Chapter 8
In the beginning of time, there was the Void
The Universe was boundless and formless
Everything and Nothing teemed against each other
In endless Tides of Chaos
Then He has cast this Void into the Great Divide
Into Day and Night, into Morn and Eve
This was the first of days
Then, he separated these Tides
He named the Tides Above as the Skies
This was the second day
He granted the World Below
As the Land that bear much Life
For He so loved this World
The he foresaw and saw to it
That it set within the Perfection's count
Three. It was the third day
In the fourth day, He has let them be
Lights upon the Tides Above
The greater and lesser light
That stood guard over the Tide Below.
In the fifth day, He brought forth
Souls that roam these Tides Above
As if to keep its ardent gaze
Upon the Souls in the Tide Below.
On the sixth day, He crowned
A Lone-Horned Man-God
As One to Govern All
And on the seventh day, He rested.
Beware of the Evening of the Seventh
For She shall awaken from Her slumber
Deep within the abyss of the Tide Below
Three six-pointed Morning Stars shall herald Her coming
She, whose name must never be invoked
But you shall know of Her solemn vow
By the fire in Her sight
And by the warmth of Her light
Beware, you who reads this passage
No past and future without the present
No death and life without these souls
No darkness and light without the gray
Just like the Son grew to be a Father
And the Daughter into a Mother
There is their child, and only then
When the two of them have come together
In perfect balance, will the millennia old prophecy be fully realized.
Uryuu read the…well, whatever this may be for what seemed to be the hundredth time. And yet he still found himself right where he started. That is, to say, not much progress.
It had been a few hours since they started researching. Right now, only Uryuu and his mother stayed in the library. Kurosaki's mother had left with Ryuken to do some good old fashioned cousin bonding through what they call shooting deadly Heilig Pfeil arrows at each other.
Honestly, Uryuu hoped that Kurosaki's mom Masaki-obaasan would shoot Ryuken right between his eyes. That will kick him off his high horse.
"Hey, Mom…" Uryuu snapped himself back to reality. He continued on to read the name of the author. "Who is Weissager Höhenblick?"
His mother, Katagairi Ishida, stopped shifting through the pages of a book in her hand to turn towards him. Her face was contemplative for a moment. "Höhenblick…Höhenblick…" she trailed off. "Where have I heard that name before?"
"He's espousing something about the Evening of the Seventh," Uryuu suggested. Maybe one particular weird line could help his mom recall. Afterall, his mom is well-read and well-versed on various Quincy literature.
Her face showed some sort of recognition. "Oh, that Höhenblick!" she exclaimed. "He's a self-proclaimed oracle-prophet. The name is actually just his pen name, but he was quite well-known for his absurd theories about how the Realms came to be."
"Oh, I see," Uryuu said awkwardly. "Thanks, Mom," he said sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck.
His mom gave him an encouraging smile. "Do you think that his…"
"It's not really his theory that I found. More like a poorly constructed poem?" Uryuu was even confused, that by the end of his sentence, he was still unsure what he was even reading.
"Well, is there a particular reason why you're fixated on his…work?"
"I'm fixated?" Uryuu repeated.
"Well, yes," his mother answered. "You've been reading that same page for about an hour."
'An hour?' Uryuu was confused. Had he really been reading the poem over and over again?
"Son? Did something fromHöhenblick's work bother you?"
"I honestly don't know. It's all over the place. The selection lacks all of the artistic and technical acumen that an actual proper poem should have. The first part seemed to have been ripped off straight out of the Story of Creation from the Hebrew-" No sooner than the words left his mouth did Uryuu realize as to why he was feeling that this could be it: a lead that could explain the strange malady that befell Inoue. Snapping himself from the stupor, Uryuu recomposed himself. "Mom, what was Weissager Höhenblick's main prophecy?"
"Hmmm. Let me think for a moment," his mother closed her eyes for a moment, a habit she always did whenever she was trying to recall information.
When Uryuu was a child, his mom did the same thing whenever she told him bedtime stories. Involuntarily, the corners of his mouth curved upwards at the fond memories.
His mom opened her eyes and answered. "Höhenblick was a Gemischt Quincy who claimed that he saw what happened in the time of the Soul King. Of course, such a claim is labeled as heretical in terms of our culture. He had been imprisoned and executed, but before he was incarcerated, he managed to publish his works and that has circulated throughout the generations. Anyway, Höhenblick claimed that in the beginning of time, there were two beings that eventually became the lynchpin of all the Realms. The Soul King and some sort of a Sacred Feminine Figure."
"I see. I understand why Höhenblick was tried as a heretic," Uryuu supplied. In the history and culture of Quincies, there is only the Soul King and His Son, Yhwach. Speaking or even theorizing about another supposed-goddess in a seemingly monotheistic, male-worshiping belief system would surely grate on the nerves of some extremists. "But wouldn't that make sense? I mean, Yhwach is the Son of the Soul King…It would be obvious for him to have a mother. I don't get it."
"No, son. Yhwach's mother is not the Sacred Feminine Figure. Höhenblick was talking about the beginning of time, not the beginning of the Quincy lineage."
The hair on Uryuu's arms stood on end, and he felt a strange chill that ran down his spine. "A Soul Q-Ackkk!" Uryuu coughed.
"Uryuu!" his mother immediately stood and ran towards him, cradling his cheeks in her palms. "Are you alright, son?"
Uryuu felt shy for a moment. "Y-Yes, Mom," he muttered.
June 20, 2003;4:46 PM
It had been a few hours after lunch when Isshin Kurosaki was able to gather his thoughts.
The past few days were a slew of events happening one immediately after the other. One moment, he was in the World of the Living, keeping guard in case something happens there. He had decided to stay in the human world just to ensure that Karin and Yuzu are well-protected against any danger that may have come from Yhwach and his rise in power.
However, Ryuken Ishida, that four-eyed bastard, had knocked upon the Kurosaki Clinic doors. Apparently, he had some permanent solution to stop Yhwach once and for all. Then, a few moments later, Isshin had been whisked off to Soul Society as a courier of a very, very special arrow capable of stopping Yhwach and his powers of mind-fuckery for a few seconds, enough to deal a killing blow.
The arrow was for Ryuken's kid to shoot, and shoot he did. Ichigo was then able to cleave the Quincy Emperor in half.
'It was poetic justice,' Isshin had remarked to himself then. It was ironic to think that Yhwach had been defeated by the sons of the women whose lives he had robbed. What goes around eventually comes around.
If that was not enough to call it a day, some glistening golden light somehow caused a miracle that Isshin never knew was possible…and he is a Shinigami, for crying out loud! He should have been well-versed with impossible things turning possible.
But he was not. He was not prepared. All his life, he had been educated as to the ways of the realms. That is, once a human dies and their souls are released from their bodies, they are likely to end up in three different paths. One, souls wander or get bound to the World of the Living; two, human souls get the proper Soul Burial to be sent to Soul Society or Hell, and; three, the soul becomes a Hollow. Whatever it may be, it is the destiny of a human soul to eventually move on the Wheel of Reincarnation and live a new life.
That was not the case for Masaki. His wife's soul never reached Soul Society. Yhwach absorbed her soul. Even if he died and became a Shinigami once again, he would never meet Masaki anymore, and he had made peace with this fact. He was just content with taking good care of their beloved children…even if he could never be a husband once again.
But for some inexplicable reason, the impossible happened, and his sweet, sweet darling sun returned, and it had been because of Inoue Orihime, his son's…well, Isshin cannot name it yet. It would be lacking to call her just a friend of Ichigo.
Just as Ichigo miraculously defeated Yhwach, Ichigo's friend also miraculously released Masaki from the evil clutches of that bastard Quincy Emperor. And for this, Isshin Kurosaki, former member of the Shiba Household and the current patriarch of the Kurosaki Family, would forever be in the debt of one Inoue Orihime.
The only caveat is, while Isshin's sun has returned, it seems that Ichigo's sun has set.
'Is this the price to be paid?' Isshin asked himself, suddenly feeling the guilt of enjoying this happiness at the cost of his son's.
Inoue Orihime cannot wake up. The explosion in the cliff right after Ichigo defeated Yhwach was said to have come from her Reiatsu spilling out uncontrollably. And no matter what manner of remedy was applied, her body rejects it.
And whenever such miniscule hope for her recovery was offered, each succeeding failure seemed to multiply the already grim fear that the young woman in the comatose state would forever remain in her endless sleep.
Isshin tried to replay Ichigo's expressions in the past few hours after Yhwach's defeat. His son had been silent. Too silent. That does not bode well. An angrily shouting Ichigo is better than an Ichigo that kept to himself. His son's expression was like a painting of someone with conflicting emotions.
On one end, Ichigo seemed to have finally released himself from the burden of Masaki's death. He was smiling, and gravitating towards his mom whenever they were in the same area. No doubt, Ichigo was taking his time to be with his beloved mother. He was too young and had been severely traumatized by the events that led to Masaki's demise. It has taken that kid such a long time to finally accept that it was never his fault.
Isshin is so proud of him. Ichigo, despite all the secrets and mental machinations that had enveloped most of his young life, had pushed through. Ichigo deserved these moments of success the most. He fought a war that was not his to begin with, and he won for the sake of the world.
And yet, his son is conflicted. Ichigo cannot fully bring himself to truly embrace this peace that he fought tooth and nail for, because his friend…because Inoue Orihime is still at a stage wherein recovery is impossible.
There were times when Isshin would catch a glimpse of Ichigo just staring into thin air, or that he would speak for a few seconds before losing the will to converse altogether. The bags under his eyes became more pronounced as a proper solution is yet to be found. In times of his lonesome…when Ichigo thinks that no one was watching him…his shoulders would droop. Whenever a person even speaks something remotely negative about the girl, Ichigo's body would tense and his fists would tighten as if he was ready to pounce and punch whoever's face it may be.
'Oh,' Isshin realized something. Suddenly, it all made sense. It was never just friendship between them, or at least, it was not just friendship that Ichigo feels towards the girl. Had things been different and less grim, Isshin would have teased and goaded that idiotic son of his to confess, but…but things are grim. Thus, Isshin would have to have a talk with his son. No, he and Masaki would talk to Ichigo in the earnest and most careful way possible. Isshin would surely like it if he was not the possible recipient of that punch that that boy is itching to shoot.
This time, he and Masaki would be the parents that they should have been to their son.
On the other hand, Isshin also came up with the conclusion to visit the Shiba Residence. As one of the former Noble Houses, the Shiba Clan boasts a large number of scrolls and tomes dating to ancient times. Granted, the majority of the records are about making fireworks, but it would not hurt to try. Maybe, something could be of help there to finally awaken Inoue. Besides, it is now time to meet Kukaku and Ganju Shiba. No sense in delaying the inevitable.
In terms of its status as a Noble House, it would be prudent to clarify how the Clan's dynamics will be, once he officially reveals himself. He will be reestablishing the house, but not as part of the aristocracy. Though, he is not averse to the idea of using it as an excuse to further his cause.
He would reopen the Clan so as to give shelter to Masaki and Ryuken's wife Katagiri. He would also ask Sado and Inoue if they have some relatives in the Rukongai Districts. If they have, he would extend an invitation. It will be a haven that would allow the people from the World of the Living to finally connect with their loved ones here in Soul Society.
'Perhaps, Kuchiki Byakuya could be of help as well,' Isshin mused. The Sixth Division Captain might as well be itching in his bum, blue-blood ass to showcase his magnanimity and gratitude should Isshin mention that it is for the benefit of the person that brought Lady Hisana Kuchiki back to life.
Next, Isshin has also resolved to go back to the World of the Living. As a responsible adult and a loving father, he cannot just sit idly here in Soul Society as his two precious daughters were left unattended back at home. Masaki would cane his behind should he fail this very important duty.
"Haaaa," Isshin droned on, exhaling as if all of the thinking had drained him of all his energy. 'How on Earth would I tell Yuzu and Karin about their Mom?' he mused.
Honestly, he did not know how his twins would react to this fact. And Isshin also does not even know where to begin his explanation with all these talks of the afterlife and Shinigamis, and wars fought between races. He could only sigh in exasperation.
Click. The door opened to reveal Masaki. She was wiping her brow with a white towel. She was also wearing the traditional garment of the Shinigami, her hair in a ponytail. She was bouncing in her step, smiling and twirling as she closed the distance between them.
"Well," Isshin placed his hand at the small of her back as a gesture of a gentle hug. He placed a tender kiss upon her lips and greeted her. "How was research and training?"
After the failed experiment that the kids conducted hours ago, Ryuken's son asked the other Quincies present – Ryuken himself, Katagiri-san, and Masaki – to convene and research. Uryuu's plan consists of going back to the Schatten Bereich , the Shadow Realm hidden within the shadows of Soul Society. The kid said that there is a library in one of the buildings remaining in that city, and there could be something there that may be remotely capable of explaining Inoue Orihime's affliction
Masaki readily agreed, perhaps a bit too enthusiastic. Isshin guessed that this might just be because she was excited to see the rich culture of her people, built for hundreds of years. She also mentioned that she wanted to stretch her muscles through having a mock fight with Ryuken.
"Hmmm," Masaki's voice brought him back to the present. Her brows scrunched for a moment, as she considered the question. The action brought an even wider smile on Isshin's lips.
"It was good. Weird…but good," Masaki replied.
"Weird but good?" he repeated.
"Yeahhh…" she drawled as if she was confused even by her own answer. "The Heilig Pfeil arrows…I have never felt them so powerful before. It was like there's a weight to them this time. I am also having difficulty drawing the Spirit Bows…like the reishi that comprised the bows are fighting against my control."
Isshin cocked an eyebrow. That was interesting. It is not that he does not believe Masaki. He knew that when she felt something weird, then there was something that was truly out of place. This trait of hers has always been with her, and has been magnified when she became a mother.
"It's like they're alive," Masaki concluded, her eyes staring at nothing.
"I believe you. But the sensation that you are describing is how we Shinigami feel whenever our Zanpakutou Spirits were too stubborn to cooperate," Isshin chuckled. "You don't think you're developing a Zanpakutou Spirit now that you're a fully-fledged soul?"
"I know that that's possible, but…we, Quincies have a natural – almost instinctive – aversion towards becoming a Shinigami. I think it's part of the genetic memory passed over by the Quincy progenitor. It would take a lot of training for our souls to turn from Quincy to a Shinigami."
"So it's not a Zanpakuto Spirit making its presence known?"
"No. It's not," Masaki supplied. A few seconds later, she shook her head as if she was ready to move on to another topic. "So, what's worrying you?"
"I can never keep something from you, no?" Isshin chuckled.
Masaki just gave him a look.
"Figures," Isshin relented, sighing loudly. "Our dear boy…I'm worried about Ichigo."
Masaki's eyes turned from mischievous to anxious in less than a split second. "What? Why? What do you mean?"
"He's been worried sick about his girl friend."
"Don't you mean girlfriend . Not just a friend that happens to be a girl," Masaki tried to clarify. "Seriously, honey. You can use the g-word. Sheesh!"
Isshin shook his head. "Um, no. Inoue Orihime is not Ichigo's girlfriend. I cannot believe that our son has less game than I did."
Masaki chuckled slightly. "Anyway, what do you mean by worried sick ?"
"He's not eating properly. He's not resting as he should. He's always standing guard over the girl. It's like he's punishing himself over what happened to his friend who happens to be a girl."
"Should we have a talk with him, then?"
"I thought as well," Isshin agreed. "Okay. Once Ichigo has cleared his mind after his walk, let's call for him, then. Agreed?"
"You got it, boss," Masaki grinned. "We're a team, right? Should we also discuss the birds and the bees while we're at it?"
Isshin choked on his own saliva. "I think that might be too much for the poor boy," Isshin coughed a few times to clear his throat before matching the grin of his wife. "Let's!"