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| False Light of the Four Gods by: Asurahime |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chapter 9- The Forgotten Virtues of Mankind | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse continued to walk away from the rest of the seishi. Doing all of this was like killing the lamia or the dullahan. She doesn't want to do it, but it must be done or else someone will get hurt. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -But does that mean that you have to keep running away from who you were? I know that they have told you that you are the Priestess of Suzaku. I knew that you'll find out sooner or later. I just wished that it wouldn't be this soon.- said Asura. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The girl's eyes were glazed over, but there were no tears. "Why didn't you tell me that I'm who they're fighting about?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -..... I didn't want to see you as you are right now. You have the ability to shut off all of your emotions from the rest of the world. I didn't want to hurt you.- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I know that you meant well, but what am I going to do now?? Am I a Seiryuu Seishi, or am I the Priestess of Suzaku, or a bizarre mixture of both?" asked the girl as she headed for the Seiryuu shrine. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -... I don't know. All I know is that you are my mistress, now and in another life.- responded the sword. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse stopped dead on her tracks. "I just figured out a couple of things, Asura." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -What?- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "So that is why we couldn't summon Seiryuu the first chance we got. That's why they said that one of the seishi had a corrupted sign." whispered the blue-haired seishi. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -Yes, that is true. What is your other revelation??- asked the sword as it glowed a steady red. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse brought the sword's blade to the level of her eyes. "Why do you keep saying that I am your 'mistress' in this life and another life?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -That is because.... be.. cause.... damn!!!- screamed Asura. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "What's wrong?" asked the girl as she reached to doors of the shrine. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -I can't tell you.- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opening the doors to the shrine, she entered quietly. "And why not??" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -I would gladly tell you, but I am under a contract. I can't say anything... literally.- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Oh. I understand." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As she entered the shrine, Azeruse instantly sensed that she wasn't alone. Someone or something was watching her every move like a lion stalking its prey. She knew that if she panicked right now, it might be something that will move in for the kill. Instead, she opened her mind and let her ki focus on the primary target. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Something is here, I can feel it!!, thought Azeruse. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -Don't let down your guard!!-, advised the sword as the girl nodded. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Her ki touched the walls and the tapestries and the water fountains of the sanctuary. They couldn't read anything foreign, and all they could feel was the cold stillness and the blue aura of Seiryuu. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse looked around. She could feel the aura of the entity just drown out everything else. Focusing her mind's eye, she found her target. The target was the statue itself. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A similar aura as before appeared before the statue and solidified into a blue dragon. Approaching the girl, the dragon transformed into a tall, silver haired man in armor. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse looked at the man once and knelt down on the floor, as if her energy was being drained out of her. "What's going on..." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -My dear, you have served me well. Better than most of my other seishi. Your nature didn't change as I though it would... and now is the time to make you complete.- said the being. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You... you're Seiryuuseikun, aren't you?? Please, tell me who I really am.", begged the girl as she fell on the ground. A red light was suddenly blazing from a character from her forehead. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Seiryuuseikun looked at the girl struggling bravely on the floor and his expression softened. It was hard to get on his good side, he knew, but this girl has gotten his good graces and protection without even trying. He lifted her up off the floor and kissed her forehead. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse barely felt the god's image kiss her character. What she felt was an overwhelming sense of coldness which filled her body and was throwing her into unconsciousness. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -I have to return your memory for now. My dear, you will be mine. No one will be able to stop the conversion from happening. My beloved seishi, stay as you are, and summon me into reality. I will then give you the power to change the world to suit my purposes. You beloved, shall be my daughter, and will be able to calm my thirst for battle at last.- whispered Seiryuuseikun as he set her down gently on the floor. -My only daughter....- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ~*~*~*~*~ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -Azeruse... awaken!! Your obligation to Suzaku has been ended... from now on, you are no longer Miaka, Priestess of Suza...- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Rekka Shinen!!!" cried Tasuki as he once again sketched an arc with his tessen. It appears to be that it was Seiryuuseikun who had lifted Azeruse. For some reason, when the flames reached the statue of Seiryuu, his human figure became visible, holding the girl in his arms gently. "Let Azeruse go!!" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -No. There is no more 'Miaka' in this world if you would be interested to know. Only Azeruse, my daughter remains.- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki waved his tessen angrily. "How in the hell did you get her? They haven't summoned you yet!!" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -Foolish mortal!! This is not my true body. This is only an illusion that I have created through my spirit. Listen well, it would be best if you stay away from my final seishi, for she does not need the likes of you to twist her mind. Before, I had thought of her as an enemy; now, she is more important to me than the rest of my seishi and miko combined.-, said the illusion as he traced the outlines of Azeruse's face, smiling softly. -She would have been complete had you not interfered. But no matter, she is still my seishi, and she will always be my seishi.- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki rushed forward and fell, for he wasn't allowed in. "No matter what ya fuckin' say, I will protect her. And whoever is the fuckin' bastard; be it a god or an ogre, if he makes her cry, I'll give even my life to make sure he doesn't get away alive!!" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -Try your worst, mortal. You still have much to learn...- the illusion of Seiryuuseikun smiled darkly as he carefully placed the girl on the stone floor, kissed her forehead and vanished. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ~*~*~*~*~ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse woke up and looked around her. Seeing the crimson blade still strapped on her back and feeling the silver circlet on her forehead, she was struck with confusion at her current situation. Moving to her right, she gazed into a pool of water and saw her reflection. When she saw herself, she was bewildered, for it was not her exactly. She had the same blue hair, same clothing, Asura was still over her right shoulder; but one thing didn't fit the picture at all. Her eyes were an emerald color. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A sharp pain flooded into her mind when she was that her eyes were no longer the corundum-blue color that they were before. Strange images floated into her mind that she didn't know about before. A red phoenix, a book, a library, and another girl with red hair. As the agony lessened, she fell to the floor, breathing hard. It was not because of the pain at all anymore... but..... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I remember now... everything. Minna, gomenasai... demo, do I belong with Suzaku or with Seiryuu? No, I still belong with Seiryuu.... now... Tamahome. I don't feel the way I used to about you anymore. Seiryuuseikun only let me recover my memories, but he didn't change my personality at all. What happened to my eyes? They still have the amber lights, but weren't they blue? ....That isn't important now. I am of Seiryuu at this time, but... why does it hurt so much when I think about what I have to do. I have to pretend not to have recovered my memories, it'll be better that way. Minna, I want to protect you... I what to protect those who I hold dearest. But how can I help when I don't even have the power to stop this fighting. I don't understand anymore... love, courage, hope... what are these?? To learn I have to move on with my life... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse heard a faint voice calling out her name... Tasuki. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| She turned around and saw him trembling on the floor at the center of the Seiryuu Shrine. "Tasuki!! What are you doing here?! You know that the servants of Suzaku aren't allowed in this sanctuary!!" That is probably another indication that I am still of Seiryuu. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki cracked an eye open and saw a red and blue figure with wide green and amber eyes. He tried to get up, but it was in vain as he fell down again. Just before he hit the floor, the being caught him and supported him out of the shrine. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Mi... aka? Is it you...?", asked Tasuki as he stood up shakily. His vision focused and he saw Azeruse, eyes filled with worry, and for the first time, crystal clear. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "What's wrong?" he saw that she was not listening to him. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The girl looked down and refused to meet his eyes. "Tasuki.... I'm not Miaka anymore." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You got your memory back..." Tasuki felt a cold chill run down his spine when he heard those few words. He gripped Azeruse's chin quickly and firmly as he forced her to meet his eyes, to his complete surprise, he saw that her eyes were green. Then a heartbeat later, they were drained of their color and turned blue. "It doesn't matter who you are... to me, I will keep my promise and protect you." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A fiery line was running a trail down Azeruse's face from her wide blue/amber eyes She tried to break away from him and to draw Asura to fend him off, but he was thinking more clearly and drew his tessen. Without another word, he knocked the scarlet sword out of her hands. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The girl looked on as her sword sailed about ten feet away from her. She focused her gaze on Tasuki once again and started backing away from him to retrieve Asura. "Tasuki... you mustn't tell the others. I'm not Suzaku no Miko anymore. I am a Seiryuu Seishi now- your enemy!!" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki embraced her and without another word kissed her gently. The kiss was very gentle and innocent, just skin touching on skin, but that was more than enough to cause electricity to run through Tasuki's body. He has sworn to protect her, only to her did he make that promise. Therefore, he will remain to keep her safe. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse tried to break away; but Tasuki's grip was too strong, and without her sword, or at least her arms free, there was nothing she could do. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soon Tasuki stopped kissing her, but he didn't let go of her altogether. "I'm sorry... ... I couldn't control myself." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse looked up at him, he eyes bright with unshed tears. "I don't know who I am anymore, you are still saying that you'd protect me?? I don't understand you." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki grinned at her, showing both his fangs. "Azeruse-chan, no one understands me. Not even that cat of Mitsukake." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The girl thought back at what the cat did before when he turned into an SD Tasuki and then shook his head. Finally figuring it out, she had to smile. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The red-haired boy wiped away the tears that escaped from her eyes, but then he saw the girl smile. "There, that's much better now!! Don't cry or else I have to kick someone's a... er, don't cry because you look much better if you smile." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse broke into a full smile and hugged the boy. "Thanks Tasuki, I feel much better. You're like my brother, you know?" Tasuki let go of her and pointed to himself. "Me? Your brother? All right then!! Call me 'onii-chan' then!! It'll be the first time I actually have an imouto-chan now!!!" At least she and I are closer now, I'll take care of the rest of this later. |
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| The girl then got back her sword and resheathed it. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -I don't appreciate being hit by an iron fan... but I get really ticked off when an impudent, red-haired seishi kisses my wielder!! And then after that he says, 'call me 'onii-chan'!!!- , screamed Asura to Azeruse. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse smiled faintly at her sword as her character started to glow blue. I don't understand you... what are you going to do? Stab yourself into my onii-chan? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -That's one way of doing it... did you just call him 'onii-chan'??- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse turned back to face Tasuki, who was now her brother. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "We should go back Onii-chan, the others will be worried, and I am hungry.", smiled Azeruse. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki grinned back as he resheathed his tessen. "Hai, Aze-chan." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As the girl led the red-haired seishi back into the palace, she took a glance back at the Seiryuu Shrine. She narrowed her eyes in confusion when she saw a dark figure move stealthily from within. I must be seeing things... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -You've yet to do that, 'Aze-chan.'- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse choked when she heard the sword's sardonic reply. But she and Tasuki resumed their trek. I guess so, but... just maybe... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ~*~*~*~*~ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| When Azeruse finally got back to her room, she ws so tired that she didn't even bother changing clothes, but still remembered to unstrap Asura. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To hell with grace, she thought, then she threw herself on her bed. Studying her room, she began to feel out of place when she realized that the room was in red, so she snapped her fingers, drew upon her ki and changed the color of some tapestries to turn them blue. -I really shouldn't have used my ki for such petty reasons, but too late now. I wonder what they'll say... I'm the Priestess of Suzaku and a Seiryuu Seishi. I'm just so... confused. At least I have a brother now.- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As Azeruse unsheathed Asura, her door suddenly burst open to reveal a breathless Amiboshi. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amiboshi surveyed to room until he saw Azeruse sitting on the bed with her naked sword in her hands. He looked at her face and saw that she was frowning. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "A-Azeruse-san... where were you?? I came to apologize about before." asked Amiboshi as he approached the girl. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "There is such a thing as knocking, my friend.", smiled the blue-eyed seishi. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "S.. sorry. Are you all right?" asked the flutist, worry plain on his face. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I'm fine. I am still of Seiryuu..." I have regained my memory, but not my being. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -Lady, stop saying that!! Stop trying to think so negatively and realize for yourself that you have a life to live!!!- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Amiboshi, I forgive you. Can you please leave me alone for now?" begged Azeruse as tears started to fall. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Azeruse, can't I do anything?" asked Amiboshi as he approached her. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse whipped her sword to lie on the base of Amiboshi's throat. Time suddenly stood still as the boy and the girl stared the other down. The loudest noise in the room was Azeruse's labored breathing as she tried to stay calm and her sword steady. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I will not leave you." whispered Amiboshi. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The girl glared and removed Asura from the base of his throat. As she turned away, she quickly cut a clean butterfly sweep with the crimson sword at Amiboshi. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| _~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preview of Chapter 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Resolution Before the Blaze of Battle | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Of all things that Tasuki hated, being uncomfortable in silence has a place near the top. He couldn't bear to see his 'younger sister unhappy, so he turned and wrapped both arms around her, resting his chin in her hair, and trying to forget about tomorrow. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Nii-chan, what are we going to do? I don't want to have to fight against you-- guys." Azeruse's eyes were dark with despair, she almost told him that it was she that he was going up against. She would be even more forlorn than she is now if he was to learn about their fight before the battlefield; she knew that he would hold back, and she knew that she will also if his attacks are half-hearted. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki sighed, he didn't really want to answer her question, he didn't want her to know the actual hopelessness of the situation. "Aze-chan, don't give up. I don't give a damn if you are a Seiryuu Seishi; you still mean more to me than anyone else in this fuckin' world." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chapter Notes: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wai!! I loved writing that chapter!! The next chapter's gonna be even better! Such WAFF inside... it reminds me of Ildon * wipes evil grin off her face *. Hee, sorry about that... it's just because Ildon from SaGa Frontier is so cool, looks like a vampire, green hair, and se.... * slaps self *. I should take Sariel's advice and get a good shrink. Man! Alright, people * finally *, the next chapter's the.... no, I won't say it, it'll be a spoiler if I did. So sorry.... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disclaimers: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full list of disclaimers @ the Introductions. I'll take a couple of people's advice and begin writing the next chapter rather than waste time making cheap jokes... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho^^Chapter Eight^^Chapter Ten | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||