Chapter Text
Chapter Five
“What I’ve Done”
Part 1
“Dad, is what Mr. Tao said true? Did Uncle Hao really kill you?”
The fair haired small child spoke so innocently, his eyes glistening with anticipation as he awaited answers. The body of the elongating cat that he held clumsily in his arms was sinking closer and closer to the ground. Yet the domestic cat didn’t protest at its mishandling as Hana gripped it tightly under its arms.
Yoh smiled, he reached forward and gently supported the cat in Hana’s grip, which the child now loosened. The feline happily hopped to the ground before turning and rubbing its head against Hana’s leg, purring gently.
“So, you were eavesdropping, huh?” chuckled Yoh. Yoh’s long hair framed his friendly features as he smiled at the young boy. Despite his father’s reassuring demeanour, Hana remained worried of the repercussions of his behaviour.
“Are you gonna tell Mom?” muttered Hana, sheepishly. Yoh laughed.
“No.” smiled Yoh, he ruffled Hana’s hair gently. “But I suppose you want to know what happened. She probably won’t be happy with me if I told you.”
“But - “ Hana protested, he was desperate to hear more, but he also knew he should heed his father’s warning. After a moment, as the cogs continued turning in his head, Hana mustered up the courage to ask - “But why are we celebrating the Shaman King today, if he - “
“Your uncle did what he had to do.” Yoh sighed. “There’s still so much you need to learn, Hana. Your mother and I will tell you more when you get older.”
Hana screwed up his face in frustration and stomped his foot. The cat beside him nuzzled his hand gently, as though to comfort him. Yoh instinctively reached towards the cat and petted him softly.
“Good boy, Matamune.” mused Yoh. Hana sighed at the mention of his animal companion’s name, it was another reminder of the secrets his parents were not telling him.
“Can you pleeease tell me the story. I promise I won’t tell Mom.” begged Hana, he clasped his hands tightly together, brushing the claw necklace Hana wore around his neck as he did so.
“Won’t tell me what?” remarked a woman’s voice from behind the pair. Yoh and Hana turned towards Anna, who was standing behind them in the open patio doorway with her arms tightly crossed and one eye brow raised. “Teaching our son it’s okay to keep things from me, are you - Yoh?”
Yoh raised both his hands in a surrender. “No - not at all! Hana just has questions.” He babbled. Yoh could feel a bead of sweat forming on his forehead and a chill ran down his spine as his wife locked her cold glare upon him.
“Mother,” mumbled Hana, he took in a sharp breath and puffed out his chest, as though to make himself look bigger. “I am old enough now. Tell me the story of Dad and Uncle Hao. What happened in the final round of the Shaman Fight? They were on the same team before that, right? Did they fight each other? Did Dad lose? Is that when Dad died?! Again?! How did he come back to life - twice? And is it true there really were two Uncle Hao’s?! And who was Matamune?”
The small blonde cat beside Hana, which bore a close resemblance to the split tailed spirit cat he was named after, cooed and purred beside Hana at the mention of its adopted name.
Yoh blinked in surprise at the boy as he fired off a million questions at once. “You really were eavesdropping!”
Anna didn’t flinch. She turned her head and looked back inside the Inn, familiar jolly voices echoed within as their annual coronation evening party was in full swing. “I still have our guests to attend to, I don’t have time to sit out here telling stories all night.” she said calmly and firmly. Hana sighed, slumping himself on the floor beside his pet in defeat.
“I’m never gonna know the story of how Uncle Hao became the King.” he muttered under his breath as Matamune happily rubbed himself under Hana’s chin.
Anna stepped back inside the Inn and began to slowly slide the outside door closed, leaving the boys outside on the porch. She left the door slightly agape and peered through at her son.
“Your father can tell you. Because it’s not a story about how your uncle became King - it’s the story of how your father saved his brother, and in doing so - saved the world.” And with that she closed the door, giving the two some privacy. Hana leapt back to his feet, his eyes glistening like stars at his father, a smile beaming from his face from ear to ear.
Yoh sighed deeply, he looked up at the night sky - he had a faint soft smile on his face, though his eyes showed a slight hint of sadness.
“It all started the day we arrived at the Patch Village for the start of the Shaman Fight…” Yoh began.
Part 2
“I see, so I’ve been in Hell for 500 years.”
After a scorching and electrifying battle with his great ancestor, awakening him from his tortured mindless cycle, Yoh found himself sitting calmly side by side with Yohken Asakura - staring out into their bleak and eerie surroundings.
“It’s hard to believe, but I suppose it’s because I’ve been blinded by my self pity. And of course since I was the one who defeated Hao, I’ve become arrogant.” Yohken couldn’t look Yoh in the eye has he spoke. “Throughout all of this, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of remorse for killing him. I’m so weak, it’s pathetic.”
“Come on, don’t beat yourself up so much.” smiled Yoh, reassuringly. “I’m just glad we could finally talk this out.”
“I never thought in a million years I’d be speaking to one of my descendants like this. I’m so thankful that my wife was able to bear a child before I left for the battle.” Yohken sighed, though he had a pleasant peaceful smile on his face as he recalled the memory of his partner. He turned to Yoh. “Yoh, were you able to leave behind any children of your own?”
Yoh’s face suddenly became bright pink from embarrassment. He lay himself back, covering his face with both hands, wishing the ground beneath him would swallow him whole and take him to a deeper commune of hell. Amidamaru swiftly appeared and whispered something into Yohken’s ear.
“Hm. I understand. Well I’m glad to hear that.” laughed Yohken. He got to his feet. Yoh remained stricken in his flat position on the floor.
“It’s been 500 years. As I feared Hao has been reincarnated.” sighed Yohken, now turning the conversation back to the serious circumstances that had brought them together.
Now rolling to one side, hiding his now sorrowful expression, Yoh responded, “That’s right. And he came back as my twin brother.”
“And you told me, there was another Hao, too?” questioned Yohken.
“Yes, but that’s kind of complicated. He wasn’t real. But he…” trailed off Yoh, not sure how to explain. “He was my friend.”
“I see. You’ve seen a different side to Hao. One worthy of your compassion. And this drives you to seek a solution to his never ending cycle of pain.”
Yoh winced slightly, his eyes glazing over as Yohken put into words the dread he was feeling in his heart.
“Even if you defeat him, it will not prevent him from reincarnating again. Therefore, you have only two viable alternatives. Option one is that you must completely extinguish Hao’s soul.” stated Yohken.
“I’d rather go with the second option if you don’t mind.” muttered Yoh. There was a pause.
“It will not be easy.” replied Yohken, eventually. Yoh got to his feet, he stared out into the distance with a slight determined smile on his face.
“I kinda figured. But… my heart is guiding me in this direction.” sighed Yoh, suddenly his quest seemed more real having talked it out with someone who truly understood his ambition.
“Make the most important decisions, with your heart.”
“Now all I have to do is get out of Hell. And hope he doesn’t kill me again.”
Part 3
The climax of Team Orange’s final battle was a tense clash of tribulation and determination - as the high stakes of this encounter was not lost on those competing in battle or on the hundreds of spectators that surrounded them in the arena. The fight had begun with a mutual sense of hope shared between all six competitors, but ended with an unanimous sense of fear and defeat - with the exception of one shaman - whose victory had been practically guaranteed from the outset.
The striking image of the giant high demon Spirit of Fire stood menacingly towering above all those below it, unmoved, untouched and undefeated. Beside it, pointing directly to the sky, the enormous shimmering blade of “The Spirit of Sword” was on full eye-catching display - seeing the two giant over-souls side by side almost made the Spirit of Fire look like a knight demon in shining red armour.
Before them, standing within the ashes of their own defeat, stood three of Yoh’s closest friends and allies - their over-souls broken and their furyoku diminished. They each stood motionless in their triangular formation, still with their medium weapons gripped tightly in their fists. As their last man standing comrade watched the final glow of his golden radiance fade away from his weapon - he shot a cold, desperate and deathly glare at the victorious trio across the battleground.
“Team “The Ren” are unable to continue - the victory goes to Team Orange!” boomed the excitable voice of Patch Officiant Radim.
Radim’s announcement was not met by a resounding round of applause, instead the syllables rang in the air and echoed against the chambers across the arena. Team Orange had just guaranteed their place in the Final Round of The Shaman Fight. But this was not a cause for celebration for many.
Yoh swiftly diminished his oversoul as their victory was secured. He had not taken his eyes off his heartbroken friends who he had just crushed in a gut wrenching defeat, snuffing out their individual hopes of becoming King.
Yoh went to take a step towards them, but watched in disappointment as Ren made a quick and swift exit through the nearest stadium door. Yoh’s eyes fell on HoroHoro and Ryu, who also looked back at Yoh solemnly. No words were exchanged between them across the battlefield, the bittersweet feeling of victory and loss shared amongst them was difficult to put into words for the three friends.
Hao observed the silent exchange between friends going on before him. He could sense the immense grief that was spilling out from Yoh paired with a hint of pride Yoh felt for securing a win by Hao’s side. Hao sighed, he slowly lifted his hand above his head as he beckoned the Spirit of Fire to withdraw from its dominant position and it dissipated quickly into the air.
“Go to them.” Hao said quietly, his poncho cloak along with his long hair swayed gently over his shoulder as he turned around to make his way to Opacho’s side.
Blinking, Yoh turned on his heel to give his brother his full attention.
“But, we - ” Yoh began, startled.
“You have no reason to stand beside me anymore. Your obligation has ended. We are no longer team mates. Go to your friends.” coldly continued Hao.
“What? My obligation? Where has this come from?” Thought Yoh, the voice in his mind sounded almost as confused as his verbal one.
“And you can stop that incessant habit. It’s annoying.” snapped Hao, now turning his head to the side, shooting a cold glare in Yoh’s direction.
“S-sorry.” stammered Yoh. “Hao - I just, I don’t understand.”
Yoh was surprised to see Luchist, who had appeared by the side of the platform. Yoh was so transfixed on Hao’s sudden change in demeanour he hadn’t even noticed him standing there. Hao calmly made his way down the steps with Opacho to join Luchist.
“Hao-sama - there is still one match left of the tournament. Are we staying to observe?” asked Luchist as Hao passed him. Yoh noticed how Luchist seemed to be avoiding eye contact with him and he sensed a bit of unease in Luchist’s voice.
“Why not?” nodded Hao, smiling broadly at his loyal friend. “It will be nice to spend some time with you, Luchist. It’s been a long time.”
Yoh watched as Hao and Opacho, hand in hand, began to make their way to the nearest spectators area - followed immediately by Luchist.
Opacho looked back at Yoh as they departed. With her bottom lip quivering, she held up her little hand and waved back to Yoh.
Yoh, sharing the same sorrowful feeling as Opacho as they went their separate ways, instinctively lifted his hand and waved goodbye to his departing little team mate.
“Bye.”
Part 4
Moments later, Yoh found himself in a spectator’s seat too along side Anna, Tamao and Manta. Team “The Ren”, understandably, decided not to join the others to watch the final match of the Shaman Fight. Manta and Tamao had greeted Yoh with a genuine sense of amazement and adoration for his victory and for securing his place in the final. Though grateful for their congratulatory welcome, Yoh’s eyes seemed to be transfixed on the image of his old team mates sitting on the opposite side of the arena - with whom, so he believed moments earlier, he thought he would be celebrating their shared victory with.
Anna had sensed the change in the circumstances now that Team Orange were no longer a unit - and ultimately what that meant for Yoh’s fate in the next stage, and for his emotional well-being. In her silent way, she comforted Yoh by placing a hand on his knee - as all four friends prepared to watch the events of the final battle play out in front of them.
“It’s Team Morphine versus Team Kabbalahers, right?” muttered Yoh.
“Yes.” nodded Anna.
Yoh’s eyes now immediately locked onto the large robot-like Golem that was sitting idle in the corner of the battle field. He could see a group of Patch Officiants conversing with a man Yoh recognised immediately from a distance as his father.
“Team Morphine… is that Faust’s team?” mumbled Manta, shakily.
“Yeah.” squeaked Tamao, nodding her head. She looked like she could just about burst from the tension.
“He got lucky and found a team at the last minute. As more of the other victorious teams disbanded after Hao returned, this will be their first and only battle in the Shaman Fight teams-of-three round.” explained Anna, now crossing her arms and leaning back in her seat. She seemed to be getting cross with how long it was taking for the match to start.
After a pause, Yoh and his friends observed Faust arrive on the battleground being wheeled along in a wheelchair by his devoted companion spirit Eliza. Alongside him appeared his two fellow team members. Yoh suddenly realised he recognised one of them.
“Is that…?”
The three members of Team Morphine were now standing on their starting platform on full view of the arena.
“Lyserg?”
Lyserg, now dressed in his trademark green plaid cloak - distancing himself from his recent departure from the X-Laws - stood tall beside his team mates. Flanking him stood a lesser known contestant to Yoh and the others, though Yoh had seen him before around the Patch Village. Yoh recalled a moment their paths crossed when, as a solo shaman, he had been searching for a team to join. Yoh suddenly found himself smiling, as he recalled the memory of the third member of Team Morphine telling him and Hao an amusing joke, which had left Hao in stitches. Not because the joke was funny, but for how bad it was. Yoh caught himself, suddenly remembering that the Hao in his memory wasn’t actually Hao at all. He felt a pang in his chest, as he wondered if his thoughts were still echoing outward into the mind of his real brother sitting distantly across the arena.
“But how can Lyserg be on a new team? Isn’t that against the rules?” asked Manta, now looking at Anna.
“I assume it must’ve been allowed on some kind of technicality. The X-Laws had dropped out of the Fight before any of them had officially competed.” went on Anna, she was becoming visibly more impatient at how long it was taking for the match to begin.
Suddenly, there was a shift in the scene below as the Golem, which had remained in an unmovable state the whole time it had been present in the arena, suddenly seemed to come to life and transform as the three opposing members of Team Morphine came into view. It was like a switch had been flipped and it was now ready to battle. Yoh watched his father in the distance become animated and agitated, almost like he wasn’t expecting the Golem to move at all. The group of Patch Officiants now dispersed and Radim finally appeared to announce the start of the battle.
“Interesting.” muttered Anna, as she and the rest of the spectators in the arena all shared the same unanimous thought. No one had ever seen the Golem transform before.
“”What?”” asked Yoh and Manta, simultaneously.
“Mikihisa did not plan to use the Golem, it belongs to his two orphaned apprentices - and simply served as a technicality to allow the three of them to enter the Shaman Fight. I think Mikihisa was talking to the Patch just now about pulling out of the Fight, but to do this requires the consent of all three team members. So against his wishes, it appears the fight is going ahead - and with the Golem as a weapon.” explained Anna, she placed one hand across her mouth, adopting a slightly worried posture, an unusual demeanour for her.
“Is that a bad thing?” asked Manta, worriedly - Anna’s uncharacteristically concerned tone not lost on him.
Anna now turned to Yoh, she had a serious expression on her face. “I have no idea why that Golem has chosen now, for the very first time, to activate its battle mode form - but if you value Lyserg’s life - you need to tell him to forfeit this battle. Right. Now.”
Part 5
“Wh-what?” stammered Yoh, his blood running cold as he observed the seriousness in Anna’s warning.
“That Golem possesses an immense unfathomable amount of furyoku, it is a masterclass in shamanic engineering. Who ever created it was a genius.” Anna continued, looking more and more agitated as the seconds passed. “We’re wasting time! Yoh - you must stop this fight - or everyone in that battlefield is going to die!”
Yoh looked down harrowingly at Team Morphine, and then across the battlefield at the image of his father standing beside the Golem. Mikihisa was waving his arms erratically at the cockpit of the Golem, which was now poised and ready to fight. On the shoulders of its giant metal body Yoh could make out the image of a young boy.
Without thinking, Yoh leapt out of his seat and hopped over the barricade that separated the spectators area and the pit of the battleground below. From across the arena - after witnessing Yoh’s sudden appearance on the ground, Hao immediately got to his feet.
“Hao-sama?” whimpered Opacho, looking up at the harrowed expression now on Hao’s face.
“Hao-sama, the field is secured by the Patch’s protection barrier - Yoh-sama will - “ began Luchist.
“The match has not yet started.” spat Hao, angrily dismissing Luchist’s attempt to reassure him.
Across the field, the three members of Team Morphine sensed a commotion from the spectators above them on their side of the arena. They turned around and were surprised to see Yoh’s face smiling awkwardly at them.
“Hey guys.” Yoh smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his head at the three confused faces in front of him. “Uh - Anna says there’s no way you guys can beat that thing. So it’s probably best you throw in the towel now.”
“Oh, and wouldn’t that be convenient for the murderer sympathiser.” sarcastically spat Lyserg. “Then you wouldn’t need to face an awkward confrontation in the final, mm?”
“Can’t be any more awkward than this one right now.” mumbled Yoh, shifting awkwardly on his feet.
“Um,” interjected the third member of Team Morphine, “shouldn’t we like - listen to this guy? Isn’t he -”
“- the infamous Asakura Yoh. Brother and fellow team mate to the great Asakura Hao. Yes, we have met.” nodded Faust, though Faust was smiling, his tone suggested he was not best pleased about the interruption to his debut in The Shaman Fight.
There was a commotion from both sides of the field as members of the Patch tribe were becoming aware something was afoot, and Yoh noticed the face of Patch Officiant Kalim making his way swiftly over to him.
“Lyserg, we can hash out this personal vendetta you have with me another time.” Yoh said hurriedly, realising he was running out of time. “But please, I would very much like there to be another time. You need to put a stop to this fight now before it’s too late!”
Lyserg’s demeanour momentarily wavered as he recognised the sincerity in Yoh’s warning, just then - Kalim arrived.
“Yoh, what are you doing? You must return to the safety of the spectators zone. This area is for battle contestants only!” angrily snapped Kalim, grabbing Yoh by the arm and yanking him away from Team Morphine.
From across the field, from the corner of his eye - Hao noticed a slight movement from the Golem - and sensed the one piloting it from within was readying a spoken phrase.
“Radim!” angrily called Hao. Radim almost dropped his microphone as the booming angry voice of Asakura Hao rang out across the stadium.
“Uh - Team Morphine verses Team Kabbalahers - good - good luck.” echoed Radim’s loud voice from all corners of the arena. As the klaxon rang out, the three members of Team Morphine immediately turned on the spot towards their opponents, their fate now sealed.
A mighty invisible wall simultaneously and swiftly forced both Yoh and Kalim out of Team Morphine’s starting area.
“No!!”
Part 6
Within seconds, Team Morphine ignited their oversouls - but before they could organise themselves into any premeditated strategic formation, they watched as the Golem took several strides towards them. The head straddling its enormous body opened the shutter of the artillery on its face - taking aim at the opposing team.
“Look out!” called Yoh, suddenly finding himself with a front row seat of the doomed battle, expecting to witness a swift end to Lyserg and his team mates right before his very eyes.
A targeted shot was fired from the Golem - but thankfully it did not land its target - which was not the entirety of Team Morphine - but rather one individual member in particular.
The third member of Team Morphine, now showcasing his spiritually bonded form of a golden yellow Jaguar with enormous claws, had leapt into the air within the blink of an eye - narrowly avoiding the Golem’s attack thanks to his lightning speed - as a mini explosion reverberated off of the impenetrable invisible force field that cocooned the battlefield. The Golem did not hesitate to take aim at its target once again.
“Chocolove!” cried Lyserg, as he stepped in to aid his teammate’s peril - with one masterful swoop of his hand - he launched his fiery dousing weapon into the field - aiming straight for the Golem in an attempt to neutralise its attack advance. Morphine, Lyserg’s trusty spirit ally, piloted her dousing crystal aircraft straight into the heat of battle - wrapping the Golem’s body and head tightly in her grip. Chocolove did not waste any time and took advantage of the opening Lyserg had given him - as he swiftly launched himself towards the iron beast - slicing its head clean off with his razor sharp claws.
As the Golem’s head fell with a loud crash to the ground, Chocolove landed at the foot of his huge attacker - examining its form for any possible further threat whilst it remained succumbed to Lyserg’s tight hold.
“It is you.” came a shaky voice from just behind the Golem’s giant feet. “Chocolove McDonnell.”
Chocolove was alarmed to come face-to-face with an injured young boy laying on his back in the dirt, who had fallen from a height as Lyserg’s oversoul had sent him crashing to the ground behind his mighty weapon.
“Are you alright kid?” gasped Chocolove, momentarily dropping his guard. “What’s a kid as young as you doing in this Fight - and how do you know my name?” Chocolove approached the boy, offering him a hand. Within his peripheral vision, Chocolove suddenly became aware there was a third member of the Kabbalahers pleading with the Golem nearby.
“Seyram - don’t!!” harrowingly cried Mikihisa.
Amongst the spectators of the crowd above them, Hao had his eyes firmly on the events happening right below him. His eyes flickered briefly - as his uncontrollable ability told him exactly what was about to happen next.
“Shem HaMephorash”
As though the Golem was not binded at all by Lyserg’s oversoul, it began to transform again - shattering its wired prison. Realising his vulnerability, Chocolove attempted to escape - but suddenly realised he could not move - it was as if the world had stopped for a brief moment - as he felt the plunge of a blade slice through his abdomen.
“At last.” shakily whispered the boy, an almost demonic smile spreading across his juvenile features, his face now splattered with Chocolove’s blood. “We did it, Seyram… we…”
“…we finally got our revenge.”
Part 7
“Seyram!!” desperately called Mikihisa - “Stop!”
The only adult shaman of Team Kabbalahers continued to desperately plead with the child inside the Golem. He summoned Imari and Shigaraki and commanded them to attempt to free Seyram from the Golem’s internal chamber. The Golem responded by throwing Mikihisa’s spirit allies to the ground with its mighty strength, like it was simply flicking a pair of ants from its shoulders.
Whilst the Patch were focused and distracted by the scene going on in the battlefield, Yoh ran along the sidelines of the stadium floor - growing increasingly desperate to intervene - but was thwarted by the Patch’s relentless protection shield. Yoh’s eyes were cemented firmly on the bludgeoned body of the shaman now laying bleeding out on the ground - and the murderous rampaging threat of the Golem - which was now turning its attention to all the others in its wake.
Yoh suddenly stopped still - almost skidding across the ground as he did so - now turning back towards Faust - who remained frozen in place in his wheelchair on the far side of the battleground on the starting platform.
“Hey!” Yoh screamed towards the necromancer doctor shaman. “Are you just going to sit there? Do something Faust!”
Faust was transfixed on the Golem’s every move - though Yoh’s cries seemed to awaken him from his distant trance. He looked towards the body of his dying teammate.
“If I go to him, the Golem will kill me next.” wearily said Faust in response to Yoh’s cries.
“It’s going to kill you all!” desperately called Yoh, now turning his attention to Lyserg. “Lyserg - please - end this blood bath - surrender - now!!”
The Golem, seemingly unbothered by anything going on around it - began to power up another ballistic attack, taking aim at each of the shaman in its path.
Hearing Yoh’s desperate cry and witnessing the Golem’s immense power first hand - Lyserg voluntarily dismissed his oversoul and held both his hands above his head. He turned around and looked towards Faust, who quickly copied Lyserg’s example - lifting the palms of both his hands in the air.
“Team Morphine surrenders!” called Lyserg - now turning his attention to the Golem - hoping their gesture was enough to stop its terrifying war path.
“Team Morphine has surrendered - the victory goes to Team Kabbalahers!” boomed Radim’s voice once again - his voice notably shaken with a distinct hint of relief.
“Seyram - it’s over - you won!” screamed Mikihisa. The Golem’s building arsenal attack slowly began to subside - and it seemed to freeze in its position momentarily. The stunned hush that had gripped the stadium’s audience was only broken by the cranking sounds of the Golem returning to its original formation - once it was complete - the cockpit chamber door swung open, revealing the young girl inside.
The young boy now wearily got to his feet, and stepped towards the Golem with a delighted smile on his face.
“Seyram!” he called happily to his sister. “You did it Seyram! You - ”
The boy was met with a strike to the side of his face by Mikihisa.
“How dare you disobey me like this Redseb. Look at the bloodshed you have caused.” angrily snapped Mikihisa. Redseb was stunned. After a moment, he angrily screwed up his face - shooting a deathly glare at the one who had just struck him.
“Hey old man!” Redseb shouted angrily. “You’re not my father - you don’t tell me what to do and you don’t get to discipline me!”
As the walls of the Patch’s protection shield finally came down, Yoh ran out onto the battleground, immediately bolting towards Chocolove. As he reached his side, it was obvious to him within moments that Chocolove was already dead.
Just meters away from Chocolove’s corpse, looking down from the spectators area, Hao absorbed every bit of grief that began pouring out of Yoh at that moment. Hao remained still and unmoved - his expression not changing - as he remained transfixed on the scene below.
“You killed him.” said Yoh - his voice lowered and tinged with sorrow - as he addressed the boy directly behind him.
“Good.” sniffed Redseb, coldly. “He’s the bastard that murdered our father. He deserved to die.”
The harrowing exchange was interrupted by Lyserg, who had appeared by Yoh’s side. He looked solemnly at his fallen teammate.
“Chocolove… murdered someone?” whispered Lyserg, his eyes white from the revelation.
“It was Christmas Eve.” began Redseb. “We were waiting for our father to return home with gifts. Seyram grew impatient, and she went out into the snow to find him. Unfortunately, she did. He had been killed by Chocolove McDonnell and his gang. She was the first one to find his body. She’s never spoken since. She has no emotions, can’t feel… can’t speak… Now she will get better. Now she -”
Redseb looked up at Seyram, who remained silent and still in the open cockpit of the Golem - her emotionless expression never changing.
Hao quietly observed the girl in the Golem, before turning and exchanging a look with Opacho - who looked back at her guardian with glistening sad eyes.
“And has it made you feel any better?” asked Yoh, now turning around to face Team Kabbalahers. Mikihisa stood idle to one side as he watched his own son counsel the boy better than he ever could.
“I…” began Redseb, “I don’t understand. She should be normal again… this is… this is the reason we entered the Shaman Fight.”
Lyserg shook his head, his expression showed he wasn’t really taking in what was being said by those around him, as he grappled internally with the earlier revelation.
“Chocolove was… kind, selfless, funny… he wanted to spread joy, change the world with “the winds of laughter” how could he be a…” muttered Lyserg, he had his hands clenched into fists and his eyes screwed closed as he tried to make sense of everything.
“Murderer sympathiser.”
Lyserg’s words from earlier swirled around in Yoh’s mind. The words struck Hao too.
“Now you have taken his life in cold blood, does it make the pain of losing your father hurt any less?” calmly asked Yoh.
The gravity of the situation finally began to dawn on the boy and his eyes began to well up with tears.
“Oh… no… what have I done? I’m a murderer! And my sister…! My poor sister! What am I going to do? I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” Redseb wailed as he wrapped his arms around his adopted father figure. Mikihisa tried his best to console him.
As Redseb broke down, Hao felt a fleeting empathetic feeling towards the child. He decided in that moment he had seen enough and he got to his feet to leave - Opacho and Luchist following hurriedly behind him.
With Eliza’s aid, Faust arrived at the sad scene, sharing the same sorrowful expression as his surviving teammate. He said nothing, as he couldn’t find the right words.
Several members of The Patch now arrived at the scene carrying a stretcher and what looked like an unused body bag as they respectfully awaited for the right moment to remove Chocolove’s body from the arena.
As the climax of the Shaman Fight teams-of-three rounds seemed to have come to an exciting but gruesome end, the crowds of spectators began to shuffle towards the arena exits. Yoh looked towards the back of the arena, his eyes searching for Anna - as he too felt it was time to take his leave. His mind fell back on his own earlier win, and he wondered what this latest victory for Team Kabbalahers would mean for him in the next round. Yoh stepped away to make his way back towards his friends.
“Uh, Yoh?”
Yoh turned around at the sound of Lyserg’s voice. He was suddenly stricken with amazement when he saw how Chocolove’s body was glowing. Warm and healing spiritual energy seemed to flow through every inch of him - and all present watched with amazement as the fatal wound across his abdomen healed like magic in front of their eyes.
As Chocolove opened his eyes, he looked around at all the amazed faces who were staring back at him. A short stunned silence grew.
“What’d I miss?” muttered Chocolove as he made eye contact with Lyserg. “Did we win?” Lyserg could only manage a relieved laugh in response. “Wait - why are you laughing? Was that funny?” gasped Chocolove as he sat up.
“Faust - that was - that was incredible!” delightfully laughed Lyserg, grabbing his teammate by the shoulders in a celebratory manner. “How did you do that?!”
“That wasn’t me.” responded Faust, confused, though he couldn’t help but laugh at the joyful circumstances too.
“Wait guys, seriously, did I say something funny? What happened?” continued Chocolove.
With the attention of the others around him now firmly on Chocolove’s miracle revival, Yoh lifted his head in the direction of the stadium exit on the far side of the arena. Yoh felt an overpowering sense of pride and astonishment when his suspicions were confirmed as he made eye contact with his twin amongst the exiting crowd.
“Thank you.” thought Yoh, smiling.
Hao shared a silent exchange with Yoh before making his exit out the stadium door.
Part 8
“Hao-sama?” came the little whimper of the small child in Hao’s care as the trio of shaman made their way out of the stadium exit walkway and into the outdoor space beyond it. Around them, the crowds of Shaman Fight contestants and spectators hurriedly made their way out of the doors, many of them deliberately avoiding to look at the three.
“Mm?” replied Hao, he did his best to disconnect himself from the events that had just happened in the Patch stadium behind him. He looked down at Opacho walking by his side, filtering out the noise in his mind.
“That girl…in the big scary Golem…” shakily said Opacho looking up at her guardian with her big glistening eyes. “So… sad.” she whispered.
Hao stopped walking for a moment to give Opacho his full attention, then he looked at Luchist. The pair of shaman exchanged the same look of concern for Opacho’s words.
Hao turned around and looked back into the mouth of the exit walkway. The audible voices echoing from within the grounds of the battlefield vibrated off the stone corridor walls and blended effortlessly with the voices in Hao’s mind. One voice stood out to him in particular. One that Hao was becoming increasingly more attuned to.
“What?!” rang out the voice of his twin.
“Redseb, what do you mean you’re going to continue? After what you just witnessed - after what you just did - surely you cannot be serious about this?!” pleaded the desperate voice of Mikihisa.
“Seyram is still not back to normal! We’re going to the final - and you can’t stop us!” came the angry voice of the boy.
“You’re right to be worried, Asakura Hao.” a new voice now mingled with the chorus in his head as Hao turned around - startled to discover a group of Buddhist shaman draped in matching orange attire standing before him. A woman adoring an enormous heavy golden crown stood central to those behind her - her silky veil danced gently in the breeze around her along with her beautiful long brown hair.
“Sati.” muttered Hao candidly, mockingly nodding his head to greet her, an unwavering smile on his face. “I wondered when our paths would meet.”
Sati remained silent for a moment as she examined the three shaman before her. She then looked tentatively at Opacho and gave her a kind smile. Opacho frowned at her in response.
“You may succeed in fooling those around you that your path has not altered, Hao. But you cannot hide the truth from your soul.” stated Sati, her serene words sang in the air like an unspoken prophecy.
Hao blinked at her, but he kept his composure. “What nonsense are you planning this time, Gandhara? Still on that noble quest to seek your warriors to stop me?” laughed Hao, he revelled in his words, confident that revealing his knowledge of Gandhara’s ultimate goal would shake Sati’s resolve.
Sati did not waver. Instead, she smiled warmly at him. There was a pause as Hao’s expression changed to one of slight confusion - as his Reishi ability showed him the truth before Sati could even say it aloud.
“Your recently returned presence in our reality still has a bit of catching up to do, I see.” chuckled Sati, the other faces of Gandhara around her shared the same slightly amused expressions.
“If you could stop speaking in riddles, that would be great.” sarcastically spat Hao, becoming irked by Sati’s foreboding demeanour.
“The Shaman King’s intervention into events in our world is indeed a unique and extremely unusual situation.” began Sati, “I had not ever imagined such a scenario, for it would take an extraordinary reason to move the King to act, knowing that even the slightest change to the Shaman Fight’s course could alter the destinies of many - and have serious and profound consequences.”
Hao rolled his eyes as he realised where this was going.
“You’re implying that my illusion has something to do with what ever ridiculous idea you have.” scoffed Hao, raising his eye brow. “That was nothing more than the actions of a bored King, playing God one last time before they are dethroned.”
Sati paused, she looked towards the Patch stadium behind Hao, she seemed to be in deep contemplated thought.
“You are destined to become the Shaman King, Hao. That much I am certain of.” stated Sati, her words seemed to impact the three shaman before her. “I spent years in prayer and meditation, I saw it with absolute clarity. And I dedicated my life to prevent the chaos and destruction that came with your reign.” Sati lowered her head slightly as she went on, “However,” she paused briefly. Hao’s eyes flickered as he tried to disguise his desire to hear more of what Sati had to say, “The entity that appeared in your place, the illusion of your better self, it has changed everything. The King’s intervention has altered the tapestry of fate. Therefore… I have come to congratulate you, Hao.” Sati finished, smiling kindly at him.
Hao almost stepped backwards at Sati’s declaration and congratulatory tone. He could not find the words to respond. There was a pause as the two groups observed one another in a collective silence.
“I can see that more time is required before you come to realise it yourself,” continued Sati, eventually. “But believe it or not Asakura Hao, your path has been altered. The being that mirrored you, it has planted the seeds of doubt, a flicker of something… different, within your soul.”
Hao’s eyes narrowed, an image of his younger twin suddenly entered his mind as his Reishi continued to aid him remain one step ahead of the conversation.
“Do not underestimate the challenges that lie ahead in the final, Hao. The Golem is a formidable weapon of mass destruction. Child’s play for you, yes. But it would be unfortunate if it were to be wielded against your Yoh.”
Hao’s expression faltered, a wave of concern washed over him at Sati’s warning. In a stunned silence, he watched as Gandhara calmly took their leave - leaving behind their revelations and a troubled soon-to-be King.
“Hao-sama?” squeaked Opacho, tugging on his poncho gently as she spoke. Opacho observed as Hao’s gaze remained transfixed on the spot where Sati had been.
“Yoh.”
Part 9
A few moments of uncomfortable silence passed as Hao and his two fiercely loyal followers remained cemented to the spot on the sandy footpath. Luchist sighed deeply. Underneath his stern and hardened exterior something within him had softened in recent weeks. Another ripple effect of the illusion’s arrival and swift departure in all of their lives - echoing the truth in Sati’s revelation.
Hao was the first one to make a move and continue their journey towards their hidden lair on the island. He took long strides, his pace quickened. Luchist walked hastily by his side whilst Opacho did her best to keep up with him using her little legs.
As the Patch stadium was now distantly behind them, Luchist mustered the courage to try and speak his mind, but before he opened his mouth - he was silenced:
“Don’t.” warned Hao, his voice hollow. He did not look at the tall shaman marching by his side as he spoke. “He was nothing. A phantom of the Great Spirits and nothing more.”
Motivated by Gandhara’s prophesied speech, Luchist pushed on, “With all due respect, Hao-sama,” began Luchist, Hao now shot a daring look at the ex-X-Law leader striding beside him, “I believe there was more to it than that.”
Hao came to an abrupt halt on the path, Opacho almost toppled over as she ran into the back of Hao’s legs.
“So suddenly everyone’s an expert in my own destiny?” retorted Hao, sarcastically - shooting another deathly stare at Luchist. “I am the author of my own fate - not Gandhara - not the Shaman King and most certainly not Matamune!”
Matamune’s name echoed and lingered in the air above the open fields below. The breeze that flowed around them rippled along the vast open grassy plains surrounding them, creating the illusion of waves on the ocean.
Opacho whimpered sadly as she watched the two shaman towering above her face off in a silent debate. She gripped a handful of Hao’s poncho for comfort.
“He may not have been real in the truest sense,” Luchist continued, his voice lowered but his tone unchanged by Hao’s confrontational demeanour, “But his impact on you, on all of us, is undeniable. He even accomplished something you never could.”
Hao was visibly irked by Luchist’s relentless attempt to push the topic, but his interest was suddenly piqued.
“And what is that?” Hao spat, coldly.
“He lost his Reishi.” Luchist replied, now smiling as a flicker of something in Hao’s eyes reminded Luchist of the night he encountered Hao’s alternate counterpart. “The ability to read minds. It was something that you, in all your power, could never fully control. Yet he… he relinquished it. Willingly.”
There was a pause as Hao contemplated Luchist’s words, Hao shook his head slightly.
“You’re forgetting the part where this illusion was exactly that. A fake. Of course anything is possible if we’re talking about fiction, Luchist.”
“That may be,” nodded Luchist, “But your illusion’s actions parallel the truth in your real story, Hao-sama.” Luchist continued, Hao opened his mouth to respond but Luchist pushed on, grabbing the opportunity to air his thoughts, “Think about it, the Hao I know would have revelled in the chaos at the stadium, but you showed mercy by reviving that boy. You allowed Yoh-sama to return to his friends, even though doing so only isolates you more. These are not the actions of the ruthless conqueror we once knew. These selfless motives are ones I have seen from a version of you once before.”
Hao found himself momentarily frozen by Luchist’s explanation, he briefly looked away from his loyal friend - unable to hold his gaze any longer.
“And I saw that look when you saw Yoh-sama in the Golem’s line of fire. And just now. You fear for what may become of Yoh-sama without you there to protect him.” Luchist watched as Hao’s eyes softened slightly, pushing him to continue to try and break down Hao’s hardened defences, “It is exactly what was foretold by your illusion’s brief existence in this world. As Lady Sati implies, it is Yoh-sama’s influence that has had this profound effect on you. The exact same remedy to your illusion’s power that has driven you mad all these years. They are one and the same.”
As Luchist went on, Hao closed his eyes briefly as a flash of something in his mind awakened something within his psyche. It seemed unfamiliar, like a memory that wasn’t his. In that brief moment as Hao tried to recall it, the voices in his mind subsided once again - grounding him into the senses all around him. The breath in his chest cavity, the wind trickling the long grass beside him, the tickle of his long hair as it swayed across his face.
“We’ll do it together, we’ll be together. That way you won’t ever be alone again.”
As the brief moment of clarity came and went, it breathed a sense of peace momentarily into Hao’s soul and mind. A moment of calm passed before Hao eventually relented. He looked up at Luchist, his expression seemed uncharacteristically softer. Noting this subtle yet profound change in Hao’s demeanour, Luchist smiled.
“You fear for what’s to come tomorrow. Why don’t you go to him, Hao-sama?” said Luchist, gently. Hao sighed in response.
“There is nothing more I can do for him now.” responded Hao, his tone laced with a hint of defeatism. “Besides, it is his last night before the final. He should be celebrating his victory with those closest to him.”
Luchist laughed slightly. He then looked down at the small child beside Hao. Opacho looked back at Luchist, she also shared the same hopeful expression as him.
“Forgive me if I’m wrong,” said Luchist, smiling. “But wasn’t it also your victory, too?”
Part 10
Across the Island of Tokyo there was a deep sense of anticipation and cautious excitement for tomorrow’s final shared amongst all contestants of the Shaman Fight. As dusk came, the empty streets were dimly lit by flickering lantern candlelight as the hushed atmospheric feeling of immense spiritual change clung to the air. It was a silent night for many - but for one, the air was filled by a deafening intense clash of heightened emotions against the overlapping verses of fearful and worried thoughts.
On one lonely street corner there stood an Inn sheltering a large group of shaman who were also partaking in the shared mood of the night’s significance. Inside a sizeable shared communal living area, the sweet smell of a hearty and well needed meal filled the air. Gathered around the large rectangular dining table, Yoh and his friends were attempting to make the most of their time together - though it was a brutal and awkward gathering for some members of the group. Though it was inevitable, friends-turned-opponents-turned-friends-again was a difficult and complex dynamic to navigate.
Anna remained composed in her rightful place by Yoh’s side as she quietly ate her meal, she had her eyes closed as she silently mulled over the day’s events. Dressed down in a white t shirt with his hair tied back in a spiky ponytail - Yoh continued to absentmindedly move the remnants of his food around in the bowl in front of him with his utensil. It was hard to envision him as the only finalist in the room given his lack of enthusiasm or regard for the acutely important circumstances of the evening.
Beside Yoh sat his small and anxious looking best friend Manta. On the other side of the small human, and sharing the same anxious sentiment as him, was Tamao - she was doing her best to eat as quietly as possible and not bring any attention to herself. Between bites, Manta would shoot an awkward worried glance at the three members of Team Morphine sitting opposite, especially at Faust - who stood out the most amongst the group as his beloved Eliza sat across his lap as he ate his meal.
Unburdened by the wider circumstances affecting other members of the group, and feeling particularly thankful he was invited, Chocolove was doing his best to think of a way to lighten the mood. His green haired friend beside him seemed to be brooding quietly as his unfinished business with one particular Asakura brother, who was sitting directly in his eye line, played heavily on his mind. Though his Englishman politeness allowed him to read the situation accordingly, and he tried his best to appear grateful for his meal, and that he was still alive after the earlier dramatic events in the battlefield.
Not sitting with the others was the cook of the evening’s spread, as Ryu could be heard crashing around in the neighbouring kitchen. He had volunteered his domestic services in an attempt to remove himself from the awkwardness of the evening. On the other side of the dining room, the blue haired Ainu shaman sat alone with his face firmly planted on a table - beside his head sat his uneaten meal which was quickly going cold, much like the atmosphere.
Many of the friends in the room had noticed that evening how Yoh’s usual carefree disposition had been replaced by an anguished one. It was not lost on Yoh’s friends the weight he beared on his shoulders, however most had kept their relief about Yoh’s recently severed alliance with the one they feared the most to themselves. The absence of the one most likely to speak his mind was felt by almost everyone, as the leader of Team “The Ren” had not returned to the Inn along with his other defeated teammates.
Lost in thought, Yoh found himself being barraged by a series of overlapping memories from the last few days. At the forefront of his mind, Yoh replayed the moment he and Hao were declared the winners of their semi-final match over and over.
“Your obligation has ended.”
Yoh shook his head like he was trying to flick something from his hair. The sudden jerk of his movements caught the attention of Anna by his side. She sighed, placing her bowl down on the table in front of her.
“I - uh,” shakily began Manta, his resolve shaken by all the eyes in the room now looking in his direction as he broke the silence. “I hope Ren is okay.”
Bringing himself back to earth, Yoh corrected his posture and sat up, scanning all the faces in the room as he did so.
“Oh, he’s not here?” muttered Yoh, blinking.
Lyserg rolled his eyes and sighed, looking slightly agitated by Yoh’s ignorance for his friend’s well being.
“Of course not. Ren is a proud shaman, but he also sulks like a child. He’s most likely off somewhere brooding like the enigma figure he likes to make himself out to be.” sarcastically scoffed Anna.
“Can you blame him?” spoke up Lyserg, unable to keep his thoughts to himself any longer, “It’s one thing fighting against your friends in this tournament, it’s an eventuality for us all. But it’s something else entirely losing against someone you thought was a friend who has aligned themselves with our enemies.”
“You’d know a thing or two about forming alliances with our enemies, right Lyserg?” coldly replied Anna. Lyserg’s expression wavered, a brief look of embarrassment flashed across his face.
“Hao is not my enemy.” said Yoh, he spoke calmly and determinedly as he met Lyserg’s glare. “You weren’t here Lyserg, so you wouldn’t understand.”
Unable to bear the awkward tension rising, Chocolove stood up.
“Hey would anyone like to hear a joke?” nervously laughed Chocolove, attempting to take the attention away from the tense stand off. Almost like Chocolove wasn’t even in the room, Lyserg bit back at Yoh.
“Oh, I think I understand perfectly. You believed you were teaming up with a version of Hao who was worthy of redemption, worthy of your friendship. That is very “you” Yoh. That much I could accept. But then when he became the very thing you swore he was not, you remained by his side. Making you guilty by association.” Lyserg kept his glare on Yoh, unshaken by the astonished faces of those around the table.
Yoh listened to Lyserg’s words carefully, he then looked up at Chocolove standing by Lyserg, who was becoming more and more anxious as members of his audience continued to argue and ignore him. Yoh smiled kindly at him.
“Sure, let’s hear the joke.” smiled Yoh. Chocolove’s eyes sparkled with delight. Lyserg crossed his arms as Yoh brushed his words aside, he made eye contact with Manta - who seemed just as concerned as he was by his best friend’s strange behaviour.
“So Yoh, the final takes place in the Lost City of Mu right? Maybe you’ll find a bunch of lost cows down there!” laughed Chocolove, he paused for a moment as he enthusiastically anticipated his audience’s reaction. Sadly, the chilly atmosphere remained, though Yoh was smiling broadly, and he almost managed a genuine laugh at the silly joke.
“Thanks Chocolove, I needed that.” smiled Yoh. Chocolove nodded, satisfied. He sat himself back down on the floor beside an irked Lyserg, who most certainly was not laughing.
Yoh looked around at all of his friends, examining each of their faces in turn.
“So is that how you all feel?” asked Yoh, referring to Lyserg’s analogy as he addressed the room. The others in the room all exchanged a look with each other, all of them shifting awkwardly in their seats. Anna shot a cold glare at all the others around the table.
“I see.” said Yoh, his eyes narrowing. “In that case, it seems I am just as unwelcome here as he is.”
“Now hold on.” came the voice of the tall shaman entering the room from the kitchen doorway. “Lyserg doesn’t speak for all of us. You were only doing what you thought was right by him, Master Yoh.” said Ryu, wiping his hands on his apron as he spoke.
“Yeah!” spoke up Manta. “Yoh, you see the good in everyone. Even when it isn’t there.”
“But it is there!” desperately retorted Yoh, turning his attention to the comedian shaman opposite him. Yoh smiled warmly at him once again, recalling the face of his brother and the unspoken exchange they shared after the events in the arena.
“Chocolove, it was Hao who healed you.”
A wave of shock rolled over everyone in the room. The only one who didn’t seem surprised was Anna, as she had an inkling who was behind the miraculous revival.
“What!?” replied Chocolove, almost falling backwards. Lyserg for once seemed speechless.
“So perhaps Hao is like the one I “aligned” with after all.” said Yoh, stressing his words as he parroted Lyserg’s earlier attempts to challenge him as a new determined feeling now rooted itself in Yoh’s chest, temporarily remedying his earlier doubts. Anna got to her feet.
“Now that’s settled, can we get back to the issue at hand?” demanded Anna, though it was obvious by the amazed faces of everyone in the room that this most recent revelation most certainly was not “settled” - regardless, all present understood there were other important matters that required attention.
“The final line up,” began Anna, “- is made up of 12 finalists from four teams. Team Orange, Team Kabbalahers, and two teams from one of the Elite factions - Gandhara.”
“Gandhara?” repeated Manta.
“Aren’t they those Buddhist monk guys?” asked Chocolove.
“Are they powerful?” asked Yoh.
“Yes.” replied Anna. “Each one is a Kami class shaman meaning they all have god-like furyoku, just like Hao,” she glanced at Yoh’s worried expression as she went on, “Though traditionally they are not violent, and win their matches using furyoku nullification techniques.”
“They don’t sound so bad.” laughed Yoh, not really adopting the seriousness of Anna’s explanation.
“It’s not Gandhara you need to worry about.” continued Anna. “If you don’t want to die, Yoh, I suggest you come up with a strategy for how to deal with the Golem.”
There was a pause as the group exchanged worried expressions as Anna addressed the threatening nature of tomorrow’s final head on.
“Hold on.” said Lyserg, a curious expression on his face. “Why are we concerning ourselves with just the Golem? What about when Yoh has to face Hao?”
Anna and Yoh exchanged a silent look with one another. Yoh took a deep breath before responding.
“I already have a plan for how to deal with my brother.” calmly replied Yoh. Another wave of uncertainty simultaneously struck each of his friends.
“Well?” pressed Lyserg, unable to hide his astonishment. “Are you going to clue us in? How exactly do you plan on defeating him, Yoh?” There was a short silence as everyone now glued themselves to Yoh, eagerly anticipating his explanation.
“Oh, there’s no way I can defeat him.” chuckled Yoh. His friends once again exchanged confused looks. “His furyoku is over one million.”
The latest crushing revelation hit his friends one by one once again.
“Then… what’s even the point of fighting?” asked Chocolove, wearily.
“I think I get it.” came a voice from the back of the room. All turned to HoroHoro who was now sitting up and giving Yoh his full attention. “You’re not trying to win at all. Are you?” said HoroHoro, his expression bleak as he was the first of Yoh’s friends to catch on to Yoh’s ulterior motive.
“You think you can change his mind… about destroying everything.” added Lyserg, his voice lowered.
Yoh remained unfazed and unmoved as his friends began to realise his true intentions.
“What makes you so certain you can do it, Yoh?” asked Manta, worriedly.
Yoh sighed, closing his eyes briefly as he recalled his brother’s illusion once again.
“Because you’re my little brother, that’s why.”
Yoh opened his eyes and looked fondly at Chocolove. “I believe Hao has good in him. I’ve seen it for myself. You’re living proof of that, Chocolove.”
Chocolove blinked as he met Yoh’s determined gaze.
“Well uh,” mumbled Chocolove. “The guy had no reason to bring me back to the land of the living. You don’t exactly have to convince me. I’m on board with this plan.” laughed Chocolove, shrugging his shoulders.
“I still don’t understand.” said Lyserg, shaking his head slightly, his earlier confrontational demeanour softening slightly.
“If I may interject,” spoke up Faust, all eyes now fell on the doctor shaman who up to now had not said a word. “I believe that Hao’s encounter with his alternate self may have triggered a…spiritual awakening,” Yoh blinked at Faust, surprised to hear someone like Faust speak up in support of his optimistic ambition. “In shamanic traditions, it is believed that the soul is constantly evolving, striving for balance. Perhaps… Hao’s encounter with his lighter self has forced him to confront his own demons, to choose a different path.” All shaman in the room took a moment to reflect on Faust’s words. A short contemplative silence grew.
“That’s… an interesting theory,” muttered Lyserg, eventually, a flicker of doubt crossing his face.
“It’s more than a theory,” insisted Yoh, determinedly. “I know Hao. I know that he’s not evil. He’s just… lost.”
“And you really think you can save him?” asked Lyserg, his voice still laced with skepticism - the rest of the group now turning to Yoh for an answer.
Yoh paused, a smile found its way to his face as he recalled the final words of his brother’s illusion once more.
“If anyone can save me, Yoh, it’s you.”
Part 11
Yoh got to his feet. He looked around the room at each of his friends one by one.
“I have to try. He’s my brother. I won’t give up on him.”
Yoh’s unshaken determination seemed to soften the concern etched in all of their faces, and now something seemed different in all of their eyes. There was a hint of hope.
As everyone around the table absorbed the dramatic series of revelations that had just been delivered to them in succession, Yoh stepped out of the room and onto the open patio adjacent to the building to be alone. Anna watched him go, but she made eye contact with Ryu and nodded her head at him to follow him. Not missing a beat, Ryu followed Anna’s silent instructions without hesitation.
Ryu found a contemplative Yoh standing a few yards away in the centre of the gardens outside. He had both his hands on the back of his head as he gazed up at the night sky. Ryu quietly approached him and stood by his side, as he did, he decided to star gaze as well. After a shared moment of peace, Ryu remembered he had something to say,
“Master Yoh, I didn’t get a chance earlier to congratulate you on your win today.” softly said Ryu, sighing as he recalled his earlier defeat against Yoh’s formidable team.
Yoh smiled, glancing over at his friend.
“Thanks Ryu, that means a lot coming from you.” sighed Yoh, now looking back at the sky. Ryu took a moment to examine Yoh’s features. It was obvious to him that something was on Yoh’s mind, but he wasn’t sure if it was his place to push it.
“You know, what you said back there, to those guys. It took guts.” said Ryu, being very careful about his choice of words.
Yoh’s expression changed slightly and his eyes narrowed. He slunk his arms down by his sides, seeming somewhat defeated about something.
“I don’t know about that.” muttered Yoh.
“Standing up for what you believe in, even when all the odds are stacked against you, even without the full support of all your friends - takes courage, Master Yoh.” replied Ryu.
“Courage?” repeated Yoh. “I could use some of that for tomorrow.” Yoh laughed slightly, though his eyes seem to glaze over too. Ryu looked confused.
“But Master Yoh, you - ”
“I wasn’t exactly being totally honest in there.” interrupted Yoh. “I thought I had a chance but, I’m not so sure anymore.”
Ryu seemed surprised, moments ago Yoh seemed so determined, now suddenly he was the opposite.
“Did something happen, Master Yoh? Something you’re not telling us?” asked Ryu, alarmed.
Yoh shifted on his feet awkwardly, looking down towards the ground. He wanted to grab the opportunity to get these doubts off his chest, but he worried what that would mean for what little faith his friends had left in him.
“Hao, he…” trailed off Yoh. Suddenly Ryu’s expression changed to one of slight panic.
“Did he do something to hurt you?!” shrieked Ryu, a little too loud.
“No!” retorted Yoh, “Uh - well, I guess - sorta? But no, not like that.”
Ryu remained still and silent, patiently waiting for Yoh to continue.
“After our match today, as soon as it was over. He… changed.” Yoh placed one arm across his middle like he was trying to hold onto himself. He didn’t look Ryu in the eye as he explained himself. “We would only ever really hang out together after our matches. And once or twice back when he was helping me get used to my furyoku level up, you know, so I wouldn’t be totally useless in battle…”
Ryu just listened carefully to Yoh, nodding his head slowly as he went on.
“And I dunno, I guess I sorta got used to it. It was kinda like when…” Yoh trailed off as a face of someone flashed in his memory. Yoh closed his eyes as he tried to shake it away.
“Master Yoh?” enquired Ryu, urging his friend to continue. Yoh sighed sadly.
“But today…” Yoh looked up at Ryu, solemnly. “He just… left.” Ryu mulled over Yoh’s recollection for a moment.
“Hmm.” wondered Ryu, he placed a hand to his chin as he considered Yoh’s concerns. “And he didn’t say anything?”
Yoh faltered, remembering his brother’s parting words to him that day. “He said, “your obligation has ended.””
Ryu took a moment to consider the gravity of the matter before he opened his mouth again. He realised this was a sore subject for Yoh, and he didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Ryu’s knee jerk reaction was that Yoh had been discarded, but seeing the genuine look of worry in Yoh’s eyes made Ryu think harder for something kinder to say.
“There’s something else.” mumbled Yoh, before Ryu even had a chance to respond. “Hao can read minds.”
“Oh - wow, okay. That uh,” mumbled Ryu, looking dumbfounded and not sure what to say.
“So I’ve… kinda been communicating with him in my head for a while, even when we’re not together. I’m not sure how much he actually hears but, now and then I’ll just sort of, talk to him.” Yoh seemed a little embarrassed. “I didn’t really start it on purpose, it just kind of happened.” Yoh sighed, sadly. “He told me to stop, that it was pissing him off.”
“Well, I… I can’t imagine what that must be like. Especially if you hear what everyone’s thinking, all the time, all at once. I bet that’s really really annoying.” Ryu could see how he wasn’t really helping, and Yoh looked even more defeated. Ryu sighed.
“Listen, Master Yoh - I get it. You just can’t help it. Always trying so hard to include everyone, even Hao, when he’s not even there.” smiled Ryu. “You’re being too hard on yourself. Which is not like you.”
“I know, I know,” muttered Yoh. “But everyone’s counting on me. What if I’ve messed everything up already?”
Ryu paused for a moment, then he found those kind words he was searching for. “We’re talking about the same Hao who picked up where the other guy left off and kept on training you, the same one who got you this far.” Ryu paused again, then he sighed, smiling slightly. “All I know is, if he really did revive Chocolove today, you must be doing something right.” Ryu placed a reassuring hand on Yoh’s shoulder. “If he did that, then, surely he can’t be that bad.”
The reassurance radiating from Ryu made Yoh’s worries momentarily wash away. Yoh smiled broadly at his loyal friend.
“If you believe that, then you’re just as much of an idiot as he is.” came a stark and unexpected voice from behind the two friends. Yoh and Ryu turned back towards the Inn, but their eyes did not immediately meet the owner of the voice. Scanning the scene around them, Yoh suddenly realised there was a presence on the roof of the building, and it appeared to be watching them.
Their eavesdropper leapt down from the tiles of the Inn roof and made a graceful landing right before them. A pair of piercing yellow eyes now met Yoh’s startled stare.
“Ren!”
Part 12
Tao Ren stood tall and still, keeping his locked hardened glare upon Yoh. He had a look of disgust on his face and his eyes were sharp and cold. Bitterness seemed to seethe out of him as he engaged Yoh in a silent battle without weapons or words.
“Were you up there this whole time?!” shrieked Ryu. Ren ignored the tall shaman by Yoh’s side, like he wasn’t even present.
Yoh hesitated, his resolve shaken by the unfriendly stare of his friend glaring back at him. Yoh took a cautious step towards him.
“Ren, I - ” wearily began Yoh.
“Don’t pretend you’re even the slightest bit sorry for what you’ve done.” spat Ren. “You might have everyone else fooled, but I saw right through your “I-just-want-to-save-everyone” routine from the very beginning. I knew you were an idiot, but now I think even that’s an act as well.” Ren took several strides towards Yoh until he was squaring up to him face to face. Yoh remained frozen, his expression bleak. Ryu stepped forwards to defend his friend.
“Now hold on a minute, that’s not fair - ” began Ryu.
“Shut it!” snapped Ren, shooting a glare at Ryu. “It’s just as well we’re no longer teammates, you were just as pathetic in the battlefield as you are now, and as you always were.” Ryu swallowed nervously as he found himself in Ren’s line of fire. Ren turned his attention back to Yoh.
“What ever shred of respect I had for you Yoh was extinguished the moment you joined his side. You’re either complicit in Hao’s crimes, or your naïveté makes you just as dangerous as he is.” Ren raised his hands and pushed Yoh in the chest, causing Yoh to stumble backwards slightly. “And now you want sympathy because he cast you aside the moment you were no longer useful to him? How pathetic can you get?!”
Yoh tried to regain his composure, but something in Ren’s berating words struck a chord with him.
“Your obligation has ended.”
Yoh looked to the ground as he braced himself for the backlash that a part of him, deep down, was starting to convince him he deserved.
“What? You don’t have anything to say?” laughed Ren, sarcastically. “Not so tough without your murderous, vengeful, evil twin brother to back you up, are you?!”
“That’s what I have always admired about you, Tao Ren. You say what you’re really thinking.”
Realising that his personal attack on Yoh had an audience, and startled by the unwanted familiar voice from behind him, Ren looked up from Yoh’s crumbling demeanour and turned back around towards the Inn. Anna’s livid expression met Ren’s startled glare, as she and the others were stood huddled on the patio platform, watching the drama in the gardens unfold. Standing central to the group and wearing a smart long sleeved white buttoned shirt - was the uninvited - and vastly more powerful - Asakura brother.
Yoh stood up straight as he met Hao’s concerned gaze. As the twins laid eyes on each other, Yoh felt a wave of relief and reassurance overwhelm him.
“Hao…” breathed Yoh.
Hao now turned his attention to Ren. The two shaman momentarily engaged in a silent stand off of their own. The atmosphere around them grew tense, but there was an element of relief shared amongst almost everyone present that Ren seemed to be lost for words.
“Sorry I’m late.” said Hao, eventually, his tone daring Ren to object to his lack of an invitation.
The small child from behind Hao peered around Hao’s right leg to steal a look at Yoh. She waved her hand at him sheepishly and smiled. Yoh beamed a welcoming grin at Opacho, delighted to see her little face again.
With his verbal onslaught derailed by all the eyes upon him, Ren was the first to look away from Hao’s challenging stare. Realising that he was in fact the unwanted one, Ren screwed up his face in disgust once more. He turned back towards Yoh.
“You’re an impetuous fool, Asakura Yoh. And ultimately, that will be your undoing.” seethed Ren. Yoh blinked at him, unable to find the words to respond. Ren marched himself towards the Inn and shoved past Hao and the others, the group shuffling to the side to allow Ren through. Moments following his swift exit, the sound of the front door opening and closing could be heard from within the building.
Hao stepped down from the patio platform and made his way towards Yoh. Ryu took that as his cue and he hastily went to join the others.
“Hao, what are you - ?” began Yoh as Hao came towards him.
“I figured you would be celebrating our victory from today. Did I miss the party?” asked Hao, raising an eyebrow as his eyes momentarily scanned Yoh from head to toe.
“N-no.” babbled Yoh. “Uh, I mean - it’s not really a “party”.” laughed Yoh, a little nervously. “I - I didn’t think you wanted to - uh I mean - of course you can - ”
“I’m sorry.” interrupted Hao. He sighed softly, though there was a faint smile on his face.
“What?”
“For snapping at you.” Hao confirmed, responding to Yoh’s silent question. “And for saying you are annoying. You are - but - I shouldn’t have said it like that.”
“Hao…” trailed off Yoh, unsure what to say as Hao did the unthinkable and apologised to him.
“And I was wondering…” Hao continued, looking somewhat unsure of himself,
“…if I could stay the night, here, tonight?”
End of Chapter Five