Act 5

Scene 1: Butch stands as a center point for the convergence of all the power of the universe. Bast is behind him in a state of sub-shock. Her gaze is fixated upon her mother’s spread form sealed to the wall that is opposite to her. It is near Lillith that Teacher stands with Waka and Tanto on either side of him. He looks over the demon queen as well. His chin rests within his hand and a look on thought is over his face. Waka and Tanto look not at Lillith but rather at the swirling vortex of pure energy across from them. On the left side of the large room are Tsurugi and Shito. Neither betrays the slightest hint of shock from the truth, but both have it, even if only a little. Opposite of them are the elven soul and beside him the one whose life is pain. Both keep their eyes, blood bleeding and shadowed flame stuck to Bast. In the center of the room, still passed out from the loss of blood from the futile ritual is Tommy. Without the presence of the shadowed souls that Shito had controlled the room seems empty, and an eerie silence--an unnerving silence--settles over it as all within to room look to others to judge their strengths. Bast breaks from the hold of her shock and takes a shaky step forward. Butch fails to react until she begins a steady sprint forward.

Butch: Bast! Stay with me!

Butch’s arms extend futilely out to her, but she is already far beyond his reach. She stands beside her educator, staring at her mother with him. The beginnings of tears are within her eyes. Butch walks forward. He stops soon, however, as he finds Tsuubo and Tathark filling his chosen path.

Butch: Tsuubo... move.

Tsuubo: Like hell! Bast is not yours, you censored lummox! You’ll touch her again over my dead body.

Butch: If I gotta. I wanna thank you though. After you knocked me out I felt weird, like something inside me broke. Mrs. Bast’s Mom attacked my Bast and it broke more and now I feel strong. But Bast is still mine, and I’m not gonna let you move in on me!

Butch’s eyes glint with a strange, almost animal, intelligence as his gaze lowers into a glare at Tsuubo.

Tsuubo: Gods damn...

Butch: You shouldn’t pluralize my name, I get angry.

Tsurugi: Are we still allies, brother?

Without the darkness hanging about him like a second skin Shito looks amazingly more like nothing save an innocent child. All his features speak this innocence; except for his serpentine eyes.

Shito: I have not even as much ability to defeat this new foe than I did Lillith. Now that he has stripped most of shade from the room...

Shito concentrates for but a second causing his flame to brighten. His shadow darkens on the ground and then solidified strands of black energy rise from the floor to dress his once more. He still appears quite innocent, just not as much so as before.

Shito: ...I must make do with what I may keep near me.

Butch: Move and you may live.

Tathark: Isn’t he generous Tsuubo, he’ll allow us life.

Tsuubo: What a grand show of mercy.

Butch: God is mercifu--

Butch stops as knives leave the hands of both of Bast’s protectors. They move toward him rapidly, but as they grow nearer they slow. Both blades, shito and corrupted silver, hover in the air inches from Butch’s flesh.

Tsuubo: Shit.

Butch: That was dirty. You, Mr. Dark Mean-Lookin’ Fairy Guy.

Tsuubo: I think he means you.

Tathark: I resent being called a fairy, just so you know. Now, what do you want.

Butch: Bast forever, and she said that she’d rather have you then me, so I gotta destroy you.

Tathark: I’d like to see you try!

Tathark stares at his sword on the ground away from his. It evaporates into a black mist which quickly dissipates. Around Tathark’s outstretched right arm the mist begins to reform. His tainted blade is within his grasp. He wields it in both hands and charges forward with his sword oriented to take Butch’s head off. He nears Butch; the sword sings through air as his stroke carries it toward Butch’s exposed neck. Like the knives before it, the sword rapidly slows to a halt just short of grazing Butch’s skin. Despite effort from Tathark to move it in any direction, the blade is stuck in place. Tathark looks with hatred into Butch’s eyes and sees his hate reflected back upon him. His eyes go wide as he feels himself flying backward and his eyes take in the view of Butch’s form rapidly receding. He hits the wall not far off from Lillith with force enough to dent the wall around him. His body slumps to the floor and he does not get up. Shito’s eyes hold horror as he sees the form of his High General.

Shito: Tathark! [His gaze turns to cold hate. It is a look a hundred times more terrifying than that of a blazing rage Tathark had held. This stare is fixated upon Butch.] If I have one comrade in this tortured existence, one friend to share my pain it is him. You will not harm him again. [Control mixed with determination enhances Shito’s fire to take the entire area of his chest.] Calm...

Teacher: Alright... I’ll need something sharp...

One of Tsuubo’s shitos passes millimeters from the educator’s head and embeds itself in the wall just below Lillith’s arm. Tsuubo had not even bothered to turn around, his eyes stay with Butch. Those who do glance at teacher are startled, as he did not even make the slightest flinch with the passing. His mind is too focused for fear. His past panic has been driven out by the opportunity and the need to be useful.

Teacher: That should do nicely, thank you.

Thoughtlessly Teacher cuts open his finger and starts to write on the wall with his own crimson paint.

With the utterance of that single simple word the shadows about Shito jump and devour him to the point that he is but a vague shape within their darkness. The back of this shape arches, and a set of wings, black and demonic, spring from its back. The entire mass of shadow and child grows taller. The shade breaks. It returns to its normal task of hanging about the now changed Shito rather than hiding him. His skin has turned to a deathly pale and black marks have traced themselves out in intricate patterns over his body. His is taller and more muscular, with the look of a devil of fifteen rather than a child of twelve. The look is still on his face and still directed at Butch. Cool, calculated, and controlled hatred.

Shito: I suggest that you change as well, brother, this may require it.

Tsurugi: I’d rather not. Besides, I’m not angry enough.

Butch: What happened to you?

Tsuubo: I told you this was hell. He’s the devil to take your soul.

Butch: He looks kinda weak.

Waka walks forward from his place near Teacher. His hands are cupped and flame dances between them.

Waka: Never underestimate us.

Waka extends his hands forward and the flame leaps from them in a grand ball which shoots straight for Butch. The fire meets his energy field and warps and twists about it. Butch is fully encompassed in the flame. The blaze dissipates to reveal Butch standing calmly; it had not passed his shielding. Waka looks mostly unconcerned.

Waka: I told you that I am unskilled in such matters...

Butch: That was pretty cool.

Butch holds his hands as Waka had done.

Waka: Wha--?

A flame forms between them. Butch copies the remainder of Waka’s actions and a flame sphere larger than the previous one is soon on its way toward the effeminate magician. Waka raises his hand and speaks a soft yet rushed word. The fire nears him and vanishes as it reaches him.

Waka: How could he...?

Butch: I can do anythin’!

Tsurugi: He’s become a mimic! His energy has become so great that any change we cause will be subconsciously read...

Tanto: You mean to convey that he will acquire knowledge to the performance of any technique or spell any of you perform?

Tsurugi: To a high extent, yes...

Three names written in blood now adorn the wall surrounding Lillith. Sennoi, Sansanui, and Samangaluf; the three angels of the seal. Teacher stands regarding the names with his chin in his blood-dripping hand.

Teacher: Why is nothing happening?

Student B: Do you really know what you’re doing?

Teacher: I’ve written the names in blood. I wish it hadn’t needed to be my blood, but well... I’ve said the incantation--in Hebrew even! What am I miss--the amulet!

Bast: What?

Teacher: I need a mystic talisman with also bears the names of the angels. But... where can I get one now?

Bast reaches behind her neck and unfastens the chain about her neck. She pulls from its hiding spot beneath her shirt her pendant. She holds it up for her teacher to see.

Bast: My mother gave this to me when I was very young. She said that it would always protect me... Will it do?

Teacher studies he pendant for a moment.

Teacher: This is it exactly... Your mother... She must have feared something like this might happen one day.

Tsuubo: Enough censored waitin’ around! He can’t stop us all at once!

Tsuubo charges Butch. His flame blazes brightly as his fist pulls back, ready to fly. The fist launches forward. A loud smack echoes throughout the room as Tsuubo’s fish contacts Butch’s open palm. Butch’s hand closes tightly over Tsuubo’s hand and there is a cracking sound which feeds his flame. Butch’s other hand forms a fist which moves for Tsuubo’s midsection. Tsuubo’s body is lifted from the floor three times as not Butch’s hand, but the energy field before it slams into him. The muscles on Tsuubo’s left arm grow tight as Butch’s grip on its hand is the only thing which keeps him from flying backward. So long as the force of the punches doesn’t grow to be enough to pull arm from body that is. Butch releases and once more his fist finds Tsuubo’s center. Tsuubo flies backward. He shifts his body as he moves through the air to face the wall he will hit. Shadow leaps from Shito’s body to provide a net to stop Tsuubo from hitting Lillith, Teacher, Bast, and/or Tathark. Tsuubo smirks. His body hits the wall of shade and vanishes into it. His remaining knives drop to the ground at the foot of the wall. Shito understands and projects more darkness from his form to extend behind Butch.

Butch: Whatcha doin’? Don’t be a bad devil or I’ll haveta punish you.

Tsuubo’s form emerges from Shito’s darkness behind Butch. His powerful body carries still the extra power of Butch’s attack as his shoulder slams into Butch’s unsuspecting back. Even though the energy field prevents actual contact to Butch’s flesh the force of the blow is still enough to cause him to stagger forward. Butch half turns but stops as Tanto’s sword nears his unguarded neck. The blade stops short as all other have, but the radiance of the blade grow rapidly through Tanto’s concentration to the point of blinding. The sword is released from the energy field as Butch’s hands go to cover his eyes. The light level of the blade returns to normal as Tanto retreats. A swipe from Butch passes through the air he had occupied. Tsuubo’s flame finishes its trip up his entire left arm as his broken hand slams into the center of Butch’s back. Butch stumbles and turns to attack as Tsuubo leaps away.

Tsuubo: His shield isn’t as strong now!

Tsurugi: Since he can’t see where the attacks are coming from he has to depend on his energy to move itself to block them. Meaning so long as we keep the energy of our attacks low they should get through.

Tsuubo: Then lets kill this bastard now!

Butch turns in the direction of Tsuubo’s voice. Tsuubo moves quickly and silently to get to his unguarded side, but stop at the sound of Tsurugi’s voice.

Tsurugi: No! We have no right to end his life.

Shito: What other option is there?

Tsurugi: I may be able to seal him if he is left prone...

Shito: You make things difficult brother. I prefer to end this quickly and simply.

Shito moves forward rapidly. His wings fold to provide minimal air resistance to slow him. Blades of flesh extend over his hands from his wrists as he draws closer to Butch.

Tsurugi: Shito, stop!

The child demon with the visage of an angel does not listen to his sibling’s cries as his arm extends forward. His flame is alive as his blade bites through Butch’s left side. A long but shallow cut forms on Butch’s side. Butch grits his teeth in rage and pain.

Shito: He should survive that, I’d think.

It is Waka who next moves after Butch. He jumps and his palm connects with Butch’s chin sending his head back. Waka forces himself into a spin bringing his arm back around so that his elbow takes Butch’s cheek as his head comes back up. He then drops low to the ground and sweeps his leg out to take Butch’s lower appendages out from beneath him. Butch falls backwards as Waka retreats to stand near Tanto. Tsuubo, Tanto, Waka, and Shito stand in a circle around Butch, ready to all leap at once to finish his play. Tsurugi stands back from them all, unmoving and apparently free of emotion. His eyes dart from combatant to combatant. They fall on Butch and remain there as the child grown god stands. The other spring forward, but stop by a force outside their own as Butch’s eyes open to reveal blazing white flames. A pulse of energy leaves Butch’s body to send all his attacker flying from him. Each finds themselves caught and cradled by the arms of a Dawn Requiem. Tsurugi stands with his energy extended. His eyes are pools of darkness in a deep glare at Butch. His flame hold all of his arm.

Lillith remains on the wall, now with her daughter’s pendant hanging from her neck. Teacher is standing with his hands folded in prayer and his face turned toward the heavens. He speaks a final word in his incantation and his blood on the wall begins to glow. The pendant responds with a shine of its own. Lillith is suddenly conscious and writhing against her bond to the wall as if in pain.

Bast: Mom!

Teacher: It’s all right. It will be over soon.

Lillith releases a shriek as her wings rapidly shrink back to her body and nothingness. The black marks vanish from her flesh as her body becomes human once more. She falls from the wall and into Teacher’s arms. He holds her awkwardly as her arms wrap around him.

Teacher: Uhm... hi, I’m Samuel Teacher. I’m Bast’s English and religious history teacher. I believe we met on back to school night?

Lillith’s head rests on Samuel’s shoulder. He can feel her tears fall to his cloth covered flesh.

Lillith: Thank you. You’ve saved me from damning myself once more.

At this point she embraces him further. The educator stands oddly for a moment before sighing and returning the embrace.

Butch: Bast!

Their embrace breaks, and all eyes dare on Butch. Tsurugi recalls his energy, leaving the other to stand for themselves.

Butch: Come here Bast. Then we’ll stop fighting.

Tsuubo: You’ll never ha--

Bast: All right! Just--just don’t hurt them...

Lillith: Bast...

Bast: I have to mother...

Tsuubo: Don’t go to him!

Bast step slowly toward the waiting Butch. She moves faster as she draws closer to him. She nears Tsurugi...

Tsuubo: Tsu, stop her!

...who doesn’t move as she goes by. His blackened gaze does not leave Butch.

Tsuubo: Tsurugi!

Bast stands in front of Butch now.

Bast: Do you promise to stop fighting them?

Butch: I won’t fight any more. I’m fightin’ ‘cause they’re trying to move in on me. If you’re mine, why fight?

Bast: All right. I’m yours.

Tsuubo: Bast, no!

Butch: Good! But so long as they’re alive you still might leave. So I gotta kill ‘em.

Bast: What!

Butch: I’m gonna let all my strength go. That should do it.

Bast: But you promised.

Butch: That isn’t fightin’ them, it’s killin’ them.

Tsurugi: That much power...

Shito: It will destroy this entire building.

Tsurugi: More. If it will indeed hold all of his energy it will have enough force to destroy this entire planet, or worse. It could destabilize the sun...

Butch: Then nobody will move in on me!

Bast, taking a step back: You’re insane... you’re censored insane!

With this she turns and runs back toward her mother’s arms. She cannot go all the distance, however, as she finds herself encased in a shield-sphere of energy.

Butch: You just stay there until it’s all over.

All the loose energy of the room begins to move itself in toward Butch.

Tsurugi: He’s gathering power! We’ll have to try to contain the blast! Lillith, can you use your magic?

Lillith: I don’t know, I feel so weak...

Tsurugi: If you can manage a shield, do so for yourself, Samuel, Stu, Tommy, and Tanto.

Tanto: I help you.

Tsurugi: We’ll handle this, you stay safe.

Tanto: But--

Tsurugi: No buts! We can’t die. You on the other hand are much luckier than us. That does not mean that your luck should play itself out now. Take Tommy and aid Lillith if you can.

Tanto: Very well.

The samurai’s blade disappears. He moves quickly to the alter and picks up the still out author. He carries him carefully to Lillith.

Shito: Don’t forget Tathark. Shield him too, please.

In answer the elven soul picks himself up from the wall with much effort. If a ghost can feel pain he does now. He stagers forward a bit.

Tathark: Don’t think me out of this yet.

Shito: And don’t you make me repeat my bother’s words to his samurai. If you wish to win favor with Bast then aid in guarding her mother.

Tathark: You could just tell me that I’d be in the way. Good luck, my liege.

Tsurugi, Tsuubo, Waka, and Shito file out into a circle around the power gathering Butch. The energy concentration around him grows so great as to thicken into the likeness of a star of darkness at the center of his soul ready to explode into a grand supernova. Lillith begins speaking strange words, but her mouth stops as fingers find her temples.

Lillith: I can’t do it, I don’t have the strength.

Tanto: Without a shield here our only hope lies with them.

Lillith feels Teacher’s hands on her shoulders. The feeling of his touch seems to strengthen her.

Teacher: Try again.

Tathark: I’ll give what shielding I can, but it won’t be much.

All of their shadows writhe together and raise up into a barrier around them. Their sight is slightly impaired by it, but they can still see everything outside clear enough.

Lillith: You’re hurt, this will weaken you too much...

Tathark: I don’t think I can die again truly unless Shito does, and he can’t. So don’t worry about me.

Lillith tries her words again and this time she does not stop. Her shielding joins Tathark’s in protecting them.

Tsurugi: Are you all ready?

Tsurugi stands facing Butch with Bast close behind him beating upon her confines. She cries out, but her voice is as trapped as she is. Shito is opposite Tsurugi. Tsuubo stands to Butch’s left side with Waka across from him.

Tsuubo: Just what the censored are we supposed to do?

Tsurugi: Loan me your energy, I’ll do the rest.

Tsurugi’s Dawn Requiem extends from his body as he rises to hover above the floor. The arms reach Tsuubo and Waka simultaneously and lift them from the ground as well. The ki wraps itself around Tsuubo’s blazing arm to feed off its energy and transport it. Waka’s flame comes to life as the arms encircle his body. Waka’s red flame darkens as Tsuubo’s lightens so that they both match Tsurugi’s. The tendrils next find the child with the flame that shares their color. They lift him as well. Everyone’s eyes close in concentration as all their power flows to and through Tsurugi. More tendrils extend and weave together to form a ball containing all of the immortals as well as Butch.

Tsurugi: Now is the time. Nothing can happen to us, but if we fail, I don’t think the people of this planet will be too happy.

Butch: Bast is mine!

With that his energy surges outward in a blast of white power. Ten eyes watch in horror as a light moves from Butch to hide all from view save its radiance and the shadow form of Tsurugi with his arm a crimson flame. The light grows stronger and Tsurugi seems to be pushed backward somewhat. Suddenly another light comes from the back of his right hand. This new flame grows quickly to take his arm, then both flames converge over his midsection before taking his legs and head. Rather than a shadow form there is now an effulgent body surrounded by a growing whiteness. The form moves as if wracked by pain as two sets of wings emerge from its back, one feathered, the other demonic. Just as the light starts to grow too great a third set of wings comes. It is feathered as well, and the demon’s wings shift to angel’s. The wings are blackness before a crimson flame facing radiance beyond that of a hundred suns. And then there is only white.

Scene 2: Fifteen-year-old Tsurugi lies in his bed in the home of Zathark, his step father. He is deeply asleep. His nine-year-old half-brother, Shito, stands over him and shakes him.

Shito: Brother, come on! Get up! You told me that you wanted to get up early today so that you could go to SilverMoon and get a present for Landria (and while your there get me some candy). Come on Tsurugi, wake up! Brother! Brother! Brother!!! Get up! Tsurugi! Tsurugi!

Scene 3: Tsurugi opens his eyes to find himself lying on the floor of a hotel penthouse looking up and the cherub face of his twelve-year-old half-brother.

Shito: Tsurugi!

Tsurugi: Wha--What happened?

Shito: Honestly, the hour resurrection time you guys have is truly pathetic. I’ve been up for a half an hour.

Tsurugi: Why didn’t you take control of my when you had the chance. I was vulnerable.

Shito: I told you that I would not betray you until this situation was over. The boy is not dead, and his power remains to be sealed. Releasing it all left him unconscious. I’d also recommend sealing some of his memory, but that is not among my abilities; so I must leave it to you.

Shito stands.

Tsurugi: I was good working on the same side again, brother.

Shito: When you next see Landria and the others give them my regards. I bear them no ill will save for their insistence to remain your comrade. Farewell. Tathark.

The elven soul is suddenly standing next to his master. Their shadows leap from the ground to devour them and then they are gone. Around the room the other immortals are waking as well.

Waka: Did we win?

Tsuubo: Bast! Is she all right!?

Tsurugi stands and moves to where Bast’s body is lying on the ground.

Tsurugi: She’s sleeping right now, but she will be fine. [he glances around the room] It seems that every one else is in the same state.

Tsurugi walks over next to Butch. He places his hand over Butch’s temples and presses slightly. Tsurugi’s eyes close in concentration as his flame comes to life and he speaks soft words. Butch starts snoring.

Tsurugi: It’s done. His ability to draw in power has been sealed. He’ll have an energy level like a normal human for the remainder of his life now. I also fooled around a bit with his memories of the past few days; he’ll think it’s all been a dream. We should leave now while the rest of them are out. Things will be less messy that way.

Bast, propping herself up on her elbows; still groggy: Tsuu... bo?

Tsuubo: I’m all right Bast. You?

Bast: I’m fine. [yawn]

The others start to wake now as well

Tanto: We’re alive; praise Amaterasu.

Waka: If you like. We won, that’s what’s important.

Lillith: It’s over then?

Tsurugi: It should be.

Tommy stands up

Tommy: At last! My true talent must have been released now! [megalomaniacal laugh] I am the being of power! Ouch, I think I hurt something...

Tommy collapses to the floor

Waka: Maybe I should provide some healing spells...

Waka moves over to Tommy and begins chanting his magic.

Student B: Where’s Shito?

Tsurugi: He’s already left. Tathark as well.

Student B: I still feel... strange...

Tsurugi regards the student thoughtfully for a moment.

Tsurugi: The power of the demon is still within you. Shito has left you a gift. I guess he did like you. Be careful with what you have been given.

Student B: Power? I’m not even sure if I know what it is or how to use it. Most of what happened is a blur now. All I have is this weird feeling.

Tsurugi: It may lie dormant, or you may reveal itself in time. You’ll learn to use it if it does.

Teacher: What happens now?

Tsuubo: . . .

Tsurugi moves to Lillith. He looks strangely at her talisman for moment and then takes it in his hand. Soft words leave his mouth.

Tsurugi: Should you ever need our aid this pendant shall serve as a guide and a key to find us. We must leave here soon. What we came to do has been done.

Bast: What!?

Waka and Tanto stand next to Tsurugi. Tsuubo doesn’t move.

Waka: It’s been fun, really. Goodbye all and good luck with the future.

Tanto: May Amaterasu light your path.

Teacher: Tanto? Do you have to go?

Tanto: I must. I must fight for my goddess when and where evil is.

Teacher: I understand. Goodbye, and thank you for all the times you saves my panicking butt.

Tanto, smiling: You are welcome.

Tsurugi: Tsuubo?

Tsuubo: Give me a minute.

Tsurugi: Alright. Personally I hate good-byes. I’ve grown fond of you all. I’ll miss you.

Lillith: Thank you for everything...

Tsurugi: I was an honor to have met you, Lillith Lilininth. [He bows]

Tsuubo’s back is to Bast. Shielded from Bast’s view by his body is his brightly glowing left hand. He covers the flame with his right palm and begins to whisper unheard words of a concealment spell.  Protecting to the end he hides his pain from her.

Tsuubo: Bast, I have to go now.

Bast: No...

Tsuubo: I’m sorry... but it cannot be helped.

Bast: No, you can’t you jerk, I won’t let you!

Tsuubo: I must--

Bast moves to Tsuubo, grabs his shoulder, and turns him to face her. Their eyes lock.

Bast: Tsuubo, I’ve fallen in--

Bast’s voice is stilled by Tsuubo’s middle and index fingers pressing against her lips.

Tsuubo: Don’t say it; it isn’t true. We have only just met, and those feelings take longer to form than we’ve had. Find someone and be happy; I am destined to my pain. I refuse to force you to share it.

Bast’s eyes shoot wide and them squeeze tight sending out two glimmering tears as Tsuubo’s lips press against his fingers that still remain where they had stilled her speech. Slowly the feeling of his touch fades from Bast’s body. Two tears of blood strike the ground in unison with Bast’s drops of sorrow, but the face that had issued them has gone from this world.