A/N: I'm so close to the end I think I'm about to cry.
XXXXXX
Straight to Hell
"You crazy bitch…" Benitsubasa whispered, her voice hitched with terror. "You just forced a fight to the death…"
Karasuba's eyes narrowed, the intensity of her gaze locking onto Benitsubasa, as if she could see right through her soul. Her presence alone was suffocating, an aura of menace that sent shivers down spines. "That's the idea," she confirmed, her voice dripping with a chilling resolve that seemed to pierce through the very air. "If you haven't gotten that key out of the boy's stomach by the time I'm done with Yume, I'll get it myself and I'll cut you down just like The Green Girl. Is that understood?" Her gaze shifted to the ominous timer above the window, its digital numbers counting down mercilessly, a constant reminder of the deadly stakes at play. "You have twelve minutes."
A bead of sweat trickled down Benitsubasa's forehead as she scowled, her knuckles turning white from gripping her weapon so tightly. She bit her bottom lip in a mix of frustration and urgency, feeling the seconds slip away like sand through her fingers. The pressure was on, and she felt the weight of the ticking clock pressing down on her chest, each second a pounding heartbeat.
Yume took a cautious step back, her eyes darting between Karasuba and Minato lying unconscious on the ground. Distrust gnawed at her mind, and the memory of Benitsubasa's past actions warred with her desire to protect Minato from the ruthless Karasuba's grasp.
"Boobsy, don't concern yourself with me. I won't hurt your Ashikabi," Benitsubasa interjected, her voice attempting to reassure Yume, but there was an underlying tension in her words. "Now do your thing and– whoa, wait a second, pipsqueak!"
Minato wasted no time, pulling the knife from Benitsubasa's sash. "What do you think I'm doing? I'm getting the key out of me!"
Karasuba clawed at her cape, ripping it off along with her garments, revealing a bared, primal form standing in black stockings and thigh highs. The room darkened as if shadows themselves were drawn to her malevolence.
"Why are you getting naked?" Yume asked, her voice tinged with a mix of confusion and unease.
A twisted grin curled upon Karasuba's lips as she cracked her neck with an ominous popping sound. "Considering you're naked, I wanted our dance to be a little more intimate," she replied darkly, her eyes fixed on Yume with an unnerving intensity that made it feel like she was staring into the abyss. She parted her legs and squatted, readying herself to strike like a predatory beast. "What's the problem with that?"
Without warning, Karasuba lunged forward, her nakedness now forgotten as she brandished her nodachi. Her battle cry was a thunderous roar that echoed through the chamber, shaking the very foundation of the room. Yume's heart raced as she found herself in the midst of a storm of deadly strikes, each swing of Karasuba's nodachi a malevolent streak of lightning aimed to extinguish the light within her soul. The room became a blur of motion as the two warriors clashed, their movements fluid and deadly, leaving behind a wake of destruction.
They leaped and bounded around the room like mythical creatures, clashing in a symphony of fists and steel. The air crackled with energy, sparks flying off from the force of their collision like fireflies.
"I have to find an opening and punch her in the stomach as hard as I could," Yume thought, forming a strategy on the spot, simple as it was. "I need to get her to vomit that key."
Benitsubasa pulled up on the skin of Minato's belly, stretching out the stitching in the wound as much as she could. Benitsubasa watched as he carefully nicked the stitches, slowly and cautiously. There were dozens, but time was on their side for now.
Karasuba's movements were fierce and relentless, while Yume's were more agile and evasive, trying to dodge the relentless onslaught. The clash of steel and the thuds of their bare bodies hitting the ground filled the chamber, creating a pulse of terror that sent everyone's heart pounding.
Minato squealed as he glided the knife across the closed wound, wincing as he disturbed the sensitive skin clamped shut by the black wire. Blood began to pour as he struggled to keep his hand from trembling.
"Let me do it," Benitsubasa offered. "You need a steady hand, or else you'll hurt yourself more."
Minato hesitated. With her Ashikabi's life on the line, would she be merciful?
"Don't tell me you don't trust me."
Minato hissed as he nicked another stitch, "It's not that it's just–"
"If I wanted to I would have gutted you by now." she replied, offering her hand. "It'll also be quicker if I do it."
Minato closed his eyes and took a breath through his nose. "Alright, just be careful." he said.
Benitsubasa swiped the blade from him, "Okay, now lay on your back. I can't do it safely if you're sitting."
Minato gave an unnerved nod and let himself lay back grimacing as the glass imbedded in him was pressed deeper inside. He put both of his thumbs on top and bottom of the wound and stretched out his flesh. "Do it quickly!" He said baring his canines and bracing himself.
"Alright then, all at once." she said, lining up the edge with the stitching. "I'll do it on three. One…"
Minato squeezed his eyes and jaw shut.
"Two..." Benitsubasa's voice was steady, her hand unwavering as she readied herself for the decisive moment.
"Do it, now!" Minato screamed, just wanting to get it over with as quick as possible.
Without hesitation, Benitsubasa proclaimed, "Three!" In one seamless motion, the blade sliced through the stitches, releasing them with a clean cut.
Minato's body tensed, and he fought back a cry of pain as the wound parted, blood flowing like a crimson river. But there was no time to rest; the ordeal was far from over.
"You alright, Minato?" Benitsubasa asked with genuine concern.
"Yeah, now that the worst of it's over…ow…"
"I don't know about that yet, Minato. I need to reach in and get the–"
Minato, squeezing his jaw shut, slipped his fingers through the gaping wound on his belly and began to fish around. As he squirmed in pain, he came across an object. He closed his fingers around it and slowly began to drag it out; a ziplock bag containing the key inside. He hands it to Benitsubasa, who was blinking in disbelief.
"...key."
"Here," he panted amidst the constant cacophony of the all-out war surrounding them. "Now go save your Ashikabi."
Benitsubasa took the bag from his trembling hand. He favored his freshly open wound with his palm, blood flowing from between his fingers as he winced in pain.
"Minato, you're one hell of a guy," she said, her voice trembling with both admiration and concern. "Thank you for trusting me." she said as she rose to her feet and sprinted to the elevator imprisoning her Ashikabi. She quickened her pace and the floor flew beneath her. Almost as fast as the single numbers clashing above her time after time at the speed of sound.
Hopping over Mr. Mathis' corpse, her heels screeched to a halt once she reached the gate imprisoning her beloved Ashikabi where she swiftly used the key to unlatch it. She grabbed the handle to slide it open but it got stuck. There wasn't a lot of space, just enough to sneak her hands in. She grabbed the edge and began to yank, the door resisted, and she shrieked in pain as it cut her like a razor.
"GAH! FUCK!" she screamed. "This thing can cut someone's arm off. Shit…"
As Benitsubasa fought against the stubborn gate, the metal taunted her, gritting her teeth through the agony. As it inched open more she wiggled herself into the small gap and started to push it open more with her body. For once she was glad she had small tits.
As the battle escalated, the once pristine pods were now marred with cracks and splatters of blood as the deranged Karasuba pursued her target, keeping Yume on the defensive.
Benitsubasa's hands, now slick with her own blood, felt like they were engulfed in fire, each tug on the door's edge sent searing pain up her arms, but she didn't let it deter her. The gate was her enemy, and she wouldn't let it stand between her and Natsuo. With a primal scream, she summoned her inner strength, feeling it surge through her veins like a coursing river. Finally, the gate opened with a nerve-wracking screech, setting free the path to Natsuo. She darted inside, like a Valkyrie on a divine mission to reach her longed-for partner. Natsuo's state of delirium didn't matter; all that mattered was saving him.
Coming to a knee, she undid the clamp around his bare waist as well as the two chains connecting his feet to the elevator car, then finally reached high on her tiptoes to undo the cufflinks holding his arms aloft. With gravity no longer at bay, the Ashikabi slumped over and into Benitsubasa's arms. Hoisting him up onto her shoulder, she carried him out of the contraption and laid him over by one of the pods lining the walls where he went limp.
"You're safe finally." her eyes wandered over to Minato, who was still laying on the floor, taking bated breaths. He raised his head and their eyes met. His expression softened and he weakly raised his arm, giving her a thumbs up.
Benitsubasa's heart swelled with relief and tenderness, but that went away once he fainted not long after, setting Natsuo back upright, Benitsubasa hurried over to the bloodied ronin. She took to her knees and began to shake him. "Hey come on now, pipsqueak, stay with me!"
His eyes flickered open and he hushed her with a finger to his lips. He put his hand on her shoulder, leaning in to speak, "Listen to me…"
Yume's fists were a blur of motion, and Karasuba's nodachi flashed with deadly grace. They circled each other like two predators, each looking for an opening to deliver the final blow.
Suddenly, Karasuba spotted an opportunity in the chaos. With a wicked grin, she dodged a punch from Yume, allowing the fist to crash into one of the pods. The impact shattered the glass enclosure, and a burst of energy surged towards Yume, catching her off guard. She cried out in pain as the energy lashed at her, momentarily leaving her vulnerable.
Karasuba seized the chance, lunging forward with her nodachi raised high. As it came down, Yume caught it with her bare hands just in time. Crimson flowed down her wrist as the razor-sharp strike came to a sudden halt, and the two vied for dominance.
"You've gotten stronger since our last encounter." Yume hissed, arms trembling as she held back the blade.
Karasuba licked the blood from her lip and kept on the pressure, forcing Yume to step back to keep her leverage. "No, you've just never given me the credit I deserved!"
"You're a monster! No one would praise you after what you did to poor Kuu!"
Karasuba did not relent, forcing the blade deeper and drawing more blood. "She was a participant I and was made her opponent! You have no one to blame but yourself! Musubi was there when it happened and you still refused to come out of hiding to face me!"
"So that's why you did it…to force my hand…"
"And you still did nothing. None of this would have happened if you just faced me, and now look at what happened."
Bloodied and bruised, Yume refused to relent. Her fighting spirit burned like an inferno, pushing her beyond her limits. With all her strength she pivoted and turned gravity against her adversary, landing a powerful blow on Karasuba's gut and, sending the dark warrior crashing into a wall, creating a deep crater upon impact.
Yume bared her teeth, disappointed in herself, "Dammit, she didn't puke."
Karasuba was not so easily defeated. She rose from the rubble, a feral grin on her face, and channeled her rage into her attacks. The nodachi became a blur of malevolence as she unleashed a flurry of strikes upon Yume, who parried with all her might.
Amidst the clash of steel and fists, the remaining pods in the chamber began to crack and glow with an intensity that shook the very foundation of the room as the battle became a parkour display.
Every pod Yume leaped to was cut down from the wall by Karasuba, crashing to the ground like redwood trees. Yume gasped upon looking down at the most recent pod that was detached. Kuu was inside of it.
This momentary distraction was enough for Karasuba to close the distance. She made a clean diagonal slice through Yume's chest, cleaving through her right breast, splitting it open deeper than the hands of those who made the blood sacrifice to ensure Minato's survival. Her tailbone crashed onto the pod below and her momentum sent her rolling off onto the floor in a bloody heap. She clenched her wound, holding the flesh together in a forlorn attempt to stop the bleeding.
Karasuba leaped too the pod looming over Yume and cackled sliced through the support holding it to the wall. It dropped like a boulder, crushing Yume beneath it. She managed to wiggle her arms and head free, and the first thing she saw was her reflection in the bloodsoaked steel of Karasuba's weapon of choice. "Don't tell me that little brat is what got you in the end," she said, wiping her nodachi through the air to let the blood fly off. "You always were soft."
Yume winced as Karasuba aimed her blade at Yume's throat with one hand.
The Black Sekirei took a slow and steady stride forward, one heel after the other as her prey gasped and panted in exhaustion. Her revenge was moments away from its climax, and she took her ample time to drink in Yume's final moments as she sat there, clenching her injured breast helpless and vulnerable.
"So it has come to this, Yume." She uttered, clawing the tuska of her nodachi. She brought the blade high into the air, ready to land her killing blow at a moment's notice. "Now, I end this…"
"Not another step, Black!" Benitsubasa's voice rang out. Karasuba aimed her sight at her former comrade. The pinkette had her arm firmly around the throat of their Ashikabi, and she was squeezing with all her might. "Strike her down, and I swear I won't just break Natsuo's neck; I'll rip his head clean off his shoulders!"
This revelation gave Karasuba pause, albeit briefly. She had to be bluffing. "You too? You do realize your life is also linked to his, correct? Are you really willing to do this for such a pathetic monkey you've only known for less than five hours?"
"You're goddamn right! Minato is more than just a monkey! He is my friend and I will do whatever it takes to see him live through all this even if it costs me my life! So do what I say! Drop it!"
Her words fell on deaf ears. Nothing was going to get between Karasuba and this moment she had dreamed of for years. Her eyes turned back to Yume, growing wide with psychotic adrenaline as she readied herself to swing the steel down with all her might and sever her head at the shoulders. "Game over, Yume!"
Yume screamed and shut her eyes, letting the last words she felt she would ever utter be the name of her Ashikabi. "Minato!"
A moment passed and there was no pain.
Was she dead?
She heard her Ashikabi howl.
Karasuba gasp.
Then a clatter of metal echoed.
Yume's eyes flickered open.
Karasuba's nodachi was on the ground.
Minato was on The Black Sekirei's back.
…
And a syringe was driven into Karasuba's carotid courtesy of Minato's clenched fist.
It was empty.
…
When Minato input the final digit into the safe its pressurized door clicked then slowly swung open to equalize the internal air pressure. He pulled the door open the rest of the way, revealing a trifecta of syringes in the center of the safe held up by a display.
"Uh, why are there three of them? "Benitsubasa questioned, puzzled. She looked at the inside of the safe's door. On it was a message that said 'choose wisely'.
…
He went over to the sinks and squirted a small amount of the liquid inside of it. Sure enough, it started hissing and eventually ate through the porcelain, like heat to margarine. "Just as I suspected. It was acid."
…
"Well, that one's no good either. May as well get rid of them both." Benitsubasa concluded without much thought.
"No." he said, shaking his head.
"What? Why not? They're useless!"
"No, they're tools for our survival." He explained, "Think about it, if we run into any danger, we can use them for self-defense."
Benitsubasa paused. "Shit, that's actually a good point.
…
"Do you have the needles for the safe?"
Karasuba reached to her hip and pulled them out from her belt. All but one was empty. "That I do."
"Hand me the empty ones." the ice Sekirei instructed. "I need to fill them with acid from this vat before we leave."
…
Karasuba's body twitched and Minato hopped off her back. she doubled over gasping for breath as the acid began to hiss and dissolve her airway and windpipe.
Minato sprang away from her, his heart pounding in his chest as he witnessed the woman who had tormented him for so long now clutching her throat, blood seeping through her fingers like dark crimson petals blooming on her skin. His eyes blazed with a mixture of fury and adrenaline. The vessels inside the whites of her eyes swiftly began to burst as the acid flowed through her bloodstream. Minato ignored the pain from the shards of glass embedded in his flesh, all of it eclipsed by the resolve that surged through him.
"How dare you, you filthy ape!" she rasped, her voice strained and eyes wild with rage, yet Minato could see the fear in them as well. He felt a surge of perseverance, knowing he would not back down, not this time.
"I am so…fucking…" His voice trembled with righteous anger as he swung his fist with all his might, the impact crushing her maw, teeth scattering like shattered porcelain as she was thrown back by the force. "DONE WITH YOUR SHIT!"
She staggered but managed to stay on her feet, though her balance seemed precarious. Her threats only fueled Minato's will to live, but his moment of triumph was cut short by a bellowing roar from Benitsubasa.
"OUT OF THE WAY PIPSQUEAK!" Benitsubasa roared. She ruthlessly tossed her invalid Ashikabi's carcass aside and trampled her way forward like a charger from Left 4 Dead. She tackled the Black Sekirei, dragging her into the elevator which Natsuo had been captive in. Karasuba's lungs gasped as her spine met the back of the elevator wall and the mechanism which once secured her Ashikabi's waist to the trap clamped around her. "Minato! Quickly! We don't have much time left! Get in here and help me!" Benitsubasa urgently called out, her voice straining with the weight of the impending disaster.
Minato didn't hesitate, rushing into the elevator as fast as he could. He could feel the seconds ticking away, the threat of imminent destruction hanging over them like a sword of Damocles. With Benitsubasa's help, he secured Karasuba's feet to the elevator car, ensuring she couldn't escape. She thrashed and writhed but her feeble attempts at escaping her doom were for naught. It was a miracle she was still alive.
Benitsubasa reached for her ka-bar, ready to finish the job, but Minato intercepted her, placing his hand on hers to stop her.
"What gives, pipsqueak?!" she demanded, frustration and urgency lacing her words.
Minato's scowl deepened. "Don't," he said firmly, offering his hand to her.
Confusion flashed in Benitsubasa's eyes before a sinister smile crossed her lips. "Ah, I get you," she said, handing him the knife. "Honor is all yours."
He accepted the blade, his grip tight and resolute. As he looked into Karasuba's fire-engine red eyes, he could sense the intensity of her hatred for him and herself., Filled with rage both at him and herself for letting herself become outsmarted by mere pathetic monkey.
"This is for Kusano and everyone else who suffered at your hand!" Minato took the blade and drove it deep into The Black Sekirei's belly and dragged it diagonally across. She gagged on her confined screams as he tore open her stomach, stuffing his hand inside. He made sure to grab onto as much as he could before yanking out the contents of her exposed guts without mercy. As the gory pulp and entrails that hadn't simply dangled from the gaping wound spilled to the floor, he muddled through the contents inside her until he found what he was looking for; the key to freedom.
Without hesitation, he inserted it into the disarming mechanism and turned it with a trembling hand. The four lights flashed green, a sign of their salvation.
Triumphant and trembling with the weight of what he had just done, Minato hoisted the bomb from his shoulders. The nightmare was over, and they were safe. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that a different kind of horror was just beginning for Karasuba.
"We did it, pipsqueak. I can't believe that actually worked," Benitsubasa said, her voice bewildered and astonished, still processing the events that had unfolded.
…
Just minutes ago…
Benitsubasa's heart swelled with relief and tenderness, but that went away once he fainted not long after, setting Natsuo back upright, Benitsubasa hurried over to the bloodied ronin. She took to her knees and began to shake him. "Hey come on now, pipsqueak, stay with me!"
His eyes flickered open and he hushed her with a finger to his lips. He put his hand on her shoulder, leaning in to speak, "Listen to me…"
"If at any point you feel Yume's about to lose the battle, I need you to distract Karasuba."
"What? How?"
"I have an idea. I doubt you'll like it, but I think I can get the jump on her." He reached into the pocket of his shredded hoodie. Miraculously the syringe of acid was still there and intact.
"What do you want me to do?" she asked, listening closely.
"Threaten to kill Natsuo."
"WHAT?!"
"You heard me. That would not only distract her, but she'd likely forget about me being so absorbed by the possibly of killing her. Make sure her eyes are off me, and I'll do the rest. Please, trust me on this…we only have one shot…"
Benitsubasa bowed her head, agreeing to go along with the plan.
…
"Now what?" Benitsubasa asked, her voice tinged with a mix of anticipation and apprehension.
"Now, I end this…" Minato replied, his voice heavy with weariness and emotional exhaustion. He took a deep breath, gathering his resolve, and stepped forward. With a sense of finality, he turned the collar around in his trembling hands and delicately draped it over Karasuba's shoulders as she shook her head in rage-fueled panic.
"Overkill much?" Benitsubasa quipped, unable to suppress a hint of dark humor, even in this grim moment. "Not that I'm complaining."
Minato glanced at her, a brief flicker of sorrow passing through his eyes, before he focused back on the task at hand. "I just want to make sure it's over. I don't want her coming back," he explained, his voice faltering for a moment as he twisted the key and rearmed the device. The norito lights extinguished like stars winking out in the night sky. "Ever again."
Karasuba, her face contorted with rage and pain, struggled to form coherent curses and threats as Minato and Benitsubasa carefully retreated, leaving her trapped in the confined space of the elevator. Minato's fingers scraped against the cold metal of the door, and he could feel Karasuba's desperate grasp as she reached out, trying to take hold of the person who had all but brought her to her end. For Minato, it was a moment of triumph, a necessary step to ensure the safety of those he cared about. But for The Black Sekirei, it was…
"Game over!" Minato's voice echoed with both relief and determination as he forced the elevator door shut with all his might. In that instant, Karasuba's outstretched arm was severed clean off, and the muffled cries of agony filled the air, mingling with the dying echoes of her rage.
Meanwhile, Yume observed the scene with a mixture of satisfaction and affection. She watched as the two victorious figures moved away from the elevator, anticipating the impending blast from within. A warm smile graced her lips as they turned to face each other, their eyes locking in an intense gaze that seemed to reach into the depths of their souls. In that profound connection, she saw the blossoming of something beautiful, the culmination of a journey fraught with challenges and growth. She knew what would come next, and her heart swelled with happiness for them.
"Well, Minato. I guess this is it," Benitsubasa said, her voice tinged with a mix of emotions. Her eyes, once filled with defiant flames, softened like the gentle glow of twilight, revealing a vulnerability she rarely allowed herself to show. The weariness of battles fought and the longing for solace and understanding were evident in her gaze, as she stood before him, on the precipice of a life-changing moment.
"I suppose it is," Minato replied, his own smile reflecting a blend of fondness and admiration for the courageous pinkette before him.
"Come to think of it, no. I don't think it is. I think there's one more thing…" Benitsubasa's voice quivered with a newfound certainty, knowing exactly what she wanted at that very moment.
"And what might that be?" Minato asked, curiosity dancing in his eyes.
"You said you loved me, right?" Benitsubasa's words were direct, revealing her vulnerable side as she sought reassurance.
"Oh, right, that," Minato's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, his hand instinctively rubbing the nape of his neck. "Well, yeah. Of course, I do."
With a determined glint in her eyes, Benitsubasa placed her hands gently on Minato's chest and leaned forward, their faces now inches apart. "And I love ya too. Now pucker up, pipsqueak."
The Red Sekirei rose onto her tiptoes, her heart pounding in her chest as her lips met his. Time seemed to slow down, and the world around began to spin round and round, igniting an electric current that surged through their bodies. In that fleeting moment, Minato instinctively sensed the depth of her longing and love. He reciprocated, opening himself to her, offering a piece of his essence to awaken her true potential.
As their kiss deepened, a remarkable transformation began to unfold. Benitsubasa's wings of light, once fierce and crimson, now took on a soft hue of pink, resembling cotton candy clouds illuminated by the enchanting twilight sky. With a ferocity matched only by the passion in their kiss, her colossal wings erupted from her back, filling the chamber with an ethereal glow that painted the walls in breathtaking shades of rose and lilac. The room became a canvas of radiant colors, a testament to the boundless power of love and strength that had been unleashed.
Meanwhile, Karasuba, consumed by fury and a burning desire for vengeance, was met with a gruesome end as her own reckless actions turned against her. With the norito limit pushed over its limit of four uses, he collar around her neck malfunctioned, taunting her with the eerie laugh of Billy, while Minato and Benitsubasa remained oblivious to the chaos behind them, their focus entirely on each other.
"You dare ignore me, monkey?!" Karasuba's enraged voice echoed, but her threats went unheard amidst the symphony of emotions filling the chamber. "LOOK AT ME!" she screamed, hissing like a dying viper. "WHEN YOU'RE KILLING ME YOU LOOK AT ME!"
Moments later the timer ticked down its last few seconds. The elevator car holding The Black Sekirei's broken anatomy unhitched and gravity immediately took charge. Her mutilated abdomen made the tearing process a fool's errand. The wound began to split open wider and wider, her innards unfurling from the cross-section, splattering to the floor until the weight would wait no longer as in a matter of moments…
[0:05]
THIS
[0:04]
THING
[0:03]
WOULD
[0:02]
FALL!
[0:01]
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
[0:00]
The collar ceased its laughter and in an instant all six rounds of buckshot fired into her cranium, splattering crimson and hunks of bone and brain matter everywhere. The elevator then plummeted into the fiery abyss below severing her spine like an insect's leg, dragging her straight to hell.
When they finally broke the kiss, Minato and Benitsubasa turned to witness the aftermath of Karasuba's demise, her lifeless form slumped over and disappearing into the smoking wreckage below.
"Wow," Benitsubasa began, her voice tinged with a mixture of awe and amusement, "Talk about a kiss of death."
"Indeed," Minato agreed, his eyes still fixed on her, the admiration evident in his gaze. "Welcome to the flock, Benitsu."
"Happy to be," Benitsubasa replied, a sense of contentment washing over her. "Now, for the tradition…" She cleared her throat, preparing to recite her norito to officially solidify their bond. "Palm of my pledge, crush the stones torturing my Ashikabi."
"I'm honored," Minato said, his heart full, as they stood together, ready to face whatever challenges the future held, united by a love that had overcome even the fiercest of trials. As they wrapped their arms around each other, the world fell away, leaving only the rhythmic thud of their hearts beating as one. Their embrace was not merely physical; it was an intertwining of souls, a sacred embrace that spoke volumes in the language of the heart.
"Congratulations, Minato." John called down to them from the platform. "Now there is but one more task we need your assistance with…Akitsu…"
The ice Sekirei emerged from the door behind the throne, Clutching the corrupted Jinki on a small pillow nested n her delicate hands, Akitsu descended gracefully, her ice-blue eyes locking onto Minato's with an air of solemnity. She took cautious steps toward him, her radiant presence almost ethereal in the dimly lit chamber.
"So, we finally meet," Akitsu spoke, her voice possessing an otherworldly melodic quality. "According to Minaka, winging me should fix the Jinki and release all the terminated ones here from their limbo."
Minato's heart raced with a mixture of awe and concern, and he met her gaze with sincerity. "And you're alright with me winging you?"
A gentle smile tugged at Akitsu's lips, her icy demeanor melting momentarily. "Of course. You're a kind man with a strong heart for those you cherish. I can't think of anything that would make me happier."
The weight of the moment hung palpably in the air as Minato nodded, his mind swirling with thoughts. He was ready to make the fateful decision, but there was one condition he couldn't let go of.
"But under one condition," Minato spoke firmly, his determination shining through. "I want Jigsaw to turn himself into the police. No more games. I won't allow anyone else to suffer like my flock and I did. The nightmare ends tonight."
A hush fell over the chamber as John's head drooped, his posture betraying a mix of guilt and defiance. "I'm afraid that's–AGH! What?!-"
Suddenly, he let out a cry of surprise and agony, his body quickly succumbing to a bone-chilling cold. In moments he was turned into an icicle, imprisoned courtesy of Akitsu's frost ray, a living monument to the consequences of his actions.
"Consider your condition met, Minato," Akitsu declared, her voice unwavering as she turned her back on Jigsaw. "I've already alerted the authorities about our location. The police and ambulances should arrive soon."
"You called the police?" John said.
"Twice actually." Akitsu corrected him. "The first call was around the time the games began. I spoke to Investigator Fukushima. Told him I would make good on bringing you to justice if he did me a solid favor."
"What did you promise him?"
"I told him to escort Minato's family and friends out of the city and ensure the roads were clear for them to ensure their survival."
The revelation that Akitsu had taken the initiative to ensure Minato's family and friends were safe brought tears of relief to his eyes. His voice trembled as he asked, "My mom and sister, they're alright? They're safe?"
"They are. Once they traveled the distance to disarm the car bomb they were taken into police custody. They're all fine."
Minato took a huge sigh of relief. "Oh, thank goodness."
"Would you like to speak to them?"
"Of course, but first things first…" A sigh of relief escaped Minato's lips, and he managed a grateful smile. But before he could fully absorb the relief, Akitsu stepped closer to him, her intentions clear. Pulling him close, she leaned in, and their lips met in a kiss that sent shivers down Minato's spine. As they embraced, her icy wings burst from her back, and the Jinki on the pillow trembled, its power intensifying.
The formerly discarded one's blood faded and soon disappeared entirely from the core. The crack sealed itself and it began to float skyward along with the seven other otherworldly crystals. They began to orbit around to room and in a blinding flash, and released arcs of chained energy, penetrating through each and every pod surrounding the chamber. The glass enclosures sealing the terminated ones inside swished open, and they began to emerge one after the other in a hazed confusion.
"Minato!" Tsukiumi's voice rang out, her relief palpable as she called out to Minato. The flock of Sekirei had been liberated, their hands healed, though still carrying the scar of their noble sacrifice. They sprinted towards Minato, embracing him with tears of joy and gratitude.
The flock had been freed from their chamber, their hands brandishing a sealed scar. Firing the Jinki also seemed to have healed them from their ordeal.
"Oh hey, you're all okay!" Minato said, waving to them as they approached, hugs and kisses aplenty as they closed the distance.
"Akitsu…" John called out. "Since I'm certain this meeting will be our last, so may I ask one final favor from you?"
"What might that be?"
"I want you to remove the jigsaw piece from Karasuba's flesh," he ordered. "It's…it's been a long time coming."
Akitsu bowed her head in solemn acceptance, determination evident in her eyes as she prepared to grant John's final request. "Indeed it has. Very well. I shall do as you ask."
John smiled. "Very good."
As Akitsu went to pick up Karasuba's severed arm to carve out her lack of survival instinct, Homura asked, "What do we do about him?" he jabbed a thumb over his shoulder, indicating Jigsaw, frozen from the thighs down.
"Well we have about five minutes before the cops come…" Benitsu, with a malicious grin, cracked her knuckles. "I say we make him rue the day he was born."
"Agreed," Tsukiumi seethed.
Before anyone else could cast their vote, they all heard something strange. It was like a tree falling over in molasses. Slimy creaking and cracking.
John gave a tired yet triumphant smile. "Now might be a good time to tell you all, Karasuba was not the only ace in my hand," the old man said. "You should know by now. I plan for everything. And I certainly would not have left this finale up to an unstable murderer. Did you really think poor Mister Mathis down there was just muscle?"
Minato had seen plenty of violence that last year, both in his father's reprehensible Game and during this truly horrific Halloween. But, he and the rest were bearing witness to the opposite. Michael's two halves were, there was no other term, reconnecting and repairing themselves. Black and red tendrils sprouted out from the gaping wounds that were the bottom and top of his pieces, followed by more from his elbow stump.
…
"Much like you, I was exploited when I was sick. MBI performed experiments on me, unspeakable atrocities. I'll be honest, if I were in the same position you were to exact revenge on those who did me wrong I would not have shown mercy. Your heart is pure and worth protecting."
"You want to protect me?"
"Aye, lass."
"How on Earth did John capture the Black Sekirei?"
"He instructed Dr. Gordon with retrieving a sample of a poison developed by MBI, the same drug they experimented on me with, the same thing he used to render Higa's Sekirei helpless once they were put in their test. It was a countermeasure Minaka planned to use if any of the Discipline Squad went out of line. A kill switch if you will. I died many times over only to be brought back from the brink as they experimented on me and my comrades trying to perfect it. I lived, obviously, but my friends, however...weren't so fortunate. Lawrence used a much more advanced and safer sample on her Ashikabi during one of his checkups, telling him it was simply a vaccine for a virus going around. It wasn't enough to kill him as it did me, but more than enough to temporarily break the bond between himself and his flock. They were terminated as a result, albeit temporarily. It gave John more than enough time to kidnap them and put his plans into action."
…
"If you think I'm bad you should see what the twisted surprises the CCG donated to me during my shady dealings with them." Minaka pocketed his hands.
…
"Funny thing about my comrade. We tested all the devices you've encountered today on him. They all functioned perfectly, going off without any setbacks or hitches."
Everyone in the room not hailing from North America tried to process just how that was possible as they watched the scene below them unfold. The tendrils wrapped around one another and, to the observing lot, began to pull their bases together. Like a patch being sewn on.
"I leave nothing to chance. What better failsafe is there than someone who is unkillable?"
The sound alone was enough to make some of the more emotional of the Flock cover their mouths as they paled. The spectacle was over rather quickly, yet felt agonizingly drawn out. The strands yielded results and three became one. Sucking in a deep breath, Michael bent his now reconnected lower limbs and pushed himself up into a kneel, breathing heavily.
Now I know how Noro feels…
He greedily sucked in breaths from behind his rancid mask, feeling the drying blood on his pelvis and arm.
The Flock knew they had to do something… and yet all of them, even the stoic Akitsu, could only gape in abject horror.
With a final deep exhale, Mr. Mathis pushed himself up, standing yet teetering like a drunk waiting for his taxi. Slowly, he brought up his formerly severed arm to eye level. Purposely closing his fingers and then opening them again, he tilted his head to the side, apparently not comprehending what was going on.
Thank you, energizing alien blood.
"How do you feel?" John asked. He had seen Mathis get shot, stabbed, burned, electrocuted, and partially frozen. But never outright dismembered.
Mr. Mathis stopped his finger flexing and looked at Jigsaw, his red and black eyes narrowing with irritation.
"Whu…" Benitsubasa struggled to form the words. Would this nightmare never end? "WHAT ARE YOU!?"
"He's even less human than you are," John answered.
Moments later, Minato's weary legs buckled beneath him, and he began to crumple to the ground. Like a guardian angel, Benitsubasa gasped and sprang into action, reaching out to catch him in a desperate mid-air embrace. "Oh no, Minato!" she exclaimed, her heart pounding in her chest.
Yume, too, rushed over to the scene, worry etched on her face. "Is he dead?!" she cried, her voice trembling with fear.
"No, dummy," Benitsubasa reassured, her voice both firm and gentle. "If he was, all of us would be too. He's just exhausted. Let the man rest."
As the group tried to collect themselves, their attention returned to the enigmatic Mr. Mathis. To their astonishment, he had vanished once again, leaving behind a mysterious object in his wake. It wasn't an intimidating weapon or a sinister device, but a single polaroid photograph.
With a mix of intrigue and trepidation, Benitsubasa marched over to retrieve it. As she held the photograph in her hands, she couldn't believe what she saw—the candid shot of her and Minato in the intimate moment they shared only moments ago, their lips locked in a tender kiss with her massive wings on full dazzling display. The realization sent warmth to her cheeks, causing her to blush uncontrollably. "What the…" she stammered, turning the polaroid over to reveal a message inscribed in elegant kanji: 'Congratulations. Thank you for playing'. Below the note was a yellow smiley face.
At that moment, it dawned on her that this was likely the most poignant and heartfelt photo Mr. Mathis had ever taken. Despite the peculiar circumstances, she couldn't help but cherish the captured memory. "I think I'll keep it," she murmured, tucking the polaroid safely away.
…
Friends come in all shapes and sizes…
…
As the noise of approaching police sirens grew louder a sense of urgency filled the group. But just as they were about to beat Jigsaw to a pulp, the dormant pod housing the enigmatic Green Girl began to stir. Slowly, her emerald eyes fluttered open, quickly breathing in the first breath of her second chance at life. A life she had so once cruelly been robbed of.
XXXXXX
A/N: I was so sucked into making this chapter I got it done in less than 12 hours. I'm not one that's very good with fight scenes. I was going to make it longer but I was afraid it was going to drag.
Also yes, Mathis is in fact a ghoul from the Tokyo Ghoul series. It wasn't my call as my buddy The Clown King of Chaos was his creator. I was against it at first, but later on I figured it would make an interesting twist/callback to the first film's ending to have him rise from the dead.
I just have the epilogue to write and after that this 10+ year project of mine is finished!