Chapter 18

Never Be the Same Again

      Kamara Viarun is where the famous portals of Lethe are located. The place is not really publicly accessible but there are several ways to reach it. Of course all these paths lead to a narrow well-camouflaged stone staircase. After climbing the long flight of stairs, you will find yourself, without quite knowing how you got there, in the middle of an open, roofless and wall-less place. Looking around you'll see four stone archways that lead nowhere except the edge of the building where you'll fall off. These four are found in the middle of each of the four sides of the quadrilateral area. So that is basically Kamara Viarun.

      As you might have guessed, the portal chamber is not strictly a chamber for it is located at the roof of the palace's main and tallest, except for the turrets and towers, building. It is also the biggest structure in Cair Tara. The size of the roof rivals even that of a soccer field.  This may explain why Iantha was able to run from the center to the eastern end.

      Even from her location, Iantha can see only three other figures left behind. One of them was hovering above the other two. As she got nearer,  she saw that it was a redheaded woman, dressed in white, floating inside a translucent sphere. She realized it was the mother when she caught sight of her belly. She knew it was Azrael himself holding her aloft telekinetically. Not because he fitted the description the others gave of him, he could have fabricated a dummy had he wanted, but because she felt dimly some well-suppressed strength and his unspeakable malevolence. Also, he felt familiar. It has been eighteen years, she merely a small child then, but she remembered. And the other, of course, is Ixion.

      Iantha readied her attack. She would paralyze them both by trapping them in a force field. Perhaps, she may be able to hold them for a while. At least, until the others arrive.

      She runs faster, taking careful aim, making sure she would not be blocked. Somehow she felt Ixion looking at her even though he might not be able to see her, him being faced to the West and having the sun behind her.

      For a fraction of a second, she nearly faltered, but she only clenched her fist and jaw harder, running faster. "That is not him," she kept repeating to herself. "It's just Azrael's dummy. Not even his outer shell."

      Then their eyes met. It was fatal. She was already a few paces away from Azrael himself, but stopped. Ixion's brownish green eyes glowed, exercising such irresistible power over her, making her unable to move. The eyes were cold and vacant unlike the old ones filled with gentleness. Nonetheless, they were undeniably his and thus held her charmed. She knew she must snap out of it before Azrael escapes, but it seems as if she had lost control over her body. Even in her desperation, all she was able to do was to weep quietly. Her beautiful marble-like eyes brimmed with tears, making it look more glazed.

      Just then, Ixion seem to falter, his spirit quivering like jelly, his mind seemingly struggling to remember something forgotten. Perhaps, her desolate sadness was able to penetrate through the mass of enchantments and has awakened something inside his innermost being, temporarily setting him free from Azrael's hex. For, momentarily, the eyes of the young man seem to have lost their oblivious gaze. As disturbance and bafflement passed through his face, he managed to sputter out her name. But just as suddenly as when he managed to break through, he shook his head sharply, sending his burnt sienna locks tossing everywhere, and the spell that bound him to his master returned.

      Iantha felt the angel of death leer and gloat at her misery. Yet, even behind his silent, almost mocking stare, there appeared to be some slight pity for her suffering, some hidden sagacious understanding of one that has undergone the same experience. What ever it was, it was gone in a flash. His face broke into a grim smile and he bowed to her direction.

      "Long time no see, princess, but this meeting has to be cut short, " he said. "Send my regards to the others. Au revoir."

      His words, breaking the lack of vocalization, awakened her and she felt uncontrollable rage rise inside her, bringing her back to reality. In an instant, she launched her attack, her movements swift as lightning. But it was all in vain for Azrael was gone. Ixion followed soon but Iantha was still unable to attack him. She did make a futile attempt to disable him but to no avail. He chaffed her failure cruelly by dallying for a while before her.

      "Aiea!" yelled Ebony from out of nowhere. She herself released a powerful attack. However, it was clear she had changed her mind and veered at the last second, for she merely missed the traitor.

      Ixion was gone. The portal was closed once again and Iantha was left standing alone before it. But not for long. Her strength fails her and she falls on her knees and breaks down.

      Ebony and the others were with her in a jiffy.

      "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I'm sorry, Hiei. The cosmos will pay for my weakness!" she wailed softly over and over again.

      The others were speechless and sympathetic. But Hiei can't keep his disappointment to herself.

      "It's not your fault," he grunted gruffly to Iantha, much to the others' surprise. However, to Ebony he said viscously, "Why the hell didn't you shoot Azrael when you had the chance?"

      "I couldn't get a clear shot. I could have hit Ixion," answered she.

      "Is that an excuse for your incompetence?" he charged rashly. "I thought you were ready to sacrifice what was necessary for the sake of the people's lives."

      "I'm sorry," she replied quietly. "But I realized what was also at stake. Ixion may be the source of my sister's sole happiness. I couldn't do it. I guess you're right about me being weak."

      Hiei was taken aback but he calmed down. "Hn," he said. "You could also have hit my wife."  He sighed. "I'm not to happy to discover I was right again."

      Presently, Adrian and his companions arrived. After them, Iantha's and Audric's forces came. Last of all, came the king himself.

      He walked slowly, his heavy footfalls resonating loudly through the suddenly silent rooftop. His face was invisible, his head being bowed, but when he reached the others, he looked up. A doleful expression was painted on his face.

      "I see," he said. "We failed again."

      Two days had passed since the Cair Tara had been retrieved from the enemies' clutches. The royal household was once again functioning but not quite the normal way it used to do. Every member sensed  foreboding and dread that their troubles were not over yet. They still were in real and more serious danger.

      The most skillful, experienced and enlightened of Lethe were holding counsel with the king and his court in Kamara Sapienta. They were sitting around an annulus shaped table of the rarest, most impressive black marble.

      Hiei, Kurama and Yusuke were also there. They were dressed quite magnificently like the rest of the lot they were with. (I wouldn't dwell too much on description. I don't want anybody to drool. 'Sides, I suck, really.) Even tomboy Ebony, who was attired in a long one-piece summer dress of white satin.  She looked quite angelic, with the black hair framing her face kept at bay by pearl-studded lace ribbons. She behaved well, too, much to the surprise of her three teachers.

      Iantha, of course, was garbed in that usual modest glamour. Her pale yellow silk dress became her perfectly. The legendary yellow diamond, so-called the Witch's Eye for its mysterious pulsating glint peeped from her graceful slender neck. A single rose, also of the same shade, was tucked in her sleek curls, which was tied tightly in a ponytail on her nape. Her bright apparel was quite the opposite of her melancholic expression, though. She was silent and had the air of one met with much bad luck, of one ominous and  oracular. Perhaps, it was the diamond that caused it, being rumored to be a sign and bringer of ill omen in the Ningen world.

      Adrian was his comely, gorgeous self. He was wearing his princely garbs beneath his armor as customary. However, it seems he was not thinking much about his appearance for he neglected to comb his hair, making him look untidily cool. Still, many thinks he is a ruggedly handsome and were making googoo eyes at him much to the sheer bewildered annoyance of his little sister who knew how much of pain he can really be.

      Audric was dressed simply, though not shabbily. In fact, that was what may distinct him from the others. Yet, his manner, his dignified air, commends one's respect, showing him to be one of royalty despite his plain clothes. But of course, he was wearing the circlet that indicated his rank and was standing inside the circle cut in the middle of the marble.

      The other three monarchs were actually inside the hole, too. They were four equidistant wrought metal chairs set against the inner edge of the table. The three others were seated while Audric, as mentioned earlier, was standing in the middle. Presently, he started talking again.

      "Thank you," he said. "The damage report is quite um...heavier than we expected it to be but we got Kentrona back. Good work, but I'm afraid that doesn't mean we can let down our guard. Azrael may attack at any given time without notice. Have you received the defensive scheme, General?"

      "Yes, sire," said a burly bushy man.

      "Good. Right now we have other problems. For starters, Azrael still has the mother. We must regain her at all cost before Azrael takes over the fetus in her womb. Because of this, I believe our operation to be more of a failure than a success."

      "Not so, brother," said Adrian. "At least we got Kentrona back. We also got them running, didn't we?"

      Audric shook his head. "I think Hiei was right. Azrael did expect us and had it all planned. I'm afraid we've underestimated him. Take note, the infantry of Azrael began to retreat moments after he disappeared into the portal."

      "If so," said Ebony. "Why did he wait for him to make an escape. I mean, we could have stopped him had we arrived earlier."

      "Yes," said Iantha bitterly. "If I hadn't screw up."

"No," said Audric. "That's another point why I believe Azrael planned it all. Recall, if you please, when each group entered  each's designated chamber, they were all empty. Then, the enemy's assault came simultaneously as if synchronized. Besides, those guys weren't capable of teleporting. Azrael must have done it himself."

      "Why is it that Aiea was able to escape and she alone if it was his purpose to delay us," asked Ebony.

      ""Maybe Azrael planned that, too," said Adrian. "He probably wants to prove that Aiea won't be able to fight or even face Ixion."  

      "Uh-huh," agreed Audric. "Azrael loves to tantalize. It's almost frightening, his confidence. He knows very well how far the gap between his and our level."

      "And yet," put in Kurama. "There seems to be something amiss."

      "True, " affirmed Audric, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "He appears to have lagged behind just to pester Aiea, and yet, I feel there's some other reason. Perhaps, he had something to finish. I don't know. I can't grasp it yet."

      "Still," persisted Ebony. "He'll surely return, right? I mean, for the merging to occur he's supposed to have all the elements present the time he was transformed into a vampire."

      "We don't know for sure if it's here. I have a feeling it isn't."

      "But... I was born here, right? This is were Azrael attempted to posses me and... and..."

      "They just assumed it was here since grandfather took you from here and our parents bodies were found here, too. However, there wasn't ample signs of combat. Nobody really knows except they themselves and unfortunately they didn't live to tell the tale."

      "Well, then, I'll ask them."

      "Huh?"

      As if on cue, the crier announced the coming of Koenma. After a blast on his trumpet, he called out, "His royal highness, Koenma Daiou, Prince of Reikai."

      Then entered Koenma himself in his usual garbs, pacifier and all. Following behind him was Botan wearing her blue kimono. Everyone's head turned towards the doorway to witness their arrival.

      In a flash, Ebony was with them. In fact, she was on Koenma!"

      "Quick!" she demanded, tugging his collar and shaking him hard. "Take me to my parents. I have to talk to my parents. Take me to Reikai."

      "E-e-eb-o-o-o-nneeeee?" yelped the clueless Koenma. He tried to yank off Ebony's hands from his neck. "What? Are you trying to kill me? What do you want? Stop choking me!"

      "Oops, sorry," Ebony stopped and dropped her hands.

      Koenma straightened himself up with an air of injured dignity. "Well?" he screeched at her. "Whadaya want?"

      "I want to talk to my parents."

      "But they already passed away years ago."

      "That's what I'm telling you! That's why I'm talking to you, dunce."

      Koenma took a moment to let her words sink in. Then, his eyes popped out of their sockets. "Are you crazy? I can't do that!"

      "Oh, yes you can! You're the prince."

      "Not only is it forbidden, it's also impossible."

      "I don't believe you."

      Koenma reddened. "I don't care if you don't because I know I can't do anything of that sort."

      Ebony started to speak again but stopped when Audric gave her a look.

      Audric bowed in a welcoming gesture. "Prince Koenma, welcome. Please excuse the inhospitableness on my sister's part. Will you be seated?"

      When everyone calmed down again, Koenma spoke up. "Uh, Audric," he said uncertainly. "Do I dare ask you why Ebony is demanding to speak to your deceased parents? "

      "Well, Koenma," answered the king. "You are aware of our failure to obtain the mother. The information we had about Azrael proved inaccurate and insufficient. I personally discovered our shortcomings when I reviewed the files again. Your royal person knows very well, none has witnessed the encounter between Azrael and our parents. Unfortunately, they have left the realm of the living without having disclosed their tale. So you see, this is what fuels my dear little sister's desire to speak with them. However, even Ebony, foolhardy and headstrong as she is, realizes your intervention is much required for the pursuance of such enterprise."

      "You talk like a filibuster," muttered Ebony, annoyed at the name-calling.

      "I understand the urgency of the situation," said Koenma. "But, not only is it forbidden, it also goes against the natural order of things. When a person's dead he's dead. We can't pull their spirits out of Reikai anytime we want. Each soul is in it's own journey to who knows where and interrupting  may prove impudent on our part. They on their own free will would communicate to the living and even they can't do that often or anytime they want. Sorry, but it's really a tangle of legalities and stuff. I can't do anything."

      "Why don't you just admit you're too chicken to stand up to your mean pushy old man," Ebony mumbled again. Then to the assembly in general, she said aloud, "Let's hold a seance, then."

      "That's illegal. Besides, what if you call up the devil himself? We'll end up in a much worse dilemma than now."

      "True," said Audric. "That's why I propose a  different solution."

      "Yeah, yeah," grumbled Ebony. "Gloat all you want, know-it-all. Always making me look like a blockhead."

      Iantha glanced at Ebony reproachfully.

      "Sorry," she said, sheepishly grinning and holding up a peace sign to her brother.

      "Well," continued Audric. "It doesn't necessarily mean we have to talk to our parents in order to obtain the information we need. We want to see the full account of the incident from the Reikai archives."

      The prince of Reikai was once again shocked out of his senses, nearly falling off his seat.

      "B-b-but," he stammered. "You yourselves have no record of what took place, how can we?"

      "Come on, Koenma," said Audric, a sly mischievous gleam on his eyes. "We know very well how much you love watching surveillance videos from all over the place."

      Koenma blushed fiercely. "But we had an agreement, a pact between Lethe and Reikai formulated hundreds of years ago, a treaty of privacy. We won't meddle with your internal affairs and neither will you interfere with ours."

      "Yes," agreed Audric artfully. "But that doesn't provide us full guarantee of your compliance."

      Koenma gave up. "How did you know that?" he asked meekly.

      "Oh, I've conceived that so long ago," Audric almost smirked grimly. "And if you don't want an international scandal, you better give in to our request."

      Koenma sunk on his seat forlornly. "This is blackmail, Audric," he whimpered.

      "Sorry," the king grimaced apologetically. "Tough luck on you, but this is really serious. You shouldn't be withholding information with all those lives at stake. It's your problem, too."

      "Uh-huh," he answered. Now, he was slumped on the table, his pretty assistant nudging him alarmedly.

The three former Reikai Tantei members gave each other meaningful, amused, yet impressed looks. Ebony was also trying to suppress her laughter. "Nice work Audric," she thought. "I just love how your mind works, brother. Poor Koenma!"

      "Oh, and another thing," spoke up Audric again.

      Koenma picked his head up. "It isn't over yet? You're like a court prosecutor, Audric."

      Audric's seriousness was unruffled. "Hitler, Polpot and all the other people insane enough to plot for the destruction of practically a whole world, nation or race, they all had something they failed at earlier in their life, something they wish to get retribution for. More often than not, it is important in a fight to know the psychology of your enemy well, to know what motivates his actions. In this way, we will be able to discover how to stop him. It's only logical that we know the past and story of the person to be able to predict his personality. The problem is we don't know anything about Azrael. This is why we turn to you for help."

      "What made you think we had those kinds of files?" said Koenma, now being cautious.

      "Reikai has always kept an eye on potential threats. If I must cite an example, here's Yusuke Urameshi present in this very assembly. Reikai has studied his bloodline and the possibilities his power may offer. If I'm not mistaken, they themselves caused his youkou side to awaken. Definitely, one such as Azrael will not be missed by Reikai. I'm sure the life and origin of the dark one would have been extensively researched by your people. But I understand you yourself have limited knowledge about the well-kept secrets of your home."

      Koenma sighed. "Fine, I admit it. There are files about him and Ebony that wasn't revealed to you but--"

      "WHHHAAAAAT!" screamed Ebony furiously. She was once again yelling, her face less than an inch away from Koenma's who was seated directly behind her. "YOU KNEW ALL ALONG ABOUT THE INFO AND YOU DID NOTHING! DO YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH SMALLER OUR MARGIN OF ERROR COULD HAVE BEEN HAD WE KNOWN WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE? WE COULD HAVE STOPPED AZRAEL ONCE AND FOR ALL. BUT NOOOOO. YOU WERE TOO WIMPY TO EVEN ASSERT THE TRUTH. I CAN'T BELIEVE---"

      "Calm down, Ebony," he hollered back. "Before you devour me, you should know it's not my fault."

      "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? YOU'RE RESPONSIBLEFOR---"

      Ebony stopped. "What d'you mean it's not your fault?" she said humanely.

      "I only found out about the files just now," he said. "It's classified information and I risked my position when I snooped and pried open those records. Nobody knew until now. But I suppose I won't be able to preserve my life for so long now."

      "Aw, c'mon," said Ebony, waving him away. "You risked not only your job but also your ass when you intervened on Yusuke's behalf. Right now, the whole creation is at stake."

      "How did you know that?"

      Ebony rolled her eyes. "Who doesn't? You scandalized your father quite badly, you know."

      "I don't think he would be too forgiving this time."

      "Don't worry," said Adrian grinning. "We'll offer you asylum here."

      "If," pointed out Koenma. "If we succeed. If I'm not executed. If I don't get caught. You guys owe me a lot."

      "Hey! You said you always wanted to save the worlds like your pals. Well, here's your chance to impress someone." Adrian winked.

      "Still, I…"

      "Oh, come of it!" said Ebony brashly. "If you really are so worried about being caught red handed then ask for permission. A confrontation will be maturer instead of sneaking behind him as if what you're doing is bad. Haven't you stood up to him adamantly when you announced your beth-" The rest of her words were muffled when Koenma clamped her mouth shut with his hands.

      "All right, all right," he hissed furiously. "But I don't promise you anything. I'll try my best."

      "Good." Ebony slipped out of his clutches. The, after being sure she was at a safe distance away from him, she yelled, "Now, don't forget my invitation!"

      "EBONY, SHUT UP!"

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