Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ A Dragon's Call ❯ The End…or the Beginning? ( Chapter 15 )

Chapter Fifteen: The End…or the Beginning?

That one was currently staring at the carnage that had become his gang. Sasha lay on the ground, appearing as dead as Tomo. Sam and Brad had defected, effectively being dead in Dirk's eyes. With their deaths, Dirk knew his plans for having Yui summon Seiryuu were destroyed. She had no Shinzaho to take the Seishi's place, and thus, was unable to summon the Dragon God.

His eyes darkened in suppressed anger and rage. These whelps had destroyed years of preparation in half an hour! He snarled, his hand tightening around Yui's neck painfully as he glared hatefully at Tarek and Joshua. The two former enemies had seemingly joined forces, hatred for Dirk in both of their eyes.

A sly smirk fell over Dirk's face, his eyes showing nothing but malice. He'd failed in his goal, but they would join him in death, as would Yui. His grip tightened on her throat, eliciting a cry of pain from her. Joshua growled, taking a step forward. Tarek held him back, his eyes narrowed dangerously as he gazed at Dirk. He'd fallen for that once too often with Nakago to let it affect him now.

"Give it up Dirk. You've lost." Tarek warned, his fists at his sides as he gazed at his once, and current, enemy. "Let her go."

"I think not." Dirk scowled at the two, tightening his hold on Yui's neck as Joshua made another step forward. "One more step, boy, and your love dies a most gruesome death."

"Let her go!" Joshua snarled, his ryuuseisui swirling around him in agitation. It was as if the deadly weapon was itching to attack. In truth, it was, but Joshua kept a reign on his emotions, not wanting to hurt Yui because of his rashness.

"That's right, boy. Keep your distance." Dirk growled, backing up slowly, Yui in his arms. He'd use her to escape. They would never think to stop him while he held her captive.

A tremor went down his back suddenly. Loud thunder sounded as lightening crackled in the distance. The sea churned, as if angry at these turn of events. Dirk looked around with a frown, then yelped and stood back.

Yui seemed to be ablaze, blue fire surrounding her. Her eyes were wide, the color having turned to a deep silver. Her hair and clothes swirled around her, as if caught in an intense wind storm. A blue kanji symbol glowed on her forehead, the light almost blinding as it blazed to life.

Behind them, the ocean became more violent, the waves crashing onto the shore furiously. In the distance, a blue circle of light appeared from the churning water. The light grew brighter and brighter, until a huge creature broke the surface of the water.

It was a huge blue dragon. Not the kind seen in novels, but an ancient dragon from Chinese myth. Its muzzle opened, emitting a piercing scream of anger and rage. Everyone was transfixed, their eyes wide with awe as they stared upon the form of the god Seiryuu once more.

The figure of the dragon flew over the ocean, its body wrapping protectively around its miko. Yui's eyes continued to glow as Seiryuu's form changed, becoming a tall, handsome young man. He placed his hands on Yui's shoulders, his cold blue eyes taking in all around him.

"Iiee!! Don't take her away again!" Miaka cried, tears falling down her face. Christopher held her back, otherwise she would have rushed forward.

A brief smile fell over Seiryuu's face at Miaka's audacity. "Do not fear, Suzaku no Miko. I have no intention of consuming my miko again." His eyes once again grew cold as he looked at his fallen seishi. "I am most displeased with you, my seishi. I give you the gift of life once more, a second chance to right the wrongs you have committed, and you throw my gift away in favor of the desire for power. I am most displeased."

He reached out a hand, and Dirk was suddenly there, his body rigid with pain as he stared up at his god with wide eyes. Seiryuu gazed back, his brow furrowing in anger. "I have given each of you a second chance. Ashitare." Sam cringed, looking down as he was addressed. "I gave you a life more suited to you, a family that loves you, not hate and despises you. Yet you joined with Nakago once more, following his orders like an obedient dog."

Yi's head snapped up, her mouth opened as if to protest his words. He gave her a warning glance, her head falling in acquiescence. Turning to the shivering Sam, Seiryuu continued. "However, you have shown yourself able to break free of your old self. You chose to help my brother's seishi, as well as my miko, in her time of need. You are forgiven."

A deep breath escaped Sam, his eyes alight with happiness. He bowed his head, falling to his knees in benediction.

The Dragon God's eyes scanned once more, coming to rest on Brad. "Miboshi. Just as Ashitare did not change, nor did you. You chose to follow Nakago mindlessly, hoping to regain a semblance of your former power."

Brad swallowed, nodding as he bowed his head. It was true; he'd hoped Dirk's ambitions would fuel his own.

"Yet, when faced with killing your once best friend, you balked." Seiryuu smirked, enjoying seeing the stunned look on Brad's face at his words. "But like Ashitare, you too saw the error of your ways in time. You are forgiven."

Tears of gratitude and relief fell down Brad's cheek, as he collapsed to his knees. He smiled up at Seiryuu, happiness and contentment filling him. Christopher knelt next to his old friend, propping his arms around his shoulders. Brad smiled at Christopher in gratitude.

Nodding in approval, Seiryuu once more gazed around him. His eyes fell on the unmoving and charred body of Sasha. "Soi. Once more, you allowed your heart to overrun your mind. And once again, you sacrificed your life for the man you loved. But your feelings in this were clouded, as they have always been. Accept my forgiveness and live once more to follow your true heart."

A blue light surrounded Sasha as she lay in Nicholas' arms. He watched in awe and amazement as her charred flesh became white and smooth once more. Her long maroon hair fell around her in waves, moving around her as she once more began to breath.

Her eyes fluttered open, staring up into Nicholas' face. Her fingers lightly brushed away the tears that were falling unheeded down his face.

"Stupid female…" Nicholas choked, closing his eyes as he leaned into her touch.

She smiled, nodding once, weakly. "I am. Forgive me?"

He just held her close in answer.

Once again, Seiryuu turned to his seishi. "Tomo. You were given a second chance, but it was taken from you by the machinations of a demon. Arise, Keka." The once form of Tomo swirled around, until a small form began to emerge. It resembled a dragon, much like Seiryuu's other form, only much smaller.

"You have disobeyed me for the last time, Keka. Your attempt at godhood is at an end." Seiryuu said coldly. Before the creature could protest in its defense, it was engulfed in intense blue fire. It screamed, evaporating into nothingness. Once ore, the others were reminded of how cold and unyielding the Dragon God could be.

"Tomo. Your jealousy of Soi was your undoing. You allowed the demon Kiko to take over your body, and your soul. Yet, like Soi, you did it for love. Accept my forgiveness and be whole once more."

A blue column of light appeared where the former demon had stood. Long brown hair swirled around the figure as Raphael appeared. He blinked, staring at everyone in confusion. There was an innocence, a gentleness about him that hadn't been there before. He looked over at Joshua and turned a deep red as he remembered what he did to the youth when Keka had a hold of him.

Before Joshua could reassure him it was okay, he gasped as Seiryuu once again addressed his seishi. "Amiboshi. The love you have for your brother is strong, as his is for you. Yet, you hate yourself for what you've become. I watched as you murdered your own mother."

"No! That wasn't how it happened!" Joshua protested, not caring if this was a god or not. No one spoke like that about his brother!

Seiryuu held his hand up and Joshua found himself unable to speak. "Allow me to finish, young one." He turned cold blue eyes onto Amiboshi, but they softened slightly. "Your courage and strength enabled you to not only save your miko and brother, but to stand up to your worst fears. You are anything but a murderer, my son. You faced your worst fears and overcame them. Accept my blessing and know you have done well."

Jonathan felt tears come to his eyes at his god's words. He bowed his head, falling to his knees in gratitude. Overcome with emotion, he could only clutch his flute to his chest as he gazed at Seiryuu in awe.

"Suboshi." Joshua looked up, gazing at Seiryuu with near defiance. The god smiled, a genuine smile this time. The most impetuous and emotion driven of my seishi. Whereas Amiboshi believed himself to be a murderer, that title rightfully belongs to you."

Joshua flinched at Seiryuu's words, but didn't deny them. He knew them to be true, after all. He'd willingly killed Tamahome's family and without remorse. At least, at the time he'd done it…

"However, you have come to realize the error of your actions. You've come to realize life is most precious, not to be snuffed out on a whim. With your acceptance of this, and willingness to accept responsibility for your actions, you have redeemed yourself. Accept my eternal blessing and know that I am proud of you."

Like his brother, Joshua fell to his knees at his god's words. When Tarek had forgiven him, he'd never believed it possible. But now, to know that he wasn't cursed, made his heart soar with happiness.

"Last of all, Nakago." Seiryuu's booming voice startled them, as the god addressed the last of his seishi. "Your foolish ambition has nearly destroyed this world, and your fellow seishi. You were given a second chance, yet you continued with this foolish ambition of yours, causing death and destruction. This I cannot forgive."

Dirk's eyes widened, knowing full well what the god's words meant. "As you will it. But not before I have my revenge!" Reaching into his jacket, he pulled out a revolver. Aiming it at Yui's heart, he pulled the trigger.

A collective cry of "no!" could be heard from everyone on the small beach. The sound of a discharged gun crackled, followed by a scream. Yui opened her frightened eyes to see Brad in front of her, his brown eyes wide with pain.

Despite that, he smiled up at her. "I did it, Yui-sama. I protected you like I always should have." He slumped to the ground, blood pooling on the sand from the bullet wound to his back. Christopher rushed over to his friend's side, cradling him in his arms.

There was a moment of stunned silence, then a pair of cries, both filled with anguish, sounded. Dirk looked down at the sudden gaping hole in his chest, a result of the ryuuseisui that had pierced his chest. He screamed, not even noticing the blood and bone fragments that littered the ground from his sudden injury. He clutched his head, screaming one final time as the horrible music pierced his skull. He was dead before he hit the sandy ground.

"Justice has been served." Yui looked around at the sound of the voice, her eyes back to normal. The sea and sky were just as they were, with no sign that Seiryuu had been present. If not for Dirk's body lying in its own blood, the scene could have passed for a group of teenagers on a picnic.

Miaka knelt next to Christopher, rubbing his back as he gazed up at her sorrowfully. Brad was in his arms, smiling weakly up at them all. He'd done it; he'd protected his miko as was his duty. He just wished it didn't hurt so much…

Michael knelt next to them, placing his hand on Brad's shoulder. A red glow began from his hand, slowly spreading over Brad's body. "Rest. This will take care of the pain until we can move you."

The young man nodded, resting his head on his friend's shoulder. He instantly fell asleep, the pain gone for the moment.

Turning, Yui fell into Joshua's arms, burying her face in his chest. Everything that had happened seemed to crash down on her all at once. Holding her tightly, Joshua rested his face against her hair, whispering his reassurances that all would be all right. He looked up, smiling as his brother wrapped his arms around Joshua's shoulders, giving him Jonathan's own reassurance. They'd won. Despite all obstacles presented to them, they'd won.

Looking up, Yui gazed into Joshua's loving eyes. He loved her unconditionally and completely, without any strings attached. It was a blessing she'd found him again. Her gaze fell onto Jonathan, a smile finally coming to her lips. They were both precious to her, she realized. Perhaps not in the same way, she now realized, but she loved them both.

Life certainly had proven to be difficult. But as long as the ones she loved were with her, Yui knew she could survive it. Life, and love, was a never ending circle. Pain, sorrow and heartache may fill her life, but eventually, all would be right. She smiled, knowing her life had finally reached that point. Snuggling close to Joshua, she watched the sunrise on a new day, and a new life.

Together.

~owari~

AN: WAI!!!! It's finally finished!! I never thought I'd ever finish this story! Well, hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. I may write an epilogue to this, sort of a recap of what happens to everyone. Don't expect it too soon though, other projects are currently calling my attention. I'm glad you all stuck through this with me and I hope it was worth the wait!