I Am Not a Monster

“Katsumi, what are you doing?” Chiyoko asked as she walked towards him.

Three years have passed since Chiyoko began helping Katsumi train and gain more control over his abilities. It’s also been three years since the Mysterious god appeared

Katsumi’s hair had grown slightly longer that it reached the top of his shoulders. He also grew taller, and more toned. “What do you mean? I’m just trying to control it at this point.”

“Oh, I see, you’re just trying to change it into different forms. Not even I can do that to a degree,” she said in awe.

He chuckled. “I know, and that’s why I want to do it.”

“You’re just trying to show off then?”

Katsumi moved his hand, and his flames became a small figure.

“It’s a bear,” Chiyoko said surprised. She stared at him as he beckoned someone over. It was a girl, and she wore a smile. She was small in stature, her eyes were wide, and she had on ragged clothing.

“Who is she?”

Katsumi released the bear, and it walked towards her. She giggled, but Chiyoko got nervous, “Don’t worry, I know how to make my fire burn and be completely harmless. Thanks to you, I finally got the trick down.”

She smiled. “You really have changed over these last few years, you know?” she mumbled.

Katsumi heard her mumble something, but he couldn’t make out what it was. “Sakura is a sweetheart; she was the first one to talk to me when I first came here. I didn’t care for her to be honest, but I thought about what the crazy lady said. She was right, I had no compassion for Ko. I want to change that now.”

Sakura was running around playing with Kumo and the bear of fire. “I’m not the same idiot I was before. I can assure you of that. I want to prove myself, and I want to correct the mistakes I’ve made in the past.”

“I’m sure Aimi would love to see this growth. Also, her daughter would too,” Chiyoko reassured.

That surprised Katsumi, “That crazy woman has a daughter!?” he yelled in shock.

“Yeah, she’s about seventeen years old, and she’s definitely interested in you for some odd reason.”

He got flustered and the fire bear seemed to glow brighter. It made Sakura laugh, and Chiyoko stared at him.

“In me?”

“Yup, and she was coming to visit one day. Could be any day at this point.”

Chiyoko loved Katsumi’s expression, but she had a weird feeling about today. Like something crazy was about to happen.

“Chiyoko! Chiyoko, can you hear me?”

“Damn it, I should’ve known!” she yelled

“Be quiet and listen up. The princess has been kidnapped,” the womanly voice said.

She got mad. “Don’t tell me to shut up Frosty.”

“I don’t have time to argue with you, Usagi has been kidnapped near your current location. I know you’ve been training that criminal brother of yours for some time now so you should be familiar with the area,” she stated. “The thieves demanded a ransom of 8 million flora. The princess is more important than money, but if we can keep them both, then I’m all for it. With you near then we can definitely do that.”

“Damn, 8 million? Wooh who would’ve thought that Usagi was worth that much?” Chiyoko whistled. That brat, I can’t believe she actually got caught. Why can’t you send someone else?”

“Because you’re the one that’s closer!”

“I don’t feel like it though,” Chiyoko replied tiredly. Then a thought crossed her mind, and she gave that mischievous smile. “I got it!”

Katsumi looked at her, and he saw her expression. That scared him, “Chiyoko, what’s with that look?” he stuttered.

“Baby brother, how would you like to put your training to use?”

“Uh, sure why not? Is it sparring or what?”

She chuckled. “It’s a rescue mission.”

“Wait, so the princess was kidnapped, and you want me to rescue her?” Katsumi asked confused.

“Yeah, remember that little bit about her being interested in you. Well, this will put you in good favor with her.”

“Chiyoko Nakajima what are you thinking!?”

“Hey, be quiet. My little brother is capable, and I want to see his growth. Plus, I would love to see Usagi’s reaction to this.”

“So, I’m a guinea pig?” Katsumi yelled.

“You aren’t, but I do want to see how strong you’ve gotten.”

They were walking through the forest outside the village, the air was somewhat stale, and it smelled like rotting bodies. Katsumi’s nose was strong, and the smell was overpowering.

“I’m getting dizzy,” Katsumi murmured.

“Surround your body with your fire, it’ll help filter out the smell.”

Katsumi nodded and he did that. His fire was definitely stronger, the heat and the form of them were different from the beginning of their training.

“Okay, so here’s the drill. Katsumi, I need you to save Usagi without burning a single tree,” Chiyoko said with a smile.

He looked around and got frustrated at the thought. “What the hell Chiyoko? How am I supposed to do that?”

“Didn’t you say earlier that you can create flames that can burn, and ones that are completely harmless? Well, this is your chance. I’ve noticed that you have a better grasp at controlling your flames than any other flame user I’ve met. There are no fire dragon slayers, fire demon slayers, nor fire god slayers anymore, they’re the ones with the best fire control. But you, you are the best one right now, even better than me,” she said with a reassuring expression. 

“I have complete and utter faith in you. I know you can do it. Especially since that woman and her student passed away. It’s my turn to help continue the tradition of the final test. Totomaru never got to give it to any of us so I’m going to give it to you. Katsumi Nakajima, this is your final test, after that I will have nothing else to teach you.”

“Okay then, Chiyoko I won’t let you down.”

“I won’t do anything, so now Katsumi, sense their energies and tell me how many there are. Let’s see what’s you sensing skills are at?”

He closed his eyes, and he felt multiple tugs. Somewhere near fifty.

“There’s about fifty-five of them, four of them have a stronger spiritual pressure the rest, but other than those four there’s not much to worry about.”

“So, what about Usagi?” Chiyoko asked worried.

“I did feel one that was slightly weaker, but I thought it was one of them.”

“So, there’s fifty-four of them then? This should be easy,” Chiyoko chuckled. “Well, baby brother, this is all you. Don’t hold anything back, I want you to defeat them in less than twenty moves. There’s fifty-four of them, but you can pull it off. I know you can, you are my student after all.”

“I know you have faith in me and all, but there’s something I want to say,” Katsumi said as he made his fire disappear.

“What is it? You’re not backing out, are you?”

“No, no, no. I just wanted to say that I want to give my fire a different purpose. Not just a fire that burns everything, I want my fire to be one that protects the ones I care for and burn those who hurt my friends. I don’t want to be trouble to anyone else. Not again, but first I need to pass your test,” he stated as his energy rose.

He’s going to use that stage 1 ability, isn’t he?

Katsumi’s stage 1 ability is similar to what the essence of soul force is. He speeds up the flow of his spirit energy throughout his body, therefore increases the size of his aura points. Spirit energy flows through check points in the body which are called aura points and it originates from the central aura point, the home of the soul. Oh, I bet you’re curious on how exactly someone gets an element to their spirit energy aren’t you? Well that all depends on the user’s soul itself, robust and impulsive souls are fire natured for example. There’s more to it, but I’ll leave the explanation for when our group is together. Then you will learn everything, I mean our little Ayame has to learn too, right?

“I can’t hold this for a long time, but I’m positive that I can defeat them in less than 15 moves,” Katsumi stated as his body became enveloped in black tattoos. This had a different feel to it, and Chiyoko noticed. “What’s wrong?” he asked nervously.

“Oh nothing,” she said as she hugged him.

“Chiyoko…”

“Just let me hug you little brother. Katsu, I am so proud of you. You’ve changed so much, but you’ve got a lot more growing to do. I’m glad you’re taking Aimi’s words into stride; I couldn’t have been happier to say that I’m your older sister.”

Katsumi felt a tear hit his hand, “Now go beat their butts and rescue your princess,” Chiyoko stated.

“She’s not my princess but I understand,” he said as their hug ended. He then disappeared, and Chiyoko giggled. “He’s not as impulsive as he used to be, but he’s still dumb. I hope he’s able to use that special talent of his, he’s got the instinct for battle and once he learns how to use soul force, Katsumi can be as strong as Frosty. He’s not ready for soul force yet though, so we can leave that for some other time.”

Katsumi jumped from tree branch to tree branch, and a thought crossed his mind, That other me hasn’t appeared in a while. So, I wonder will he show up today. I haven’t been in a battle ever since that day, so I hope I’m not rusty.

“I don’t have time to worry about that.”

“Katsumi, you idiot. Why would you burn my clothes like that?” A familiar voice asked. Katsumi recognized it from his dreams. It was her, but why was he having a vision of her right now?

On the other end Ayame was having a similar vision about Katsumi. She had a flustered expression, which Atsuko noticed. “Why did he burn my clothes?”

The vision cut off and Ayame’s skin felt hot, so did Katsumi’s.

“The red string of fate is truly tied to them, isn’t it? They’re even getting the miniscule moments together. This is possibly the first time I’ve seen the red string in action too. The Cursed Son and The Cursed Iris two of the most interesting beings the Three Realms will see in ages. The Iris will arrive soon, and this task will make sure Katsumi is ready to fight alongside and protect this girl,” A mysterious figure stated as she watched Katsumi jumping through the trees.

“Uzume, I hope this is the right choice, because this put my daughter in danger,” Aimi said to the mysterious figure.

Uzume was a woman with dark skin, curvaceous figure, light brown hair, and she had a happy energy about her. “Don’t worry Aimi, she’ll be just fine, especially if Katsumi saves her. It was a 1 in 200 chance that Chiyoko would’ve gave this task to him. She’s lazy, so I already felt like she would.”

“Hey, I heard that!” Chiyoko remarked as she appeared next to them.

Uzume giggled. “But am I wrong?”

“I guess, so question why did you all choose my little brother to be tied to the other end of that red string?”

“Because we knew he’d be perfect. It’s unfortunate what happened to him in his past, but this is his chance to make up for it. To correct the wrong that has befallen him. Katsumi is that chosen child, and so is Ayame Akiyama, the descendant of Kohaku and Ryoma Akiyama. With the Tsukiyama child as her guide. Katsumi’s guide is the little badger. It’s going to be tough, but once they all come together, Tsu, Ko, and Yomi will be at peace. We’re the ones to make sure they’re ready for the battle against the Arcane Dragon.”

“The Arcane Dragon? You, you can’t be serious?” Chiyoko said.

“She’s serious, there have been signs that a certain group is working to awaken it. There’s three things they need to carry out this plan too,” Aimi stated with a grim expression.

“The Senryu Gear, the blood of a Dragon Emperor, and the Dragonaut,” Uzume followed.

“Wait, so you’re asking me to send my brother to fight something that literally transcends time and space itself?”

“Yes, that’s exactly the plan. Your brother and that girl can transcend fate itself. So, we got two individuals that can defy fate vs. one that can destroy fate. We’ll see who can come out on top,” Uzume stated with a smile.

“This isn’t anything to smile about, you dumb goddess!” Chiyoko yelled.

“Chiyoko Nakajima, you have to remember that even the darkest of moments you can find happiness. Remember that phrase please,” Uzume replied.

“I see, well I’ve never been a fan of this plan of yours since you all banished my mother from Tsu. Now she’s gone, I want the best for Katsumi and Sayuri, that’s why I decided to become one of the Dashavatara. I’ve told you this Aimi.”

“Yes, and you’ve also told me other things as well.”

“Right, and if you all make an enemy of them, then I will burn everything. I have the power to do it now, and I’ll do anything to protect them. Even if that means burning the world in the process,” Chiyoko stated with a dark expression.

Aimi remembered that conversation, and she understood where Chiyoko was coming from. They’re all they have now.

“The pure white flames that can burn existence, but once you do use them, then your own existence will be burned as well. Chiyoko, you can’t think of using them,” Aimi replied with tears in her eyes.

“Only if the world makes an enemy of my family. Master Totomaru told me once that flames can be used to destroy but those same flames can be used to create a new life. I think you know where I’m getting at.”

“Katsumi’s flames destroyed the old world, but his flames will be the ones to help lead the world to a new age. I have faith that he can.”

Faith is nothing but denying reality. It’s something that we don’t need.

Katsumi saw the group of bandits and his number was right. “Man, that sure is a lot of them.”

“I’m sure you can handle it, brat.”

Katsumi got surprised as if he heard an old friend, “Other me, you’re back!?” he said in shock.

“Yes, yes. I’m back. Now listen, remember your training. Surprise attacks can be helpful when you’re outnumbered. So, think what you can use as a surprise?”

He thought about it, and something crossed his mind. “The fire bears.”

“Precisely.’

Katsumi began to form the fire bears, and he smiled, “This is going to be good,” he said as he gestured his hand forward. “Now go my children,” he told the fire bears.

They ran forward, which surprised the group of men, “What the hell?” one of them yelled.

“Now stage 1.”

Katsumi activated stage 1 and he disappeared, then he reappeared in front of a circle of 6 men.

He surrounded his feet with the black flames, “Fire Demon!” he yelled as he began to spin around on his hands. “Cursed Sole, Arch Style.”

His attack caused a circle of fire to appear as each spin caused him to hit the men.

They were knocked unconscious, and Katsumi corrected himself with a smile, “I made sure not to kill them, because if I did, then Chiyoko would kill me,” he remarked. His seemed to feel good about himself since the training ended, so the new confidence of his is to be expected. The fire bears were doing their job and Katsumi took advantage of the confusion before the bandits regained their senses.

He took in a deep breath, "Remember control," the other Katsumi said.

He released his breath attack, and he took out eight men at once. The attack was about to hit a tree, but Katsumi motioned it upwards. That surprised the men even more, “There’s no way? He couldn’t be one of them,” another said. This one had a burly build, and a shaved head.

His comment had Katsumi curious. “What do you mean?”

“You couldn’t be a fire demon slayer? Could you? You have to be, those black flames, that control over them. Those are things that only the demon slayers have.”

“Demon Slayers don’t even exist anymore?” Katsumi questioned hesitantly, but he couldn’t trust his own statement. He wasn’t sure because he has never seen proof that they were gone, so they could possibly still be out there, maybe?

“They don’t exist like I said, so why would I be one?” he said as he attacked the man. Katsumi’s attack caused the man to fly back. He hit a tree, and Katsumi sighed. “Damn, I just wasted a move, but I took out at least 15 of you,” he said.

He set his fists on fire, “Now the rest of you,” he said as he charged at them.

Katsumi began his attack, and they kept falling one after another. He continued, and he finally defeated the last bandit; he took in a deep breath, “That wasn’t so bad. I think I completed this in fourteen moves to be exact,” he remarked as he looked around at the unconscious men.

“Get it together, your job isn’t done,” his other self said.

“What do you mean?”

"Focus your senses, haven’t you noticed the number of unconscious bodies?"

Katsumi looked around, and he began counting; he finished and that’s when he noticed. “One of them is missing.”

A shriek came from behind Katsumi. He turned around, but as soon as he did, he was knocked back by an unknown force.

He hit a tree, it fell, and Katsumi stood up. “Damn it, Chiyoko would’ve been pissed if she had saw me get hit like that.”

He wiped the blood from his mouth, “So, there was one more person?” he asked as a man appeared. The man had another person tied up next to him, it was a female. “Princess is that you?”

She seemed panicked, “Please help me, I’m scared.”

“I will help you, once I deal with this jerk.”

The man gave a cackle, “You are stopping me?” he asked with a maniacal smile. He licked his knife, then he rubbed it against the princess’s skin. That caused her to gain a wound, she stifled a scream. “Now, now, princess no need to cause such a fit about a small wound.”

He began licking her wound, and Katsumi got angry. “Stop that now!”

The air around him got hotter, and the man holding the princess pushed her aside to the ground. “You know, we should keep our cool about the situation,” he stated as the air began to cool around him.

This surprised Chiyoko. “This feeling, no he couldn’t be?”

The man was still cackling. “Shocked aren’t you boy? It’s nice to meet you Katsumi Nakajima, I’m Yushiro. I’m an Ice God Slayer.”

“A god slayer? How in the hell are any of them still around?” Chiyoko asked as she looked at Uzume.

“I’m just as confused as you. He must’ve obtained his abilities by implanting himself with runes. Or he could’ve been one of the survivors of the slayer purges,” she stated.

Katsumi stared at him, and his body seemed to have been in shock. “What’s going on with my body? It’s like I’m afraid of him.”

His magic is on a higher tier than mine. Not only that, but his magic is also made to kill me. Katsumi thought.

“I bet you’re curious on how I’m able to use lost magic?”

“Runes,” Katsumi replied. “You used runes to learn god slayer magic.”

Uzume smiled. “He’s smarter than he looks.”

“I bet it was his nose. That boy can smell a drop of blood from miles away,” Chiyoko said with confidence.

Aimi looked at her, “So are you not going to help him?” she asked with a worried expression.

“I mean, you haven’t helped your daughter yet, so no. He can handle this himself. I know he can.”

Yushiro chuckled. “How very perceptive of you. I wonder how you knew that I used runes to grant myself with lost magic?”

“I used my nose,” he replied blankly. “Runes have a weird smell to them, and thanks to my sister I was able to memorize the smell.”

“Very good, very good. I was told that you Nakajima brats had sharp senses. Chiyoko hearing, Sayuri sight, and Katsumi smell. That’s why you’re all special in a way, even your mother sacrificed herself to make sure you lived.”

That statement annoyed Katsumi, but Yoshiro continued talking. “Abandoned by their father, only raised by their mother. Taken on by the Half-Breed King Totomaru, but then he disappeared. That’s when you all were done for. You, murdering half of the country, your mother taking the strict punishment for you, and now this. All to fit into my master’s plan,” he stated as he looked into the sky with a crooked grin.

“Shut up,” Katsumi mumbled.

“No boy! I won’t. You monsters are allowed to face easy punishments, while us humans have to endure pain and suffering!” he yelled, and a wave of ice washed over the princess’s right arm. She screamed, and it shocked everyone.

“What is going on?” Katsumi asked.

“Stop standing around and finish him,” his other self said.

“You’re all stains on this earth, and this world doesn’t need any of you. That’s why I’m going to erase you, your sisters, and the gods from the three realms.”

Katsumi’s feet became surrounded by fire, “I’m not letting you do anything to anyone,” he said as he charged at Yushiro. “Fire demon: Griping Fang!” he yelled as he punched at him.

“Ice God: Frostbite,” Yushiro counterattacked with a punch as well. His attack overpowered Katsumi’s easily, and he flew back.

Yushiro chuckled, “You’re done for,” he said, and he disappeared. He reappeared, then he attacked Katsumi again. The attack connected, and it caused a lot more damage than a normal attack. Yushiro jumped away as the ground exploded in ice.

“I told you boy! My purpose is to kill you, and the rest of the gods. Then my master can become the god that decides everything. You insects are not needed, you’re in the way, and I’m going to squash you like the bug you are.”

He walked towards Katsumi, and he waved his hand, when he did another wave of ice hit Katsumi. He yelled in pain, “What’s the matter? Does it hurt?” Yushiro asked with a sadistic smile.

Katsumi looked at him with a pained expression. “I won’t lose to you,” he replied.

“Yes! Those are the words I’ve been looking for!” Yushiro exclaimed. He pointed his finger up which confused Katsumi, but once he noticed what happened after he did. The bandits’ bodies all had icicles above them.

“You wouldn’t?”

“Oh, yes I would,” he said as he brought one down on a bandit. After it pierced him, there was blood, and the ice began spreading through the man’s body. “See nothing as much as a scream,” Yushiro stated as the bandit’s body shattered.

Yushiro saw Katsumi’s expression, “What’s this? Are you feeling sympathy for that man? You? The bloody demon who murdered a large percentage of my people.”

He brought down two more and the men whose bodies they pierced shattered into pieces.

“Stop it!”

Yushiro chuckled as he walked over to the princess, “And who’s going to stop me if I don’t?” he asked as he kicked her.

“Aimi calm down. Katsumi will make sure she doesn’t die,” Uzume said as she saw Aimi’s expression.

He continued his spree as he continued to kick the princess. She screamed in pain, and Yushiro just laughed.

“Stop it,” Katsumi said in pain.

Yes, Katsumi give in to the anger.

“No, I will beat him on my own power,” Katsumi stated as his body pulsed. The pulsating intrigued Chiyoko and Uzume, “There it is,” Uzume said with a wide grin.

“I’m not letting you end anything. I’m going to beat you today and beat every bastard who dares threatens anyone I love. I don’t care about you killing those damn gods, but you don’t threaten my sisters.”

The pulsating became stronger. “You’re right, I was a murderer. I regretted that, and I will make up for it starting with saving her!”

Yushiro picked up the princess by her hair, “You mean this girl?” he asked cackling.

Katsumi’s anger welled up, and his spirit energy rose. He vanished, and suddenly reappeared punching Yushiro in the face. He dropped the princess and Katsumi caught her; she was unconscious, “I’m sorry you went through that. I’ll make sure to beat him for both of us,” he whispered as he set her down. The pulsating got stronger as his body became surrounded by a teal aura, and the same teal tattoos as his stage 1 ability.

“The storm has finally begun,” Uzume whispered.

Yushiro stood up with a smile, “You’re apologizing for nothing, that girl is damn near gone,” he said chuckling.

“Shut the hell up,” Katsumi said, and his energy resonated with those words. It caused Yushiro to stumble.

“What the hell is this feeling?” Yushiro asked himself.

Katsumi surrounded the princess with a veil of fire, “I’ll protect you, and I’ll protect everyone I care about for now on,” he said as he charged at Yushiro.

Yushiro summoned a wall of ice to block Katsumi’s attack, but it didn’t work because Katsumi shattered it. His attack connected to Yushiro’s jaw, and he coughed up blood. He was knocked away. “Damn it, what’s with the sudden boost in strength?”

“I don’t care what happens to me as long as I can save her, then I’d gladly give my all,” Katsumi said as he pulled back his fist. He thrusted it forward, and a stream of hot wind followed. It hit Yushiro head on, “Uzume help me confirm my suspicion,” Chiyoko said as she stared at the fight.

She put her finger to her mouth. “Shhh, we need to keep the mysteries for our readers, you know?”

Yushiro yelled and frost formed on the trees. Katsumi stared at him, and his tattoos became even more prominent.

Yushiro began to walk towards Katsumi, “You know you shocked me at first with this rise in power,” he said. His features looked the same as Katsumi’s with the tattoos. “But it seems like that transformation of yours isn’t so special.”

“Katsumi is one step away from his soul force, but this still isn’t his energy,” Chiyoko stated. She then looked at Uzume, “Damn it hag, tell me what the hell is going on with my little brother? Who exactly is inside him?”

She ignored her as she stared at the fight with stars in her eyes. “Once the Cursed Iris gets here, this is going to be the best time Takamagahara will see.”

Katsumi and Yushiro both attacked each other, and their fists collided, causing a wave of fire and ice.

“Fire Demon! Ice God!” they both yelled as they took in a deep breath.

“Bellow! Screech!” they yelled. Another wave of fire and ice collided. Yushiro smiled, “Got you,” he said as he moved his hand. When he did a spear of ice appeared under Katsumi; it grazed him, he grabbed his side. “Boy you could never beat me.”

Katsumi’s glared at him, “I’m done messing around with you,” he stated as he grabbed the spear. The heat radiating from his body began to melt it. Everyone got surprised at the sudden change in Katsumi’s spirit energy.

His aura flashed from teal to dark red, “I will not lose to you,” Yushiro said, and he caused the icicles to pierce the rest of the bandits.

That angered Katsumi, “You don’t deserve to live anymore. To hell what Chiyoko and Aimi says,” he said with a dark tone.

“You couldn’t kill me if you tried.”

Katsumi’s body gave off a more intense heat. “I’m going to kill you, and I will make sure I do.”

He then attacked Yushiro who got scared, “No stay back,” he panicked as he caused another wall of ice to appear.

Katsumi punched through it, “You’re a monster!” he said as his fist connected to Yushiro’s face. His flames became flickered to a different color. “I don’t care what excuse you have, today your actions have deemed you unworthy.”

Yushiro hit the ground, and it caused a crater followed by a huge plume of dust to rise.

It began to clear, and Yushiro was missing an arm. He chuckled at Katsumi, “You know it’s funny that the monster is calling another being a monster. You’re an abomination to the world, you’re a curse, your presence is a scourge on the Three Realms. You’re never going to find happiness, and I will make sure of that from beyond the grave, Katsumi Nakajima.”

Katsumi flames sharpened, and he raised his hand over Yushiro’s neck. “Go on, kill me, kill me!” he yelled. “Relish in the blood, give in to your instincts, you curse. I know you love this feeling!” Yushiro exclaimed.

“Katsumi don’t do it,” Chiyoko whispered.

“You’re a weak monster, who’s trying to use this punishment as a way of atonement,” Yushiro continued to prod. His words provoked Katsumi. “That atonement will never bring back the lives you’ve taken. There will forever be blood on your hands, forever be lost souls on your conscious.”

Katsumi’s expression wavered, “Shut up,” he said with his lower lip quivering.

“Your robbed so many of their futures, only to try and save your own. You’re a selfish monster who only cares about himself. You called me a monster, when you’re the true monster who’s taken thousands upon thousands of lives, and enjoyed…”

Katsumi yelled cutting off Yushiro’s statement as he stabbed Yushiro right through the heart. He coughed up blood and gave Katsumi a smile. “So, the monster kills the monster? How iro-n-ic,” he strained as the life left his eyes.

Katsumi pulled his hand out from Yushiro’s chest, and it was covered in blood. “I’m not a monster. I’m not. I’m trying to change,” he said in pain.

Chiyoko appeared and she stood behind him, “I swear I’m not,” he continued to say.

A tear ran down Katsumi’s cheek, “I’m trying. I’m really trying,” he sniffled. He looked at Yushiro’s lifeless body, all he could hear was those words. They continued to play through his mind, and he looked at his hands. "There will forever be blood on your hands, forever be lost souls on your conscious," he words echoed. Katsumi yelled in pain as his aura went away, he then collapsed.

Chiyoko ran over to him as he hit the ground. Uzume appeared, and so did Aimi who went over to her daughter. “I’m sorry you had to go through this, Usagi.”

“Uzume! What the hell is your problem? I bet you wanted this to happen!” Chiyoko yelled.

“I assure that I didn’t, but it’s interesting that this has happened to him. It certainly has changed things,” she replied with a dead tone.

Chiyoko didn’t like that answer, “You useless goddess,” she said as she turned around to her. “How in the hell does this change things? My brother wanted to change, and you wanted him to do this. I know you and your schemes.”

Uzume chuckled, “I don’t know what you mean, but you should take him back to the village so he can recover. Also, Aimi, you should do the same. Your daughter would want to be near the man who saved her life,” she said as she walked away.

Aimi stared at Usagi and then Chiyoko. “I’m sorry.”

“No need to be. I see what these bastards games are, Aimi, please work with me to save the future. Our future, our way. I refuse to listen to them in Takamagahara, and I want to burn that place to the ground already. I don’t care if they are gods, I will bring them to their knees, Aimi please help me.”

Aimi stroked her daughter’s hair, “You already know I will Chiyoko,” she replied with a smile. “You saved my life so many times, and I can never repay you for that. I understand your anger, I want to help you with everything I have.”

“Thank you, now let’s get these two back to the village and get them some rest.”

Aimi nodded, then she snapped her finger, and they disappeared.

“So, Yushiro has gotten into Katsumi’s head? I wonder how his spirit will react to this?” a man said as he appeared in front of Yushiro’s dead body.

He grabbed a sphere from the lifeless body. “Good looks like the runes are still intact. Maybe I’ll have to make another artificial slayer. This is going to be interesting, and it’s all thanks to you Yushiro.”