From chinese translations done by Hinako.
Draft: Version 1 - final
Notes: translation-cum-summary notes; 和服 wafuku (Japanese clothing - kimono); 僧兵 souhei (warrior monk); 僧形 sougyou (the form of a Buddhist priest / priestly attire)
PS: do not distribute this without my permission
An outcry, like a mangled echo, resonating through the blaze and blood-tinted world.
At that moment, Takaya abandoned everything. Calling his name, Takaya hurried to Naoe's side and clasped his body.
"Naoe! Naoe!"
As soon as he held his body, blood began to emanate from his left chest, trickling onto the ground, as he heard the final cardiac beats. It was a clean shot through the heart. A large pool of blood had accumulated on the ground. Takaya shook Naoe's slightly convulsive body intensely, madly shouting unceasingly without regard for his own life.
"Naoe! Naoe! Naoe--!"
There was no answer.
His lips were quivering in shock. Naoe's limp body rested against his arm, his slightly-opened eyes looking out.
In that fleeting moment.
Their eyes met.
His lips trembled a little.
But that was the end.
Naoe's head rested on his arm, without any strength.
Then, a static silence.
All the muscles in his body relaxed, his strength faded.
"..."
Takaya's eyes widened. All thoughts came to halt. He only stared at Naoe who was dying. Closing his eyes, his face buried in Takaya's chest, Naoe drew his last breath. Terumoto, who had opened fire, was already dead from the violent recoil of the pistol.
But Takaya did not look at him. His arms felt heavy, holding on to the motionless body. Takaya's white wafuku was stained with Naoe's blood, gradually turning to a scarlet red.
Takaya remained stationary. He did not blink, his eyes transfixed on Naoe lying in his arms. His dry lips soundlessly called his name.
Naoe...
For 400 hundred years, he had called no one else's name as many times, and now he once again murmured repeatedly.
Takaya could no longer say anymore.
...Naoe... ...has been shot.
Shot... And then...
***
"Saburou-dono!"
A figure appeared from the flames, Kotarou had finally come. Upon seeing the form of Rairyu, Kotaro was alarmed and immediately raised his guard.
"Rairyu!"
"!"
Rairyu, who had been paying attention to Takaya, turned his head and swelled in power. Kotarou instantly prepared himself for an attack.
"Saburou-dono! Saburou...!"
Midway, Kotarou could not help but stop calling.
Takaya enfolded Naoe's body in a tight embrace. Holding him closely, holding him with every inch of his strength, desperately seeking for any sign of life from the body.
However, any small flicker of life no longer existed.
"Naoe--...!"
The words of sorrow that left Takaya's mouth stole away what fighting spirit there was between Rairyu and Kotarou. Takaya listlessly held on to Naoe's body that still had some semblance of warmth. Blood was still flowing out of the aperture in his left chest. Hearing the flow of liquid with the rusty smell of blood, Takaya mumbled once again.
"...Naoe..."
Takaya could not accept the fact of what had happened before his very eyes.
Only just a while ago was he relating his heart's intentions but now his lips could no longer move. Not even the smallest breath could be issued. Hoping that he would answer, Takaya gripped his languid fingers, but his body no longer exuded any hint of strength. Some warmth lingered in his body. But...
"..."
Takaya did not move. He remained motionless, as if staring into a void. So much that it made one wonder if his frozen predicament meant that he had forfeited his life, Takaya's entire body was locked in a rigid state.
Kotarou wanted to approach him. But in that moment, he heard Takaya murmur.
"...what... is this..."
Takaya's eyes were fully open and he mumbled in a hoarse voice.
"This... What is this..."
The heavy body that rested on his arm, the blood that stained his fingers bright-red, the sunken cheeks, the mouth slightly ajar, the unmoving eyelids, the hair...
"A nightmare--..."
Mumbling in a low voice, Takaya gazed at Naoe's face.
"Can I... wake up already?"
He uttered at the lips that no longer answered, the eyes that were no longer focused.
"I want to wake up from this sort of nightmare. Everything will be fine once I'm awake, right?
No matter how sincere or hopeful his query, there was no answer from the body.
"Naoe."
Takaya's expression crumbled into sadness as he cried out imploringly.
"Naoe--......"
Kotarou placidly regarded the two of them. Takaya held Naoe's head in a close embrace, gently rubbing his own cheeks against Naoe's warm face.
"Answer me, Naoe..."
By his ears, he begged with heartfelt intentions.
"I don't want to continue having this sort of nightmare. I want to wake up immediately. Naoe, come and save me. Take me with you... I want to wake up straightaway, quickly return to the reality of this world..."
The dry eyes did not blink.
"Return to the reality of this world..."
The last piece of warmth had left the body.
"Return..."
These closed eyes will never open again. The depth reflected in these eyes will never...
"A world... with you..."
Takaya's eyes gradually became moist. The spiritual vigor that had supported Takaya's life all this while could be heard collapsing. There was no reason or logic to be had, his entire spiritual constitution deteriorated into a cry of grief.
"Ah.....Ah.....!"
A mass of intense electrical energy erupted from Takaya's body. The high-voltage current extended in all four directions, tearing through in a chaotic manner.
"!"
The severe, haphazard discharge of power forced both Rairyu and Kotarou to shield their own bodies. Gusts of wind began to encircle the area, sweeping up the flames. A tremendous amount of energy progressively expanded from Takaya's body. It far exceeded the strength of a human - surpassing the limits of control, dangerous, ...powerful, a formidable force that could destroy everything.
"AHHH...AHHHH..."
Takaya could no longer control the fierce outburst of emotions.
"AHHHH!!!!"
Crying out with all of his feelings surging from within the depths of his soul, Takaya's body was falling into ruin with the explosive emission of energy.
(He's insane...!)
Kotarou, sensing the unprecedented danger at hand, could not help but shout out.
"Saburou-dono!"
That startling cry, as if wanting to set the heavens on fire, shook the skies in its resonance.
The devastation of the world.
Takaya's staggering grief brought forth an alarming amount of destruction to the area.
***
• Kikkawa Motoharu on Chrysanthemum beach, hears explosion from the square of Hagi City, reacts in shock
• Senses the deeply mournful atmosphere, before an earthquake rocks the district, the impact is thunderous (akin to mountains uprooting)
• The intensely violent, fiery wind nearly suffocates Motoharu as he makes his way through the blazing storm raging across the rubble and debris, shielding himself from the whirlwind of flames
• Basically a blazing inferno on earth (Motoharu: What the hell is this?!)
• Sees damage done to the city centre, hears and feels Takaya's 'cry', the misery of it tearing through his soul, a cry that drives anyone who hears it, mad
• Motoharu wonders whose cry it is, knows that if he continues to linger in the area his soul would be destroyed by this sorrowful energy
• Kuchiba tells Motoharu-sama it's too dangerous, requests for him to seek refuge in the 'Yamato'
• Motoharu is looking for Terumoto, Kuchiba stops him from going into the city
• City is in a terrifying, fiery ruin, Motoharu remembers Naoe's words about Kagetora's uncontrollable power as he realizes who is responsible, calls Kagetora a monster
There was no one left to stop him.
The only person who could contain Kagetora's uncontrollable power no longer existed.
Everything had been burnt right to the core in a fierce black flame. Takaya, kneeling, still held on to the remains of Naoe. One could discern that his eyes no longer reflected anything else but insanity.
Rairyu was no longer there. Did he flee or had he been burnt to ashes? Such that not a sign of him remained.
"Sa...buro....dono--!"
Kotarou managed to support himself with a great deal of difficulty. He stabilized his Goshinha, drawing upon all his power to stop Takaya from going out of control. But all of his efforts to communicate with Takaya were in vain.
If this continues, Hagi will crumble.
And not just crumble, it will be completely annihilated. If Takaya's overwhelming power was not placed in check, not only the city but the entire foundation of the delta would disintegrate.
(Don't do this, Saburou-dono!)
But Takaya was already locked within his madness. The boundless power that had been unleashed, such that the ground all around had long been upturned by the destructive forces, began to induce a turbulent motion from beneath. However, nothing could stop this.
Nothing could suppress his actions.
Everything will perish!
Kotarou shouted with all of his strength.
"Saburou-dono ----!"
--I will always be by your side. Forever.
The voice that cannot be heard.
The feelings that can no longer be felt.
--I won't leave you again. Until the day you be the death of me, I won't be killed by anyone else.
You swore to me.
You promised me.
I believed, that only this oath was the ultimate truth.
Saying that you would never die...
Saying that you would never let death leave me alone, you promised me!
Didn't we make this promise, Naoe!
Death approached, surrounding him, rapidly stealing his warmth. Takaya attempted to resist by transmitting half of his own body heat to him [Naoe], but Death sneered at Takaya's futile struggle and took him [Naoe] away.
(No...!)
The flames of Hell surrounded Takaya himself. Desperately holding onto the cold deceased body, Takaya burst into tears as he cried.
"No...Ahh...!!!"
A fiery wind assailed his hair. His skin was scorched by the flames. However the blood that flowed out was cold, dying his chest black. The words he [Takaya] heard so vividly firmly remained in his ears. It was that clear. His arm's strength that embraced him [Naoe], his fingers pressed into his flesh, so much that his [Takaya] body's heat was branded onto his [Naoe] torso, around his waist... his back, his chest.
--I love you...!
He remembered those words in his ears. That voice. The plain declaration that was nearly akin to throwing up blood. It seemed like Takaya could hear his true confessions of pain and grief. Not very long ago. In fact, he heard it just now!
Takaya cried out, twisting his entire body. Words drowned in a startling cry of grief.
His soul flared up. His mental faculties started to collapse, piece by piece. Takaya was going mad. Losing control over his expanding destructive power, Takaya himself was about to be cauterized.
To continue in this manner, Takaya will die. At this point, if no one intervened, Takaya will die.
"Ahhh!!!"
His brain was boiling. His cells were rupturing. His blood was flowing in the opposite direction, about to burst out from his insides.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh----!!!"
The gaseous sound of a spray could be heard, the intensity of the blaze becoming more ghastly. The district of Hagi city had changed into a frightening mass of flames. The countless sparks of fire that flew out began to burn the streets of the city.
Voices of wailing could be heard as the people scattered away from the area. The streets were being bombarded by a meteoric rain of fire.
Holding on to the bony remains, which was all that was left of Naoe, Takaya raised his head towards the sky. His outpouring emotions had surpassed all limits, his consciousness was rapidly fading. Tangerine rays of light began to dance about his body, resembling fireflies. Those were spiritual fragments being stripped away from Takaya's soul. His shouts had finally been subdued by this storm of madness, Takaya closed his eyes in subsidence. A ferocious flame engulfed Takaya and Naoe, as if to extinguish their bodies.
"Don't, Saburou-dono ---!"
Kotaro shouted out.
"Saburou-dono ---!"
Suddenly, a strong wind blew across his head.
The blazing energy that engulfed Takaya and Naoe was smothered before Kotaro's eyes.
(What...!)
Some sort of huge pressure covered the area above. Like an immense biological power threatening the crazy flames, bringing about a humble calm.
A white light shone all around. The radiance bore a divine elegance that poured into the impure environment. Kotaro contemplated the celestial being in astonishment.
"!"
A great dragon appeared in the sky.
It was not a fire dragon. This dragon that radiated the luminous white light was something far more majestic. A beautiful luster was reflected off its scales; its eyes, profound and impenetrable. The long trunk of its body glided in a wave-like motion, floating in the air as it regarded Takaya.
Kotaro knew. He knew the true appearance of this dragon. He knew the actual identity of this dragon.
"Uji...yasu... kou..."
He was Kagetora's biological father - Hojo Ujiyasu, in the manifestation of a dragon.
His father emerged once again due to his son's extreme delirium and now hovered over him as he was losing consciousness. The dragon gazed at Kotaro, gesturing with its head, flew towards Takaya. The strong winds and the fiery tempest gradually weakened as the radiance diffused in.
Ujiyasu extended his coarse arm, as thick as a tree trunk, towards Takaya. Still holding on to Naoe's skeletal remains, Takaya slowly let go of his [Naoe] body as he collapsed into Ujiyasu's hands.
He was no longer conscious.
Takaya's body, so close to destruction a few moments ago, laid horizontal in the hands of his biological father.
"Ujiyasu-kou..."
Kotaro callously looked up at the dragon, sparkling with a silver radiance. Ujiyasu once again moved his body in one great spiral, carrying away Kagetora in his hand, towards the horizon.
Kotaro ran over to the remains of the body. Just to make sure, Kotaro once again surveyed Naoe's pulse, testing for any hint of breath. But Naoe was completely dead. He was truly dead.
"Naoe--..."
Muttering, Kotaro closed his eyes. He had experienced countless deaths calmly without a tinge of emotion or regret, and now he was silent in prayer? He bitterly wrinkled his brow as he knelt down.
After that, he slowly got up, taking out a bottle of sacred oil and quietly poured out the contents over the remains, in a Buddhist manner. A gust of wind blew across and the fiery conditions began to intensify again. It would be dangerous to linger around. Kotaro picked up a burning piece of wood and threw it onto the body, igniting its remains.
A pale fire arose.
This was a hellish cremation. But if the remains were left as it is, sooner or later, the police would arrive at the scene and start an investigation.
Furthermore, it would be better if Kagetora did not see this. He would not be able to endure this.
Kotaro looked up to the sky. In mid-air, Ujiyasu was directly looking his way.
"Follow me."
Ujiyasu instructed Kotaro, changing his direction as he moved towards the horizon.
The fires were still burning under the night sky of Hagi.
The land had been scarred by the shocking brutality and misery of the madness. A continuous police siren howled all over Hagi city.
• Motoharu watches the city burn from the deck of 'Yamato', thinks of Terumoto, holds head in hands shaking, notes shadow of Mount. Gassan; retainers gather around him
• Motoharu laments fate of Hagi city, voices of despair around him
• (Kuchiba: What do we do now Motoharu-dono?) Heavy sigh, decides to head for Itsukushima; orders crew to direct the 'Yamato' to Innoshima
• Hopes to have a meeting with Takakage & co. at Innoshima, plan in advance to takeover Itsukushima with the support of Wu regiment of fighters
• Plans of conquering Itsukushima boosts morale among the retainers
• They have lost the fort and no other route to take
• Motoharu doesn't really know what they're fighting for without Mouri Terumoto, but stares resolutely at the sea
• Motoharu tells himself that the Mouri will not be destroyed; as long as he's still alive, the Mouri are here to stay and that's what he'll fight to maintain
***
• Hakkai witnessed the fall of Hagi city with his own eyes, in the middle of the night, wondered what happened
• After splitting up with Ayako, he arrived at Hagi city yesterday afternoon, he surveys the unusual changes; notes an area covered by a powerful kekkai
• Inside the kekkai are Mouri's soldiers, being subjected to rigorous interrogation; no one willing to walk on the streets
• Hides any expression of worry so as to not let the enemy take advantage
• Hakkai can't take any action, can only focus on moving around unnoticed
• Can only detect the triangular kekkais of the Toukou-ji and Daisho-in temple groups
• Just when he sensed Kagetora's and Naoe's kekkais, Mount. Kasayama erupts
• (Hakkai: Is everything well with you? Kagetora-sama...)
• After all the dust has settled, continues into city; firemen on the scene
• Sees city in utter ruin (hills collapsed, trees burnt to the ground, not a trace of the old landmarks, looked as if the earth's crust had crashed and lifted upwards, complete change in topography)
• Policemen and firefighters in the area, there's a commotion and no one is allowed in
• Hakkai senses an intense feeling of longing in the area, so strong that it can incur injury if one wasn't careful, knows that it's the someone's thoughts that gave rise to this catastrophe
• Hakkai understands that the person who cried with all of his soul's strength was Kagetora, there was no other person who possessed this level of power
• Hakkai wants to at least ascertain Kagetora's condition; hears some noises inside as if they found a body
• Shouts demanded a stretcher and blanket
• Hakkai sees them bringing out a charred corpse, unable to make out if it's male or female, stares at the body in inspection - looks like a man, a hole in his left chest, like he was shot with a handgun
• He panics because the body's size resembles Takaya, approximates his height, taking into account the reduction from having been burnt, concludes that he's too short to be Takaya
• Hakkai observes the confusion all around, notes that it wouldn't be surprising to find the victims reduced to bones, in fact the fire was so intense some may have been burnt to ashes and merged with the ground, with no remaining traces
• Hakkai aimlessly walks around desperately trying to search for any traces
• Nearly trips over a blackened rib bone, can't find any sign of Kagetora and Naoe and worries that they might really be gone.
• Hakkai calls out but no answer, continues to call as he stumbles about
• Then he sees a white radiance, vaguely at first, the mass of light is stationary at first on the scorched earth then takes a human form, peaking Hakkai's curiosity
• Takes the form of a man on horseback, the dazzling image becomes clearly visible, horseman on white horse, calmly looks his way
• On his head is a white hood, doesn't wear any armor, just a long blade by his waist; bearded; a clear sight; although not very tall or impressive in physical stature, but definitely a warlord who has experienced many battles
• The scar on his face, the intense eyes, this was the appearance of a souhei... a dignified military general
• Hakkai rendered speechless and stares; then the sougyou general looks at him, moving into attack position, stands with his back to the sea, emitting a dazzling light and waits
Original fiction © Kuwabara Mizuna.
Draft: Version 1 - final
Notes: translation-cum-summary notes; 和服 wafuku (Japanese clothing - kimono); 僧兵 souhei (warrior monk); 僧形 sougyou (the form of a Buddhist priest / priestly attire)
PS: do not distribute this without my permission
An outcry, like a mangled echo, resonating through the blaze and blood-tinted world.
At that moment, Takaya abandoned everything. Calling his name, Takaya hurried to Naoe's side and clasped his body.
"Naoe! Naoe!"
As soon as he held his body, blood began to emanate from his left chest, trickling onto the ground, as he heard the final cardiac beats. It was a clean shot through the heart. A large pool of blood had accumulated on the ground. Takaya shook Naoe's slightly convulsive body intensely, madly shouting unceasingly without regard for his own life.
"Naoe! Naoe! Naoe--!"
There was no answer.
His lips were quivering in shock. Naoe's limp body rested against his arm, his slightly-opened eyes looking out.
In that fleeting moment.
Their eyes met.
His lips trembled a little.
But that was the end.
Naoe's head rested on his arm, without any strength.
Then, a static silence.
All the muscles in his body relaxed, his strength faded.
"..."
Takaya's eyes widened. All thoughts came to halt. He only stared at Naoe who was dying. Closing his eyes, his face buried in Takaya's chest, Naoe drew his last breath. Terumoto, who had opened fire, was already dead from the violent recoil of the pistol.
But Takaya did not look at him. His arms felt heavy, holding on to the motionless body. Takaya's white wafuku was stained with Naoe's blood, gradually turning to a scarlet red.
Takaya remained stationary. He did not blink, his eyes transfixed on Naoe lying in his arms. His dry lips soundlessly called his name.
Naoe...
For 400 hundred years, he had called no one else's name as many times, and now he once again murmured repeatedly.
Takaya could no longer say anymore.
...Naoe... ...has been shot.
Shot... And then...
***
"Saburou-dono!"
A figure appeared from the flames, Kotarou had finally come. Upon seeing the form of Rairyu, Kotaro was alarmed and immediately raised his guard.
"Rairyu!"
"!"
Rairyu, who had been paying attention to Takaya, turned his head and swelled in power. Kotarou instantly prepared himself for an attack.
"Saburou-dono! Saburou...!"
Midway, Kotarou could not help but stop calling.
Takaya enfolded Naoe's body in a tight embrace. Holding him closely, holding him with every inch of his strength, desperately seeking for any sign of life from the body.
However, any small flicker of life no longer existed.
"Naoe--...!"
The words of sorrow that left Takaya's mouth stole away what fighting spirit there was between Rairyu and Kotarou. Takaya listlessly held on to Naoe's body that still had some semblance of warmth. Blood was still flowing out of the aperture in his left chest. Hearing the flow of liquid with the rusty smell of blood, Takaya mumbled once again.
"...Naoe..."
Takaya could not accept the fact of what had happened before his very eyes.
Only just a while ago was he relating his heart's intentions but now his lips could no longer move. Not even the smallest breath could be issued. Hoping that he would answer, Takaya gripped his languid fingers, but his body no longer exuded any hint of strength. Some warmth lingered in his body. But...
"..."
Takaya did not move. He remained motionless, as if staring into a void. So much that it made one wonder if his frozen predicament meant that he had forfeited his life, Takaya's entire body was locked in a rigid state.
Kotarou wanted to approach him. But in that moment, he heard Takaya murmur.
"...what... is this..."
Takaya's eyes were fully open and he mumbled in a hoarse voice.
"This... What is this..."
The heavy body that rested on his arm, the blood that stained his fingers bright-red, the sunken cheeks, the mouth slightly ajar, the unmoving eyelids, the hair...
"A nightmare--..."
Mumbling in a low voice, Takaya gazed at Naoe's face.
"Can I... wake up already?"
He uttered at the lips that no longer answered, the eyes that were no longer focused.
"I want to wake up from this sort of nightmare. Everything will be fine once I'm awake, right?
No matter how sincere or hopeful his query, there was no answer from the body.
"Naoe."
Takaya's expression crumbled into sadness as he cried out imploringly.
"Naoe--......"
Kotarou placidly regarded the two of them. Takaya held Naoe's head in a close embrace, gently rubbing his own cheeks against Naoe's warm face.
"Answer me, Naoe..."
By his ears, he begged with heartfelt intentions.
"I don't want to continue having this sort of nightmare. I want to wake up immediately. Naoe, come and save me. Take me with you... I want to wake up straightaway, quickly return to the reality of this world..."
The dry eyes did not blink.
"Return to the reality of this world..."
The last piece of warmth had left the body.
"Return..."
These closed eyes will never open again. The depth reflected in these eyes will never...
"A world... with you..."
Takaya's eyes gradually became moist. The spiritual vigor that had supported Takaya's life all this while could be heard collapsing. There was no reason or logic to be had, his entire spiritual constitution deteriorated into a cry of grief.
"Ah.....Ah.....!"
A mass of intense electrical energy erupted from Takaya's body. The high-voltage current extended in all four directions, tearing through in a chaotic manner.
"!"
The severe, haphazard discharge of power forced both Rairyu and Kotarou to shield their own bodies. Gusts of wind began to encircle the area, sweeping up the flames. A tremendous amount of energy progressively expanded from Takaya's body. It far exceeded the strength of a human - surpassing the limits of control, dangerous, ...powerful, a formidable force that could destroy everything.
"AHHH...AHHHH..."
Takaya could no longer control the fierce outburst of emotions.
"AHHHH!!!!"
Crying out with all of his feelings surging from within the depths of his soul, Takaya's body was falling into ruin with the explosive emission of energy.
(He's insane...!)
Kotarou, sensing the unprecedented danger at hand, could not help but shout out.
"Saburou-dono!"
That startling cry, as if wanting to set the heavens on fire, shook the skies in its resonance.
The devastation of the world.
Takaya's staggering grief brought forth an alarming amount of destruction to the area.
***
• Kikkawa Motoharu on Chrysanthemum beach, hears explosion from the square of Hagi City, reacts in shock
• Senses the deeply mournful atmosphere, before an earthquake rocks the district, the impact is thunderous (akin to mountains uprooting)
• The intensely violent, fiery wind nearly suffocates Motoharu as he makes his way through the blazing storm raging across the rubble and debris, shielding himself from the whirlwind of flames
• Basically a blazing inferno on earth (Motoharu: What the hell is this?!)
• Sees damage done to the city centre, hears and feels Takaya's 'cry', the misery of it tearing through his soul, a cry that drives anyone who hears it, mad
• Motoharu wonders whose cry it is, knows that if he continues to linger in the area his soul would be destroyed by this sorrowful energy
• Kuchiba tells Motoharu-sama it's too dangerous, requests for him to seek refuge in the 'Yamato'
• Motoharu is looking for Terumoto, Kuchiba stops him from going into the city
• City is in a terrifying, fiery ruin, Motoharu remembers Naoe's words about Kagetora's uncontrollable power as he realizes who is responsible, calls Kagetora a monster
There was no one left to stop him.
The only person who could contain Kagetora's uncontrollable power no longer existed.
Everything had been burnt right to the core in a fierce black flame. Takaya, kneeling, still held on to the remains of Naoe. One could discern that his eyes no longer reflected anything else but insanity.
Rairyu was no longer there. Did he flee or had he been burnt to ashes? Such that not a sign of him remained.
"Sa...buro....dono--!"
Kotarou managed to support himself with a great deal of difficulty. He stabilized his Goshinha, drawing upon all his power to stop Takaya from going out of control. But all of his efforts to communicate with Takaya were in vain.
If this continues, Hagi will crumble.
And not just crumble, it will be completely annihilated. If Takaya's overwhelming power was not placed in check, not only the city but the entire foundation of the delta would disintegrate.
(Don't do this, Saburou-dono!)
But Takaya was already locked within his madness. The boundless power that had been unleashed, such that the ground all around had long been upturned by the destructive forces, began to induce a turbulent motion from beneath. However, nothing could stop this.
Nothing could suppress his actions.
Everything will perish!
Kotarou shouted with all of his strength.
"Saburou-dono ----!"
--I will always be by your side. Forever.
The voice that cannot be heard.
The feelings that can no longer be felt.
--I won't leave you again. Until the day you be the death of me, I won't be killed by anyone else.
You swore to me.
You promised me.
I believed, that only this oath was the ultimate truth.
Saying that you would never die...
Saying that you would never let death leave me alone, you promised me!
Didn't we make this promise, Naoe!
Death approached, surrounding him, rapidly stealing his warmth. Takaya attempted to resist by transmitting half of his own body heat to him [Naoe], but Death sneered at Takaya's futile struggle and took him [Naoe] away.
(No...!)
The flames of Hell surrounded Takaya himself. Desperately holding onto the cold deceased body, Takaya burst into tears as he cried.
"No...Ahh...!!!"
A fiery wind assailed his hair. His skin was scorched by the flames. However the blood that flowed out was cold, dying his chest black. The words he [Takaya] heard so vividly firmly remained in his ears. It was that clear. His arm's strength that embraced him [Naoe], his fingers pressed into his flesh, so much that his [Takaya] body's heat was branded onto his [Naoe] torso, around his waist... his back, his chest.
--I love you...!
He remembered those words in his ears. That voice. The plain declaration that was nearly akin to throwing up blood. It seemed like Takaya could hear his true confessions of pain and grief. Not very long ago. In fact, he heard it just now!
Takaya cried out, twisting his entire body. Words drowned in a startling cry of grief.
His soul flared up. His mental faculties started to collapse, piece by piece. Takaya was going mad. Losing control over his expanding destructive power, Takaya himself was about to be cauterized.
To continue in this manner, Takaya will die. At this point, if no one intervened, Takaya will die.
"Ahhh!!!"
His brain was boiling. His cells were rupturing. His blood was flowing in the opposite direction, about to burst out from his insides.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh----!!!"
The gaseous sound of a spray could be heard, the intensity of the blaze becoming more ghastly. The district of Hagi city had changed into a frightening mass of flames. The countless sparks of fire that flew out began to burn the streets of the city.
Voices of wailing could be heard as the people scattered away from the area. The streets were being bombarded by a meteoric rain of fire.
Holding on to the bony remains, which was all that was left of Naoe, Takaya raised his head towards the sky. His outpouring emotions had surpassed all limits, his consciousness was rapidly fading. Tangerine rays of light began to dance about his body, resembling fireflies. Those were spiritual fragments being stripped away from Takaya's soul. His shouts had finally been subdued by this storm of madness, Takaya closed his eyes in subsidence. A ferocious flame engulfed Takaya and Naoe, as if to extinguish their bodies.
"Don't, Saburou-dono ---!"
Kotaro shouted out.
"Saburou-dono ---!"
Suddenly, a strong wind blew across his head.
The blazing energy that engulfed Takaya and Naoe was smothered before Kotaro's eyes.
(What...!)
Some sort of huge pressure covered the area above. Like an immense biological power threatening the crazy flames, bringing about a humble calm.
A white light shone all around. The radiance bore a divine elegance that poured into the impure environment. Kotaro contemplated the celestial being in astonishment.
"!"
A great dragon appeared in the sky.
It was not a fire dragon. This dragon that radiated the luminous white light was something far more majestic. A beautiful luster was reflected off its scales; its eyes, profound and impenetrable. The long trunk of its body glided in a wave-like motion, floating in the air as it regarded Takaya.
Kotaro knew. He knew the true appearance of this dragon. He knew the actual identity of this dragon.
"Uji...yasu... kou..."
He was Kagetora's biological father - Hojo Ujiyasu, in the manifestation of a dragon.
His father emerged once again due to his son's extreme delirium and now hovered over him as he was losing consciousness. The dragon gazed at Kotaro, gesturing with its head, flew towards Takaya. The strong winds and the fiery tempest gradually weakened as the radiance diffused in.
Ujiyasu extended his coarse arm, as thick as a tree trunk, towards Takaya. Still holding on to Naoe's skeletal remains, Takaya slowly let go of his [Naoe] body as he collapsed into Ujiyasu's hands.
He was no longer conscious.
Takaya's body, so close to destruction a few moments ago, laid horizontal in the hands of his biological father.
"Ujiyasu-kou..."
Kotaro callously looked up at the dragon, sparkling with a silver radiance. Ujiyasu once again moved his body in one great spiral, carrying away Kagetora in his hand, towards the horizon.
Kotaro ran over to the remains of the body. Just to make sure, Kotaro once again surveyed Naoe's pulse, testing for any hint of breath. But Naoe was completely dead. He was truly dead.
"Naoe--..."
Muttering, Kotaro closed his eyes. He had experienced countless deaths calmly without a tinge of emotion or regret, and now he was silent in prayer? He bitterly wrinkled his brow as he knelt down.
After that, he slowly got up, taking out a bottle of sacred oil and quietly poured out the contents over the remains, in a Buddhist manner. A gust of wind blew across and the fiery conditions began to intensify again. It would be dangerous to linger around. Kotaro picked up a burning piece of wood and threw it onto the body, igniting its remains.
A pale fire arose.
This was a hellish cremation. But if the remains were left as it is, sooner or later, the police would arrive at the scene and start an investigation.
Furthermore, it would be better if Kagetora did not see this. He would not be able to endure this.
Kotaro looked up to the sky. In mid-air, Ujiyasu was directly looking his way.
"Follow me."
Ujiyasu instructed Kotaro, changing his direction as he moved towards the horizon.
The fires were still burning under the night sky of Hagi.
The land had been scarred by the shocking brutality and misery of the madness. A continuous police siren howled all over Hagi city.
• Motoharu watches the city burn from the deck of 'Yamato', thinks of Terumoto, holds head in hands shaking, notes shadow of Mount. Gassan; retainers gather around him
• Motoharu laments fate of Hagi city, voices of despair around him
• (Kuchiba: What do we do now Motoharu-dono?) Heavy sigh, decides to head for Itsukushima; orders crew to direct the 'Yamato' to Innoshima
• Hopes to have a meeting with Takakage & co. at Innoshima, plan in advance to takeover Itsukushima with the support of Wu regiment of fighters
• Plans of conquering Itsukushima boosts morale among the retainers
• They have lost the fort and no other route to take
• Motoharu doesn't really know what they're fighting for without Mouri Terumoto, but stares resolutely at the sea
• Motoharu tells himself that the Mouri will not be destroyed; as long as he's still alive, the Mouri are here to stay and that's what he'll fight to maintain
***
• Hakkai witnessed the fall of Hagi city with his own eyes, in the middle of the night, wondered what happened
• After splitting up with Ayako, he arrived at Hagi city yesterday afternoon, he surveys the unusual changes; notes an area covered by a powerful kekkai
• Inside the kekkai are Mouri's soldiers, being subjected to rigorous interrogation; no one willing to walk on the streets
• Hides any expression of worry so as to not let the enemy take advantage
• Hakkai can't take any action, can only focus on moving around unnoticed
• Can only detect the triangular kekkais of the Toukou-ji and Daisho-in temple groups
• Just when he sensed Kagetora's and Naoe's kekkais, Mount. Kasayama erupts
• (Hakkai: Is everything well with you? Kagetora-sama...)
• After all the dust has settled, continues into city; firemen on the scene
• Sees city in utter ruin (hills collapsed, trees burnt to the ground, not a trace of the old landmarks, looked as if the earth's crust had crashed and lifted upwards, complete change in topography)
• Policemen and firefighters in the area, there's a commotion and no one is allowed in
• Hakkai senses an intense feeling of longing in the area, so strong that it can incur injury if one wasn't careful, knows that it's the someone's thoughts that gave rise to this catastrophe
• Hakkai understands that the person who cried with all of his soul's strength was Kagetora, there was no other person who possessed this level of power
• Hakkai wants to at least ascertain Kagetora's condition; hears some noises inside as if they found a body
• Shouts demanded a stretcher and blanket
• Hakkai sees them bringing out a charred corpse, unable to make out if it's male or female, stares at the body in inspection - looks like a man, a hole in his left chest, like he was shot with a handgun
• He panics because the body's size resembles Takaya, approximates his height, taking into account the reduction from having been burnt, concludes that he's too short to be Takaya
• Hakkai observes the confusion all around, notes that it wouldn't be surprising to find the victims reduced to bones, in fact the fire was so intense some may have been burnt to ashes and merged with the ground, with no remaining traces
• Hakkai aimlessly walks around desperately trying to search for any traces
• Nearly trips over a blackened rib bone, can't find any sign of Kagetora and Naoe and worries that they might really be gone.
• Hakkai calls out but no answer, continues to call as he stumbles about
• Then he sees a white radiance, vaguely at first, the mass of light is stationary at first on the scorched earth then takes a human form, peaking Hakkai's curiosity
• Takes the form of a man on horseback, the dazzling image becomes clearly visible, horseman on white horse, calmly looks his way
• On his head is a white hood, doesn't wear any armor, just a long blade by his waist; bearded; a clear sight; although not very tall or impressive in physical stature, but definitely a warlord who has experienced many battles
• The scar on his face, the intense eyes, this was the appearance of a souhei... a dignified military general
• Hakkai rendered speechless and stares; then the sougyou general looks at him, moving into attack position, stands with his back to the sea, emitting a dazzling light and waits
Original fiction © Kuwabara Mizuna.
