Disclaimer: This is it, before I conclude the story (which I plan to do over the next few chapters) I'm delving into a two part origin concerning Kazuya's past. I've gotten a lot of questions regarding his origin and I plan to answer them.
Before he became known as the most dangerous man on the planet, he was once a lonely child. Having witnessed the brutal assault and murder of his mother young Kazuya finds himself alone and without a sense of belonging or purpose. But a chance encounter with an enigmatic and mysterious stranger sets in motion a course of events which drastically shape his destiny. What was it that happened that turned him to a life of murder and death? Seeking various manner of 'sinners' to judge and execute? These questions and more will be covered.
Final Note: The following chapter will contain graphic brutality including the vicious sexual assault of a woman. It is never my intention to glorify or condone such an act. If any of this offends you I apologize in advance. Then again, we're all fans of Hellsing and we've seen worse, much worse.
Chapter Forty Five- Ghosts from Yesterday: Kazuya's Origin Part I
Kazuya sat in the chair, hands resting in his lap. He remained that way for some time, not moving. Looking up he watched the door slowly open. Dexter stepped inside, shutting the door behind him. He took a seat in the chair facing Kazuya. He then said, "Just the two of us, no one else knows"
Kazuya nodded, indicating he found this suitable. Sighing Dexter rubbed his head before sitting up straight. "Know that I am probably breaking just about every FBI protocol. I could probably even be brought up on aiding a fugitive of justice. But know what? To hell with bureaucracy. This is war and there's no holding back. I need to know something"
Kazuya continued staring, not speaking.
"I need to know everything. About your past, your connection to Klaus, to LOD. Even about the death of your mother. Tell me your history, Kazuya"
Kazuya responded by reaching up, removing his mask and letting it drop to the floor. He ran a hand through his messy deep brown hair, shaking it loose before his piercing eyes stared at Dexter. Dexter noticed they weren't the eyes of a killer, a man who kills in cold blood to punish and judge sinners. They were the wounded eyes of a young child whom had felt untold sorrow and pain in his life.
"You say you want to know my past? It isn't a glorious story. To know and understand my eternal quest for revenge means confronting the absolute darkest and worst of humanity" Kazuya responded.
"I'm prepared for that, considering what lies ahead" Dexter said folding his arms.
Kazuya sighed, closing and opening his eyes slowly. "It all goes back to when I was a small child, many many years ago"
Fifty years ago…
Kazuya was born into the infamous Hale family. The Hale family's legacy is both tragic as it is deadly. The family were the modern descendants of the Sin Eater bloodline; a group tracing its origins many centuries ago to the Roman occupation of Judea. Members would seek out the worst of mankind: Liars, thieves, rapists, murderers and devour their sins to achieve untold levels of heightened spiritual powers. But at a terrible price as consuming the sins of mankind would plummet the user into levels of depravity and madness leading to further violence and bloodshed. Then came the tragic Hale family fire: It was said that only two survivors were said to have escaped. A woman and her then five year old son.
And now the tragic and dark history of Kazuya picks up, when the boy is 10 years old.
He sat at the edge of the stream, watching the flowing water pass over rocks and pebbles. He reached over, grabbing a small stone and then tossed it into the water where there was a loud splash. He reached for a second and third stone, tossing them into the stream. Staring, he didn't say anything. He then raised his left hand, concentrating. Bubbles began forming along the water. Slowly, several small stones began rising from the stream, floating steadily above as drops of water fell like miniature rain drops. He counted; eight stones, twice as many as the last time. With a satisfied smirk he dropped his hands as the stones crashed back into the stream.
"Kazuya! Kazuya!"
He looked up, standing to full fight as he dusted his shorts off and quickly placed his sandals back on.
"I'll be right there!"
Kazuya Hale then took off from the stream, running up the bank, down the hill and through the thick brush as he raced towards his home where his mother patiently waited. After about five minutes he emerged from the backwoods. His mother Annabelle stood at their back entrance of their home.
Smiling she watched him approach as he waved. "Hello sweetie, where were you?" Annabelle asked as Kazuya jumped into her arms and hugged her tight.
He kissed her cheek and smiled. "I was playing at the stream. Guess what mom? I can move eight stones now, isn't that neat?"
Annabelle set her son down and smiled. "That is impressive"
Kazuya then dropped his smile as he stared off. "I just wish dad and the others could see, they'd think it was neat"
Annabelle felt her heart drop, but she hid her emotions as she took his face in her hands. "I know he would. Now come on, dinner's almost ready. I made your favorite" she said. Kazuya sprinted inside, nearly shutting the door behind him much to Annabelle's amusement.
Annabelle Hale was a woman of remarkable strength. After the fire which claimed the lives of her beloved husband and all her kin, she took her son Kazuya and fled to the countryside. They lived in a large home in one of the wealthier areas but stayed to themselves mostly. Other than Kazuya attending school, none of their neighbors truly knew the history surrounding Annabelle and her son.
She knew, all too well. Even when he was barely three years old, Kazuya showed remarkable powers and abilities. They began manifesting mostly in the form of telekinetic and telepathic abilities. He could move and levitate objects, speak to animals and other such abilities. While there was much to marvel about Kazuya, Annabelle also greatly feared for her son's life for one simple reason. She had sensed it for some time now, a part of Kazuya's mind and soul that was growing stronger.
There was a great and vast encroaching darkness growing in his being. A terrible and twisted malevolent force which seemed to grow stronger day after day. It was particularly evident whenever young Kazuya would grow scared or angry. Never at his mother, but against anything or anyone which threatened her. Annabelle could never forget the most recent incident. While the two were grocery shopping in town, a drunken fiend began harassing a bereft Annabelle who tried to shield Kazuya. The man raised his hand to her, only to find Kazuya stop it. In a shocking display of strength, Kazuya proceeded to viciously assault the man, beating him nearly half to death with his bare hands all the while promising he would 'rip his soul to shreds' if he dared lay a hand on his mother.
Since then Annabelle has kept a close eye on her son, wondering if at any moment this growing darkness would lash out.
The two sat down to dinner in their dining room as Annabelle set the plates. Kazuya sat patiently at his seat. Annabelle couldn't help but smile; he was such a good boy. She never had to raise her voice or her hand to him, always doing as he was told. He treated her with such love and care and devotion always seeking ways to make her happy. As the plates were set Annabelle fixed Kazuya's own plate. She made him his favorite meal; steak with rice and roasted potatoes.
Sitting down next to him she finished fixing his plate and sighed. "Well, let's give thanks, bow your head son"
Kazuya did as told, closing his eyes as they prepared to say grace. Annabelle bowed her head as she clutched his hand in hers.
"Heavenly Father thank you for this day that you have made. Bless the food we shall receive and bless my son in wisdom, joy, peace and health. Amen"
"Amen" Kazuya said and wasted no time, tearing into his steak and stuffing potatoes into his mouth.
"Kazuya, there's something mommy needs to ask you" Annabelle said, not even touching her food yet. Kazuya chewed noisily as he looked at his mother. "When you move stones, or any object. What does it feel like? In your mind I mean?"
Kazuya chewed, swallowed and wiped his mouth before blinking as he looked back. "Well, it feels kind of fuzzy. Like, there's something growing in my mind. It depends on what I try to move."
Annabelle folded her arms, watching as he resumed eating. "Ok, is there anything else you ever feel?"
Kazuya was in the midst of placing another piece of steak in his mouth when he froze. He set his fork down, not meeting his mother's gaze.
"Mom, I don't want you to be mad at me" he said. Annabelle said, "Honey why would I be mad at you?"
"Because I sinned"
Annabelle didn't respond, for some time before finally saying "What do you mean?"
"When I get mad, I mean really really mad. I…I think bad stuff. Like hurting people. Hurting the people that hurt me, or you. I think about doing really bad stuff to them. I think about killing them"
Annabelle's eyes widened, but she quickly covered her shock. "Kazuya, who told you about killing?"
Kazuya hesitated before saying, "A voice told me. I can hear it sometimes. If someone makes me really mad, it talks to me in my head"
"What does it say?"
"It says stuff like, 'Don't be afraid'"
"Is that it?"
"No, it says more. It says, 'Don't be afraid. Give your heart to me, give your body to me, give your soul to me. I can save you from your pain, from the gap you feel in your soul. I can save you, my child'"
Annabelle stiffened. "Kazuya, listen to what mommy tells you: You must never answer back. You must never do what it tells you, even if it threatens you. Never answer back"
Kazuya cocked his head before shrugging, "Ok mommy"
Kazuya finished his dinner as his mother began cleaning up the table while he went to his room and played. What he said weighed heavily on her heart. As she stacked the dishes and prepared to clean she recalled a conversation she once had with her husband before the fire.
"Annabelle, listen to me. Kazuya is a remarkable boy, and he will grow to be a remarkable man. But you must be vigilant. The evil that taints our family bloodline has surfaced in him. He is the first Hale child in four generations to show the symptoms. A time may come when Kazuya will display certain, inhuman tendencies. When these happen you must not shut him out. Love him as strongly as you ever have. Only your love to him will keep it at bay. If you allow fear, anger or hate in your home, it will grow inside him"
Later that night, Annabelle prepared Kazuya for bed. Sitting at the foot of his bed. She seemed deep in thought, until Kazuya came out the bathroom.
"What's wrong mom?" he asked, now dressed in a sleeveless shirt and shorts.
Shaking her head she pulled back the covers and smiled. "Nothing sweetie, mommy is just a little tired. Come on" she said patting the bed. Climbing in he turned around as Annabelle tucked him in snugly. Kazuya stared at his mother, for some time. Finally he said, "Mom, how come people sin?"
Annabelle was a little taken back by the directness of his question. Licking her lips she sighed and stroked his head.
"Well sweetie, it's like this. Long long ago, when God first made people, he made them perfect. They were good and they did good things. He placed them in a special garden. It was filled with lots of delicious foods, all the best fruits and vegetables you could eat. They had their every need taken care of. One day, God gave them some very serious rules. They could eat of any fruit, except one. There was one fruit people were forbidden to eat, if they did, God told them that they would die"
Kazuya's eyes widened a little, but he listened intently. "So when God told them not to eat, he gave them a choice. If they obeyed and listened, life would be good. If not, all kinds of bad things happen. This teaches us when we listen to God our lives will be long and blessed. But if not, they'll be short and filled with destruction."
Kazuya then said, "So what happened to the people?"
Annabelle said, "Well, one day, an intruder came into the Garden. This intruder was the greatest liar of all time. He told lies from his very birth. He was such a good liar, even he believed his own lies. He even believed he could be better than God! So this intruder approached the people. He whispered in their ears saying 'Go ahead and eat of the fruit. You won't die, you'll be like gods yourselves. You can determine what is right and what is wrong for yourselves. You don't need God!"
"Then what happened?" Kazuya asked.
"The people listened to the liar and they ate. God was very angry so he cast out the people from the garden forever, and they could never return. So as people spread, they made babies and had families. But unfortunately, people still chose to do what God tells them not to. That is called 'sin'. Sin is anything, a thought, an action, a saying, a belief, that is contrary to the will of God. So to answer your question Kazuya, people sin because like the liar in the garden said; they want to be like gods themselves and decide what is right and wrong for them. They don't want God, to know him, love him even"
Kazuya rustled under the covers as he sighed. "Does God still love them? Even when they sin?"
Annabelle chuckled and said, "Yes, he does. No matter how awful people are, God never stops loving them. That's what real love is, pure and simple. And that's the example he sets for us. So please understand this sweetie; even if you are really angry with someone you must still love them. Do you understand?"
Kazuya nodded his head and settled into his pillow. "Get some rest son, we'll talk more about this another time"
"Ok, goodnight mom"
He kissed her on the cheek. "Goodnight, I love you" she said tucking him in.
The next morning, sunlight crept into Kazuya's room, slowly stirring the young boy out of sleep. However what truly awoke him was a loud and stern shout coming from further in the house.
"That is UNACCEPTABLE!"
Kazuya sprang up, shocked at what he heard. It was his mother, screaming loudly. He was stunned, he had never heard her yell like this before. Pulling back the covers Kazuya slowly staggered out of bed, rubbing his eyes as he tried shaking the grogginess away. He opened his bedroom door, slowly stepping into the hall where he heard his mother's voice. It came from downstairs.
"You can't just turn your back on us like this! He's just a child, he's completely innocent!"
Peeking over the railing, Kazuya watched as his mother conversed with four men. From their robes, Kazuya could see they were priests. One man, a hefty and rotund middle aged fellow calmly raised his hands to calm the bombastic Annabelle.
"We understand. This isn't personal, but please consider our stake in this as well. If he is in fact coming for the boy, what can we do?"
His associates seemed to agree. "Innocent? Hardly! We've heard the reports of his powers. The boy is tainted by that menace"
"Agreed" said the third priest.
Annabelle stared, hard at each of the priests seated before her. Her arms were folded and she looked deeply angry.
"So in the interest of saving face, the Vatican is willing to put an innocent child in the hands of a madman? Someone who has opposed the church for untold centuries. I can't believe this, my son is no menace. He's a sweet, loving and kind child who wouldn't hurt anyone."
The head priest sighed deeply, smoothing out his robes. "Ms. Hale, please understand. Were it any other situation, your request for asylum would be granted. But concerning who is after Kazuya, we can't risk further involvement. He has already done terrible, vile things in the history of the church. I'm, I'm sorry"
Annabelle clenched her hands tightly. "Is there nothing you will do?"
Their silence answered her question. "All of you, get the fuck out of my house" she hissed.
Kazuya flinched, his mother never swore.
All the priests sighed deeply before standing. They gave her a curt bow before slowly exiting through the front door. Sighing, Annabelle then blinked and turned, catching Kazuya gaze. Instantly, Kazuya ran down the steps and into her arms.
"Mom, did I do something bad?" he asked burying his face in her. Annabelle said, "Sweety, why would you think that?"
"I heard those men. Do they, do they think I'm bad or something? Who's coming after me? Why won't the church help?"
Kazuya fired of dozens of questions only to be silenced when his mother placed a finger to his lips.
"Listen to me, you have done nothing wrong. Mommy just wanted some help for something. It looks like it's just you and me, like always. I promise, everything is ok. Now how about some breakfast? I'll make pancakes" Annabelle said with a smile?
Kazuya's stomach growled as he smiled back. "Ok mom, I'll help!" Kazuya kissed her cheek and ran towards the kitchen. He didn't notice the single tear roll down Annabelle's cheek.
Back in the present…
"So it's just like Rosette told me from the conference. Your mother knew, she knew Klaus was coming after you and wanted to protect you. But the church, because of using LOD in the past denied her claim. I…I can't believe it" Dexter said looking horrified.
Kazuya snorted and spat to the floor. "Believe it. After that, my mother never mentioned the church anymore. I would come home from school and see praying, earnestly, every day. She never lost faith. She taught me that even if men fail you, God never fails his children."
Dexter then said, "What happened next?"
Kazuya dropped his face, staring at the floor. "Time passed and life seemed to be going good. I did everything I could to make my mother happy, never wanting to see so much as a frown on her face. And then…" he started trembling. Dexter waited patiently.
"Then that night came…" Kazuya said meeting Dexter's gaze again.
That night…
"Kazuya! Kazuya! Please wake up sweety!" Annabelle said, gently shaking her sleeping son, whom was finally stirring from his sound rest. Groggily, he rubbed his eyes, yawning once as he stared at his mother. "Mommy, what's the matter?" he asked. Kazuya then watched as his mother grabbed him and pulled him out of bed.
"Kazuya just come with me, quickly please" Annabelle said hurrying as she led him out of his bedroom. The two quickly exited the room, walking down the hall as she hurried into the next room. "Mommy, you're scaring me. What's wrong?" Kazuya again asked as his mother sat him onto her bed, looking into his eyes. It was then he noticed her condition. Her eyes were puffy, slightly red from crying. She looked scared, no, this was a different type of fear. She seemed sullen, bleak, as if the weight of the world were to come crashing down onto her. She was still dressed in her night attire; red silk pajamas with a white tank top. Her long deep brown hair unkempt.
Annabelle despite her condition smiled warmly. "Kazuya, please, listen to me very closely. My son, my sweet sweet boy. I've loved you since the day you were born. I thank the Lord every day for the blessing you have been. You are the perfect child and I am so proud to have been your mother" she said.
Kazuya froze; he always an astutely aware child. She said, 'to have been your mother'. What did that mean?
"Mommy, did I do something wrong?' he asked.
Annabelle began crying as she pulled him into a deep and powerful hug. "Kazuya remember this: Your mother will always love you. No matter what path you take in life, no matter what you face I will love you forever" she said kissing him tenderly and taking him by the hand. Kazuya then noticed a strange sound. The sound of a car pulling into their driveway, doors opening and then slamming shut. He then heard the voice of several men approaching.
Annabelle led him her closet. Taking him inside, she reached up for the cord hanging from the ceiling, releasing the drop ladder up into the attic. "Mom wait, I don't understand!" Kazuya said beginning to panic. Annabelle froze; she heard banging on the front door followed by a loud smash as it was destroyed.
"Go up into the attic, stay hidden, stay quiet, stay safe" she said kissing him. She then sniffed, wiping tears away as she smiled. "Mommy loves you" she said closing the door. Kazuya did as instructed, hurrying upstairs and pulling the drop ladder up, removing the cord as he did so.
The attic was cold and cramped, but he managed to find enough space to crawl over to the air vent which was placed right above his mother's room. Carefully opening the slots he peeked through, just to see as his mother was suddenly confronted by four men whom stormed into the bedroom, slamming the door shut behind them.
Flinching once, Annabelle stared at each of her intruders. "Did, did he sent you?" she asked.
The first man to answer grinned maliciously as he comrades began laughing. All the men were dressed in similar clothing consisting of dirty and tattered cargo pants, grey or white hooded sweaters and messy work boots.
"Maybe he did, maybe he didn't. Doesn't matter. Where's the brat?" he threatened.
Annabelle shook her head. "He's not here. I…I sent him away to a family member's house" she lied.
"Bitch you think we're stupid?" the second man replied.
"Enough" said the one man, evidently the leader as his subordinates turned to him. He was a disgusting looking individual; morbidly obese with a bald and bulbous head and a sagging gut.
"She'll never tell us, even if we beat her shitless. Besides our business lies with her, for opposing him. But, doesn't mean we don't get to have some fun. Grab her" he sneered watching as two of his men instantly grabbed Annabelle, who began fighting and struggling. One held her from behind, laughing and taunting as she began yelling and screaming.
"Oh she's feisty! And I can see why, check out these tits, fucking monsters" he crudely said helping himself to generous feels of her chest as she tried resisting his advances while his accomplice laughed, puckering his lips and offering a kiss.
"Please, if he wants me I will go with you to him. But please, you don't have to do this!" Annabelle pleaded. Her cried of mercy were met when one of the men rammed his fist clean into her gut, causing her to topple over in pain as she gasped out a terrible cry of pain, wheezing as she was dropped to the floor. Curling into a ball, Annabelle coughed in pain.
Another man kicked her solid in her ribs as she again cried out. His accomplice then stomped on her hand. Each of the now three men joining the fray, violently beating and savaging the defenseless Annabelle, all the while ignoring her pleas for mercy.
In his hiding spot, Kazuya watched as his mother was kicked like a stray dog. Shaking with fear, he was terrified at the sight.
"Why are they doing this? What's going on? Why is this happening to her?!"
"Please stop!" Annabelle shouted as she was kicked in the face, her nose broken as it began bleeding. Each man surrounding her began laughing. One picked her up, holding her up from behind. "I think she's had enough. Besides, I haven't been getting enough lately and this cunt can help end that" He reached for her shirt, grabbing tightly and ripping it off, exposing her bare breasts which she instantly tried covering only to have her hands knocked away.
"You weren't kidding, bet those tits are all natural!"
"Look at them shake!"
Annabelle was tossed to the floor, her breasts bouncing as the man climbed on top. He ripped and pulled her pajama's off, enjoying as she began fighting even more frantically.
"No! Stop! Please no more just stop!" she wailed at the top of her lungs.
"Keep screaming bitch cuz' ain't no one coming" the man taunted. He unbuckled his own pants, sliding them down as he positioned himself. After a few moments, and with Annabelle completely naked he inserted himself into her with a savage thrust, causing her to scream with terrible anguish as she felt him inside her. He began grunting like a wild animal, panting and straining as he continued thrusting inside. Annabelle continued screaming, tears flowing down her face.
"Look at us bitch!" he said slapping her across the face. Annabelle whimpered. Despite the terrible abuse she was receiving, what she said next shocked them.
"Heavenly Father, forgive these wicked men. They don't know what they're doing" she said. In response, the man continued thrusting harder. One of his comrades pinned Annabelle's hands and arms down, allowing his buddy to feel her breasts as he squeezed and shook them.
"Don't no one care about that God shit sweetie pie, just shut the fuck up already!" the other man said.
Continuing his savage pleasure, he eventually finished, panting hard as he slowly rolled off leaving Annabelle in a heap, agony flooding her body as she whimpered and flinched, trying to crawl away.
"Oh no, you come right back her to me" said the boss, now ready to have his fun. He stomped on her back as she cried out, dragging her by the hair and pulling her up and over to the bed. "My turn, and I'm no slug like these clowns so you and me are about to get real nasty" he sneered and tossed her on.
"Lord, heavenly Father. I plead for mercy on their fault. Lord, forgive these men" Annabelle again said despite the condition she was in. Kazuya continued watching, unable to do anything else or even find the capacity.
"Come on God! Help her! Why don't you stop these men?! I'm….I'm just a kid! What can I do?" he thought to himself, watching with utter horror.
Annabelle tried crawling on the bed but suddenly found herself underneath a mountain of weight as the leader pressed his obscene girth onto her, stifling her breathing. He snickered, his pals watching with lustful pleasure.
"Check it out boys! Momma here must work out. Look at the size of this ass!" he said in a crude fashion. He grabbed and squeezed Annabelle's behind, enjoying himself as he then slapped her on the butt twice. "Soft and squishy, just like I like it. Now for the fun part. Like I said cunt, I'm no slug like these fools. So we're gonna get real nasty cause I got a surprise for you" he said whispering in her ear. He then licked her face sloppily causing her to gag. His breath was repulsive and stank of stale beer.
Slapping her rear end again he positioned her over the bed, her rear in the air as her feet dangled to the floor.
"I'm an ass man, hope you like it rough" the man said much to her horror. She tried fighting only to get clobbered in her ribs as she gasped. He held his hand low, spitting into it. With his other hand he undid his pants letting them fall down. Rubbing his other hand on his crotch he positioned himself and thrust forward.
Annabelle gave an awful cry, feeling extreme pain in her rear end. She tried fighting only to have her hands slapped away. She felt his every stroke, his every thrust as he began grunting, laughing as he did so. He took his massive hands and gripped her by the neck, squeezing and beginning to choke her. The other men watched, for once no crude remarks leaving their lips. Just a watchful curiosity as their leader began to awfully sodomize the helpless Annabelle who continued crying from the pain, pleading to stop. With his every violent stroke Annabelle gasped and cried, shutting her eyes tight from his brutality. The pain she experienced was stifling; as if her body were being split in half.
The savagery continued for the next 20 minutes, each man having their way with her until at last they all collapsed from exhaustion.
"Damn, I barely made it for 30 seconds" one complained.
"That's cause you don't get your hips in"
"Not my fault, this bitch was super tight"
Annabelle, was left in a heap in the middle of the floor lying on her stomach. Deep bruises and welts as well as blood stains covered her body. She was wrecked with physical pain, even breathing was hard. Still, she managed to begin to weakly crawl, whimpering and shaking.
One of the men, the leader, managed to get to his feet. Walking over he kicked her as she rolled to her back. He reached behind him and pulled out a large revolver.
"Thanks for the good time. I think the boys and me will remember you fondly. No hard feelings, just business is all. Anything left to say?' he asked with a wicked grin as he licked his lips.
Watching from above, Kazuya began seething with anger. "No hard feelings?! THAT'S all he has to say!?"
Annabelle was bleeding from her nose and mouth. Despite it, she smiled still. When she spoke, it was almost a whisper.
"God loves you, he will forgive you. Please…just…ask him to-"
Annabelle was cut off as the man blasted a round clean into her skull, silencing her. A second and third round followed.
An hour later, the men had gone, leaving behind her battered corpse. Kazuya slowly exited from the closet, making his way over to his mother's body. Shaking with fear, seething with sorrow and loss and rage, the young boy did the only thing he could. He cried, sobbing with great heaps.
"Mom, why did they do this to you? Why didn't they stop? It's not fair, IT'S NOT FAIR! Why did you have to leave me? Mom, Mom! MOM! COME BACK, PLEASE, COME BACK MOM!" Kazuya shouted, collapsing to his knees as he gently shook his mother's lifeless body. Taking her arms, he wrapped them around and snuggled close to her. Despite her bloodied and nude state. Kazuya remained this way for some time, sobbing away the floodgate of emotions swathing through his being.
His beloved mother, Annabelle Hale, was dead.
Back in the present…
Dexter, seething with anger and disgust stood from his seat, kicking the chair across the room. "Those bastards! If I could, I'd go back and kill them myself!" he shouted.
Kazuya simply said, "Don't bother, I already beat you to the punch"
Dexter calmed down, taking deep and long breaths as he picked the chair up and sat back down into the seat. "My god, that's terrible. I'm so sorry for your mother Kazuya" Dexter said.
Kazuya shifted in his seat before sighing. "After that, the police eventually came after our neighbors reported not seeing or hearing from us for many days. When they came, I was still wrapped in her arms. They took her body away and questioned me on the events. I didn't utter a sound. Thinking I was still in shock they moved my mother's body to the coroner's office. But when they returned to speak with me, I was already gone. My mother's body was gone as well"
Dexter froze, "What happened?"
"I took her body and fled" Kazuya answered clenching his fist.
Lastly…
The sun began setting over the horizon, casting a deep shade of orange over the peaks of the mountainous ravine in the distance. Evening was approaching, bringing with it the end of the day.
He dug, and dug, and dug. Periodically he would pause, sobbing and retching in giant heaps before resuming his grisly task. Surrounding him were growing flocks of ravenous crows. The ghastly jet black birds rustling their feathers, cawing anxiously one after another. One group attempted to interrupt him, only to find their necks snapped. The rest seemed to get the memo as they dared not tread through.
Finally, after nearly twenty minutes of digging he paused and turned to his left.
There she lay, wrapped in fresh white sheets and tape. With a sigh he picked her up, gently lowering her into the fresh damp earth. The crows increased the frequency of their cawing, flapping their wings. The wind picked up bringing with it the morbid stench of death.
He began piling dirt back on, burying her far below the surface. Satisfied he reached, grabbing the cross and jamming it into the ground as he collapsed to his knees. He again vomited, wiping his mouth as he gasped for air. Sweat poured down his body, staining the ground.
Kazuya wiped the tears away from his face, not speaking for some time.
"I don't know why. I don't know who. But I make a promise. I will move heaven and earth in my conquest for vengeance. I will not leave no stone unturned. In the honor of the Hale family, our clansmen, brethren I will avenge your death no matter the cost. Even the devil himself consumed my soul and my body is cast into Hell, I will crawl from the abyss and reap vengeance on your killers. Annabelle Hale, I, your only son Kazuya will not rest until I see your killers dead"
Kazuya slammed the ground with his palm and shouted, shutting his eyes. "Why God?! WHY?! I begged, I pleaded for you! Why did you not save my mother? She always faithfully served you! Why…why did you let those men take her from me?" he said in between giant sobs.
"A most vexing problem, isn't it?"
The crows instantly scattered in a great flurry as Kazuya spun around on the ready. His eyes scanned the cover of the trees some fifteen feet away. He could make the outline of a tall figure, hooded and cloaked standing at the trunk of one massive tree. The hooded figure wore a porcelain mask with slitted eye holes.
"Who are you?" Kazuya asked suddenly fearful.
"Fear not my child, I am no threat. Dearest Kazuya, I am your friend"
Kazuya's eyes widened as he took a step back.
"Yes, I know your name. I know all about you, your family, your mother. I know she was taken from you in the most savage of ways. I know you long to reap vengeance on the men who killed her. I too was fond of Annabelle, a true woman of God. Kazuya I am here to offer my services"
The masked man took several steps forward. The wind picked up, rustling his long cloak. "I can help you. I can save you from your pain, your nightmare, your hell. I can give you the skills and talent to hunt down Annabelle's killers and bring them to justice. Come with me young one."
Kazuya narrowed his eyes as his fists clenched. "Are you from the church?"
"In a sense, I work for the church. And I have, since its creation" he answered stepping closer.
Kazuya's eyes darted to his right. He waved a finger, instantly large chunks of earth moved towards the man with terrible speed. He raised a hand, countering the assault as he stopped the pieces in place before dropping them"
"I am familiar with your powers as well. You truly are a most precious child"
He began pacing. "Kazuya, I can offer you more than just the tools to exact your revenge. I can do far more. I can bring your mother back"
"That's a lie, no one can return from the dead! Only God can resurrect the dead" Kazuya countered.
The man chuckled and nodded. "Indeed, but I am not talking about reviving her. My plan involves something far more satisfying. Watch.."
He reached in his robes, pulling out a small orb as Kazuya flinched. The orb glowed before a massively powerful and bright light flashed causing Kazuya to shield his eyes. When he opened them, he gasped.
He was standing in the middle of an endless grassy field. The warm sun shining down as a gentle breeze kicked up. Turning around, he saw two people approach. They were a man and woman, holding hands in a loving embrace. The woman was absolutely beautiful, wearing an ankle length white summer dress and flip flops. Her hair blowing in the breeze. Her companion turned, picking her up and spinning around as they laughed. He then kissed her, a long and romantic kiss that lingered. Suddenly from behind, a small boy tackled the man as they wrestled on the floor in laughter. The woman soon joined as the three laughed with great joy.
Kazuya's eyes widened as he shuddered.
It was his parents, his mother and father. And the small boy, was him. His parents were alive, in love and happily raising him. From behind him, the masked man approached, looking at the scene.
"I can give you all this Kazuya. I can give you a world where you have them both and more. How about your entire family line? Aunts and uncles? What if you even had a little brother or sister to look after and protect?"
The scene shifted where dozens of people frolicked in the field. Kazuya saw himself playing with a smaller, younger child. Presumably a younger sibling. They wrestled, hugged and laughed with joy.
Suddenly bright light engulfed the scene. Kazuya blinked, now standing at his mother's grave site with the masked man before him.
Breathing heavily he stared at him. "Was that an illusion?" he asked.
"No, the future"
The masked man then held out his hands. "Kazuya, I am building a new world. A world free from death and strife, malice, hate, pain, loss. To do that, I need talent like yourself" He then took a few steps forward. "Together, we will bring your mother back and all we have ever lost to death. Join me, join me Kazuya"
Kazuya didn't answer right away. Finally, he said, "You say you can give me the skills. Will I be strong?"
The masked man chuckled. "You will be, the most, powerful force this world has ever seen!"
Kazuya sighed, clenching his fists. "Alright, I'll do it. Teach me, how to find the men who killed my mother"
The masked man offered his hand as Kazuya shook it strongly. "What…what's your name?"
The masked man then said, 'My name…is Klaus"
Leaving behind Annabelle's grave, Klaus took Kazuya with him. For the next ten years, he raised him as a tool of vengeance. Kazuya's destiny, was only beginning…
End Chapter
Coming up next! We see Kazuya's early life as a killer dedicated to punishing all sinners. Even as a young boy, Kazuya proves to wield formidable power and skill leading him to taking on opponents of other worldly strength. Moreover, we see the manipulation Klaus used to hold him in control.
As the body count piles up, a shocking revelation causes Kazuya to cast aside his loyalty to Klaus. Find out what next chapter, stay tuned!