[The End of Osamu Ashikaga]: Never Again

The golden blessing of sunlight returned to the world after the abatement of the eclipse. The sun took its rightful place in the earth’s blue sky and beamed its comforting light down on the graveyard of humanity. Mere hours after killing Osamu, Izanami returned to Hokkaido along with Amaterasu, Uzume. Amaterasu carried Osamu’s body in her arms, his corpse wrapped with a white sheet. To their surprise, the countryside around his second home in Hokkaido was relatively untouched by the demonic horde during Dark Dawn. It seemed Osamu only spared his neighborhood in Kyoto, the embryonic nation of Minavere, Moonglow Castle, and Hokkaido from destruction.

Izanami’s eyes filled with tears the moment she saw her countryside home and the myriad of aromatic, vibrant flowers bursting with color in the front garden. After Isabella’s passing, that house became a new place to make good memories. It became a perfect getaway whenever Izanami and her family grew tired of Kyoto or just wanted a change of scenery. Beneath that roof, breakfast became magical, inspiration was almost too easy to find, and laughter was far too abundant to miss out on.

Izanami came here because she felt, despite everything he had done, Osamu deserved a peaceful, beautiful resting place. The large, hundred year-old red maple tree standing on a hillock just a few dozen yards across from the front garden of the house was the perfect place to lay him to rest.

“I’ll go get the tools from the house.” Izanami said. “I want to bury him without using any magic.”

Amaterasu gave her an affirmative nod, her eyes red and swollen from sobbing before they left for Hokkaido. “Okay. We’ll take him to the tree.”

Izanami split off from Amaterasu and Uzume, walking past the sun-kissed flowers in the front garden. She knelt down and lifted up the corner of the black welcome mat outside the front door, revealing the spare key underneath. Her hands shook nervously and the blood in her veins turned ice-cold as she took the silver house key in her hands. She snatched her wrist with her other hand to try and stop the tremors, but it had little effect at all.

Memories of laughter, conversation, of gentle kisses and comforting pillow talk all came back to haunt her. Every sweet memory of the past was poisoned by the unfathomably destructive legacy Osamu left behind in his final days. Reminiscence proved to be a heartbreaking pastime as Izanami fought back the sobs booming in her chest.

She stood up and turned the key in the lock, opening the door to the house. Everything inside was all just the same as the family left it the last time they were there. Every bar stool, the twin, white sofas, every framed family photo sitting atop their media console in the living room was all the same. Despite being the birthplace of so many good memories, walking into that house again felt like wading through a graveyard where all the happiness in the world went to die and the phantoms left behind were the groundskeepers.

Droplets of Osamu’s coagulated blood sat beneath Izanami’s fingernails. Looking down at her own hands, she couldn’t shake the image of her scythe slicing through Osamu’s neck, cutting through flesh and bone like they were butter. She had to constantly remind herself that the person she killed hours ago was not the same person she knew even just a few years prior to the war. The only thing that kept her from breaking down again was the fact that Osamu wished to die by her hand, and all she did was grant that wish.

She quickly grabbed three shovels from the closet by the staircase and marched outside towards the maple tree. She handed one of the shovels to Amaterasu, then to Uzume, all three of them looking down at Osamu’s wrapped corpse. Each of them struggled to find the words to say. Their lips would move but their tongues were petrified and made of stone.

After what felt like an eternity of silence, Amaterasu closed her eyes and spoke a few, simple words. “Osamu, thank you for setting us free.We’ll take good care of the world you left for us. All those wars…all that hatred…never again.”

“Never again.” Uzume repeated, bowing her head.

Izanami brushed her arm across her tear-filled eyes and nodded. “Never again.”

With that, the three goddesses got to work digging a grave for Osamu. It was dirty, silent, and agonizing work. Izanami’s insistence to abstain from using magic meant feeling the weight of every shovelful of earth, to feel every bead of sweat rolling down her forehead. It was to feel the weight of more than seven billion lives stolen by the man she used to call her husband and best friend.

By noon, Osamu was buried in his grave. Izanami chose the countryside house in Hokkaido so that none would disturb his resting place. She also picked it for its beauty. She knew he’d be happy there.

“What will you do now?” Uzume asked Izanami.

“It’s time for me to go back to Moonglow Castle.” Izanami replied. “Now that it’s over, I’ll bring everyone back here. Osamu said he gave his heart and blood to Hima before he came to Kyoto. I’ll need to speak with her as well. I want to know what she intends to do with her powers. I know Osamu said she won’t come after you guys, but…I just need to make sure.”

“I understand.” Amaterasu said. “Uzume and I will go and find the Shoku Twins’ bodies. I’m sure they’d like to be buried alongside Osamu. We’ll also bring your children home to you.”

“Yeah…” Izanami sighed. “When you guys are done, you’re more than welcome to stay here with us. I mean, there isn’t really anywhere else to go. Heaven was destroyed too, wasn’t it?”

“It was.” Uzume nodded. “Thank you, Izanami. We’d love to stay with you guys for a while.”

“Okay.” Izanami said, clasping her hands together. “Off I go, then.”

Izanami vanished from Hokkaido, appearing again in the black onyx hallways of Moonglow Castle. The moon was free to shine through the endless rows of stained glass lining the left side of the hallway, its light filtered into a brilliantly deep purple. Izanami raced to the bedroom Hima gave to her family, only to find the room empty and Carmilla standing right outside the open door. What few belongings the girls took with them were packed into brown leather suitcases lent to them by Minavere and lined up outside the bedroom door.

Carmilla had just finished packing everyone’s things and cleaning up the bedroom when Izanami turned the corner and approached her.

“Izanami!” Carmilla exclaimed. You’re finally back. Where were you?”

“Kyoto. I couldn’t bear to be around Osamu with everything happening. He…”

“He’s dead. We know.” Carmilla said. “Osamu planned everything out well in advance. He knew from the start that he wouldn’t survive to see the world after the war.”

“He did, huh?” Izanami scoffed, tucking in her lips to keep herself from crying. “Where is everyone?”

“Hima has already broken the news to them. She’s discussing her plans moving forward in the dining hall right now. You should join them.”

“Thank you for letting me know.” Izanami said, turning towards the direction of the dining hall.

“Izanami…” Carmilla called out, grabbing her attention. “You may feel differently about him, but to us, to all of the vampiric race, Osamu is a hero. I think it was because he knew he was going to die that he was able to fight so hard. I hope you gave him a proper resting place. He deserved that much, at least. If not, Hima wanted to lay him to rest in Minavere, in a grand mausoleum built in his honor.”

“I already laid him to rest near our second home in Hokkaido. I don’t know how the others will feel about having him close by. It was just the first place I thought of. He was our husband and the father of our children, after all. But…if the girls do feel differently about having him buried close to us, then you’re free to take his remains back to his nation.”

Carmilla bowed her head in respect. “Very well. Thank you, Izanami. I’m sorry for your loss. Whatever you may need from now on, Minavere will provide it.”

With a hole in her heart, Izanami departed from Carmilla and made her way to the dining hall. Everyone was already seated, with Hima sitting at the head of the table. Hima wore a black, fur coat on her shoulders like a cape and a nearly see-through mesh shirt beneath. Izanami’s entrance grabbed the attention of everyone at the table, and it took only brief glances at everyone’s tear-soaked faces and beet-red eyes to see that the mood was anything but joyous. Osamu’s death brought with it a wave of confused, conflicted feelings that came crashing down on the hearts of everyone who knew him. His family honestly didn’t know whether to be relieved or upset that he died. It was a strange mixture of both, and it was perhaps that hint of relief that made it all so much sadder.

“Izanami?” Hima recoiled, surprised to see her. “I wasn’t expecting you to come back. Please, have a seat. You’re right on time.”

Izanami quietly took her seat at the opposite head of the table. The candelabras lining the table like a spinal cord and the crystal chandeliers above their heads provided all the solemn, warm lighting one would expect from a funeral. Hima didn’t bother serving food to the girls, either. She knew all too well that the grief would steal away their appetites.

“Since you’re all here, I suppose I should tell you what happens next.” Hima began. “Just a little while ago, I commanded the hordes to stop the genocide. Nearly all of humanity has been wiped out, just as Osamu and I wished. The people of Minavere will soon begin work on restoring the planet and human civilization, starting with your home country of Japan. With my powers, it won’t take nearly as long as you might think.”

“Hima, is it true that Osamu gave you his blood and heart?” Izanami asked.

“Yes. I possess Inari’s Bloodcraft now. Osamu gave it to me shortly before he departed for Kyoto. As part of our agreement, he and I also conceived a child. I’m not exactly pregnant yet, but with Inari’s fertility blessings, it’s guaranteed to happen.”

Taeko recoiled, her eyes widening. She quickly realized that Osamu had sex with her shortly before he died, knowing that she would be able to conceive a child, the first she’s had since she lost her daughter during the Warring States era. “I…might have conceived a child with him too.”

“But you’re Mu-Onna transformation rendered you infertile, didn’t it?” Amatsuki asked.

Taeko nodded. “That’s true, but remember how Tomiko Hino had trouble conceiving back in my era? After Inari blessed her, she was able to give birth to Yoshihisa Ashikaga. Inari’s power was able to help any woman conceive a child, no matter what illnesses or afflictions they had. I see now. He wanted me to get pregnant. He wanted me to have a second chance at being a mother.”

Hima smiled as she tented her fingers. “Minavere’s best doctors and hospitals will be at your disposal, Taeko. Anything you need, we shall provide.”

“Doesn’t this mean you have a scandal on your hands, Hima?” Izanami asked. “The king had a child with another woman.”

“No, this doesn’t present any problem at all.” Hima replied. “Taeko’s child has no claim to the throne, as she shares no lineage with my father. Still, I would ask that you keep the fact that it’s Osamu’s child a secret. I don’t mind it, personally, but the national memory of him might be damaged by this. There’s also the possibility that some vengeful humans that survived Dark Dawn might seek to harm you and the baby if they find out the connection.”

“I don’t want my child to be the ruler of a nation anyway.” Taeko said. “I’d much rather live a peaceful, normal life with the second chance Osamu gave to me.”

Hima nodded. “I understand. In that case, I can also arrange for a new lord to take your place, thought it will take some time. I ask that you remain onboard with us until such a transfer is possible. Of course, since the war is over, there’s no need for you to live in Minavere. You can go home with the rest of your friends and family if you wish.”

“I guess that just leaves the big question.” Tsukiakari began. “What do you intend to do with Inari’s Bloodcraft?”

Everyone was terrified of the answer. Hima was now the most powerful being on earth, one that even Izanami couldn’t stop. If she so willed it, she could wipe out the last remaining dregs of humanity or have Izanami, Uzume, and Amaterasu killed. No one would be able to do anything about it. The world was at the mercy of her whims.

That is exactly why Osamu manipulated her before he gave up his heart and blood. Without even realizing it, Hima inherited Osamu’s fierce hunger for world peace. His will became her will. In a way, Osamu was still very much alive, and he was authoring the fate of the world through Hima Chinagaregawa.

“Minavere will not move to destroy the rest of humanity,” Hima said, “nor will we seek retribution against the surviving goddesses of the Shinto pantheon. My sincere and foremost goal is to create a world that knows only peace. Minavere will be the only superpower in the world for centuries to come, but over time, humanity too will thrive again. When that time comes, humans, gods, and vampires will be able to live side-by-side. There will never be another war, be it human or supernatural, ever again. You have my word on that.”

Hima’s word was all they had to go on, but considering she held all the power at that table to do whatever she wanted, the girls knew there was no reason for her to tell a lie. Hima’s desire for peace was a massive relief for them. No one else was in danger of getting killed. The war was truly over.

“It’s kind of weird hearing you say that, Hima.” Kagutsuchi remarked. “You sound a lot like Osamu.”

Hima’s lips curved upward in an impressed smile. “I do, don’t I? I guess he left quite the mark on me. In all the years I spent wishing for revenge against the pantheon, I never imagined that a human would be so instrumental in restoring my father’s nation. Finally, there’s just one last thing to say. As of today, you’re all free to go. I will not hold you to Moonglow Castle any longer. It was Osamu’s wish that you stay here in the safety of the castle during the war. Now that Dark Dawn has come to an end, there’s no reason to keep you here. Osamu made sure to spare your homes from destruction, but if you need to stay here longer for any reason, we will continue to accommodate you.”

“Oh…” Shinju gasped. “We’re finally free…”

“Our home in Hokkaido was spared as well. I was just there with Amaterasu and Uzume.” Izanami explained. “I think it’s best we stay there for now.”

“He really planned everything out, didn’t he…” Yoko murmured, her eyes still wet with tears.

“Carmilla has already packed your things for you. You may leave whenever you like.” Hima said, standing from her chair. “I’ll be heading back to Minavere, myself. I’ve a nation to run and a world to rebuild. My people are looking forward to seeing the new world beyond the frozen wastes of Siberia. Osamu gave us a chance to see every ocean, every continent, every desert, and every mountain range the world has to offer. We’ll build a new civilization atop the ashes of the old, and never again will we feed into a vicious cycle of hatred. That is how I will honor my late friend and king.”

“Very well, then.” Izanami said. “For better or for worse, you kept us safe during the end of the world. I thank you for that, Hima. Please give my thanks to Carmilla and the others as well. If we need anything else, we’ll be sure to let you know.”

With matters settled, everyone stood up from their seats. Before they left, Hima bowed to them all, then lifted her head to reveal a satisfied smile. “It was the honor of a lifetime. You were all truly magnificent guests.”

Izanami and the girls left the dining hall, gathered their things, and left for Hokkaido. At long last, their imprisonment at Moonglow Castle was over. They’d be returning home with less family members and left friends left alive in the wake of the war, but considering all the lives that were lost all across the world, they were just happy to have each other.

It was unfathomably difficult to stomach the global atrocity what was Dark Dawn, but Osamu’s earnest effort to give the people he loved a second chance was clear for all to see. Izanami would no longer have to see visions of every death in the world. The Underworld and all its monsters, all products of Izanami’s oath of vengeance against Izanagi and all human life in the world, were gone. Taeko would never have to fight to create a new nation again. She’d have the opportunity to be a mother again. Amaterasu and Uzume were free from the sinister, inner workings of their country and the venomous politics that infected it.

Yet, at the same time, everyone had to live with the burden of memory, of having loved someone who turned into a monster before their very eyes. Their memories with him were poisoned by his heinous acts of hellish violence and nothing could ever undo that.

Izanami, Shinju, Taeko, Tsukiakari, Kagutsuchi, Amatsuki, Yoko, and Manami. After everything that happened, all of them stood before their sunbathed home in Hokkaido, a home that felt alien to them after spending what felt like an eternity in Moonglow Castle. They looked around in bewilderment that the place was still intact. The slice of unmolested land Osamu left to them was almost large enough to forget that human civilization was almost entirely destroyed.

“Wow…” Shinju gasped. “He really didn’t destroy this place.”

“What…what do we do now?” Amatsuki asked.

Yoko took Tsukiakari’s hand in her right hand, and Taeko’s in her left. “…We go home. The war is over.”

The front door of the house opened from the inside, much to the surprise of all but Izanami. Yuuto was wheeled out of the front door in a wheelchair by Amaterasu. He had finally awakened from his coma. What remained of his legs were wrapped tightly in thick layers of bandages and gauze. His unbound, raven hair had gotten much longer in the time he was in a coma, the black, swirling tendrils reaching down to the middle of his back and dangling towards the center of his chest.

Kiyoko stepped out of the house alongside Uzume, who held her left hand. Her right was blown off in the explosion that took her brother’s legs and decimated the exorcist headquarters in Kyoto. Stitch marks snaked down the left side of her neck, across her right cheek, and down her right leg, giving her the visage of a doll that was severely torn to shreds and sewn back together.

The joy and relief was indescribable. Yoko and Izanami sprinted towards their children, both of them falling to their knees before snatching them in tight, tear-drenched hugs. Tsukiakari and Kagutsuchi ran greet Yuuto and Kiyoko, ever thankful that they survived the war. Tsukiakari gazed at her mother’s face and noticed how different her expression looked. Gone was all the hatred and resentment, the bottomless abyss of sadness and soul-crushing responsibility to her pantheon. Amaterasu’s face lightened up ever since Heaven was destroyed, for her greatest burden was no more. As such, there was no longer any reason to be enemies. Tsukiakari couldn’t hold back her tears as she hugged her mother, tightly gripping the cloth of her white and golden robes. At long last, the two of them had the chance to start over as mother and daughter.

“Welcome home, everyone.” Amaterasu said, managing a smile through her tears. “I’m…so terribly sorry. For all of it.”

Amaterasu looked to Yoko, who banished her from the family after the Inari Standoff. “I hope you can forgive me, Yoko. Though…I understand if you have no forgiveness to spare in your heart.”

Yoko took a deep breath as she caressed Kiyoko’s cheek. She had a thousand words to say to Amaterasu, yet they were too scattered and unorganized to form a coherent sentence. Her heart was weary after all it had been through, but looking at Kiyoko’s face, knowing that at least some of her family survived the Third Great Holy War, gave her the newfound strength she needed to reply.

“We’ve been through hell and back.” Yoko began. “We lost Aika and Rei, two of my best friends. We lost a beautiful baby girl to this war. We lost our husband in more ways than one. We lost far more than I can bear to comprehend. If I have learned anything, it’s that there’s only one way to keep your humanity in a world like this — live with love. Live with love in every breath you take, even if all you see is violence and hate.”

Taeko smiled at hearing Yoko say those words. It seemed Yoko learned a lot from the example Taeko set in her life. That alone made her deeply proud to share the Akiyama name with Yoko.

“I forgive you.” Yoko said, opening her arms to Amaterasu.

Overwhelmed by Yoko’s love, Amaterasu couldn’t say a word in response she could only wrap her arms around Yoko in a reconciliatory embrace. Though the cost was unimaginable, Osamu had given everyone the second chance he thought they deserved. The hatred and malice of the past was buried right then and there. Forgiveness and love took precedence over grudges and conflicts. His family, torn apart by the conflicts and politics of nations, was finally put back together.

The war was over. Not just the Third Great Holy War, but the wars that raged inside each of their hearts, the battles they all fought against themselves and each other for years. Coming home from that war, both physically and emotionally, gave meaning to all of the death and carnage it took to get to that point. This peace was bought by blood and ash, forged by fire and brimstone. It was consecrated by the suffering of all human civilization and all the central figures whose lives were uprooted by the wars that plagued their history, lands, and cultures.It was a peace they’d protect with all their hearts, as well as the lessons that came with it.

The war was over — and there’d never be another one. Never again.