XIV
Karisma the Paladin
In the outskirts of Seoul, beyond the mountain ranges and the country side, was the safehouse Dulio had mentioned. Hidden away in an army of trees and shrouded by multiple forms of cloaking magic, Kouji stumbled as everyone landed by Griselda's side.
He had thought up the idea of flight using the scales fairly recently, however actually landing with this thing was something he hadn't thought about yet. He simply got as close to the ground as he could before shattering the scale, tumbling before he fell, sliding to Griselda while everyone else simply landed on their feet.
"Griselda!" Winter gave her old friend a hug. "Thank goodness…I didn't know you and Dulio were going to help us."
"We got permission from both Lady Gabriel and Lord Micheal," said Griselda. "However we won't be of too much help, I'm afraid. The most we could do is hold is off the advancing force and set you up with some temporary shelter."
"It's more than we could have asked for," Karina smiled. "Thank you, Griselda."
Kouji got up with Giselle's help. The safehouse was actually an abandoned lumbering facility, probably been abandoned for a few decades since Korea recently banned deforestation anywhere near the city. Thanks to that, the trees and wildlife around here have flourished. The building was in ruins with half the walls being infected with moss and had vines growing out from the crevices, however it was livable. With a bit of help, that rotten stench would go away soon enough.
"How are things in Heaven?" asked Giselle. "Lord Azazel said he was off to a meeting with the others heads of the factions. Is it good news?"
Griselda smiled. "Lord Micheal has agreed with us on not killing Koujiro, however they are hesitant on the idea of him being able to control Imugi. At the very least, they are willing to intervene and assist if should anything happen to you…which is why we're here."
Seeing Griselda again brought up memories of that conversation. Truth be told, he hadn't really gotten over it. How was he supposed to overcome that much trauma all at once? With all that's happened, Kouji had done his best to just not think about it.
"How are you feeling, child?" asked Griselda.
"I'm…dealing with it," said Kouji. "There's a lot I still don't know…but right now I just want to make sure we're all okay, that we're going to get out of it okay."
"Hold onto that faith in the days to come, Koujiro," said Griselda. "You're about to be tested in ways you can never imagine…and I am very happy to hear you're doing well. With my last visit, I didn't know if you'd be okay with seeing me again."
Kouji furrowed his brow. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"After our last…exchange, I wasn't sure you were in the right mindset to see me again," said Griselda, regret filling her expression.
"No, nothing like that," Kouji smiled. "If anything, I'm a grateful for you Griselda. It's my past, something I don't even remember…it's nice to know at least. It's who I was…not who I am now."
Griselda smiled. "I saw your use of Imugi's power…Serpent Phantasm. You're using it ways I have never seen or knew possible. Did Karina help you develop that technique?"
"You're not giving Kouji enough credit there Griselda," Giselle leaned on Kouji. "He figured that out all on his own."
"It's cool right?" Winter's eyes beamed. "He's amazing!"
"Kouji's understanding of his Sacred Gear is beyond what I can teach him," said Karina. "He's figured out the capabilities of Serpent Phantasm in offensive means I didn't think were possible. Griselda he can do this…He really can force Imugi to submit."
Kouji's eyes looked to Karina. What had changed in her? She and Giselle were in doubt of him befriending Imugi, what caused their change of heart?
"I'm glad to hear," said Griselda. "You should all head inside, it'll be safe. Some more help will be on its way soon…I must join Dulio to make sure he doesn't do too much damage. We simply mean to scare the exorcists away, not eradicate their entire armies."
"Help?" asked Kouji. "From who?"
Griselda smiled before vanishing away. "Not all exorcists are set on killing you, Koujiro."
Kouji didn't even have a second to wonder what she meant before Winter dragged him inside with the others. The interior was refurbished to act as a bunker of sorts. There were bunk beds to sleep, a wardrove of simple but functional clothes, a full pantry stocked with food in case of emergencies, even a shower and a bathroom towards the back. The stench didn't go away, however Kouji could get used to it here.
"Oh how far we've fallen," said Giselle. "One second we're in a five star hotel and now…"
"Don't be so gloomy," Karina wrapped an arm around her sister. "At least we're all together. Besides it's only temporary. Lord Azazel will be done soon and notice what happened and track us down…we won't be here for too long."
"I hope so," said NingNing, inspecting the bed to cough as the dust plastered the air. "It stinks in here."
"You guys sound like spoiled rich kids," Kouji smiled. "It's not so bad here."
"Maybe for you," said Giselle. "We're used to a more…refined way of living."
"Definitely spoiled," said Winter.
Kouji sat down on one of the beds while the girls all scattered to explore their new temporary home. He thought of a new idea for a technique to be used with Serpent Phantasm, but the actual practical application wasn't something he had actually thought of before. It was the same concept as when he created the bracelet for Karina. With what's happened and all that's about to happen…better than ever to try it.
He created cascading rows of scales interlinking each other and began to infuse it with own magic. The actual process of it felt like cutting open a wound on his hand and forcing the blood to pour out, however soon enough the four rows began to shrink before turning into four rings.
"What are you up to over there?" asked NingNing.
Kouji smiled and got up, presenting the rings to the girls. "I have something for you guys. They're made from the Phantasm scales, the same properties as your bracelet Karina. I put my magic in here so in case…in case anything happens to me, you guys have a way of finding me. Just activate it with your own magic and it'll come seek me out. It'll be bound to you guys individually so it won't work with other people."
"Kouji…" Giselle took the ring. "What do you mean if something happens?"
"Nothing's going to happen to you," Karina reassured him with a hand on his shoulder. "You got that?"
"I know…but it's just insurance, I guess," said Kouji. "Again, I know it's nothing much, but I hope you guys like them. I know you guys like the fancy stuff."
"No…I love it," Winter smiled as she slid the ring on her ring finger. The scales morphed and molded to her finger for a perfect fit. "Oh I'm wearing this everywhere."
"It kind of goes with my outfit," NingNing smiled. "Thanks, Kouji."
Karina smiled and gave him a hug. "You didn't have to get us anything else Kouji."
"I know…but still," said Kouji.
Their loving moment was interrupted when the sound of branches breaking caught everyone's attention. Karina was still holding onto Kouji, as she had always done when things got like this, however Winter jumped ahead in caution.
"Did they find us already?" asked NingNing.
"This place should be cloaked…" said Giselle. "No way they-"
"Stop going on ahead Xenovia! We're gonna get lost!"
"You're the one who didn't want to stop and ask for directions."
"How are we supposed to ask for directions to an abandoned lumber factory? We don't speak Korean!"
Kouji's eyes shot wide open. He recognized that voice…something he'd never forget.
"It…It can't be…" said Kouji.
"Kouji no…this could be a trap," said Karina. "Don't do anything-"
But he didn't listen, he didn't care. It was her…for the first time since he left…it was her. He knew it was. He knew that voice anywhere. Kouji ran to the door and breaking it open, nearly collapsing outside as he looked up to see her.
Irina was standing besides Xenovia, holding a map. They were both dressed in the church's white cloak and carried no weapons, not even Xenovia, however Kouji hardly even looked for weapons.
"K…Kouji…" Irina's voice wavered.
"Irina…" Kouji scrambled to his feet and rushed her. "Irina!"
Before he could jump in her arms, Winter grabbed him and pulled him back, holding him in her arms as the girls got in between them.
"What are you doing here?" Karina questioned.
"W-Wait a minute," said Irina. "I know this looks bad…but we were invited."
"Invited?" asked Giselle.
Xenovia handed over a note. "Griselda invited you? How do you even know her?"
"She's…my teacher," said the blue haired swordswoman.
"She told us that something big was happening in Korea…that Kouji would need us, need me," said Irina. "Now please…can I see my brother?"
Karina sighed and reluctantly gave Winter permission to let him go. Kouji was nervous, weary of this whole thing being a trap, however he sunk into his sister's arms.
"I've missed you," Irina patted his head and held him. "Have you been well? Are you eating okay?"
Kouji smiled. "I'm okay…They've taken great care of me."
"He's been taking care of us, actually," Giselle added. "Why don't you ever let him cook more? The kid can seriously cook."
"Yeah I should huh?" Irina smiled.
"I don't mean to interrupt the happy reunion, but what happened in the city?" asked Xenovia. "We snuck away from Vatican City to come here. We saw the Paladin's forces…Did they attack you?"
Karina nodded. "They must have been watching us for awhile. They chose a moment when our leaders were away to strike. Dulio and Griselda are there right now to clean up the mess."
"I didn't think Lady Karisma would send her own unit," said Xenovia. "It's rare for her to even leave the Vatican. Did you see her? Was she there?"
Karina shook her head. "Not that I could see…but then again everything happened all at once."
"What does she look like?" asked Kouji.
"Uh…a little older than us," said Irina. "Silver hair, black eyes, has a really scary looking sword. Trust me, you won't miss her if you see her."
He saw something…He remembered seeing something on their way out of Seoul. Dammit remember…Kouji traced back his memories after the combo attack with Giselle. They were flying through the city…he saw someone…someone watching them from the rooftops.
"Well…This is rather blasphemous, wouldn't you say?"
Kouji felt it in his heart. His chest began to pound as his heart felt like it was being squeezed, as if there was a hand squeezing at his heart harder and harder by the second.
The world suddenly grew cold and dark. Kouji had felt this before…a bounded field. From behind Irina and Xenovia, coming from the trees, the Paladin made herself known.
She was exactly as Irina had described. She looked to be in her early twenties with long and curly silver hair that looked like metal with faded black eyes. Her skin was like porcelain and she carried at her side a sword that looked straight from hell. She still wore the Church's white cloak, however it was decorated with golden flames at the end…as if to symbolize her position amongs the exorcists.
"H-How did you-" Karina moved an inch before a sword was held at her throat, the same as the other girls. Kouji recognized those faces…the lead exorcists who combed through the hotel…even Ali.
"I wouldn't move if I were you," Amelia, the girl from before, smiled as she restrained Karina. "A Holy Sword hurts Angels more than a regular weapon."
From behind the Paladin, a boy around Irina's age walked forward and fixed his thin frammed glasses. "Looks like they led us right to him."
"W-What?" asked Irina. "You…You followed us?"
"Of course I did," said Karisma. "Did you think I wasn't cautious of you, Irina? We know of your relationship to the boy, I knew that if given time and the chance, you would do whatever it takes to go back to him…even if it means betraying your own faith."
"I…I didn't…" Irina turned to look at Kouji and the girls in horror. "I'm so sorry…"
Kouji gritted his teeth. Karina was spot on…this was a trap the whole time. Did Griselda know about this when she sent out that invitation to Xenovia? No…She couldn't have known Irina would come. She must have only invited Xenovia and Irina happened to tag along.
It was all making sense now. Karisma…She was the strategist. She ordered the initial strike to send them in a panic and had the ground force enter the hotel to rule out their options of escape. She knew that they would take a frontal approach…knowing that they would have to abandon the hotel. She picked the right time and executed her plan to perfection…Everything they did, everything he thought he was coming up…all of it went according to Karisma's plan.
"Why…" said Kouji. "Why would you go this far? Just to kill me?"
"You are a plague that walks the earth," said Karisma. "Everything we have sworn our entire lives to slaying, walking around inhabiting the skin of a human. To ensure the survival of the human race, you cannot be allowed to take another breath."
"But why!" cried Kouji. "I can control it…Imugi, I can co-exist with it. I won't hurt anyone!"
"Oh? Would you say that of the exorcists you lot killed?" asked Karisma.
"That was in self defense," Giselle gritted her teeth.
"You guys attacked us first!" cried Winter.
"I had respect for you," said Karisma. "But perhaps I was right in thinking Reincarnated Angels truly aren't angelic. You would adopt this boy? A boy who was experimented on by that Serpent Demon? Do you know of the things that monster did to him? I doubt there's a single piece of him that's remotely human…or even his…"
"W-What?" asked Kouji. "What are you talking about?"
"Kouji!' cried Karina. "Don't listen to her!"
"Oh? They didn't tell you?" asked Karisma. "The experimentation? The demon blood in your veins?"
"What do you mean…a single piece of me?" asked Kouji.
Karisma smiled. "Demon blood is toxic to human flesh, boy. Whatever Valak did to you killed you a hundred times over, but your body found ways of perserving its life with each and every restart…but your body itself must have been rotted from the inside out. Valak replaced your body parts with those of other humans he had tried the experiment on before, de-aging them to fit your body, and surgically replaced you. Your lungs, your stomach, your arms and legs, I bet even your heart. Are you certain that your body, your heart, is even yours?"
Kouji could hear his heart beating, as if all the sound in the world had drowned out. He knew about the demon blood…but his body? He looked down at his hands…were they even his? His heart…his eyes…was there anything on his body that was truly his? How did he know if this body wasn't…wasn't some kind of frankenstein experiment?
"Kouji…" Irina's eyes teared up. "Oh my God…"
"Stop this!" cried Karina. "He doesn't need to hear anymore of this!"
"I…" Kouji gritted his teeth. "That doesn't matter…Say what you want Paladin…it doesn't change my conviction. You're going to have to kill me if you want me to stop. It may not be my body…but it's my life!"
Karisma smiled menacingly. "Are you sure? Yours is not the only life you hold in your hands right now, Shidou Koujiro."
Kouji's eyes widened in horror as the boy wearing glasses opened a magic circle, producing…King. He had been beaten, cut up, bruised…tortured. He was being held by his wrists behind his back and coughed up blood as his eyes met Kouji's.
"King!"
"Don't…Don't give them anything," King smiled weakly at him. "You…You don't give these asshole a thing…Kouji."
Kouji balled his fists. Azazel wasn't kidding…The Church was entirely corrupt from top to bottom. They kidnapped and tortured an innocent boy…a boy who didn't have anything to do with any of this.
"Let him go!" Irina struggled, however more and more of the Paladin's footsoldiers circled them and pinned her and Xenovia down. "Please Lady Karisma! He doesn't have anything to do with this!"
"He has everything to do with this," Karisma walked forward to Kouji. "It's simple. You come with us…or we kill everyone here, starting with your friend."
"Please…" Kouji pleaded with Karisma. "Don't do this…You don't have to kill anyone."
"I will do what I must to ensure the safety of this world," said Karisma.
"Killing me won't solve anything…" said Kouji. "Imugi needs a host, it-"
"We'll store the creature in the deepest, darkest crevices of the Vatican where it will never see the light of day again," said Karisma. "As it should have been all this time. It's far too dangerous in the hands of someone like you."
Kouji balled his fists. He didn't know what to do. His back was completely against the wall this time…there was no way out. He…He didn't have a choice. He has to-
"He's not going anywhere…with you lady," said King. "He's not the type of guy…"
"Oh?" asked Karisma. "And what kind of guy is he?"
"The kind who would put the needs of others…before himself," King smiled Kouji's way. "The kind of guy who would get dragged to a concert that changed his life…even when he wanted to stay home, because of me."
Kouji's eyes began to water.
"Don't do what these assholes want…Kouji," said King. "Don't do what…anyone wants you to do anymore. No more. Do what you want to do. You don't have to be whatever they think you'll be…you don't have to be some kind monster. You can be your own person…live your life the way you want to…"
Karisma drew her sword, however before Kouji could react, Amelia subdued him and pinned him on the ground.
"You're not going anywhere," said Amelia.
"N-No! King!" cried Kouji.
"Live your life, Kouji," King smiled. "Live your life because it's yours…nobody elses. Don't let…" His best friend's eyes began to swell with tears. "Don't let anybody stop you…I'm sorry I always dragged you everywhere with me. If I had known…I just…You're my best friend Kouji…"
"King!" Kouji's cries were meaningless as Karisma placed a hand on his best friend's shoulder.
"I love you Kouji," King smiled.
"At least you die in peace."
Kouji's cries faded into silence as Karisma ran her sword through King's heart, his body dropping to the ground lifelessly. Irina's cries were in vain as she couldn't break free, even Aespa were unable to do a thing due to the bounded field sealing their magic.
"It didn't have to be this way," said Karisma. "Just come with us…accept your fate."
Kouji gritted his teeth. King…He was really gone. He didn't have anything to do with this. If only…If only he hadn't told him that day. If Kouji hadn't told King what happened…he would be living in blissful ignorance. Eventually, Kouji would have become a memory to him. Why was he so selfish? Why…
It hurts…doesn't it…
Kouji recognized this voice.
Imugi?
I told you, a storm was coming. Will you brave it…or be swept away in despair?
I…I don't know what to do…What can I do?
All the power you need, young Master, is right inside you. Give in…Give in and you will know power unlike anything you've ever experienced…
She killed him…She killed him just because he knew me…He had nothing to do with this fucked up world…
Do you wish for them to forget?
Kouji's eyes widened. Is it…Is it that simple?
Can you do that?
The mind is a fragile thing…The Mystic Eyes amplified with the Serpent…anything is possible.
You can make them forget? Forget who I am…so no one else has to die?
Memories are complicated, young Master. I can take away the memories of those who have interacted with you, but your existence will still remain. To them, the Nephallem will be a figure of unknown origins, a figure without a face or a name.
Kouji gritted his teeth. Was this the only way? The only he could save Aespa…Irina…
King's last words rang in his head. Live your life the way you want…
What do you want…in return?
You know what I want, young Master.
Kouji found his resolve. This…This had to be done. He wasn't afraid…He wasn't afraid of death anymore, just not his own. He didn't want anyone else to die for him, to sacrifice for him. He's been sheltered his whole life while other people protected him…not anymore. This time, he'll be the one to protect them.
"I'm all yours."
"Kouji!" cried Karina.
"Don't do this!" cried Giselle.
Amelia released him from the ground as he stood up. Karisma even sheathed her sword in acceptance of his surrender.
"Kouji…" Winter's eyes teared up.
"It'll be okay," said Kouji, smiling down at the four of them. "You guys are going to be okay…I promise."
"I wouldn't say that," said Karisma. "They housed a fugitive…I doubt the Higher Ups will be so lenient."
"Just promise me…it won't hurt," said Kouji.
"I can't promise you that," said Karisma.
Kouji smiled. "I wasn't talking to you."
I promise.
A wave of magic flowed out of Koujiro as the mask began to form over his face. He could feel his body overflowing with energy, with power…a power that wasn't his own.
"W-What are you…" Karisma braced the force of Imugi's magic.
Kouji held out his hand as the very earth bent to his hill, enclosing each and every exorcist under Karisma's authority in pillars to immobilize them, even Irina and Xenovia.
"You're a monster…" said Karisma. "You've allowed yourself to be conquered by that Demon!"
"No," said Kouji. "I gave myself up…to ensure you don't hurt anyone else I care about."
"Kouji…" Karina broke free from her capture ran over to him. "You can stop…You can stop now…"
"I can't," Kouji smiled.
Serpent Scales restrained Karina and forced her back to her sisters as Kouji walked over and embraced each one of them.
"NingNing…make sure you open up more to your sisters," said Kouji. "You're a lot better at comforting others than you know, if you'd just open up to them. You are loved, you know?"
Her eyes began to tear up. "What are you doing…"
"Winter…" said Kouji. "Thank you for accepting me, before anyone else did. For being there for me at my lowest and cheering with me at my highest. I can't…I don't have the words to tell you how grateful I am for you, and how happy that I met you."
"Kouji!" Winter's eyes flooded. "Don't do this!"
"Giselle…" said Kouji. "You are not a killer…You're a healer, a reader, a lover, a sister…You are so much more than your past. Don't let it define you anymore…"
"You moron…" Giselle gritted her teeth.
"And Rina…" Kouji began to tear up. "You saved my life. I wish…I wish I could do more to repay the kindness you showed me…but I don't have a lot of time left. You were the best thing to have ever happened to me…I'm so happy I was a fan. Please stay out of the kitchen until you improve your cooking."
Karina bit her lip. "Don't do this Kouji…Please…We'll find a way to-"
"This is the only way," said Kouji, walking over to Irina. "The world won't be out to kill me if the world doesn't remember I exist…if nobody remembers I exist."
"Please…" said Irina. "We can go home…We can be a family again…Can I just pretend to be your sister again?"
"You were always my sister," Kouji hugged her one last time. "The best I could have ever asked for…the best. I'm sorry I didn't spend more time with you…I'm sorry…I wish I could have been born into our family for real. I wish…" His voice cracked. "I wish I could have been your brother."
"You are!" Irina cried. "You're my brother…so please don't do this…"
The mask had completely enveloped him. He could feel himself slipping…fading away into nothingness, replaced by Imugi. Would the world come to an end? No…He was confident that Aespa, and the Angels, and the world…he was confident they'd find a way to kill him for good. He didn't belong in this time anyway…He was supposed to be dead a long time ago.
"I love you all…so much," Kouji gritted his teeth. "Do it, Imugi."
Kouji felt himself fading away completely, walking into that white light as everything became white.