[The End of Osamu Ashikaga]: The Moral Tyrant

Osamu pulled a chair from the coffee table and plopped it down in the middle of the bedroom. He sat down and released an exhausted sigh. None of the girls realized they were all still standing up until Osamu sat down. No one was really sure who was going to talk first, or even what needed to be said. Osamu swept his hair back and leaned forward in his chair.

“Hima and I have discussed our plans for the war.” Osamu announced. “I want to make it very clear to you all that we’re going through with this. Peace is not an option.”

“Osamu, you told us you want to end all future Great Holy Wars.” Amatsuki said. “But Yoko brought up a good point earlier. We don’t know what victory actually looks like to you. We’re scared that it looks like more of what you did in Kyoto. Can you please clear the air for us?”

Osamu sighed. “What victory looks like to me, huh? It looks like world peace. It looks like an end to war.”

“But at what cost?” Kagutsuchi asked.

“The same cost that Tsukiakari, Izanami, and Amaterasu all paid.” Osamu answered. “People are going to die. Kyoto was just the start. If you’re uncomfortable with that, I don’t know what to tell you. The pantheon had a chance to back out of this when they voted on the referendum to execute me. Their fervor and dogma drove them to make a decision out of hate, so Taeko and I reacted accordingly. You need to get it through your heads that Japan is no longer your home, and that the people there are all our enemies now.”

“Oh my god, Osamu…” Izanami cried. “Just how many more people are you going to kill?”

“As many as it takes.” Osamu answered. “All of this carnage has a purpose. It’s going to lead this world towards a future without war. My two main goals are to bring a destructive war to the front door of the First World, and then destroy the Shinto pantheon. 

"The first goal exists to make this war part of mankind’s cultural memory, the second is to shift the power balance between nations so that war is a net negative for everyone involved.”

“Cultural memory?” Yoko asked.

“He means he wants this war to have the same cultural effect as the Second World War or the Holocaust.” Tsukiakari snarled. “He’ll force a worldwide, political rebirth by scarring mankind with a horrific war, then introducing a new nation into the global power dynamic.”

“I knew you’d understand it, Gekko. It’s not your first war, after all.” Osamu said.

“You said you want to destroy the Shinto pantheon. Does that mean killing everyone in it? Even Amaterasu?” Kagutsuchi asked.

“Actually, one of my conditions for agreeing to help Hima was that Amaterasu be spared.” Osamu answered.

Tsukiakari recoiled. “But that blast back there nearly killed her!”

“I already knew she’d survive it, just how I knew Kiyoko and Yuuto would survive it as well.” Osamu explained. “Now we can be certain we won’t see any of them on the frontline of the war. Injuring them was the only method I had of protecting them.”

“Wait, why are you suddenly so lenient with Amaterasu? I thought you hated her.” Amatsuki questioned.

“Yeah, I used to, but then I came to understand her. The truth is, I met with her in secret the night before the attack. I wanted to talk to her about…everything. I needed to know if the hatred was still there.”

“…Was it?” Izanami asked.

Osamu shook his head and leaned back in his chair. “Not at all. We got to talk about a lot of things. Her life, the nature of nations and ideologies, and a lot of other topics. Izanami, as great of a mother as you are, you’re a bit of a failure, aren’t you? You were so consumed by your own grief and rage that you didn’t see what Amaterasu had to go through.”

“What she had to go through?” Izanami scoffed. “She let it all happen! What about everyone who died because of her?”

“Izanami! Did you ever stop to think that your teenage daughter wasn’t prepared for the First Great Holy War?” Osamu shouted. “She was a grieving child surrounded by her dogmatic siblings. She had no part in the way her family split itself in two. 

"Both sides knew that a decisive victory wouldn’t be possible without Amaterasu’s allegiance, so they asked her to pick a side. No matter which side she chose, she knew she’d lose half her family.

“She didn’t know anything about war or politics. She never thought of herself as a queen. She had to make a choice, and she had to do it blind. Neither of her parents were there to guide her. Amaterasu chose to end the war with a decisive victory because she hoped that if one side was destroyed, another civil war between her siblings wouldn’t happen. 

"There’s been conflict within the pantheon, but nothing that erupted into another Great Holy War. The Second Great Holy War was fought between the pantheon and a foreign power.

“Amaterasu was left to bear the burden of lordship, something she never asked for. Of course she changed. The war ruined her and taking the throne transformed her. The thing is, you both know that her crown is a burden. Gekko, isn’t that part of the reason why you ran from it? Even when you reunited with Amaterasu, you declined to be her successor.”

Tsukiakari clenched her left arm. She couldn’t deny Osamu’s accusation. She knew exactly what Amaterasu had become because of her responsibilities as queen. The thought of the same thing happening to her was why she refused to take over, even in the modern era.

“None of you tried to help her. And what’s most shocking is that you know what that’s like, Izanami.” Osamu chided. “You’ve been the goddess of death for how long now? No one has ever tried taking your place. 

"It’s a burden you have to carry, just as your daughter carries hers. You took all the love you couldn’t give to Amaterasu and projected it onto Gekko instead. I’m sure that played a part in fueling Amaterasu’s resentment of you both.

“I’m not saying that Amaterasu’s an angel. She’s made horrific decisions, but after walking in her footsteps, I realize how much of it was out of necessity. I realize that you two had a role in ruining Amaterasu’s life, whether you want to admit it or not. 

"You want to end the cycle? That requires you to realize what you’ve done and reach out to her. You’re going to have to face some very painful truths about Amaterasu and yourselves.”

Osamu stood from his chair. “In the meantime, this war is happening. Amaterasu will be spared, but I can’t promise the same for Uzume or anyone else you might care about. A lot of people are going to die, and that includes humans and gods. 

"You don’t have to take part in any of it. You don’t have to support my methods either, but everything I’m doing now is to change this world for the better while keeping all of you safe. Think hard on what it is you want to do.”

Osamu gave the girls a lot to think about. Supporting Osamu further would mean supporting his plan for the war. It would mean standing alongside him even as he committed crimes against humanity. 

Yoko, Amatsuki, Tsukiakari, Izanami, and Kagutsuchi would have to think hard about who they were, how much they were willing to sacrifice, and how much they truly loved Osamu. On top of all that, his words made them doubt their treatment of Amaterasu.

Osamu sensed the girls would need more time to mull things over. He headed for the door, stopping as he twisted the handle. “Izanami. I need to speak to you privately.”

Izanami stood up and followed Osamu out of the room, leaving the girls to contemplate their next move.

“I guess this is what it felt like for him…” Tsukiakari said. “Like the whole world just fell to pieces.”

While the girls tried to reach a decision, Izanami and Osamu walked a few paces down the hall to avoid being heard. Osamu stopped in front of a black, iron brazier illuminating the hallway, the comforting flames dancing behind him. His shadow stretched over Izanami and flickered on the black, stone wall behind her.

“Is this about Amaterasu?” Izanami asked.

“No, it’s something else.” Osamu said.

Izanami’s eyebrows shot upwards in surprise. “Oh. What is it, then?”

“Hima and I have run into a problem. We’re not going to have enough manpower to fight this war. We need an army to supplement their numbers, and we need it quickly.”

“An army?” Izanami recoiled. “Osamu…I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do. I’ll always be on your side, Osamu. I’m just…blindsided by all of this. I expected a fight when the pantheon decided to kill you. I wasn’t expecting a full-blown war, or for you and Taeko to have planned so much in advance.”

“I’m sorry. I’m sure it was terrifying for you.”

“Yeah…” Izanami said, grabbing hold of her wrist. “Osamu, you killed Chiya. You killed thousands of innocent people. You nearly killed Uzume and Amaterasu. You went behind my back and undid the seals on the Shoku Twins. 

"You betrayed me, and now you’re asking for my help? I know that you saw the future and chose the best route you could’ve. I know you’re trying to protect us. I’m just scared of what’s happening to you. I want to help you so badly, but I get the feeling that if I do, I won’t recognize you by the end of this. If I help you, I’m going to lose the Osamu I love…”

Osamu stared into Izanami’s teary eyes, seeing the maelstrom of emotions swirling within them. She bit her lip as she fought back tears. She turned her head away from Osamu as her expression shattered into a mournful frown. Her arms and legs shook as if she was freezing cold, and her fingers curled inwards towards her palms.

The poor girl was terrified and conflicted. As hardened as he had become, even Osamu could see the horrible pain he’d inflicted upon Izanami. His expression softened as he reached his hand out to her. As soon as he laid his hand on her shoulder, Izanami completely broke apart. The sobs she had been holding in escaped from her lips, her chest caving in and puffing out rapidly.

“I couldn’t save you…” Izanami wept. “I couldn’t save Inari either. I failed as a mother. I’m a worthless wife. It’s my fault it all turned out like this, but you’re the one who’s suffering for it. You, Chiya, Taeko, Gekko, and Amaterasu…”

(Izanami…)

“You have the most wonderful heart, Izanami.” Osamu said. “That’s why I said all of that to you. I believe that you have the power to stop this cycle. You’ve learned so much in your life. You know what it’s like to hate, to seek revenge, to wreak havoc upon the world. 

"You also know what it’s like to love, to forgive, and to start again with an open heart. You’re as tender as you are strong. If you can save a monster like me from himself, you can save Amaterasu and the whole world, too.”

Osamu held Izanami’s hand and wiped her eyes dry with his thumb. “See? Until we’re forced to confront our own pain, we won’t be able to see what we’ve been doing wrong. We won’t have the perspective we need to reflect and change. 

"That’s what I’m trying to do for the world. I want you and the girls to live long, happy lives in a world where you don’t have to worry about your children getting dragged into war. That’s why I need your help, Izanami. No more going behind your back. No more lying to you.”

Osamu caressed Izanami’s cheek, smiling as he gazed into her eyes. “Nothing on this planet could ever make me stop loving you.”

Izanami nodded, a smile returning to her tear-soaked face. “Same here, Osamu. I want to stop this cycle too. I just wish there were better ways to do it.”

“I know. I didn’t want any of this either, but I meant what I said about sparing Amaterasu. If nothing else, your daughter will survive this.”

“But how? Have you really worked all of this out already?”

Osamu shook his head. “Mostly, but there are some things that need ironing out.”

“Even if you injured Amaterasu, she’ll heal and get back into the fight.”

“By the time she does, I will have already finished up my plan. This war is just to set the stage. The real fight is going to be between you, Gekko, and Amaterasu. It’ll be a fight to break the cycle that’s been torturing your family since the dawn of civilization. When that time comes, take all of the love and kindness you’ve given Gekko and I, and share it with Amaterasu. If you reach out to her, I know she’ll respond.”

“You really think I can do all of that?”

Osamu nodded. “I know you can. You’re ready, Izanami. Until then, we have to focus on this war. It’s going to get ugly and brutal. Taeko and I will handle all the dirty work. We won’t be alone, either. Manami, Hima, Carmilla, Annabel, and so many more people are lending us a hand. You don’t have to worry. Please, can you help me?”

Izanami closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She knew that this moment would be one of the most important moments of her life. Her decisions would influence the war effort, who lived, who died, and the cycle of hatred feeding it all. Osamu’s goal seemed like an impossible task and a fool’s errand. Every human wishes for world peace, but how many can achieve it?

But Izanami believed in Osamu. She believed in herself. She opened her eyes and gave her answer. “Okay. I’ll help you. We’re going to have to go to the Underworld. We’ll need to bring Gekko and Hima with us for extra protection.”

He’d done it. He got Izanami on his side. Osamu released a sigh of relief, his eyes lit up with ambition and hope. “It’s been a long day. Let’s do it tomorrow morning, okay?”

Izanami softly kissed his cheek, her hand sliding down his arm and stopping at his wrist. “At least now, you have one more person to share the burden with.”

Izanami let go of his wrist and walked away, her footsteps echoing down the halls. With Izanami’s blessing, Osamu would have the monsters of hell at his beck and call. Slowly but surely, his plan was coming together. The next step was to actually set foot in the Underworld, the one place he hoped he’d never have to go back to.

Osamu leaned against the stone wall behind him and stared into the shadows down the hall. He listened to the crackle of the flames dancing in the brazier and the steady beat of his own heart. The patter of his heartbeat slowly turned into a haunting banging that overpowered the sound of his own thoughts.

That maddening sound brought him back to the airport for just a brief moment, where he stared down an army of exorcist with Inari at his side. Seven years had gone by and not a detail of his memories had faded.

“Win together, die together…” Osamu muttered.

The sound of footsteps alerted Osamu. He looked to his right, seeing Taeko emerge from the soft light of the stained glass down the hall. A hot both had done her good. All of the dirt, sweat, and blood that stained her skin was gone. Her cleansed skin shined like waxed porcelain against the firelight

She shoved her hands into the pockets of her red sweatpants, her unbound hair draped over the back of her black tank top. Taeko joined Osamu in silence and leaned against the wall with him before sagging down onto the floor.

“So that’s where you’re getting your army from.” Taeko said.

“Yeah. We need Izanami’s cooperation if we have any hope of winning this war. We’ll also need Gekko to come around for us eventually.”

Taeko snickered. “Only you could sweet-talk Izanami into doing something so terrible. I suppose if any of the girls would understand us, it would be her.”

Osamu turned his head towards Taeko, noticing she refused to look at him. “You’re not going to condemn me?”

“What’s the point? At least you had the decency of telling me your endgame ahead of time. The problem is that Shinju also knows now.”

“We need Shinju to trust us. Pushing her away would’ve only caused more problems.” Osamu said. “Who knows if it’ll last, though.”

Taeko sighed as she dragged her hands down her face. “Are you really sure about this, Osamu? Do you really think Hima’s the one who should have it?”

“It has to be her. There’s no better person to handle it than Dracula’s heiress. We won’t find anyone as powerful as her.”

“You’re right. That’s exactly why I’m worried. There’s just no way to make sure she won’t be the cause of another war down the line.”

Taeko and Osamu were unaware of Shinju’s presence just down the hall. She stayed in the shadows, listening closely to their conversation in silence. Her ocean-blue eyes were wide with horror. She couldn’t believe that Osamu and Taeko could come up with such a terrifying plan.

Osamu’s request in the bath tub still echoed in her mind. She was sure the moment would haunt her forever.

“There’s something I want you to do for me…” Osamu asked.

“Ask away, Osamu.” Hima said.

Osamu moved towards Hima, taking her small, pale hand into his own. Hima’s cheeks turned pink and the fine hairs on her arms stood straight up. Osamu’s darkened eyes beamed an oppressive gaze down upon her. Hima leaned back and cowered like a frightened animal. It was like she was staring into the face of God.

“Hima, when the time comes, you’ll need to think about continuing your dynasty. You’ll need heirs.” Osamu said. “Our nation’s sovereignty is tied directly to the authority of Dracula’s family. If you pass on without any heirs, we’ll have our own version of the Onīn War on our hands. The nation will split itself apart and all of our work will be undone. My request is twofold. First, I want to be the one who fathers your heir.”

Osamu’s request stunned the entire room. Everyone went silent, including Hima. Her lips parted and stayed agape. The muscles in her throat moved as if she was trying to talk, but no words would come out.

“Lastly…” Osamu began. “I want you to inherit Inari’s heart. Taking her power will make you the strongest supernatural being in the world. Your family’s position will be tightly secured, and no one will ever dare war against our nation. Hima, when the time comes, please take Inari’s heart and all of her blood.”

“Osamu…” Hima gasped. “Do you understand the gravity of what you’re asking? In order for our heir to be considered legitimate, you and I have to marry. That would make you…”

“The king of the new vampirical monarchy…” Carmilla finished, her fingers covering her lips.

“Hold on, isn’t that a major issue?” Annabel asked. “Osamu’s a human. The lords won’t accept a mixed-blood vampire! The heir has to be a pure-blood!”

“Actually…” Carmilla interjected. “Osamu isn’t a human.”

“What do you mean?!” Annabel recoiled.

“When Inari gave him her blood and heart, Osamu stopped being human.” Carmilla explained. “He’s something more akin to a demigod now. If Osamu were just a normal human, Hima’s heir would lose most of its vampirical power. 

"It’s what happens when a pure-blood breeds with a human. But since Osamu carries divine blood in his veins, the heir they produce might end up being more powerful. The result would actually be better than if Hima were to father her heir with another pure-blood vampire.”

“Exactly.” Osamu said. “I’m the best one to father Hima’s heir. If that means I have to marry Hima and become the king of our nation, then so be it.”

“But Osamu, you’ll die if I inherit Inari’s power.” Hima said. “Are you really willing to lay down your life for this?”

“Osamu, we can win this war without you having to die for us!” Shinju cried. “What kind of insane plan is this? Did you seriously agree to this, Taeko? To not only sacrifice Osamu, but to give the power of Bloodcraft to a nation that’ll be too powerful for anyone to stop?! We’ll be right back at square one! This isn’t what Lucrezia wanted!”

“I trust Osamu completely.” Taeko said. “I know that he’ll make the right decision. Our goal is to end all future wars. By doing this, we’ll create a nation that’s unstoppable and a family whose authority can’t be questioned. This might be the best way of achieving the peace we want.”

“You will have sacrificed all of that, just for Bloodcraft to still be a threat to mankind’s free will!” Shinju protested. “I thought you initiated this war because the use of Bloodcraft violates your ideology! Don’t tell me you’ve abandoned your own ideals! How on earth could you possibly agree to this?”

“If your idea was to get rid of Bloodcraft, we’ll just have to kill Osamu right now and burn his body.” Akatsuki said. “Is that something you’re willing to do, Shinju?”

Shinju gnashed her teeth together and closed her eyes in a painful expression. No one could destroy the power of Bloodcraft without also destroying Osamu. Murdering one of her dearest friends simply wasn’t an option to her.

“If we can’t destroy it, we have to place it in the hands of someone we can trust, someone who won’t enslave humanity or the gods.” Taeko argued. “Shinju, this is the best solution to our problems.”

“It’s not perfect, but that’s why we’re fighting this war the way we are.” Osamu said. “Changing society’s attitude, setting the power balance right, those two things will serve as the safeguards of peace.”

Osamu looked deep into Hima’s scarlet eyes, his hands moving up to her shoulders. “Hima, do you accept? Will you conceive an heir with me? Will you inherit Inari’s blood and heart?”

Hima closed her eyes, meditating on her answer. After what felt like a silent eternity, she opened her eyes and gave her answer. “I’ll do it. I’ll accept you as my husband and bear your child. I’ll also accept Inari’s power.”

Hima’s acceptance turned the whole room upside-down. To the vampires, that moment was the beginning of something great, the assurance that their new nation would be permanent. To Shinju, it was an affront to everything Taeko and Lucrezia believed. 

All she could wonder was how Osamu talked someone like Taeko into accepting such an atrocious plan. She wondered why the Shoku Twins found such an outcome acceptable, for their beloved Big Brother Osamu to give his life for a stranger.

What as more puzzling was that Osamu once felt the same was as Shinju. He hated Amaterasu and the pantheon for chasing after Bloodcraft at the expense of Inari’s life. He hated the idea of the pantheon being able to control any human or god it wanted. Did his position change? If not, why would he so willingly give such a power over to Hima?

Part of Shinju had faith that Osamu had a bigger plan in mind, and yet, that possibility also terrified her. If Osamu was really orchestrating some bigger plan, what was it? What would it cost to see it come to fruition? 

If he wasn’t planning something bigger, could they really trust Hima with the fate of the whole world? Was it truly the right thing to make one nation so much more powerful than the rest of the globe? What would Osamu’s wives think about a plan that required Osamu to die at the end of it?

All of this conflict and anxiety brewed within Shinju as she sat in the darkness of the Moonglow Castle, eavesdropping on two people she thought were her friends. Whatever was coming next, Shinju dreaded it deep in her bones.

For now, all anyone could do was trust Osamu and follow him straight into the mouth of hell.