Sixteenth
Chapter
The Real Enemy
"SO WHAT
YOU'RE saying is, it's not really my brother who is causing all this but his
alternate personality."
"Yes."
"This
alter-ego of his-"
Botan listened
half attentively as Koenma explained the situation. She herself knows all
these already, perhaps even more than what the prince is aware of.
She knows he's not telling his half-sister the whole truth: the fact
that she is the daughter of Enma, too; that all these resulted from an
illegitimate affair of the king of Reikai and a daughter of the clan of
Grey; that this is the fulfillment of a curse.
Botan clutched
at Koenma more tightly. They had landed on the valley below the mountain
range and had to go on foot from then on.
The two blue bloods have been supporting her all the way. Ironic
isn't it? She leaned more on Koenma since he is a man and is presumably
(hopefully) stronger.
It was
impossible to stay aloft at the state of things what with the thick snowfall
and all. The weather has really worsened after the last hour. The overcast
sky is now invisible because of the heavy snowfall. Anytime soon, this may
become a full-blown blizzard.
The trees are
thinner down here and there is a great deal more light available. It is hard
to find shelter, however. There are fewer evergreens here to shield the
ground from the snow. There are mostly deciduous trees in that area. Their
bare branches, of course, could offer no protection.
"So where
are we heading for right now?" asked Masago presently.
"There's a
Reikai outpost out here somewhere," answered Koenma. Then, under his
breath he muttered. "I'm just not sure where exactly."
"But Ieyasu-"
"Ieyasu
should be in the embassy. That's rather far from here. It's in the
capital."
Should be,
thought Masago. We can never be sure. She held her tongue, however.
They would just have to take the risk.
They continued
their voyage silently. Masago waited expectantly during each break of
quietness. She was hoping either one of the two would break the ice and
clarify their feelings for each other. But of course, with her hanging
around, it's probably too much to hope for.
"Oh
look," said Koenma after another fifteen minutes trek. "There it
is."
So it is. A
broken down log cabin loomed before them. It wasn't much but its yellow glow
promised a cackling fire, hot drinks, and soft seats. In fact, there's the
welcome party.
Then again, they
aren't so welcoming. Soon enough, seemingly hostile soldiers of Reikai SWAT
surrounded them, forming a chain of powerful warriors around them.
Presently, the door of the shack swung open.
"Well,
well," said a voice from within. "Welcome, o Prince to your soon
to be humble abode."
"Ieyasu-niisan,"
gasped Masago.
"That name
is nice Lady Yoshio but I prefer being addressed as Doom."
"Listen,"
whispered Koenma. "I'll take out these guys and then you two can make a
run for it. I'll try to restrain the mastermind as long as I can. You guys
try to ask help from Atsumori."
"But-"
protested Botan.
"No butts.
Masago, take care of Botan."
"Yes, but
this is Doom a.k.a. S-class avenging demon in the body of my brother a.k.a.
Reikai Elite Force Academy Valedictorian Class 200. Are you sure-" said
Masago.
"Of course,
trust me. I didn't expect you to even defend yourself a while ago. I believe
I can manipulate my powers as well, if not better, than you."
"Suit
yourself. Be careful."
"Koenma-sama,
I--" Botan attempted to say but Koenma had already faced Doom once
more.
"So you've
finally shown yourself, Doom," he said. "You are aware that I'm
here to stop you."
"You can't
do that," replied Doom. "I already know of your plan. D'you
actually think leaping on one of these warriors will give enough space and
time for these girls to escape? You are pitiful."
"Of course,
I know that would be futile, which is why I prepared this
especially for you!"
A blinding
yellow green light flashed from the prince and the accompanying energy threw
everyone back. The two girls, who had protected themselves by a force field,
took the initiative to run.
"After
them," ordered Doom as he quickly recovered. "Remember, touch not
a single hair on their heads."
The SWAT
warriors, who took longer time for recovery, flew off.
"You
shouldn't under estimate me," said Koenma quietly, wearing an ominous
smile. "After all, the prince of Reikai can't be as weak as he appears.
Besides, where else would the Fuumakan get its power?"
"You boast
of that pacifier's power?" said Doom with a laugh. "Let me remind
you. It did nothing against Sensui and he's human.
"And you're
youkai," quipped Koenma triumphantly. "Exactly what the Fuumakan
is made for."
"Am
I?" Doom took out a dagger and etched a gash across his own face.
"To my knowledge, the ruling class of Reikai isn't youkai."
"Don't do that!"
snapped Koenma angrily.
"I'll do
whatever I want. This body is mine."
"Not if I
could help it." Spiritual energy began to gather around both of them.
"You
can't"
"We'll
see."
MASAGO CAREFULLY
AIMED at the soldier from behind the thick trunk of the pine.
"Miss
Masago?" questioned Botan.
"Shhh…"
she answered. "Sniping requires concentration. Besides, I've never done
this before."
"But you
have no weapon. How-"
"Just you
wait!" Teeth gritted, she released the energy that accumulated on her
palm.
BOOM!!!
"AHHH!"
Masago was
thrown back by the force she released. She landed a few paces from her
original position face first.
"Miss
Masago!" Botan rushed at her side.
Masago lifted
her face from the ground, coughing.
"I swear, I
would never try such a thing again," she said, panting.
"Wow,"
said Botan, eyes widening. "I never thought you had powers, too. I
mean, I do, too, but it's not sufficient for combat."
"I had
never been given formal training for its usage but having two powerful
brothers does have its advantages. Ouch, ow, ow, ouch."
"What about
Koenma-sama?"
"Well, just
have to trust him, I guess."
"What if
the SWAT finds us?"
"They
won't. Atsumori did teach me how to produce force fields resistant to their
powers."
"Resistant?"
"Yes.
Unfortunately, only resistant. Don't worry. It'll probably take a while
before those guys recover."
"I hope so.
Be careful,
Koenma-sama,
she thought.
SPIRITUAL ENERGY
AGAINST spiritual energy clashed and exploded with unimaginable power. The
earth reverberated with each impact and the strain of the non-stop snowstorm
launched an avalanche.
The combatants
faced each other panting a tad dismally. None had been too pleased to
discover that their attacks merely cancelled the effects of each other and
created equal damage to both parties. No surprise. Same blood courses
through their veins. Same training shaped them up since childhood.
"Not
bad," said Doom. "You'll have to do better."
Not bad, indeed.
Considering Ieyasu is a trained warrior, and, as Masago mentioned, a
topnotcher in military school with his body and reflexes sharpened by
experience and vigorous training, Doom certainly has the edge. Koenma, on
the otherhand, has spent all his time in the past sitting in his office,
straining his eyes, stretching the gray matter of his brain and generally
keeping his claws off the martial and physical rigors of his responsibility.
He relied solely on the Tantei for that.
Now is
different. There is no Reikai Tantei. There is no one around to help him.
There's no back available behind which he can hide right now. He is on his
own.
Strange,
he contemplated as he struggled to catch his breath. He could defeat me
easily if we go mano e mano. He knows I won't dare fight him face to
face. He knows I can't bear to hurt my brother's body directly. Besides,
with these spindly arms, I can't do much with my fists. Perhaps, Ieyasu
retains some control of himself.
"Ieyasu!"
he yelled aloud. "I know you're in there. Break free."
"You know
it's futile, Koenma," answered Doom. "You'd have to fight me
seriously."
"What is it
you really want?"
"Do you
have to ask?"
"Obviously,
yes. I don't know."
"It's quite
simple. It's the fulfillment of my destiny. "
"What?
Why?"
"There is
no personal reason. Simply that it is my duty to punish the crimes against
the natural order. Long, long ago, two families brought the worlds to its
knees. When they were defeated, the cosmos decided to prevent ultimate
domination from occurring again. Thus, the curse and I came to existence.
You are exempted from this. After all, you are a victim yourself. But you
just had to interfere."
"I don’t
understand."
"You have
no need for understanding. A curse is a curse."
"Then why
did you involve Botan here?"
"You'll
find out soon enough. As for the other girl, she, too, is to be slaughtered
as punishment for the royal clan's sins."
"NO!"
"Then you
have to choose," boomed Doom maniacally. "Your sister or
brother?"
MASAGO PEERED
OUT anxiously through the force field that gave them both security by being
a barrier and a mask of their presence. Thankfully, it also emits a small
amount of heat, which helps a little.
The girl
worriedly felt Botan's forehead. It's very hot with fever.
This is bad,
Masago thought. Nightfall is nearing. She won't survive the cold of the
night. We have to get out of here!
"Miss
Masago," the invalid spoke with much effort. "I-"
"Shhh…"
The other protested. "Save your strength." She removed her cloak
and tucked Botan in the best she could. She began to rub two stones together
on a pile of pine needles.
"Listen."
Botan tried again.
"Talk
later!" Worry made Masago ornery.
"There
might be no later."
Masago gasped.
"What?"
"I want you
to go for help. Master Atsumori can't possibly be an enemy now. They should
be able to help Koenma-sama. They may even have the Heir of Althea with
them."
"But… I
can't leave you! Koenma specifically told me to guard you."
"The sooner
the Althea finishes the sacrifice, the sooner I'd get some help."
Masago gazed at
Botan's eyes. "Just promise me you won't get out of this force
field."
"I promise.
Would you be able to ride my oar?"
Masago gulped.
"I'll try."
"Okay, I'll
summon it."
"There.
I've finished your fire."
"Take your
cloak."
"No."
Masago was adamant. "I'll manage. Be careful."
"Be
careful, too."
Masago hugged
Botan tightly. Then she went her way.
"Goodbye,"
murmured Botan. "And I'm sorry……."