by: Asurahime
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| False Light of the Four Gods by: Asurahime |
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| Chapter 11- A True Heir of Fire and Ice | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The land spread out below them like a patternless sea of color and life, intertwining and meshing against itself like waves. Not once does it ever look the same as it did a moment before. The night clambered on like a mist beginning to besiege a land, hiding what things truly are and weaving a blanket of illusion. An mirage which foretell the suffering and guilt which will occur in the morning. Although, the haze won't last, and the sun will shine again-- but to a day of happiness, or a day of grief? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse knew that the next morning, the last morning, she would not ask; and in the last two days when she could have, she had not thought to. And this gave her the bitter pang of parting. The girl got up and turned to face the red-haired seishi. She also knew that it will be a miracle if they ever fought together again, so she gazed at him, memorizing him. By this would she be able to draw out his likeness in her mind at any time until the miracle should ever take place. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The blue-haired seishi was grateful for a moonless night, that she might weep her heart out and Tasuki not see. She refocused her eyes on the horizon and listened to the sound of the sky turning overhead, the fiery vision has darkened to the color of the shadow of death. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I must go.", Azeruse said lifelessly, choking back the sobs which threatened to betray her feigned coldness. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki nodded. "We will meet again tomorrow." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| She almost could not say the words. "Please take care, my brother." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oh gods... "Yes. Please go quickly, for I can't bear this.", Tasuki didn't have as much control as the girl and his voice was soft and breaking. He couldn't meet Azeruse's eyes, but he kissed her forehead in a gesture of parting. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Without another word, Azeruse ran to the edge of the roof, put a hand on a post to steady herself, and viciously lung herself off the roof and on to the walkway. Long after Azeruse was out of sight and hearing range, Tasuki got off the roof. He barely was able to walk three steps before he sank to the floor in tears. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ~*~*~*~*~ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Why do we have to do this? They aren't bad people!! Those are the kind of people who actually do something unjust and not fell a shred of guilt or compassion! Is that what they, or we are??" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The other six members of the Seiryuu Shichiseishi were startled by the sudden, savage outburst of a blue-haired young girl as she burst into the Seiryuu Shrine. They didn't have to look twice to know that Azeruse was enraged, and her body feverish with anger towards the day of judgment which is tomorrow. Her ki has already gone past the level in which her control can last, and the excess covered her figure like a second skin of blue light. But what drew the other's gazes was the character shooting off beams instead of flashes of light, and Azeruse's eyes which became the darkest of blue with bubbles of emerald breaking on the surface. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tomo regained his senses first and put a hand on the seventh seishi's shoulder. "For what it's worth Azeruse, I am not looking forward to the sunrise tomorrow either. I know that the Suzaku Seishi aren't evil; nothing in this world can be classified as evil unless they are as you described." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse fought to regain control of her ki, which was threatening to fry all who came near her. Finding that control was hard to achieve, the girl settled for desperate measures. To everyone's surprise, she unsheathed Asura and gripped the razor sharp blade with her unprotected left hand. Pain immediately rushed from the fresh wound on her hand and balanced out her ki by lowering her life force. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Please understand Azeruse, it is our destiny to fight against them. We didn't choose to be born as member of the Seiryuu Seven; it was just the work of fate." Nakago ran a hand through the girl's hair. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All of a sudden, Yui entered the room. Apparently, she heard the entire conversation. "But, fate isn't always so final Azeruse." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Suboshi caught his Ryuuseisui in mid-air and stared at his priestess. "What do you mean Yui-sama?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ashitare was oblivious to what the others were saying. He didn't really care, because he was only trained to search and destroy. He did know one thing; ever since that strange, blue-haired girl appeared, no one has inflicted any pain upon him. She even smiled at him and risked her life to save them. For the first time ever in his life, Ashitare smiled without malice. Taking a look at the girl, he noticed that there was a suspicious red flow originating from Azeruse's hand. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soi looked at Yui and Azeruse. She looked back at what has happened in the past and shook her head sadly when she came upon the only possible answer. "She means that before, it was fate that decided that Yui-sama and the Priestess of Suzaku were going to be on opposite sides. Then, something intervened with the balance of the four gods and that resulted in Suzaku no Miko's conversion into the Seventh Seiryuu Seishi." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The green-haired flutist jumped with a start when Ashitare ripped off a piece of material from his cloak and approached Azeruse. "Ashitare!! What do you think you are doing?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The wolf-man didn't answer him, but just took Azeruse's blood-red sword away from her as he gave the cloth to Tomo. "That's enough healer!! Save your blood for more important things." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Wait! What are you going to do with Asura?!" Azeruse reached her injured hand towards the sword, but Tomo drew it back and quickly tried to stop the flow of blood. To Amiboshi's dismay, Ashitare grabbed the rest of his over-garment and began to clean the blood off of the crimson blade. The half-wolf was used to blood, but this was the first time he didn't want to see it at all. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Don't worry about your sword healer; you have to deal with healing yourself now.", the illusionist removed the compress and let Azeruse use her ki to close the wound. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The girl sighed. "I understand." Then, she held out her bloody left hand, palm up, and placed her right index and middle fingers over the deep, razor-thin cut. From there, she closed her eyes and called upon her healing skill to re-knit what has been cleaved by her weapon. Her character 'light' once again appeared with an intense blue light as the blood ceased to stream from the gash. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Everyone breathed sighs of relief except of Nakago and Amiboshi. They could tell that there was something wrong with Azeruse that she is not letting on. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I guess we should all turn in for the night. Tomorrow.... just, don't think about tomorrow... Oyasumi nasai." Yui said that and left the Seiryuu Shrine. The other followed until only Nakago and Amiboshi were left. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amiboshi looked outside the shrine and stared back at Nakago. "Nakago-sama, is there something wrong with Azeruse? I mean, physically except for that injury she received, she was fine. Do you think it was just my mind playing tricks on me when I saw that her ki--" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "-- was crimson? No, your eyes weren't playing tricks on you, because I also saw it as clear as day. There's no doubt about it.", said Nakago as he headed for the door. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "No doubt about what?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "No doubt that something happened that day when she went off by herself. She's incomplete, Amiboshi. More so than she used to be. Azeruse's physical appearance and power is obviously granted by Seiryuu----- but...." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amiboshi's face reflected only confusion as Nakago turned back to face him. "But what is wrong with her, Nakago-sama?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Her true strength, the strength that comes from her heart remains Suzaku's. She belongs and is indebted to both gods, Amiboshi. And unless fate is once again disrupted..... Azeruse will always be as she is right now. She'll always be at only half herself." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The flutist hissed inwardly and ran off to find the girl. Nakago started to retire, but he took one last glance back at the Seiryuu Shrine and saw a blue-haired girl standing before the altar. Smiling, he continued on his way. Hopefully, you will have a happy ending, Suzaku no Miko. I won't live to see it, but I know that by looking at how you live your life; we managed to improve our own greatly. Who would have thought that some people still retain that ability?.... But for now; onegai, ki o tsukete... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ~*~*~*~*~ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse looked up at the altar of Seiryuu and sat down on the floor. The others may not know about her current situation, but she is well aware that the two rivaling gods still have a claim on her. She also knew that she will kill herself before ever willingly take another's life; especially someone who Azeruse cared about and also loved her equally. Now, she only has one request. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| She walked to the steps leading to the shrine and closed her eyes. "Seiryuu, Suzaku... please my fathers... come to me now." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The illusions of a phoenix and a dragon appeared before her. They smiled at the girl, then glared angrily at the other. Each of them were stubborn, and they knew they will not let the other have their way, for the girl is important in different ways. Everyone is drawn to her like a moth drawn to a brilliant flame. Like a flame, she is a gift sent from heaven to help others light up their futures, she is both dangerous and life-giving. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -You!! Seiryuu, it was you who did this to my priestess!! Why? By the Four Gods of Sky and Earth, why did you have to do this to her?-, asked Suzaku. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Seiryuu came between the girl and the phoenix. -Do not trifle with Azeruse, Suzaku!! She is now my daughter and you will stay away from her. Your claim on her is null and void... she belongs to me.- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -Seiryuu, her power may come from you; but her heart's strength is also relative to what I represent!! Her truthfulness, benevolence, and self-sacrifice has originated from my will and her soul.- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse drew Asura and slashed upwards rapidly to keep the two from starting a battle. They may be illusions with no direct influence in the real world, but that won't stop them from harming each other. "Please, stop! This isn't why I asked you to appear before me. I just have a request." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Suzaku and Seiryuu stared back at her. They'd never thought that she would ever ask anything of them; as if she almost liked doing things for herself. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Suzaku asked first. -And what may your request be?- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Seiryuu added. -I am sorry Azeruse, but we cannot guarantee the life of anyone... not even yours. Even us gods have to follow such rules, for they are way beyond our control.- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse shook her head and sheathed Asura. "No, I am asking for you to cut off all my emotions for tomorrow." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -If we shut off your that ability of yours, then you...- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "If you don't, then I will hold back. I love Tasuki and I can't kill him, especially if he also holds back. If that happens, and it will; it will prove nothing to me... someone must triumph and someone must forfeit. I can't kill an innocent, and I will turn my sword upon myself if I should ever experience that." The blue-haired seishi looked up, and the two gods saw silver drops already coursing down her pale face. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -But don't you remember what you told the others? What if you do kill him?-, asked Suzaku, panicking. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "At least he won't be alone... I'll follow. Please do this or I will turn Asura to myself. There is no way out this time, but my request offers at least an illusion of hope." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -I won't be able to stop her, please! I have been given this second chance to serve my mistress, and I can't even tell her about the past... so please do it!! I'll take care of her on the battlefield.- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Suzaku and Seiryuu turned into their human figures and exchanged glances. They didn't have a choice. Seiryuuseikun and Suzakuseikun both kissed Azeruse's character then disappeared, leaving only one trace of what they have done. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Without a word, Azeruse and Asura went back to her room. When they reached their destination, Azeruse immediately approached her desk and turned the clear silver mirror to face her. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Tomorrow's the day Asura... our last few hours; compared to a hundred, hundred lifetimes..." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The girl raised her face to the mirror and saw one startling change: her eyes were a deep crimson, intensified by her blue hair. Not surprised, Azeruse unsheathed her beloved weapon and brought the flat blade of the sword to the level of her now, vermilion eyes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -No matter what happens, I will protect you.- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse took one last glance out of her window just before she sank into the peaceful abandon of sleep. "I know Asura... as soon as morning breaks... I..." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| _~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preview of Chapter 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| It's Just a Fading Dream | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki looked around him to see that everyone has fallen, struck down by their opponents attack. It made him uncomfortable to see that all were looking at him and his mysterious foe. He looked back at the figure in front of him and cringed when he felt a searing pain rush through his body. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| It can't end like this.... I won't let it.... Aze--- no..... I cannot die... not now... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| But it was too late, looking down, the red-haired seishi saw that he was impaled by a sword, crimson by nature, and crimson by the blood which stained the radiant surface. His blood. Falling to his knees, he looked up to his slayer; he saw nothing but emotionless vermilion eyes staring straight into his own. Trying to make out a feature more familiar, he took hold of the person's black cloak and slowly pulled it away. Strangely, he met no resistance as the person viciously pulled the sword out of his body and sped up the process of removing the disguise. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki fell to the floor with a strangled cry of pain, but he still managed to look up. Although, as soon as he did, he wished he could have been blind for the person who he loved most is the one who tore him apart.... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chapter Notes: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| WAAAA!!!! I am such a bad author!!! You guys don't like my stories?? I'll stop if you want me to.... *snow blows around Asurahime* I know that I shouldn't be selfish, but I have to come upon that idea, because I haven't been getting a lot of reviews lately. Or maybe it's my own fault.... I'm not updating as much as I should, but it can't be helped... my teachers at school are being evil and are making me memorize whole chapters from Tale of Two Cities.... sorry, I hope that I would be able to update more often, but please, please.... *gets down on her knees, and begs* Please review, flame, comment, anything!!! Or else I'll probably let my idiot brother convince me to discontinue writing this fic...... *cries* I don't want to , but I won't have a choice... *stops spazzing out* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disclaimers: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Standard disclaimers apply................................ bye..................... jaa mata ne........................... ki o tsukete!!! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho^^Chapter Ten^^Chapter Twelve | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||