(no subject)
Title: 31 Trials from Hell
Rating: 18
This chapter: 12
Main Characters from: Gacktjob, Malice Mizer
Main Pairing: Gackt X Kami
Summary: When his lover dies Gackt will do anything it takes to get him back even if it means following him into the depths of hell.
Previous Trials
Trial 1: The Deal
Trial 2: Trust
Trial 3: Cerberus
Death was a barren wasteland void off all life and filled with souls wandering around, some aimlessly others with purpose as if on the beginning of a journey. Some looked scared, others were crying and yet more looked relieved though the majority reaction was simple confusion. They didn't understand what had happened to them, why they were here, or where they were supposed to go. The only break from this monotony was a large river that ran through the centre off the wasteland filled with souls that were been washed down stream though where they ended up Gackt couldn't guess.
“That armour suits you.” You commented smiling. “The last thing you were wearing before life was returned to you. You looked unhappy then too, troubled, it's like I never let you be reincarnated at all.”
“How can you smile when everyone is so miserable?” Gackt demanded. “When this place is so barren.”
“It's death.” You explained. “These souls are all been called to judgement but most of the people here are ignoring it. They don't want to go to hell so they refuse to answer the call. See that woman over there? She's walking with purpose and without fear towards the gates. If you followed her then you would find them yourself. That's actually where we need to be, I can manipulate the judgement gate to take us where we want to go, without me the gates will see your mark and send you straight to Valhalla.”
“And the river?” Gackt asked. “There's souls in there too.”
“Yes, it sweeps them through the judgement gates against their will. Cerberus will be here soon, he's good at knocking souls in.” You explained. “But that's not his purpose here.”
“What is his purpose?” Gackt asked sensing it was bad by You's hesitancy to tell him.
“To keep the living out of the underworld he eats their souls.” You explained. “Which is why we need to get out of here before he arrives.”
“I won't argue with that.” Gackt agreed looking around for a weapon and realising, to his own surprise, that a sword hung from his hip. It was only now he could really appreciate what he was wearing and though there was no mirror he could see he was wearing leather trousers and top under plates of a light weight red metal. It was a decorative armour, more for show than a real battle, and he found his body accepting it's weight easily. He was born to wear such things and as he drew the sword, which shone blood red, that too felt right in his hand, an extension of his own body as well as being a deadly weapon.
“You might want to keep the sword in it's sheath.” You warned bringing Gackt's attention to the way the crowd were pulling away from him in fear. “It's made from soul destroying metal. You can't kill the dead off course but you can scatter their souls into pieces. Depending on how far there soul scatters it can take anything from a few hours to centuries for a soul to rejoin as one. The dead may not know this but they can sense your weapon is dangerous to them.”
“What would happen if I used this sword on a living person?” Gackt wondered.
“Oh nothing, a body is very good at keeping a soul together though off course a living man can always die.” You pointed out and Gackt nodded admiring his blade one more time before putting it safely away. Even now he still got wary gazes and he realised that he must look like the perfect image of a samurai walking among them besides a blond man still in bike leathers. Even his hair had changed, grown longer and a scar had appeared on the back of his hand. This was his body but it wasn't and he realised that it was more than the clothes, he had returned to being the samurai from his past which probably was why he felt so strong and fit, had he not died young before? Younger than the twenty six years he had lived on earth so far, he barely felt older than nineteen!
“Something wrong?” You asked seeing Gackt staring at his hand as if it was the most fascinating thing in this world.
“How old is this body?” Gackt wondered. “Look at the scars, this one looks like a knife wound that healed badly!”
“Twenty two.” You admitted. “So you figured it out?”
“I'm the samurai you resurrected.” Gackt replied. “But tell me, when I die in this life will I return to this body then?”
“Any body you owned on earth you can wear here.” You explained. “At least that applies for my warriors. I want you at your strongest off course but if you felt like being a baby again then you could be one.”
“Where are the souls of the babies?” Gackt wondered suddenly. “The youngest person I can see looks to be about four or five.”
“May angels lead you to your rest.” You quoted. “Their souls are collected and reborn, everyone deserves a chance to live. Besides judgement doesn't work on the very young.”
“Let's get out of here before Cerberus arrives.” Gackt announced and nodding You walked a short distance until he found a young girl crying for her mother.
“Shh now, there's no need to cry.” You comforted her. “You're mother will be here when it's her time.”
“I want her now!” the girl complained clutching onto You who had been the first person to offer her any form off support since she had got here.
“You feel that tug in your heart?” You asked. “That's telling you the way you're meant to go. If you like I will come with you, perhaps your mother is already there? Did she die with you?”
“No!” the girl sobbed. “My Mum is still alive but maybe my Grandma is calling for me?”
“Maybe.” You agreed. “Why don't you go and see? It has to be better than crying here.”
“Perhaps.” The girl agreed.
“Come on then.” You encouraged and the girl happily accepted his hand leading him towards judgement whilst Gackt followed behind touched by You's kindness. He wasn't the only one who followed, the souls around them had been listening to their entire exchange and those who weren't afraid off going to hell began to follow the little girls lead. One by one more souls joined those with a purpose and before long a small progression was walking through the wasteland looking hopeful that something good was about to happen. Clearly You was a born leader but really all he did was act confident and in control when everyone else was lost and confused. Perhaps that was all a leader had to do to get power and respect?
A howl from the river startled Gackt and he turned to watch in shock as a large serpent raised it's head above the water and slid out onto the land. It was pitch black in colour though it's eyes glowed red and angry. As it moved towards the people Gackt could see that even closed it's mouth was as large as the men surrounding it. What kind of snake could be that big? It was impossible and terrifying.
“Don't worry, Cerberus won't come for any off you who are walking towards judgement. Just keep going!” You called out loud and sure though he quickly grabbed Gackt's arm and pulled him away from the crowd. “He will however attack them if they're protecting you. Give me your sword.”
“I can fight.” Gackt complained.
“Not against Cerberus, besides it's too risky.” You scolded watching as the snake lifted it's tail and swept the nearby souls straight into the river where they sank below the surface instantly and began to wash away.
“I thought Cerberus was a dog.” Gackt commented sounding almost insulted that he wasn't.
“Give me your sword.” You repeated again, drawing it himself when Gackt didn't move. “The gate isn't too far, you need to run and get through. Cerberus won't go through the gate and I’ll find you easy in Valhalla. I know the location of every one of my souls there.”
“He's supposed to be a dog.” Gackt repeated stubbornly glaring at the black snake that had yet to notice his presence but soon will.
“With three heads.” You replied. “That's head number 1. He's just getting started, going for the easy souls by the river bank. It's head number 2 that will spot you.”
“Number 2?” Gackt repeated but as he spoke the snake began to morph and he soon found himself staring at a large black dog that looked close to a German Shepard in build. It ran quickly, easily herding souls into the river but then it stopped and sniffed the air turning it's giant head towards Gackt. He'd been spotted as You had warned but Gackt couldn't run, he was frozen to the spot and in two great leaps the dog was in front of him growling.
“Cerberus sit!” You ordered but all the dog did was exhale sending a warm breeze of air over anyone who stood before it. Clearly it had no respect for You and bared it's teeth at Gackt letting out a growl that vibrated the ground beneath their feet.
“How are you going to fight that!” Gackt demanded unable to take his eyes off the beast before him.
“Oh it'll be fun.” You reassured him, his voice coming from above. Surprised Gackt couldn't help but glance up seeing You was been supported by two large deep blue wings. Despite there colour and You's biker appearance he was the closest Gackt had ever seen to an angel and he had the attention off most of the people here. With sword in hand You swooped downwards slicing Cerberus nose before shooting up out of the reach off his fangs, now he had the dogs attention and angrily the dog lunged at You who kept teasing the beast with every swipe off the blade against it's body.
“Gackt run! He'll give up on me pretty quickly!” You warned and this time Gackt obeyed easily over taking the souls who had been leading him and using the river as a guide to the right direction to take. Cerberus was scarier than death itself, an eternal end to his existence, and Gackt felt true fear as he bolted away.
Left behind You fought Cerberus easily taking the upper hand until, like he had warned, the dog grew bored. With a howl it morphed again turning into a grand dragon with scales even Gackt's blade couldn't break through. Knowing he was out matched You kept his distance watching in horror as the dragon flew in Gackt's direction trying his best to keep up but quickly falling behind. How long had he given Gackt to get ahead? Not enough time surely! Why had Gackt not obeyed his order the second he had spoken it? Why had he stayed and argued?
Gackt didn't even notice the demon as he ran but a crashing sound had him glancing over his shoulder to watch a black dragon looking stunned and confused. It turned and flew at him again hitting an invisible wall. Confused Gackt stopped and saw the man who was helping him, Chachamaru.
“Just get to the gate. You're useless to everyone is Cerberus gets you.” Chachamaru scolded and obediently Gackt ran for safety seeing the large white gates that shone like pearls before him. This time he wasn't going to disobey anyone and he threw open the gates jumping through knowing that Valhalla had to be a lot better than having a shape-shifting dog eating your soul.
Left behind Chachamaru watched Cerberu turn and fly back up stream before sighing. He knew that Odin wouldn't tolerate his presence in Valhalla so he couldn't go after Gackt there. He may be a powerful demon but Odin was a god and even he respected that. Landing gracefully besides him You seemed surprised that he had interfered.
“This is the first time a demon has ever been here to my knowledge.” You commented.
“Yeah well, I was planning to lure Gackt away from you.” Chachamaru replied. “I knew you'd end up fighting Cerberus but I hadn't realised just how determined that damn dog can be when it comes to eating the souls of the living!”
“He's hungry I guess.” You agreed. “But we got Gackt through the gates at least.”
“To Valhalla off all places” Chachamaru complained. “I should have got here sooner, cursed the gate to send him to me!”
“Why won't you just accept defeat?” You demanded. “Don't you realise that Gackt belongs to me?”
“It's that very reason why I won't give in.” Chachamaru scolded. “You'll leave Valhalla eventually, you have to if you want to find Kami, and then I can try again. I'm going now, I don't like death, it's so boring though you Valkyries love it don't you? So many souls to scavenge here and trick into joining your army.”
“It may be true that I sometimes have to follow a warriors soul here but I am no scavenger. My army is made off only the best, you'll see when Ragnarok comes.” You threatened.
“When Ragnarok comes fate will probably have us fighting on the same side.” Chachamaru replied. “Just because you made that threat here today.”
“We'll see.” You retorted as he turned his back on the demon and headed towards the gates that would lead him home. With a cocky smile Chachamaru vanished confident that Gackt's hunt for Kami would be long and difficult, especially with what he had planned for the man. The longer it took Gackt to find Kami the more chances he'd have to give up and it was at that time he would have the samurai exactly where he wanted him, happy to make a deal.