InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ X-stasy ❯ Xstasy ch 15 ( Chapter 15 )

X-stasy

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha.

Chapter 15: -Darkness-

Once ye have found your center of being concentrate on the nothingness. Embrace that darkness, that nothingness. Bring it close to your black heart, like a long lost lover. What do ye see? What do ye feel?

Hatred. Anger. Lust. These feelings flow through your black heart. Embrace them. Let them become one with your tainted soul.

Lumina...ye hate her. Embrace that hatred ye have for her. For that half-human bitch. Hate her with all your being. Concentrate on that hatred. Accept those dark feelings and let them inside your heart of ice.

Hatred. Your hatred towards humans runs deep...very deep. This hatred will make ye powerful, strong, and even invincible.

Anger. Ye wish to punish her for what she's done to ye. What would ye do to her? Would ye kill her? Give her a quick, painless death? Or would ye kill her slowly, relishing in the pain, making her suffer for what she's done to ye, being without mercy, just as she was without mercy for ye. What else would ye do to Lumina? Picture it Sesshoumaru. You're all alone, with your unparalleled power, and no one is around to watch what ye do secretly.

Lust. Give into that lust ye have for Lumina. Now combine it with your hatred for her and make her suffer while ye enjoy it! Enjoy the pain and humiliation ye can cause her if ye make her yours...

Sesshoumaru let the old man's words wash over him as he concentrated on embracing the darkness within himself. Sesshoumaru was reminded of his hatred for humans, for what they did to his beloved Haruna. They killed her, stoned her to death, a mere girl-child, without mercy.

Lumina. She was half-human half-god. He embraced his hatred for humans and embraced his hatred towards Lumina. He smiled as he thought of punishing her for what she did to him. Relished in the sounds of her screams, her pleading for him to stop his torture. But in his mind's eye he would not stop. He would show her no mercy. He continued to imagine torturing her, making her suffer, just as he had suffered at her hands.

Then he felt something well up within him at her pain...pleasure. He was greatly enjoying making Lumina suffer, imaging her suffering. Then the pleasure morphed and turned into a different kind of pleasure that was sexual in nature. He was becoming aroused by Lumina's plight at his hands. He embraced this dark feeling and found he wanted more. He wanted to take Lumina's body and sate this hunger the torture of her had stirred within him. He lusted for her, desired her.

He imagined forcing himself upon the woman, who had humiliated him.

Sesshoumaru's eyes snapped open as he realized what the old man had made him do. Disgusted at himself Sesshoumaru felt nauseous and sick with desire. So disgusted with himself Sesshoumaru found that he was retching once again in the corner of his cell. Since he had no food to throw up he was throwing up bile instead. He was thoroughly sickened at himself for imagining something so...dishonorable.

That was nothing like him. He was sure that was nothing like him. Almost positive. He was filled with doubt. Was that darkness really a part of him? Could he really be capable of committing such a horrendous act? When he had imagined Lumina suffering for what she had done...he had been filled with pleasure. What did this all mean? Sesshoumaru had been running away from a certain part of himself all his life. Running away from the blood of Feng that flowed in his veins, from his sadist nature. Was that who he really was? Was Sesshoumaru, as he was now, just an illusion, a facade that he had made up?

Then who was the real Sesshoumaru? Was he really this foretold Dark Knight? A sadistic bastard who would ravage women and feel pleasure from their plight? Sesshoumaru began to throw up again at the thought coughing up more bile that burned in his throat. It was too much for him to handle, too much to grasp all at once. He had never hated himself so much as he did at that exact moment. If this continued...if he continued to embrace the darkness things would only get worse. His worst nightmare could become a reality and he would turn into someone else.

"Good, very good." The old man's voice rang in his ear. "Ye are just beginning to embrace the darkness within yourself. I saw your aura changing. It was beautiful Sesshoumaru. Ye are truly a powerful, magnificent being. I am proud of your progress. Ye are so close, now if only ye would continue to embrace your feelings of hatred and lust-"

"Enough old man!" Sesshoumaru spat pushing himself up from the cold, stone floor. "I know what you're trying to do. And it won't work."

"Oh? And what is it exactly that I'm trying to do? I'm just trying to help ye Sesshoumaru. That is all. I thought ye wanted to get out of here at any cost? Or did you change your mind? Do ye really want to stay here so badly and be the pet of that half-human woman?"

Sesshoumaru growled low in his throat at the thought. "Of course not, but if it's at the cost of my own identity..."

The old man started to laugh. "Your identity? My dear boy, embracing the darkness within yourself is your destiny. Ye are destined to become the legendary Dark Knight that will lead the Shadow Masters to victory. That is why am I here. I came here to find ye. Did ye really think it mere coincidence how ye hate humans so much? But no matter, I think ye are ready to summon the dark elemental power. Will ye give it a try?"

"Alright." Sesshoumaru hesitated before consenting.

"Good, now my dear boy. Concentrate once again on those dark emotions of hate...anger...and lust. Imagine those emotions converting into energy. A powerful, dark energy. Feel the power flow through ye, consume ye. In the palms of your hands allow the energy to form and take shape. That's it! You've almost got it. Now, open your eyes." The old man smiled.

Sesshoumaru slowly opened his eyes and looked down at his hands. There cradled in his palms was a small, black fireball. The black flames licked his hands like a cat but it seemed his skin was immune to its touch. This had been formed of dark elemental fire energy. Apparently, this was Sesshoumaru's hidden power. It reminded him of Isane's control over elemental fire energy and he wondered why the two flames were different colors. Hers a deep crimson like blood, and his a black as dark as night.

"Congratulations, my dear boy." The decrepit, old man beamed at his pupil. "You've done it! You're own your way to becoming a veritable Dark Knight of the Order of the Dark Moon and Shadowed Sun! Of course, it will take the Doorway herself to awaken the rest of your powers. But this amount of power will do quite nicely for us to get out of here."

Sesshoumaru looked down at the black fireball he cradled in his hands. The proof that the old man had not been lying to him. That he indeed had hidden powers after all. Did that mean the old man was also telling the truth of his destiny? To become the Dark Knight, and a member of the Dark Order? Sesshoumaru shook his head. "I have agreed to nothing old man. And what of the Doorway?"

"You are fascinated with her. Have never met anything like her. Are obsessed with her. You desire her. You love her." The old man smiled his crooked smile. "That is to be expected since it is fate. She will be able to awaken the rest of your powers using the ancient art of Sex Magick. You are fated to be together, however, it shall only be that way if you embrace your destiny as the Dark Knight at her side. If not..."

"What are you talking about old man?" Sesshoumaru demanded giving the old man one of his best stares. A stare that would paralyze any sane man with fear. The old man simply shrugged.

"First things first, we get out of here. And then I believe it's time you were united with the Sword of Feng." The old man waved a hand in the air dismissing the matter.

"Sword of Feng?" Sesshoumaru leaned in intrigued. He always had a fond interest in swords. He had been collecting them as long as he could remember. They were loyal friends that could help you win your toughest battles in life.

"Yes, the mystical Sword of Feng, forged from the claw of the God Feng himself. The sword is destined to be yours Sesshoumaru. I will lead you to the ancient temple in which the sword has been sealed and then we shall see." The old man's bulbous yellow eyes sparkled deviously.

"Alright old man, you were right about my hidden power, so we shall see about this sword of which you speak." Sesshoumaru stood and made his way over to the bars of his wretched cell. He could almost smell the scent of freedom. He touched the crude metal lock and concentrated on his negative emotions of hate, anger and lust. Summoning the power a black hued aura surrounded him. He could feel the power flowing through his veins and concentrated on its heat. Using that heat he then melted through the lock of his cell until the barred door swung open.

Sesshoumaru gave the old man a small smile waiting for him to lead the way. The old man nodded and hobbled out of the cell and so they began their escape. Instead of leaving the dungeons the way Sesshoumaru had come in the old man instead lead the way deeper and deeper into the dungeons until they seemingly reached a dead end. The old man then tapped his gnarled cane on the wall of stone and the stone mysteriously moved aside revealing the entrance to a hidden passageway.

Sesshoumaru's raised an eyebrow in surprise and the two continued along their way. The passageway went on and on until finally there was a low light up ahead. Passing through the end of the passageway sunlight flooded Sesshoumaru's vision and he squinted his eyes as they readjusted to the light. They were back outside in the open and before them was the ancient temple. The temple itself was a solid gold pyramid that glistened and glowed as the sun illuminated it with its rays. It was truly a splendid sight and took Sesshoumaru's breath away at its greatness.

The golden pyramid was toped by the symbol of the Order of the Sun and Moon, a round circle, the left was composed of a crescent moon, and the other side a sun with its rays stretching outward. There were several smaller structures around the temple that were aging with the time. On their stone surfaces many runes and sacred symbols were etched. Sesshoumaru also noted that the symbol of the Phoenix was engraved in many of the outer stone buildings.

The golden pyramid itself was seated on a block of stone in which stairs had been carved. Sesshoumaru and the old man wasted no time in making their way up the stairs to the temple's entrance. When they entered the temple it was pretty dark due to the lack of windows of any kind.

"Sesshoumaru use your power to light that well of oil that goes along the wall there. It should illuminate this entire place with light." The old man informed Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru did as he was told and fired a small bolt of blackfire at the oil. It immediately caught on fire and a stream of fire began to ignite along the walls, and all around the entire interior of the temple providing a dark, eerie glow as the blackfire Sesshoumaru had lit the oil wells with bounced their dark rays off the interior of the golden pyramid. Now that the place was illumed Sesshoumaru could see a large golden icon before them on a raised dais. It was also of solid gold and was the representation of the two divine Phoenixes, the Goddess Huang and her consort the God Feng, both in their beast form.

They were simply breathtaking. They were facing each other with their wings spread in opposite directions. They had a long, feathered tail much like a peacock, and three small plumes were ornamenting their heads. Their eyes were actually large glistening rubies carved into an oval shape. As the blackfire reflected into those ruby eyes it created an almost feral stare. A normal fire would have made the God and Goddess appear awash in holy light, but as Sesshoumaru had used his blackfire they appeared dark and ominous. The detail of the two icons was incredible from the veins of the feathers to the bumpy clawed feet shown in the solid gold. And before the dais was a large, stone slab that was circular shaped.

Upon closer inspection Sesshoumaru saw that it was shaped like a YinYang. Both the YinYang's eyes had a slit in the stone, one was empty and the other was not.

"The Sword of Feng," Sesshoumaru breathed as he gazed upon the sword that was half buried in the stone. The half of the YinYang that was red with the black dot where the Sword of Huang would have been was of course empty, and so it was that the black side, with the red dot had in it embedded the Sword of Feng. The Sword looked very similar to the Fenikkusu that Isane wielded but there were some slight differences. Such as the fact that with Isane's sword the hilt was made up of two wings with the handle being wrapped in ribbon, in this case the ribbons were black instead of red.

The wings of the sword were also more of a darker-hued gold rather than the bright yellow-gold that Isane's sword was made of. Overall, this sword had a darker appearance and feel. Sesshoumaru felt himself drawn to the sword, as if it were calling him. Sesshoumaru began to walk towards the sword longing to feel the sword's weight in his hands.

When suddenly...

Something hit Sesshoumaru's body, hard, sending him flying backwards and into the temple wall with a sounding crack. He quickly pulled himself off the ground and stood to face what had taken him off guard.

There before him was a creature unlike any he had ever seen before. It appeared to be part human and part demon, but of an unknown combination to Sesshoumaru. The creature's head was like an eagle with a sharp beak, red piercing eyes, and a third eye in the center of the creature's forehead. The creature's face was covered in bluish-black features, and two long, white horns were on either side of the creature's head. The creature's body was human-like except for the long, wing feathers attached to the underarms of the creature. The creature was wearing bronze body armor, with shoulder guards, which had spikes on them.

The creature, which looked half demonic bird, and half human, was also wearing shoulder and knee guards. Its legs were covered in the bluish-black feathers. Its feet were bare and there were long talons on them. The creature's hands were clawed. It was a fierce and gruesome looking beast. In the creature's hand was held a strange looking bow. The creature plucked one of its bluish-black feathers from underneath its right arm before loading his bow with the feather-arrow. He then aimed the arrow at Sesshoumaru preparing to fire again.

"Shit! What the hell is that?!" Sesshoumaru questioned the old man in a heated tone.

"I suppose I should have warned you." The old man sounded amused. "That's the Guardian Chimera of the Temple. He's part god, part human, and part demon. He wasn't born but created through sorcery. He's a monstrosity. He's what would come from a union of a Light-wielder and a Shadow Master. Disgusting. But powerful. So be careful. Because of the way he's been created he can use both dark and light energies, holy and demonic, fusing the two energies together to create a neutralizing gray energy."

"Damn!" Sesshoumaru said unsheathing his spare sword and enveloping it with his demonic energy.

"That won't work." The old man sighed.

"Then what do you expect me to do old man? Roll over and die!" Sesshoumaru growled before attacking the Guardian head on. With a slash of his sword Sesshoumaru sent a blast of blue tinged demonic energy coursing towards the Guardian Chimera. The Chimera simply raised its bow and fired the feather-arrow. As the arrow flew through the air and in its wake dark and light energy swirled. The arrow hit the demonic energy and it was neutralized on impact. Sesshoumaru's blue energy attack was dispersed.

The Chimera reloaded its bow and prepared to fire another feather-arrow at Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru now on the defensive awaited the attack. The Chimera let the arrow fly towards Sesshoumaru, who used his sword to brace for the impact. The arrow hit Sesshoumaru's sword, which was enveloped in the demonic energy, and began to neutralize it. The blue tinged aura that was protecting Sesshoumaru's spare sword dissipated and all that was left was an unprotected steel blade.

The feather-arrow, surrounded by a fusion of dark and light energies, broke Sesshoumaru's blade into several pieces leaving him defenseless. Sesshoumaru quickly leapt backwards before yet another feather-arrow would have hit him head on. Sesshoumaru didn't even want to think of what a fusion of dark and light energies would do to his system. Although what could be worse than torture by holy god power at the hands of the merciless Lumina?

The only sword he had left was the Tenseiga, which as always seemed to most useless sword of all. It certainly wouldn't protect him from this light and dark fusion of energies technique. He was at a lose of what to do. His demonic powers would be neutralized, as well as any sort of dark god power he could have summoned. However, there was the option of him trying to use his newly awakened blackfire elemental powers on the creature. He still hadn't been able to control the powers to his full potential since only part of his powers had been awakened, but perhaps he still had a chance.

"Old man are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Sesshoumaru asked as he prepared to try and summon the blackfire into the palms of his hands.

"Yes." The old man smiled his crooked smile. "Embracing the darkness within yourself and using your newly acquired elemental powers to the best of your abilities is the only chance you have. Now...concentrate on the negative emotions of hate, anger, and lust. You hate this Guardian for getting in your way. You are angry that you only have a useless sword at your side. Now fight him with everything you've got!"

Sesshoumaru concentrated on the hatred and anger he felt towards the Guardian Chimera and embraced it. He looked down and saw he had managed to form a fireball of black flame. He lunged at the Chimera and unleashed the blackfire ball at it. The creature countered the attack predictably with a light-dark feather-arrow only to be surprised when his arrow was completely burned to ashes. The Chimera quickly leapt backwards away from Sesshoumaru as he began to form another blackfire ball in his hands.

The creature loaded another feather-arrow and fired. Sesshoumaru was ready for him and sent a blackfire ball his way. This one was larger than the last and so after burning through the arrow the blackfire ball continued its way until it hit the Chimera square on the chest of his bronze armor. It began to melt away at the armor until the Chimera finding his armor useless had to cast it away. The Chimera narrowed its red eyes to slits as it eyed Sesshoumaru, its eyes full of hatred.

Sesshoumaru returned the stare with his own fiery gaze. Blackfire seemed to flicker in Sesshoumaru's golden eyes as prepared another blackfire ball in his hands. Sesshoumaru lunged at the creature and the Chimera barely managed to leap backwards out of the way. Sesshoumaru's hand with the blackfire ball instead impacted with the stone floor where once the Chimera had stood. The impact caused the stone to break and a small crater to form on the floor. Sesshoumaru had to create another blackfire ball for his next attack.

Tossing his now useless bow aside the Chimera prepared to attack Sesshoumaru with nothing but his long, bronze-like claws. They attacked each other simultaneously passing each other while dealing the final deathblow.

Blood splattered upon the stone floor of the temple.

Sesshoumaru clutched his stomach that had been sliced open by the Chimera and turned around to look at his opponent. The Chimera turned around and Sesshoumaru could almost feel the smile on its face. Sesshoumaru sunk to his knees from the pain and loss of blood. He had been defeated.

That was when the Chimera looked down at its right arm in surprise. It was covered in blackfire. The blackfire then began to make its way up the creature's arm and in moments the Chimera was covered in the black-tinted flames. The Chimera fell to the ground and began to roll in a futile attempt to squelch the flames, to no avail. The blackfire flames consumed him and in seconds the creature had been reduced to a pile of gray ash.

Sesshoumaru blinked back in surprise. The blackfire was truly powerful. Such power...but the origins of that power still unnerved Sesshoumaru. To think that just embracing his feelings of hatred, anger, and lust he was made this more powerful. Before Sesshoumaru had always been an indifferent and calculating warrior that did not let his emotions interfere in battle. In fact he always wore a cool mask of indifference while in battle. He always had a reign on his emotions and in battle felt little to nothing, no hate, no anger, just pure calculation. To win. That was all that concerned Sesshoumaru when in battle, not if he hated his opponent, nor if something his opponent did angered him.

But now...this was fighting in a very different way. To unleash those bottled up emotions, to give them free reign, to embrace the darkness within himself. It was...exhilarating. He felt like he had been bottling everything up inside for so long and was pleased to finally let it all go. Was it so bad to feel things while in the heat of battle? If those emotions made one more powerful was the risk of distraction no longer an issue? Perhaps, that is why his idiot brother seemed to always excel in battle. What was the force that drove the half-breed if not his own emotions? Perhaps, embracing his darkness was the best solution to all his problems after all.

If everything Sesshoumaru wanted in life was to be powerful enough to protect his loved ones then perhaps it was time to stop fearing the darkness inside of himself that he had always been running away from. Perhaps, it had been wrong of him to run, and things might have been easier if he had embraced the darkness from the very beginning. Sesshoumaru smiled as things finally started to make some sense. All of this...was meant to be. Sesshoumaru coming here...meeting this old man...his hidden powers being awakened. And now coming face to face with the Sword of Feng. A sword that was actually forged from the claw of a true God!

Sesshoumaru slowly walked towards the magnificent sword step by step. He tentatively reached his hand out towards the sword, and hesitated. Would the sword reject him as the Tetsusaiga had? Or would this sword accept him and become a new friend? Sesshoumaru's hand went out and grasped the ribboned sword hilt. He felt a surge of power flow through him, it was invigorating. He placed both his hands on the hilt and began to pull the sword slowly upwards. It allowed him. In seconds the sword was free from the stone and in Sesshoumaru's possession. He had it now-the Sword of Feng.

Sesshoumaru was startled out of his reverie by the sound of the old man clapping. "Very well done my dear boy. And now we have many things to discuss."

"Oh?" Sesshoumaru drawled while inspecting his new sword. The blade was very, long and curved, the tip extremely sharp.

"Yes," the old man began, "Ye must learn of your destiny and of what shall come to pass should ye fail to embrace it."

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at the old man. "Just what are you saying old man? I tire of these games, be straight with me."

"Of course," the old man bowed. "If ye would but follow me. I will read ye the ancient prophecy, which has been inscribed upon that wall just over there. And I will tell ye of your role within it."

Sesshoumaru sheathed the new sword in his obi before nodding curtly and following the old man to the far side of the inner temple. There on the wall were lines and lines of runes, which were depicting a story, a prophecy. Sesshoumaru couldn't understand them so hoped the old man wouldn't waste any more of his time before explaining what all this was about. It wasn't like him to be impatient but lately he didn't feel very much like himself anyways.

The old man ran his fingers along the runes as he began muttering to himself. "Here...here begins the prophecy...

On the night of the Lunar Rainbow a Doorway of flesh and blood shall be born into this world. The Doorway's arrival into this world will betoken a great war between the Shadow Masters and the Light-wielders.

The Shadow Masters are doomed to lose the battle and be condemned to live in the bowels of the Earth while the Light-wielders are to be blessed with a home in the Heavens. During this battle the Doorway shall be lost to both peoples.

This has already happened...it speaks of the War of Light and Shadow's Fall. Where the Light-wielders defeated the Shadow Masters.

However, the Doorway will reveal herself when the future of the Shadow Masters and Light-wielders is to be decided.

There shall be two Keys that can open the Doorway to two possible futures.

One Key, the Key of Darkness, shall be known as the Dark Knight. If he is defeated by the Doorway then the Key of Light shall open the Doorway. Light will flood the earth. Demon's blood shall spread. And the Light-wielders will rule the earth.

However, if the Key of Light is destroyed by the Dark Knight then the Key of Darkness shall open the Doorway and shadow will cover the Earth. The Blood of mortals shall spread and the Shadow Masters shall rule the earth.

If the Doorway does not chose a future then all hope is lost and the very destruction of the world will take place.

Two possible futures there are. But there is only one destiny.

The Pact of Love and Hate has made it so.

As I have told you, you are the Dark Knight...that will lead the Shadow Masters to victory. You will save all of demon-kind from annihilation at the hands of the Doorway. If you fail to destroy the Key of Light, the first future will become a reality. If you fail to embrace your destiny I can promise you, that the Doorway will become your enemy..."

"The Doorway? I heard one of the Priests refer to my Isane as such. Is she truly the Doorway in this mythos?" Sesshoumaru questioned as he tried to process what the old man was telling him while committing the entire prophecy to memory.

"Yes, she is. That is why you must become the Dark Knight, the Key of Darkness. If you truly value Isane's love and your fellow demon-kind you will kill the Key of Light and do what I say." The old man said with a glint in his eye.

"Do as you say?" Sesshoumaru scoffed. "I don't take orders from anyone. Besides, why should I believe a single word you say in this matter? I for one cannot read those runes and so you could be weaving an elaborate web of lies."

"Ah, the young always so untrusting." The old man sighed. "I also happen to be a Shadow Seer and so I have the ability to see into the future. If you need proof I can give you all the proof you need. I will show you of what shall come to pass if you fail to heed my judgment."

"Very well," Sesshoumaru agreed.

"Come closer, my dear boy." The old man insisted. "Now place your hands over my own." Sesshoumaru did as he was told and the old man leaned in until their foreheads were touching...

Sesshoumaru found himself in the midst of a bloody battlefield. The old man was beside him making him realize in this place he was nothing but a spectator. Suddenly Sesshoumaru watched as two figures leapt into the air towards each other and engaged in combat. One was a black blur and the other a red blur as they streaked across the sky. Sesshoumaru's breath caught in his throat as he recognized to two beings that were fighting...it was Isane and himself.

Both were wielding the mystical swords, the Sword of Huang was in Isane's hands, and the Sword of Feng was in Sesshoumaru's hands. Red ribbons trailed down Isane's outstretched hands while the black ribbons of Sesshoumaru's sword blew in the wind. Even in battle, even while fighting him, Sesshoumaru thought Isane looked beautiful. Until he noticed her face, or rather the expression that the Noh mask held. It was one of completely anger, hatred, and despair-distorted, warped, and horrible. From the mask's eyes blood tears were falling. A small frown was upon the red lips.

Isane was in pain as she was fighting the man she loved. Sesshoumaru was equally in pain although it was hard to tell since he had once again replaced his cool mask of indifference for battle. But that in itself was evidence enough. Sesshoumaru also noticed that his hair had turned black for some unknown reason making it a startling contrast as the two fought one another. His eyes also drifted to a set of wings that had emerged from his back, whereas Isane's wings were composed of reddish gold feathers his were feathers as black as night.

Somehow they had become enemies. Somehow they were fighting each other to the death. And meanwhile Sesshoumaru's demon army was being defeated. An entire army was behind the demon lord, but they seemed to be gaining little ground. Through the air flew bizarre, otherworldly phantoms. Their bodies were translucent and see-through, but tinged with black. They were skeleton-like creatures with raven-like wings, which held a scythe in their skeletal, clawed hands. They were cloaked in darkness and as they passed through the bodies of the demons their souls were sucked out of them and destroyed.

Before Sesshoumaru could see the outcome of the battle the Shadow Seer yanked him back into reality. Sesshoumaru collapsed from the shock to the ground and slowly pushed himself up. He looked at the stone floor and wondered...wondered if what he had seen could possibly become a reality. It was too horrible to imagine. To become the bitter enemy of the woman he loved. It was just too much. Sesshoumaru found himself retching bile onto the flagstone floor. It was worse than his worst Nightmare. Instead of protecting the one he loved he would end up trying to kill her unless...

"You said this is only a possible future...what of the other one? What must I do to stop that future I just saw from happening?" Sesshoumaru breathed.

The old man smiled. "Do everything I say and Isane will remain yours. The two of you will love each other forever. You shall have power, immortality, and you shall save the whole of demon-kind."

"But at what cost?" Sesshoumaru questioned remembering the prophecy...the blood of mortals shall spread.

The old man frowned. "What should that matter? What is the death of a few humans compared to the deaths of demons! A fair trade I believe. Your soul concern should be of Isane and of your people-nothing else!"

"Don't you dare tell me what I should and should not concern myself with." Sesshoumaru said in a deadly tone.

"But my dear boy, you are being foolish. You must do everything I say or else Isane and yourself will become enemies. Is that what you want?" The old man questioned raising a gray eyebrow.

"What I want is for people to stop telling me what to do." Sesshoumaru growled and unsheathed the Sword of Feng.

"What are you doing?" The old man's eyes widened in horror.

"I will not be controlled by you, or by fate. I am control of my own future." Sesshoumaru snarled as he lunged at the old man with the Sword of Feng.

"No! Don't! You don't know what you're doing!" The old man cried as he was cut in half by the Sword of Feng.

The old man's body wasted away unusually to nothingness. Sesshoumaru noted that something fell to the ground where the old man had been. He leaned over to pick up what looked like some sort of paper spell. On the long strip of paper were painted runes for the spell and suddenly a small red, demonic eye appeared on the paper and peered back at Sesshoumaru. The paper spell then turned into a raven but before it could fly away Sesshoumaru grabbed it by its feet. The raven struggled against Sesshoumaru's grasp and beat its wings ferociously.

"Tell your master I do not take attempts at manipulation lightly." Sesshoumaru snarled and released the bird, which quickly flew away.

"The old man was nothing but an illusion all this time...perhaps..." Sesshoumaru was saying aloud. Naraku.

ooo

Back at Naraku's lair...

"Dammit!" A voice bellowed in the darkness.

The Dark Priest clutched his stomach in pain and surprise that Sesshoumaru had destroyed his spell and sent some of the energy back upon himself. How he had managed to accomplish such a feat was only more proof that Sesshoumaru was indeed the Key of Darkness.

"How did he discover my deception? No matter. I will turn him to the darkness sooner or later. He will succumb to the darkness within himself! He will become the Key of Darkness! And he will become the Dark Knight and then all of humanity shall be wiped from the face of the earth! Demon-kind shall rule by the side of the Shadow Masters and the pathetic Light-wielders will be our servants! Soon Dark Huang shall be resurrected and reunited with her consort Dark Feng. Soon my ideal future will be a reality! Buwhahahaha!" The Dark Priest Obsidian laughed in a psychotic fashion.

ooo

To be continued...

AN: Hope you all enjoyed that chappy! Mr. Medlar I forgot to censor something else in that censored ch so the latest censor version is posted lol!!!! Thanks again to all of my faithful reviewers! Your reviews motivate me and bring a smile to my face!