| abstract | - As the portal closed behind them, Gaillardia Nagareboshi and Nika Kazoraem landed upon the cold, hard earth. All around them appeared as if it were a desolate wasteland; with nothing to see for miles sans the Sōgyoku Tower. Over twenty stories tall, this Chinese-style complex emanated an utterly dark aura of spiritual energy. Even the gates appeared demonic—being forged in the shape of fangs. Yet despite the intimidating presence the tower held, the Mototsu-Seishin hybrid and the Kitsune Tenjōgekido weren't taken aback in the slightest. In fact, such a construct rather incited the feeling of relief—once they had defeated Masato, this world could return to normal. They didn't hesitate; utilizing Kōshinho and Sonído, the two rushed towards the gates at excessive speeds. Gai Nagareboshi's brunette hair was splayed out in all directions at the ends, reaching down to his waist. Several large clumps of hair stuck out, some curling away horizontally. His bangs framed his face, though they had two 'layers', with the behind layers falling to rest upon his chest. There were a few locks of hair kept in the middle of his forehead; there was a slim curled forelock of hair at the top of his head. Small hips, white long legs and thighs, and a nice curved rear. There were several impossibly attractive women in Earth, Soul Society, and Hell, though Gai's body was far more beautiful than all of those, from past, present, and future, even though he was a guy. It could be classified as art; a body with perfect shape. It looked like a nude body painting or statute on display at the museum. His azure within magenta eyes sparkled in a similar manner to a stream. Gai wore a tight black jumpsuit with red linings that clings to his body in addition to a white scarf that reached down to his knees. Nika Kazoraem had long, blonde hair. Her bangs framed her face, trailing down to her chest in a behind layer of hair. Several clumps of hair were in the middle of her forehead, and the rest of her hair was tied into a long ponytail which draped down to her ankles in a dark vermillion ribbon. She had fine features, azure eyes and large breasts. She wore a snow-white turtle-neck sweater and a long, purple skirt which reached down to her ankles. …Uh-oh. *splotch* The sound of puddles forming resounded throughout the area, as several patches of black water materialized all around them to form several hundred circles, which birthed thousands upon thousands of twisted, sea creature-esque monsters. To say they appeared demonic would be a serious understatement. Damn these things, what were they…? Gai clicked his tongue in exasperation, as Nika uttered, "Gaillardia Nagareboshi~ We need to find a way to bypass these freaks~" Gai retorted, "I know, I know. It's just that my brain ain't working right now in regards to this matter. It seems as if you don't have any ideas, either…" Nika responded, "Yeppers~" With that, the two braced themselves as the unearthly beings leapt upon them, only for them to be vanquished before the two's eyes with a ring of void energy. Gai slowly opened his eyes, only to see… This person who saved them possessed knee-length raven hair which was frayed at the end in all directions—two thin frayed strands of hair reached down to her chest and curved out horizontally left and right. The rest of her bangs framed her face and several strands of hair jutted down in-between her eyes, which were a piercing golden. In addition, she was dressed in apparel resembling Gothic Lolita attire; complete with a gray lacy barrette in her hair and a long, flowing dress. Wait, that was Terios! The young woman approached the two, beckoning, "…Listen to me. You two, reach the top of Sōgyoku Tower as fast as you can—We'll back you up." Gai questioned, "…'We'…?" Terios pushed the Mototsu-Seishin hybrid forward, snapping, "Hurry!" That was one hell of a gesture—the force which Terios exerted caused Gai to rush forward faster than before—he and Nika Kazoraem burst through the jagged gates as if they were rice paper. Barreling up the stairs and into the front door, the Mototsu-Seishin hybrid and the Kitsune Tenjōgekido gazed upon the complex—it was a hell of a lot bigger on the inside than it was on the outside, and that was saying something, that was for sure. Entering the foyer, Gai and Nika noticed several doors of differing colours—in fact, they were less like doors and more like gates which led to places unknown. Gai gritted his teeth, noting that there were four gates with several symbols upon them. Suddenly… With a flash of light, a figure of smugness and slipperiness approached the two. He had a slender body structure which was similar to his own; possessing wide hips, long legs, and a curved derrière. Come to think of it, they appeared similar to the point that they could be identical twins or related. However, this figure had lavender hair which was cut into a single, thin braid which had a dolphin-tail like ending at the tip, reaching down to his ankles, and the rest of his hair curved out horizontally on his face, with only a single strand in the middle of his forehead covering his eyes, which were outright demonic; being slitted- golden with crimson sclera. Gai immediately thought to himself, "…Masato!" In addition to his figure, Masato Nagareboshi dressed flamboyantly as well; wearing a mostly purple ensemble which was split down to his lower area in the top, such a fabulous air was accentuated by pink feathers which were woven around the collar and the cuffs of the sleeves. His black jeans also possessed such feathers, though they were serrated by numerous golden chains and pink patches. Gai clicked his tongue in exasperation, hissing, "Damn bastard! Give me back Kurenai, this instant!" Masato smirked, retorting sarcastically, "Oho. You actually think that'll work?" Approaching Gai, Masato placed his hand upon his shoulder, continuing, "…You could never understand. All the pain I've suffered—someone like you who's had nothing but the easy life couldn't ever comprehend it!" Gai snapped, "…You idiot! Don't you understand?! Can't you get it through your head!? Your children, the ones who you've treasured the most are with you!" Masato's eyes widened as he spat, "…S-Shut up! Don't try to fool me, boy! What do you know!?" Gai's tone softened a great deal, as he gently spoke, "…Because, I'm Gaillardia Nagareboshi, your son. And Eimi, Eimi is Emilia Nagareboshi, your daughter. Don't you see? Just, just stop Masato- we can all—" Snap. Something inside of Masato's mind completely shattered, as he clutched his head in absolute despair. All he'd done; all he had been doing was actually harming those he loved the most. Even Eimi…he had completely warped and twisted his precious daughter's psyche without him knowing it. Masato's eyes contracted as his pupils dilated; all while a grin that showed no emotion, only teeth crept upon his face. Such a sight caused Gai to inch back slightly, as the maniacal laughter of a true demon burst forward from his lips, booming throughout the complex. A dark aura formed around his body, which intensified before engulfing him completely. Flaring up their own spiritual pressures to prevent themselves from being enveloped by Masato's evil aura, Gai and Nika trudged forward before the vicious maelstrom subsided, leaving Masato a former shell of himself. His lip was split and his hairs were frayed at the ends; he looked as if he were a marionette who had its strings cut. Masato screeched, "Don't you dare lie to me, boy! They died…they all died! Only I can save them!" Gai could do naught but give Masato Nagareboshi a look of sheer pity. His drive to save his family had driven him insane in despair and grief—now, only Gaillardia Nagareboshi could put him out of his misery. Masato continued, "…Don't lie to me! You are NOT my son, boy! How dare you pretend to be him—" Nika interrupted in a serious tone, "…Masato. Don't you see? Gai Nagareboshi is your son—as is Eimi your daughter. What you've done is inflict hurt and despair upon them in your quest to bring together your family once again. So, you don't need to hurt them anymore—" Masato screamed, "Shut up, shut up, shut up! Stop trying to convince me to stop! My reasons for this are my own and my own only! If you're so resolute in your belief that I'm wrong, then come and fight me!" With that, Masato Nagareboshi disappeared behind the next door, which locked itself. Gai sighed, "…Dammit! How do we get to 'im now…" However, people were there to answer his call; as Mitsuru Inazuma, Hizashi Yoshi, El Haruko Kiseki and Kagirinai Nagareboshi appeared. Gai stuttered, "Wait, you guys…?" Kagirinai snapped, "Oi, listen up. Stop that bastard. Pay him back for messing with our family, okay?" El Haruko added, "…By Captain-Commander Yamamoto's will, I shall not falter and ensure that Soul Society's laws are kept in place. …Or, that's what I would have said. Here, I'm fighting for your cause. The laws of Soul Society are nothing compared to my bond with my friends." Hizashi stuttered, "…Gai. Advance. I shall remove these pests from this plane of existence." Mitsuru placed his hand upon Gai's shoulder, asking, "…Gai, just be safe, okay? If you get hurt then I don't know what I'll do." Gai nodded, smiling, "…Thanks, guys." With that, Gaillardia Nagareboshi and Nika Kazoraem ran through the newly-opened door which revealed itself the moment that the four entered the gates.
|
