Earth...Fire...Water...Air... This is the age of the new Avatar, and after many years of chaos, the world is poised to enter into a time of prosperity and peace. But every light casts a shadow, and in the days to come, the very balance of the universe will be in danger, and the true purpose of the Avatar will be revealed. The Avatar's name is Usagi, a warrior of love and justice, and despite all the great deeds she has accomplished, her story is not over yet!
AVATAR
The Celestial Sailors
BOOK THREE: DEATH
15: Death Goes on a Date
This is absurd, the Darkness told Hotaru as she studied herself in a mirror. You look absurd. This is a complete waste of time and energy. By this point, though, Hotaru was beyond arguing, or even listening, to the Voice: she was consumed with giddiness over what was to come, and completely unprepared to handle the new sensation. She had never felt...happy before, nor much of anything else, to her recollection. The Death-Bender, now an almost completely forgotten memory, could not afford itself emotions or feelings or any thoughts at all: only the mission. But now? Her pale cheeks flushed pink as she beheld herself, swathed in a beautiful red dress with a spotted green bow in her hair, heels and nylons and even a little makeup (oh, the Darkness had opinions about that).
She at least had the decency to refrain from skipping out of the boutique. She didn't know the way to the theater but a helpful tour guide steered her in the right direction. When he held his hand out for a tip, Hotaru was confused, so she shook it. The Darkness explained what the young man wanted, and while she didn't have any money, a few coins were provided courtesy of the Void (adding a loud grumble). This otherworldly aid was the first time Hotaru actually heeded the Voice, giving her behavior a moment's pause before brushing it aside. If the Darkness were capable of smacking itself in the face with its palm, it would have done so.
She grinned and waved as she spotted Shingo in the crowd. Whatever momentary lapse in joy she might have experienced was lost as they reunited and made small-talk. Shingo then gave her a ticket, walked with her to the marquee, parted with their stationery, and made their way to their seats. Shingo's meager allowance only afforded them a pitiful seat in the back, but as Hotaru could still see and hear everything on the stage, it didn't matter to her. They resumed their idle chatter until the curtain rose; the house lights dimmed as the main spotlight focused on the center stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the narrator announced, "boys and girls, friends foreign and domestic, welcome to another exciting adventure of...THE AVENGING SHADOW!" The audience cheered as the familiar theme of The Avenging Shadow erupted to life, and Hotaru found herself grinning with anticipation.
"In our last episode," the narrator resumed, "the Avenging Shadow found himself on the wrong side of a foul smuggling operation! After a bruiser of a brawl with five members of the gang, the Avenging Shadow discovered that their base of operations was hidden deep in a nearby forest. Alone, he ventured into the forbidding depths, where he was beset by mysterious forces! The Avenging Shadow somehow made it through, only to fall into a deadly tiger-stag pit set by the ringleader! As he struggles to escape, his foes close in. Will the Avenging Shadow make it out alive, or will he be stuffed and mounted as a trophy? Find out on today's episode: 'Conifer's Conundrum'!"
Hotaru and Shingo applauded as the theme song reprised, barely able to restrain their excitement as the music quieted and the scene began. Shingo had seen this play before and knew that the Avenging Shadow would make it out just fine, but everything felt strangely new and exciting now that he had someone else with him. Scratch that: now that he had a pretty young lady with him. He tried to focus on the play but kept stealing glances at Hotaru, watching as she reacted to the performance. She seemed genuinely invested and didn't bother to mask any concern, fear, desperation, or joy (as the Avenging Shadow threw a rope around a tree branch, lassoed the other end around one of his foes, and used the man as a counterweight to vault himself out of danger). Shingo tried talking to her during some of the less intense moments, but Hotaru was wholly enamored, barely even noticing her companion.
"I guess you're really liking it," he observed. She looked away just long enough to beam brightly.
"It's wonderful! I've never had this much fun before!" She gasped suddenly as the Avenging Shadow was ambushed, and then it became impossible to talk to her. Shingo smiled in defeat and decided not to ruin her fun with his babbling. As long as Hotaru was enjoying herself, that's all that mattered.
Finally the Shadow escaped his enemies' clutches, taking a moment to pause and offer some personal speculation on the caper. Hotaru glanced at Shingo and smiled—
Help! Someone please, help me! I...I'm gonna die!
Sir, I beg you, just give me two more days! Two more days and I can pay you back!
She...she glanced at Shingo and smiled, then resumed watching the play. The Avenging Shadow was picking his way through the forest carefully, keeping an eye out for clues to the smuggler's whereabouts. After observing a very realistic Thunderhorn passing through (the costuming and set design were top-notch, although the sound effects could have used more work), he decided to backtrack and follow a small path that had been concealed—
D-daddy, stop, please! Mama didn't do anything!
Stop, thief! That's all the money I have!
Ah, and here you are, gentlemen. I assume this will be enough. Just make sure it looks like an accident.
Who cares if we killed him? We're police officers; who's going to convict us?
A...a path that had been...concealed... Hotaru blinked, shook her head, and rubbed her face. The Avenging Shadow had encountered a nasty razorback boar on the path and had to negotiate his way around it. Hotaru didn't want him to hurt the animal but she knew he had to get through, and couldn't—
You scumbag! That woman murdered two people and you're letting her walk away? Where's the justice in that?!
Will you keep that kid quiet? Cut his tongue out if you have to! Nobody will miss him anyway!
You wicked harlot! How dare you cheat on me! I'll kill you for this!
I don't care about your stinkin' money! I just wanna cut you up for the fun of it!
Help! Help! HELP! HELP ME! HELP US! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP JUSTICE JUSTICE HELP HELP PLEASE STOP STOPHELPPLEASEJUSTICESTOPPLEASEHELPSTOPSTOPHELPJUS—
Hotaru winced, reaching out to silence the screams of desperation. Her hand latched onto Shingo's, surprising him. They stared at each other awkwardly before she slipped out of his grasp.
"S...sorry," she whispered. He blushed and smiled.
"N-no, i-i-it's okay. R-really." Now she blushed and smiled. Their eyes met and a warm glow passed between them. The cries grew silent, and the play resumed.
"Ah, at last!" the Avenging Shadow exclaimed from the stage, gesturing dramatically. "It was rough going, but I finally found your lair! No more hiding, no more running. It's time I finished what I began!"
"U-umm...Shingo?" They leaned in closer. He could already smell her perfume. His warm hand covered hers once more.
"Hotaru, how are you, uh, l-liking it so far?" He swallowed. She leaned in even closer.
"I'm liking it a lot, Shingo."
"Uh...um, y-yeah, it's a, uh...it's a good play!"
"I wasn't talking about the pl—"
Searing white pillars of light pierced the dark theater, causing immediate panic and upheaval. Ten of the white-hot Sentinels of Light, the Lightbringers, emerged from the pillars, welcomed into the theater with vicious screams, flailing, stampeding, utter madness. The actors kept their cool despite the havoc and began directing everyone to the exits, helping those trapped or harmed in the chaos. The Avenging Shadow himself stood his ground as one of the blazing beacons towered over him.
"Whoever or whatever you are," the performer announced, as boldly as he could manage, "you are not welcome here! Leave at once, or else you'll find out how I avenge justice from the shadows!"
"The Lightbringers travel where they please. Do not interfere with our work. Fear not, for you will be spared."
"The Avenging Shadow never fears a tyrant!" The performer gestured dramatically, but the Lightbringer was unfazed. It impassively regarded the actor for a moment before turning around and moving towards its original goal. Aside from the Avenging Shadow, only two people did not flee—and only one of them knew what these creatures were here for.
"Shingo, you need to leave," Hotaru murmured. She held the boy close to her, Darkness shielding from Light, fear and fortitude chiseled into her face. "Quickly, follow the others out. Leave and don't look back." As pleasant as being held by her was, Shingo squirmed, confused.
"But Hotaru, what about—"
"No questions, Shingo. Get to safety."
"About you," he finished, feeling deflated. The stoic glint in her eye told him everything he needed to know. She squeezed his hand in emphasis.
"Please, Shingo. Please."
He wanted to protest. He wanted to stay and protect her, the knight guarding his lady. He wanted to tell her not to worry, he wouldn't be in the way, he had been taught by an excellent blademaster...but he had nothing to defend himself with, no way to protect his lady: he had nothing, and could do nothing, but obey and run, run. So he let go of her, fingers slipping out of her grasp until there was a gulf between them. Hotaru waited until Shingo was out the door, then shed her humane veneer and became Death-Bender. The Sentinels convened upon her like vultures on a fresh kill.
…...
Several actors and crew members were outside, ushering everyone to safety, oftentimes dealing with mindless, selfish (and sometimes violent) behavior. Everyone was herded at least two streets over; rubberneckers were shooed away; those injured were immediately separated for treatment; some of the actors even went out and bought food for everyone. Shingo wormed his way to the outer margin of the crowd, turned round, and stared in awe at the pillars of light piercing the theater roof. It was like nothing he had ever seen before, even in all his worldwide travels—and stranger still, aside from some minor structural damage, the theater didn't seem affected by the blinding beams. Also, to his relief, none of the shining beings were following them outside—good news for everyone else, but bad news for Hotaru. Shingo's stomach wrenched in guilt and concern; he felt wretched for leaving her to face this menace alone. He decided that there was no way he could turn his back on her, so he dashed to the only person who could help him, hoping that she was still around.
As the afternoon waned into early evening, a young woman with a ring in her nose and long green hair let out a sigh of relief, closed the door to her dojo, and headed home after a satisfying day's work. She hadn't gone more than a few steps before she noticed a boy sprinting towards her. As she squinted and shielded her eyes from the tilting sun, she recognized him as one of her own students. She called out to him as he skidded to a halt, so breathless that he couldn't even speak.
"You know, Shingo," she quipped, "you don't have to be this early for classes."
"Sensei!" he wheezed. "Help! Trouble! Please, gotta..."
"Calm down," she replied softly. "Catch your breath first. I can't understand you if—"
"Danger! Friend...theater! Lots of...weird monsters...came out of...sky!" Perplexed and alarmed, Keya flinched and pressed him for more information.
"What do you mean, Shingo? Are there spirits loose?" He shook his head, finally recovering enough to speak lucidly.
"No, strange creatures that were...I dunno, on fire or something. They were covered in white flames or light, and they came crashing into the theater on these huge beams. Look! You can see them from here!" He pointed in the direction of the theater. Even at this distance, Keya could see a number of bright columns extending from above, like some almighty dragon perpetually bathing the world in flames. Her eyes widened as her mouth slackened; she stood there dumbfounded for a moment before her well-honed warrior's instincts kicked in.
"I understand. Stay here; I'll do what I can to—"
"No!" he yelled, glaring hotly at her. "I'm coming, too!"
"Don't be impetuous, Shingo! A matter of this severity isn't something that a trainee is prepared for." She then muttered, "I doubt even I could do much."
"But my friend's in danger!" he insisted. "I have to help her! Please...I want to protect her." He stood his ground, humbly beseeching her with a steadfast gaze. Keya peered at him with a renewed respect. She took a deep breath.
"Do you understand what you're saying, Shingo? This is neither a lesson nor an exercise. There will be real danger with real consequences. If you truly wish to protect someone, then you must be fully prepared, both in mind and body." Shingo nodded his head, having accepted that responsibility the moment he had clutched Hotaru's hand.
"I am, sensei." Keya took a moment to study her student. She reached for her waist and took out her short sword, holding it horizontally before the young man.
"This tool comes with a heavy burden. Do not draw it until you are ready to kill, and do not return it until its purpose is fulfilled. Remember, I am still your sensei, Shingo, so you will obey my instructions. If I say stay, you stay. If I say run, you run. If I say kill, you must kill."
He paused, bracing himself for this pact. His hand took the sword's hilt.
"Yes, sensei."
"Good," she said, allowing a smile to crack her stony expression. "Show me your enemies."
…...
The Death-Bender's eyes burned with a ferocity hitherto unknown, a fury and a passion long buried dormant: unnecessary for the cold, impartial duties she had performed before, but now...ah, now there was something else motivating her. There was more than subservience behind her strength, as she cleaved three of the Lightbringers apart. They let out a moan and were replaced by four more; the Death-Bender jerked aside as their burning brands swung, one coming so close as to blind her with its brilliance. She squeezed her eyes shut and let the Darkness tell her where to move, where to strike, when to hold her ground and when to take the battle elsewhere. Oh yes, she was listening now, and it was not out of duty. For the first time in her life, the Silent Walker had desires.
Vaulting up to the catwalk, she narrowly balanced on a thin metal beam, a black shape soon surrounded by white fire. The Lightbringers had no weight to them and so the beam hardly twitched as they leaped up and joined her, three on both sides. One struck with a piercing javelin; she swung around with a grace no dancer in the world could replicate, and the blast destroyed two of the Sentinels behind her. She emerged, hurling her glaive with such force that it penetrated all who stood before her and got stuck in the theater wall. Two more blasts came in from behind; she jumped, twirling in midair, calling her glaive, deflecting the beams with a cloak of blackest night. She landed on the beam, causing it to tremble, and retaliated with her own blast, ripping the remaining Sentinels apart. She then opened her eyes.
Get out of here, the Voice told her. You'll be trapped before long. Take this fight higher.
The Lightbringers soared after her, some even stacking atop one another like huge jets of flame slithering up. The Death-Bender noticed a veiled window nearby (a string attached so a stage hand could open or close it) and ran across the narrow beam, swiping her glaive at anything that stood before her. She was tagged by a stray bolt just before she reached the window, and gnashed her teeth in defiance of the alien pain. The glass barrier was breached and the dark shape hurled its way to the rooftop, where she could catch her breath and assess the damage.
Only her right arm and part of her torso and shoulder were damaged, but damage had been done nonetheless. This was an altogether new sensation for the Death-Bender, though it did not surprise her. A persistent human could inflict some small injury on her, but it mended quickly and was nothing more than a nuisance. But these Sentinels were different: they were entities of pure light, combating against an entity of pure dark. While she was their superior in combat, they could still do her harm, real honest harm, and though it healed, the process was slow and cumbersome, and she had to bear the agony the whole time.
Then don't get hit, the Voice advised her. The Death-Bender nodded and took a deep breath. She was soon joined and the time for rest had ended. Ghastly black arms shot out of her body, burrowing through the Sentinels, crushing them or flinging them away. Seven wove their way through her attacks and met with her glaive; one got through, grazing her neck. The dark shape roared, flattening her attacker, ran to the edge of the rooftop, soared. She landed as softly as nightfall onto the next roof—not surprisingly, pursued all the way—adjusted her position, held her ground. Flaming white swords and spears attacked without pause or mercy; her glaive broke them, shattering bright bodies. One struck at her feet, causing her to cartwheel away. They relentlessly gave her no room to pause or rest, putting her on the defensive; shadowy tendrils curled around them, black fingers rending them asunder (the memory of a girl-child impatiently ripping open a present came to mind). She found another roof to perch on, and then another, then another. They cut her off, surrounding her, more and more emerging as pillars of light erupted all over the city.
"Now what?" she asked aloud. She could almost hear the Darkness chuckling.
So now you want to listen to me?
"I'll do whatever it takes to protect Shingo."
The Voice, distressingly, became silent. The Lightbringers continued to multiply and advance.
Head outside the city, then. Draw them away from the people. Night is falling, and soon you will be at full strength.
The Death-Bender immediately dropped to the ground below and sprinted for the main gate. She flitted in and out of shadows, just as the Lightbringers soared on sunbeams; both forces frightened everyone they passed, including one rather unfortunate vendor whose stall had stood directly in their path. The Death-Bender leaped over it while the Lightbringers saw fit to disintegrate it.
"Gaah! MY RADISHES! Okay, that's all I can stand! I'm gonna beat the living daylights outta—waah!" The furious merchant fell to the ground as one of the Sentinels landed in front of him, glaring with expressionless fury. He moaned, too terrified to speak, eyes wide as he stared at the brilliant being. The creature flitted away without incident, but it was awhile before the unfortunate radish merchant could settle his nerves.
"Dad was right," he grumbled: "I should have invested in rutabagas."
The Death-Bender was almost within sight of the main gate—the townspeople had almost entirely cleared out, and even some of the guards had fled—when one of the pillars of light touched down directly in front of her, knocking her flat on the ground, searing her with its awesome energy. No less than fourteen Lightbringers emerged, with almost that many closing in from behind. Blinded and burned, the Death-Bender stood grimacing, preparing to unleash her full power. The entity called forth what little darkness remained in the presence of so many luminaries, but hardly claimed a sliver of shadows before several thrust at her. She bared her teeth and braced for the blow, but gave a start as two of the creatures jerked to a halt. A curved beam of steel protruded out of them; as they dissipated, they revealed her saviors, Keya and Shingo. The Death-Bender gasped with surprise and joy, and nearly embraced the boy.
"Behind you!" Keya shouted. The Death-Bender whirled around, slashing a Lightbringer in half, fending off another as the master and her apprentice joined the fray.
"You shouldn't be here, Shingo! These creatures are far more dangerous than you can imagine."
"I don't care," he replied, struggling and brandishing his short sword wildly. "I had to do something!"
"Worry not," Keya called, slicing through one with thunderous speed, "the boy can hold his own. Is this all there is?"
"I'm not sure. They have the ability to multiply."
"How do we stop them?" Keya dodged, cut, rolled to the ground, blocked one attacking Shingo, cut it to bits. Her arms were growing weary and numb despite the freshness of the fight. She was already breathing heavily when she cut another one.
"They're after me," the Death-Bender said. "I need to lure them out of the city. Can you cover me?"
"Yes!" Keya answered, standing between the Living Darkness and her blinding foes. "Hurry! They have a strange effect on me." The Silence nodded and made a break for the gate. Most of the main group pursued her; Keya stopped as many as she could, but got hit once in the abdomen while another blast grazed her face. She clutched the searing wound, snarling like a wild animal, and threw her sword at one of the retreating Lightbringers, skewering it. She was gasping for her life as she retrieved her sword, one arm trembling and the other hanging uselessly. The sword itself was corroding.
"Forgive me, Shingo," she spoke aloud, "I've reached my limits. Whatever these things are, I'm not much use against—wait, where'd he go?" Panicking, Keya scanned around, feeling her heart sink as she found no trace. She tried running after him, but the battle had taken a significant toll on her, and she was forced to sink to the ground and rest.
Shingo had, obviously, run after Hotaru. She was leading the Lightbringers into a bog, full of dangerous animals, overgrowth, and lots of dark areas where one could get lost. Shingo cringed as he stood at the bank of the mire, but soggy shoes and breeches were the least of his worries now, so he plunged in, hacking away at the overgrowth with his short sword. Finding Hotaru was easier than finding sand at the beach: the Lightbringers cast an aura that could be seen a long way off, and whatever they struck emitted thick black smoke. Shingo pierced his way through a weeping willow and chased off a small gatortoad before finding her, the darkness flickering in and out as her life ebbed. He roared with a fury he had never known before, attacking the closest Sentinel. It leaped out of the way, and three shot at him with fiery bolts. Being so young and small, Shingo nimbly rolled out of the way, charging into the thick of them and catching at least one by surprise. He buried his sword into the blinding creature up to the hilt, kicked it away, and pounded his chest in triumph.
"Ha! How do ya like that?!"
"Shingo!" The Death-Bender—no, Hotaru gawked at him, but he just grinned.
"Hey! Some date, huh?"
"Look out!" she cried, but Shingo was already whirling around, leveling his sword to meet the enemy's charge. He pierced another one, a move his master would certainly be proud of, and punched it for good measure, though his arm burned horribly. He shook it and groaned as he joined Hotaru.
"Shingo, you really shouldn't be here," she murmured, though she couldn't help but feel flattered. He smirked.
"You're not trying to dump me already, are you? Our date's not over yet!"
"Oohhh," she grumbled, though her face blushed hotly. A warm smile crept upon her pale face. "Honestly, I'm glad you're here. Now, back me up, and don't do anything reckless!"
"You got it, partner!" They grinned and attacked in unison, back-to-back, defending each other from the onslaught. Shingo's efforts were clumsy, juvenile, and impetuous, powered by his youth, his growing attraction to Hotaru, and a man's desire to guard his maiden. He mostly kept the Lightbringers at bay, warning Hotaru when they struck or helping her fend off larger swarms. His arms were quickly becoming heavy and numb, though, and he gasped for air. Hotaru's glaive whirled with blinding speed; whatever it spared was eaten alive by the dark power she summoned. Inky black energy cloaked her body, and she became Living Death, the Destroyer, the Emissary of Silence, a horror of all living things. Shingo beheld her in all her abominable glory, eyes wide and mouth agape. The creature froze as it saw his face.
"Ah...Shingo, I'm sorry... Uh, th-this is...this is who I really am. I...can't even imagine how frightened you must b—"
"You look so cool!" he screamed, almost jumping for joy. The Silence gave a start, black tendrils snaking out of her body, arms of malice springing from the Void, the earth groaning underneath and the heavens crying out in terror. The Lightbringers attacked; she retaliated, crackling the air with the screams of the tormented, enveloping her enemies in endless dark energy.
Shingo was absolutely ecstatic.
"So awesome!" he gasped. "Do it again!"
The creature stood petrified with incredulity. She was fear and darkness and death, the bane of the light, manifest and in motion. Her touch cracked stone, collapsed foundations, withered the strong and brought ruin to the mighty. And this boy liked her?!
"Aren't you afraid of me?" she demanded. Shingo just grinned.
"No! I think you're beautiful!" He blushed, realized what he had just admitted, but held his ground. The Death-Bender's face went absolutely red, and she, Hotaru, giggled.
"Ah...thank you. I think...you're really cute." Her face beamed; the two of them stood there, smiling and silly, knee-deep in a marsh while they were surrounded by enemies.
Oh for crying out loud, the Darkness grumbled, letting a few more vulgar expressions pass. The Lightbringers at least had enough sense to make capitol of this distraction, and attacked with renewed vigor. Shingo was knocked into the water as he tripped trying to dodge a flaming sword; Hotaru took a blow to the guts as she guarded him and lashed back in rage. Shingo slashed wildly, actually tagging one in his efforts, but was finally struck, searing fire ripping flesh and clothes. Blinded and wounded, he flailed about; Hotaru ran to his aid, mowing the Sentinels down, summoning dark claws from the depths of the marsh to grab and tear. She helped Shingo to his feet; he screamed for her to look out, and lunged his sword into another Lightbringer, sending jolts of electric pain up his arm. He dropped his sword, rubbing his wrist, squinting and wincing from agony. Hotaru covered him in a dark shield, then left him and faced the horde on her own. Shingo discovered that he could still move freely in the black bubble, and after some experimentation, found that he could control its size and shape a little. Deadly dark fingers sprang out whenever he punched or waved, so he rejoined the fight again.
The Lightbringers were relentless. They burned, they seared, they stabbed. Blood gushed, bruises formed, mud and swamp water saturated the two warriors. Leeches covered Shingo as he was pushed into the water again; Hotaru wiped them off with a gesture. The Light overcame the Dark, forcing a shrill scream from the girl; black hands plucked them off one by one as the boy came to her rescue. The fight dragged on and on, and then ended, just as suddenly as it began, as the last Lightbringer was cast aside and devoured by darkness. They had won: both of them filthy, exhausted messes, heaving and gasping. Shingo was burned and scarred, his clothes shredded and soaked, and was bleeding from the leeches and other various scrapes and cuts. Hotaru, despite her advantages, was as much covered in burns and bruises as she was muck and filth, and her clothes were ruined beyond repair.
"Some date," Shingo croaked.
"Yeah," she groaned, "no kidding." It was by far the most disgusting, horrific, nauseating condition either of them had ever been in. She looked at him, bruised and bloodied from head to toe; he looked at her, reeking of marsh fumes, covered in mud, disheveled and threadbare.
Then Shingo and the Death-Bender threw their arms around each other, kissing passionately.
Everybody loves somebody sometime
Everybody falls in love somehow
Something in your kiss just told me
That sometime is now
Everybody finds somebody someplace
There's no telling where love may appear
Something in my heart keeps saying
My someplace is here
If I had it in my power
I'd arrange for every girl to have you charms
Then every minute, every hour
Everybody would find what I found in your arms
Everybody loves somebody sometime
And though my dreams were overdue
Your love made it all worth waiting
For someone like you
If I had it in my power
I'd arrange for every girl to have you charms
Then every minute, every hour
Everybody would find what I found in your arms
Everybody loves somebody sometime
And though my dreams were overdue
Your love made it all worth waiting
For someone like you
The End of "Death Goes on a Date"
Next time: "The Spirit World Trembles"
Author's note:
The song "Everybody Loves Somebody" was written by Ken Lane and Taylor Irving, but I had the Dean Martin cover in mind.