of the boss most glaring fault in a very matter of fact way, almost as is he was giving a diagnosis.
Usually, Nanashi would vehemently protect his sisters honor...but what can one do when God himself speaks.
"She's still pretty kind...and she wants to help and protect Tokyo. I mean, that's what Hunters do, you know."
Krishna turned his gilded glance toward the two women, it was clear Asahi was getting an earful from Nozomi, a more experienced huntress. "Yes, and out of love for you, can even sacrifice her own life."
Hopefully, it would not go this far.
"But right now, whatever she does is self-motivated...like most of the inmates in the material world."
Once again, Nanashi was about
to protest, but he knew Krishna was right. Everyone wanted something for themselves."
"What's wrong with thinking of one's own happiness? you can't please everyone."
"You are right." Krishna agreed. "Trying to please every living entity will only leave one exhausted and with more enemies than friends. but one should not be selfish and serve one's own senses."
"so we should do what? serve no one?" Nanashi half teased. He already knew the answer, but he wanted to hear it from
Krishna.
"My dear Kripa, it is the souls very nature to serve." He began. "Serve the body, parents, lover, country. And yet, as you may have realized, to serve the mundane master will only lead to broken promises and constant dissatisfaction. it is the same as watering every leaf of a tree; in the end, it will die of thirst, and the gardener will be exhausted for nothing."
"We have to serve you, right?" nanashi looked up to Krishna. this was something he had quickly realized. "Otherwise, everything else is just a waste of time."
Krishnareturned the smile, putting a hand on nanashi's shoulder, soothing the unfading ache. "Yes, to serve Me alone is as good as serving everyone, for I am the source of everything."
"Like watering the root of a tree..." Nanashi remembered hearing this quote from...
'Oh, Goddamnit
"Hey!" Krishna yelped indignantly. "Don't curse in My Name!"
"Sorry." Great, now he had to get a new way to express dismay.
He gazed at his sister, Asahi's shoulder's lowered and her eyes were red.
'And she's in a foul mood again.' And knowing his adopted sister...
The two lapsed into silence, just taking in the atmosphere and the joy of each other's company. The centennial sakura tree showering a cascade of glowing pink petal upon the lord and his dear servant. Nanashi still felt tired, but he could feel his energy level rising steadily. With Krishna so close to him... His aroma, and the cooling aura that emanated from his person.
"Can I..."
"Yes, Kripa?"
"Can I lean on you?"
Krishna gazed at his servant with eyes wide open. Then his features softened further, melting Nanashi's heart.
"Of course, my dear."
Well, God gave him permission to do so, and nanashi was not one to argue.
'Yeah... So worth it.' Who knew giving up his freedom netted him a ridiculously friendly, sweet, beautiful and loving Master.
Sure, the relationship Nanashi wanted to have with Him was but a phantasm...
'Maybe I do have a chance, though...I mean, Krishna's doesn't precisely...he sorts of...he's calling me 'my dear'...'
'Yes, but He's also God...and I'm a demon.' his mind provided.
And to be honest, he could not even picture Krishna with another man. It was just...wrong, Revolting even. But he could see Him with a girl with an incandescent, Golden glowing skin, though.
"Radhe Jaya Jaya Madhava dayite," Yuki sang blissfully with an evident lack of musical knowledge. "Gokula Taruni mandala mahite-"
His eyes were closed, and a blissful, brilliant smile decorated his usual dour demeanour.
It felt good to see him smile...maybe this cult was not so harmful after all.
'Aaand there's another flashback. Back again to save me from my loneliness.' Nanashi snarked, unaware of Krishna's teasing smirk and longing eyes.
Suddenly, there was a flash of light. And Nanashi jumped to his feet. Shovel at the ready.
"Woah there, Jumpy." The fairy queen lazily drawled out. "Relax, it's just a Camera flash." And indeed, she held an old camera in her hand.
"Taking a picture is a hobby of mine." she explained as she approached the boy and the Lord. "Usually, I'm more into old building with haunted house vibe. You know, the one even demons skip?"
"But...aren't you a queen or something." Nanashi inquired as he focused his attention on the older woman's boots.
'Oh Krishna. What's up with powerful women and skimpy outfit.'
"My dear Kripa, I thought boys your age loved to see the exposed legs and things of an attractive woman. what to speak of their round, full breasts." Krishna teased his young servant whose lips curled at the thought and image.
"Ah, so you do not apreciate the womanly form, do you?" Krishna asked with a sidelong glance.
'No..." There, he admited it. He didn't like womans, he just wasn't attracted.
"me neither." The lord revealed. "A material form, my lower energies hold no sway over me. So I do understand how you feel on this matter...I was merly teasing you." the crooked smile on his lips was enough to defuse whatever anoyance Nanashi may have felt.
'Whatever Krish...' But what Nanashi did feel though was a pang of lost. His body, as amazing and ressiliant as it was, was still made out of matter. 'Not that it would have worked anyway.'
"A queen can have her hobbies, you know."Nozomi interrupted their sacred exchange. "And you looked just so Cute with your Boyfriend."
'Two choices, I deny it and dig myself deeper, or I stay quiet and dig Myself deeper." Instead, Nanashi looked away, Knowing that To validate it would be even worse...
He didn't want to entertain any type for false hope.
Nozomi Turned to God. Her hundred-watt smile not diminishing a bit.
"And how about you, sweetheart? What's your name? can't keep calling you Pretty-Boy all the time now, Can't I?"
Krishna smiled as he did this adorable head wiggle that caused his golden, shark-shaped earrings to dance. But otherwise remained silent.
"Not much of a talker, are you?"
He once again remained silent, letting his mind stealing smile speak for him.
"I see." She then turned to Nanashi. "So, does your boyfriend have a name?"
'Great...' Well, he could still dream.
"His name is K-Hi Hari. And...He's ah...It's complicated."
"Anyway." Nozomi dismissed this conversation with a little smirk indicating she took a bit too much pleasure at seeing a very flustered Nanashi. "I know you just fainted."
"I didn't..."
"But Napaea's was right about me needing some help."
Right...this was mentioned in the challenge quest Asahi had chosen. Something about a fight needing to be stoped.
In all honesty, with how the fairy queen acted, it must not have been all this urgent.
'It's just a bunch of fairies. What type of trouble can they do?'
In hindsight, it had been a very stupid thing to ask.
"Nanashi!" Asahi Screamed as her brother clumsily dodge King Frost building size sceptre.
As for why he was clumsy and not a snakey bastard who managed to sucker punch Adramelech with a shovel and God's grace?
It was cold...so...so cold.
"Why can't I be a normal, well rounded human and not a freaking, frost-sensitive plant." He muttered as he tried to warm himself up using his black spade, Having taken shelter of one of the trees that bordered the spring.
It worked, but he could just feel King frost searching eyes on him. And if he didn't move, the morbidly obese snowman may cast another one of his Bufala...
"I hate Ice fairies."
As he began to recover some feeling in his extremities, he could hear Nozomi, Asahi, The angel and Napaea fight the so-called king. Taking his attention away from where Nanashi had hunkered down t recover.
As it turned out, the fight Napaea and Nozomi had been alluding to was not just a simple skirmish between a fussy fairy and the rest of the population needing clean water. But the Tyrant King frost capitalizing the 'only' uncontaminated spring in the entire area. Practically freezing the surrounding plant and aquatic life as he used the life-giving fluid to grow in size and power.
Needless to say, Napaea, the sweet fairy who also resided in the natural cave, had been less than pleased to have a capitalizing snowman destroy her home. The cute little fairy was now Gleefully casting agi the capitalistic snowman, wounding him severely.
"Hee-ow! Hey, that hurt!" King frost yelped as he rubbed his melted chest. "How dare you hitting me, King Frost?" The indignant 'king's' smile did not remain a frown for long as he began smirking wickedly. "All right, It's time for your capital Punishment; King Bu-"
"Nanashi! Stop him!" Krishna, who was nowhere to be seen but heard everywhere warned. Nanashi leaped out of his hiding place and, selecting the Choral cabochon, shot a bolt of fire at the oversized snowman.
The shot dug deep in his shoulder, causing it to melt and filling the overflowing lake with more water and the scream of king frost.
Nanashi smirked wickedly. Sure, he may have done more negotiation then killing since his conversation with Krishna, but hitting the big, frigid bastard felt so good.
And then this good feeling faded as King Frost turned his half-melted head toward the overconfident hunter.
"KRIPA! MOVE!" The Lord all but scream as the Tyrant raised his fist.
But Kripa did not move. Instead, he took aim a second time. 'why? His fist can't reach where I am.' His traitorous mind told him.
The King then hit the muddy bank and threw the resulting frozen sludge at the sitting duck with the shovel. Sending his way a frigid tsunami of mud, clay, stones, branched and quite a few chunks of ice faster then Nanashi could outrun.
"...that's why."
Probably not for the first time, Nanashi felt extremely stupid.
'Note to self; Never ignore God...ever.' Those were his last thought before being swept away by the muddy wave of pain and agony.
He did not hear his sister scream as he tried to dig his shovel onto something, anything to stop his disorienting trashing. But it seemed even the ground itself was gone, and no convenient branches or tree came his way.
His skin burned, everything hurt. 'Oh Krishna...Can I please not die again today?'
Suddenly, he hit the side of the meadow he was in. It was painful, but at least he had something to hold on to. The mud, water, and whatever debris where there flowed by him, somehow or other only scratching Nanashi.
The whole thing had lasted but a moment, but for Nanashi, it was like an eternity.
Finally, the frigid wave was gone, and the boy in the lion shirt could open his eyes without having a shovel of sand thrown in. As he opened his eyes, his heart stopped, and it was not because King Frost was getting out of the spring with a chilling smile promising death and doom.
The reason no stones, branches and small iceberg maimed him was...Krishna Himself, The Lord of the countless universe, the supreme Lord in front of his expandable servent, holding a large branch that would have Killed Nanashi in if not for his timely intervention.
Krishna had shielded him, the supreme personality of Godhead, the Supreme Lord, God Himself had shielded him.
In insignificant servant...a soul that had turned his back to him...
A demon.
But before Nanashi could ask Him why? The half-melted abomination lunged again.
"King Bufala!" He screamed with a distorted voice, the deadly wind ripping trough the meadow and towards Nanashi.
And Krishna...sweet, delicate Krishna was in the way.
Something awoke in Nanashi, a power beyond anything he had faced, a power that could destroy mountains, burn down cities and face the greatest of demons with only a hand bangle for a weapon.
Pure, Unbridled, Righteous anger fueled by the fear for one's beloved.
Nanashi all but flew off from the exposed roots that supported him and, either by instinct, or previous knowledge, aimed his shovel to the Tyrant.
Runes and lined formed a six-pointed stars surrounded by a circle made of light. And as Nanashi screamed, a laser burst forth, emitting a low buzzing sound. It hit the half-melted King Frost, engulfing him in the searing white light.
The tyrant stumbled back, his upper body gone, he once again fell in the now destroyed spring, damaging it even more.
A moment of silence ensued as the group tried to digest what had just happened. Nozomi, Asahi and the Angel stared at Nanashi, and not without a small amount of fear.
It was at that time Nanashi realized what he'd just done. And that he was still floating...somehow.
But somehow, this surprising development was not enough to extinguish the rage that burned inside.
He turned to Krishna, dirtied, tattered, bruised looking Krishna and burst out."WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT FOR?" Nanashi yelled as he stalked like a maddened Cerberus.
"Krpa," Krishna tried to calm his servant.
" Why did you do that for? HE COULD HAVE KILLED YOU!" Krishna really was severely bruised, his delicate, gossamer-like shirt was ripped, exposing his broad chest. His Garland was Gone, His necklace laid on the oversaturated forest floor. His hat was gone, and many leaves, sticks and sands where stuck in His beautiful, Messy hair. And his ever-present hat was nowhere to be seen.
His Dhoti was half-undone, exposing his Powerfull yet delicate legs, Legs only the best of dancer could posses. Legs that were battered and scratch.
Nanashi choked back a sob. Sure, his whole body was painful, but seeing Krishna in this state...
It was a pain worse than death.
"It would have killed you." Krishna pointed out." And I had to Act, Otherwise-"
"Big Deal! Your God, You just need to Revive me like the last time." He shouted in anger, ignoring his painful ribs and the craking sound he could hear.
"I do not want to see you dead." The Lord's voice was still quiet, but there was enough strength behind this statement to be loud and Clear.
"Wh-" The pain in Nanashi's side peaked, but he was not done yet. "Why? I'm a soul in a material body, you can just give me another one, or you could revive me like this morning..."
Krishna Gave a fearsome scowl, and once again, Nanashi got reminded that it's was God he was shouting at.
"Krishna Kripa," The Lord of the universe began. "Who do you belong too?" He asked, his head held high, and His Supreme authority undeniable.
Nanashi never felt so small in is entire life.
"I'm yours," he admitted with jaw clench and head lowered...
It had never clicked until now, that he was the property of God...
God could do Whatever He pleased with him, And Nanashi had no say in it.
"Yes, You are Mine. For all eternity."
'What have I gotten myself into?' He wondered as he now realized the repercussion of his choice. He had no idea why Krishna, God Himself, Chose to revive him. He didn't really believe that Him Missing his sorry ass was all that there was.
Nanashi had read enough manga and heard horror stories from the hunter association to know that a powerful entity would not revive a complete nobody for no reason. And that they usually did not give an easy escape clause, and if they did...
well, it would come to bite you in the ass sooner or later.
' Well, no use crying over it. I'm Krishna puppet, my opinion's not even a blip on the radar.'
Not that his opinion ever matters anyway.
"Your body, your mind, your intelligence and your very self are all mine. And you...Do you really think I would not mind if your body where to be destroyed?" Krishna's voice hitch as diamond like tears decorated the corners of his lovely eyes. "No, I will not let you go through another birth, not if I can help it." And then the lord did something...something that somewhat changed Nanashi's view of God.
Krishna engulfed in his all-encompassing embrace, all but crushing Nanashi to His broad, fragrant chest."Don't...Don't you ever do something like that ever again." Krishna whispered hoarsly, shaking from...from...
"Krishna...are you, scared?"Nanashi asked, the whole concept alien to the servant of God.
The Lord remained quiet as he firmly held Nanashi to his heart. His tears soaking Nanashi, It was the that the teen realized that yes, the Lord had been scared for his sake.
'Why? Your God, you can control everything! You know everything?' He wondered from within his heart.
But before the Lord of the universe could form a sentence, a gunshot resonated in the desolated spring, and the two broke their embrace. Once again, ready to fight whatever threat came their way.
Once out of Krishna's arms, Nanashi wanted to be back in. And yet his male ego prevented him from dwelling on his heart desire too long. For something was happening at the edge of the ruined spring.
"Hmm, it seems queen Nozomi may have found the 'source' of her misery," Krishna commented as he gazed at the scene, taking Nanashi's hand in His firm grip. Unwilling to let his servant go.
"Krishna...you ca let me go you know," Nanashi spoke in a quiet tone, the Lord was still shaken from the whole event.
In his heart, Nanashi knew why Krishna acted such a way...but, 'Why would God care about me so much?' It made zero sense at all.
when they arrived at the scene, Nozomi had her shotgun smoking mouth pointed at a Preta, a very terrified Preta.
"Woah, Woah, hey! Please don't shoot! " The preta begged. "I Know-nothing, I was just following the order to find the treasure in this here forest."
The group looked at one another, and Nanashi to Krishna. 'Here's that word again, King frost was looking for a treasure also...Krishna, do you know anything about a treasure hidden here?'
Krishna bit his lips and averted his golden eyes.
'You do, don't you?'
The Lord sighed. "Yes...and no."
"Uh?" 'Krishna, please don't play that card.'
"Let me explain." The Lord sighed. "As you know, I am omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. And I am also time and the knower of times and events."
'Obliviously.'
"Thus, I already know the outcome, given the outcome and also deal with the outcome."
"And?" Nanashi prodded.
"And, while I know what will happen, I rather remain ignorant and enjoy the ride."
'But why?'
Krishna faced his servant fully. "Because being omniscient is dull and boring, You always know what will happen, and thus no surprise remains." He explains. "But since I also control ignorance and forgetfulness, I can make myself forget and thus experience the full emotion of surprise."
"But...what if."
Krishna looked at Nanashi, and for the first time, the resurrected boy knew how an annoyed supreme personality of Godhead looked like.
"Kripa, For me, there is no 'what if' scenario. Faith is arranged in such a way that nothing short of myself can Change it."
"Still Not reassured Krish."
"Kripa, I am the supreme controller, there is nothing to worry about when back in my service." The Lord assured. And Nanashi, seeing his guess face, couldn't help but trust him.
He knew...He had faith in Krishna. Nanashi had no idea where it came from, but his guts told him that everything would be okay in the end.
But one question remained.; Why was Krishna still possessively holding his right hand in his left?
Was it...Could Nanashi even dare Imagined it? That Krishna...That the Supreme Personality of Godhead...
Really cared about him? Loved him even?
The boy of untold parentage felt his heart melt a little...He never felt anything like this before. Not with the Boss, definitely not with Asahi...
He turned his attention to the confrontation, unwilling to dwell on his feeling for too long.
"I was asked to find the treasure hidden here, wasn't told what it was, but I was sure it would be known by them fairies. The plan was to fool some fairies into finding it for me. But now that's a bust..." He scratched the back of his head.
"Who sent you?" The queen demanded, her voice holding the force of authority as she maintained her gun to the imp, her finger on the trigger.
'Dang, she's so hardcore.'
"indeed."
The Preta Yelp. "H-hey there lady, I don't know. I'm just a grunt, and nobody says anything to a grunt."
Nozomi narrowed her eyes behind her glass, and Nanashi just knew she was reading the lying yoma's body language.
"Well, it can't be helped then. You have caused the destruction of the most important part of my kingdom. The only way you can pay is with your life." She tapped her finger to the trigger. And yet the imp did not seem all that concern about his welfare.
'He's either really stupid, or he has balls of steels.'
"He has both." Krishna drily replied.
"he's doomed."
The fairy queen coked her head, and lower her aim to between the Preta's leg. Understanding was she was about to do, the purple spirit began to properly panic.
"AHH! ILL SPEAK ILL SPEAK OH HELL PLEASE DON'T SHOOT ME HERE !" He all but sobbed. "IT WAS A CREEPY GOD FROM POLYTHEISTIC ALLIANCE, HE'S THE ONE WHO TOLD ME TO GET THE TREASURE HERE. I SWEAR, THAT'S ALL I KNOW!"The Imp screamed in fear, tailing out of there as fast as his bowed leg would let him.
But before he could disappear in the forest, Napaea all but body slammed the preta to the ground, lift him up by the scruff of the neck and brought him back to Queen Nozomi.
The Queen in red grabbed the preta's face in her iron grip. "Alright, Grape-face. I have a message for this alliance." She hissed, and Nanashi could not help but move a bit closer to His Krishna. "Mess with my forest again, you creep, and I will make them see why one should not piss off Nozomi, The Queen of fairies." She squeezed the preta's face. "Is that clear, 'pretty Orchid'?"
The purple spirit only answer was a whimper and a very good attempt at a very panicked set of nods.
"Good! Now get your purperus ass out of here before I change my mind and make it red." Nozomi hissed and, with a gesture of her head, signalled Napaea to let go.
The moment he hit the ground, The preta ran for his life.
Silence once again descended upon the desolated spring. And nanashi had the distinct feeling things were about to get more complicated.
Asahi and her brother were back at the ancient sakura tree. Nothing much they could have done after the whole debacle.
'Ugh...this sucks. We were supposed to free the spring, not destroy it.' To be honest, It fitted King Frost's entire mentality. He looked like a 'if-I-can't-have-you' sort of demon.
But This was not what had soured Asahi's mood. It was Nanashi's Persona.
He was...Disturbingly close to her brother, and Nanashi Didn't seem to mind at all. Especially when he begancleaning off all the mud and twigs off from Hari's body. Fixing his long, luscious hair with care and attention rarely showed to others.
Sure, Her dad had warned her to keep an eye out for Hari, telling her that he was extremely dangerous. But now, He seemed more interesting with silently joking with foot therapist Nanashi.
He looked so happy as if he had achieved Shangri-la.
'Why can't he be happy with me?' Asahi crossed her arms below her breast. Then she stopped that thought...no, she knew her brother never would be attracted to her. Especially now that Hari, the most beautiful creature that existed, followed him like a puppy.
Nanashi was happy...Her brother was smiling more than any time previous.
As they came back from ground zero, Nanashi and his persona had walked hands-in-hands under the shower of pink petals. Sometimes stopping to watch the scenery, some time to pick flowers.
Nanashi was usually the one doing the picking, he would also decorate Hari with whatever good blossoms he found.
A small, sad smile played on Asahi's lips.
'Oh Nanashi...Be happy while it last, Dad won't let you have this..."
Suddenly, the hair at the back of her neck stood on end.
She whirled around just in time to see a figure shrouded in shadows retreating in the foggy debt of the pink thicket. Before it disappeared completely, the creature gave a 'come hither' gesture.
'Is that?...what it...It wants me to follow him, Isn't he?" As if attracted by a spell, Asahi left the main area and tailed the shadow, eager for a new thrill.
He knew she was safe, Nanashi had scary good ears, and she had her angel with her. And the ex-winged pest was pretty strong too.
As long as she did not get distracted by Nanashi's persona...
Entering deeper in the pink forest, she came within a clearing in which everything was wilted, and an oppressive atmosphere reigned. Everything was quiet, and a deep melancholy seemed to pervade the very air. In the middle, standing like the manifestation of everything edgy
was tall Skeleton. He wore a fluttering cape, a leather armour equipped with silver claws and a bloody red mane.
"So." He rumbled, his voice deep and foreboding. "Ye followed."
"You...who are you? What do you want of me?" Asahi felt a bit stupid now, it was not just a fairy that stood in front of her, but what could only be a God of the underworld.
He ran his neon-green eyes on the young girls like one gaze at the latest weapon. "My Name's Dagda, God of knowledge and ability. And you are Asahi, isn't it?"
'Creep factor; high enough.' She nodded wearily. Her legs paralyzed by fear.
Dagda crept forward, his capes fluttering in the nonexistent wind. Usually, Asahi would find it hilarious, but now, it was terrifying.
"And...I've been keeping an eye on you for a long time, little missy."
'Creep level; Stalker.' And she had a feeling running was not an option.
"And I have to say, you impress me."
Asahi remained silent.
"Silent one, aren't yah...Or scared of me, perhaps?"
Asahi would never admit it, especially to a demon...but she hated skulls and skeletons, more so those who moved.
"Ah... worry not missy, Just...Just some angels messing me look. A Don't usually look like that." Dagda gestured to his armoured covered body.
"So...why are you stalking me." Asahi just wanted the entire encounter over so she may run back to her brother with a very good lesson learned.
Dagda gazed at her, his emerald green eyes cold and calculating. "Stalking...aye, I suppose I was. But what can I do, ye caught my eyes."
A feeling of sheer doom doused the daughter of the boss. Asahi knew, she was pretty, and she knew she was on the cusp of being legal. 'Well, at least he waited that long.' she internally snarked as she reached for her phone.
"Listen, Missy, I'm not this type of God. I ain't got desires for someone who could be my granddaughter."
"The Wh-"
"Your brother, the one who killed Adramelech and pierced a hole in the firmament. that's I got me eyes on. "
"wait...Nanashi did what?" She still remembers the sound of Nanashi's shovel as it gutted the demoniac general, But piercing the firmament!
She still remembers this one infamous pop quiz Nikkari had once given. She had learned from him that the firmament was bedrock, not granite, and was twenty kilometres thick.
As an answer, Dagda pointed at a small light spot in the 'celestial vault.'
"Holy shit..." At that moment, Asahi realized just how powerful her brother was.
"Yes, the kids ain't a human. Humans just aren't made to generate this much aether...nor can they survive with so much circulating in their body, would burn them alive."And if you weren't here..." Dagda, who was now standing right beside the young girl. Turned to her, his exposed mandible somehow twisting into a parody of a smile... "Well, he wouldn't have anyone to control him."
She felt trap...and she knew her brother would not be able to reach her in time.
"But...I ain't here to scare you into using your brother to destroy everything. While's he's pretty powerful, there's much bigger fish out there who wouldn't think twice about turning his sorry ass into a greasy smear on the floor."
That was not really all that reassuring at all.
"No, you see...It's embarrassing to ask, but..."
"But...C'mon, spit it out!" she snapped, more than a bit tired about this creep.
Dagda stared at Asahi, who did not avert her eyes. And smiled...
"A proud one, aren't ya?"
She crossed her arms under her breast, conveniently hiding her smartphone.
"Alright...here's the situation. There's a war brewing between the forces of law and Chaos, And we of the neutral side want nothing to do with either of them. We just want to try to recover what little of the society we had before those two clowns began messin' up the balance of things." Dagda explains. "But we ain't even strong enough to be a bit of annoyance. Day by day, the angels force our people to either convert or perish, and Lucifer ain't any better."
"Flynn will defeat them."
"I know lass, I know. But Flynn...her returned my mother to her rightful place and gave us a second queen. We...I ow so much to him..." Dadga trailed off.
"...Oh, so, you want Nanashi to assist Flynn?" Asahi concluded, relieved and surprised that such a fearsome God had so much respect for the liberator. "Why didn't you say so in the first place."
At that moment, Asahi would swear the skeletal god blushed.
He cleared his throat. "Well...I'm not used to beg. Before the angels stripped me of most of my power, I gladly would have taken on the army of hell and heaven in a heartbeat...But now, can't even blow a leaf of a dyin' tree."
"Oh man, that's rough."
"So, here's the deal. I know this one God powerful enough to take on the two pox. The problem is, the poor block got sealed under the Yashiro well by both demons and angels."
Asahi's eyes grew wider ad the mention of the two factions. "Wait, both of them?"
The god nodded. "Aye, The sealed God is feared by both parties...and he wished to help Flynn conquer the two and free humanity. As long as we can get 'im out of the well..."
"So...why can't you?" Asahi innocently asked.
Dagda gave her an exasperated stare. "As I said, I ain't what I use to be in therm of power. And the seal will only open for a Human. But-"
"Let me guess, the whole place is filled with demons." She interrupted.
"And angels. Heard there even was poison here 'n there."
"So here's the deal. You and your powerful brother get down to his seal, yer brother kills whatever lookin' at you the wrong way, and you just have to touch the seal, freeing him."
This...sounded like a good idea. Not a perfect design, but Dagda's plan certainly seemed logical. And doable.
But, there was one thing that bugged her.
"Why not have Nanashi help-"
"Two fer the price of one. Flynn's gonna need all the help he can get before facing the shithawk and bollox head."
Right, those two where the head of their respective faction.
"An' As I said. A Human need to break the seal."
"After surviving both angels and demons." she resumed.
The Celtic god gave something that looked like a predatory smile...but then, without any lips, he may as well gave a cute cat smile, and no one would have been the wisest.
"Yes, which won't be such a hard task with that brother of yours. And just imagine the fame you will receive; everyone will know you."
Asahi smiled, Finally, things were looking up!
'Nanashi won't need to wait much longer.' She could already see her adopted brother basking in the sunlight, away from civilization. He could be himself...
He and his boyfriend would live a perfect bucolic life...all thanks to her.
"Alright! Its a deal!" She readily agreed, shaking Dagda's silver claws.
She did not hear the sound of the closing trap.
