Dark Walker - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

The world welcomed a peaceful July. Around town, there were posters of tanned girls wearing swimsuits everywhere. At dusk, it was about the time the streetlights would flicker on. Train stations and department stores were crowded. Bustling shopping districts were brimming with businessmen, housewives, and students.

The heat of the day rose from the asphalt, making the air moist. Walking amidst the crowd, one could build up a light sweat. It was a regular summertime scene.

"It's been a w'hile since we w'alked around here." Tomoki said happily as they walked side by side. Lately the days had been uneventful and peaceful. He was still training in the Depths of Dreams, but in Reality he was enjoying his summer vacation. "Let's go visit your house in Shikoku this summer.”

“No way," Yuugo said, irritated.

“I know you don't have any good memories of it, but are you sure you don't want to visit your grandma's grave?"

"My guardian takes care of it.”

"I want to see where you grew up." Tomoki said. Yuugo scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.

“There’s no TV or games there."

"It’s okay, we’ll be on vacation. And we’ll be together," Tomoki said, his eyes sparkling.

Yuugo didn’t feel any nostalgia for the house he had lived in for ten years. He spent most of his time in the Depths of Dreams, so he didn't have any particularly good memories of Reality.

“We’ll be busy next year, so we should have lots of fun this summer. We should take a train that stops at every station so we can visit other places, too.”

“Yeah." Yuugo answered with a smile.

Tomoki's plan sounded refreshingly normal. Yuugo didn't spend too much time studying, but it seemed like Tomoki wanted to start preparing for college entrance exams next year. The more he hung out with Tomoki and talked, the more Yuugo felt like a normal high school student. He began to think he might be able to live a happy, normal life with Tomoki, like they were just two ordinary students with no powers. Maybe if he went with Tomoki. he'd see his old house in a different light.

"Just make sure you don’t hit on anyone else during our trip!” Tomoki said.

"You're the one I have to worry about, now!” Yuugo laughed and pointed at Tomoki.

Sometimes when they'd walk around in their regular clothes. Tomoki would be the one to get hit on.

"Anyway, don't be nice to everyone you see!"

"Why, is that bad?” Even though they would sometimes quarrel, they'd always make up quickly. As Tomoki discussed the plains for their trip, Yuugo listened agreeably. Suddenly he felt his arm grow heavy, and looked down at it.

"Yuugo...” Tomoki clapped a hand over his mouth. The faint outlines of Yuugo’s ami guards started to appear on his amis.

“Why? We're in Reality." Yuugo stared at his arms, dumbfounded. The basketball shoes he had just been wearing changed into boots with metal guards on them. My body's doing it on its own. But. this is Reality.

"Why?”

“I dunno," Yuugo said, shaking his head. For a moment, he was unsure of whether this was a dream or reality. Was his power starting to go out of his control? A cold sweat covered his body. Am I gonna turn into a monster here in the real world?

“Calm down. Yuugo.” Tomoki clutched Yuugo's arm anxiously.

Yuugo’s silver arm guards reflected the bright lights coming from the display windows. They felt hard, cold, and real. The armor Yuugo had created in the Depths of Dreams had materialized in Reality.

“But, that’s for when you fight.” Just as Tomoki said this, a terribly loud noise came from behind them. “Yuugo!” Screams came from all directions and Tomoki turned him around.

A giant horn had torn up through the pavement, completely destroying a nearby bus terminal in the process. It was a demon. It had red-brown fur and horns coming from its head like a bull, but its lower half was human. Its eyes shone an ominous red.

It was an ugly monster that looked like it had been created from a mixture of many creatures. It was much larger than the ten-meter-high sculpture by the train station.

"Ahhh!" Tomoki screamed as one of its giant horns came down towards him. At that moment he heard a flapping sound, and Yuugo carried him high into the sky. "Yuugo, your wings!" Tomoki said, dumbfounded. He was suprised that a demon had appeared there, but also suprised Yuugo could fly Above Ground. Tomoki had thought theirpowers were just an illusion in Reality, like when Yuugo had tried to make his katana appear in the classroom.

“Shit!” Yuugo roared as a pattern started to materialize on his face. His instincts had taken over and his body was changing on its own. "Someone made a huge barrier!" It looked like there was an invisible barrier in the sky. Even when Yuugo tried to fly away, he couldn’t go any higher than the department store.

People below were screaming and running from the hideous monster. Its red eyes gazed at Yuugo as it trampled on the people below, crushing them like ants. Other people ran to escape the same fate, but the monster would just mow them down with its horns. It was an effortless slaughter.

It was literally hell on earth. The sound of ambulance and fire truck sirens rang out. There were flashed of light everyw here, and people took pictures of Yuugo from windows and rooftops.

"Yuugo, look..." Tomoki said, pointing a trembling finger to the building.

The JumboTron, usually used for advertisements, was showing a black-winged Yuugo carrying Tomoki. Yuugo’s bold tiger-stripe war paint had materialized on his face. "Is that me?" Yuugo asked quietly, seeing his transformed body for the first time. "I look just like a demon!” he roared.

“C-Calm down!" Tomoki said, clinging to Yuugo’s body and trembling. His anxious face stared back at him from the giant screen.

Tomoki’s face looked like he was also searching for help from the demons. Many people were watching them from the windows and roofs of buildings. Their eyes were full of fear, disgust, and anger at the tragedy that was unfolding on the ground.

“Monster!!”

"Demon!!”
Some people even tried throwing things at the demon from nearby buildings. They could hear anguished, chaotic screams from people who had fallen into panic. The winged Yuugo appeared to be the same as the giant monster in their eyes.

"Let go of that boy!” They seemed to think Yuugo had captured Tomoki.

"No, that's not it! No!” Tomoki shook his head and cried, clinging onto Yuugo protectively. Suddenly. they heard gunshots from below them and a bullet grazed one of Yuugo’s w ings. Policemen were firing from the window of one of the buildings. Yuugo glared at them. The policemen set down their weapons, screamed, and pulled back. They had been trying to save a boy they thought was a hostage, but they didn't realize that if they shot Yuugo down, Tomoki would tumble to the ground with him.

Yuugo quickly flew around and set Tomoki down on the safest looking rooftop. "It's dangerous, so do not leave this spot." he said worriedly, placing a hand on Yomoki's cheek. Tomoki nodded.

"Sleeping Demon Tremor!” Yuugo cried, kicking off the building. “Come! Jade Thunder!" The glittering sword appeared in his hands.

“Yuugo...”

Tomoki couldn t get over the strangeness of the scene before him. The city was the familiar “Real World, and yet Yuugo was holding a sword that had appeared out of nowhere, right before Tomoki's eyes. His hair flew in his face from the wind caused by Yuugo's giant wings. With the setting sun in (he background, the building was sinking into darkness. It was ominous and beautiful at the same time.

"Yuugo, be careful!” Tomoki cried, and Yuugo nodded.

He gripped his katana in both hands, and swooped down above the demon. Tomoki watched as a heroic battle between the demon and Yuugo unfolded beneath him. The police and Special Forces had been dispatched. Soon, they would probably call in the Self Defense Forces, too. The barrier was stretched around the entire city. More demons were probably on their way. On the JumboTron, a nervous-looking reporter relayed the details of the “Demon Battle" that was going on.

“They think Yuugo is an evil demon!" Tomoki clenched his fists.

“Well, isn’t this exciting?” a low voice said from behind Tomoki.

“You’re...!”

“Isn’t that your boyfriend? There’s no way he can stay Above Ground, now." Kanon stood atop the building’s water tower behind him, arms crossed and smiling. “The humans think this is a fight between demons. He should be able to beat a monster of that caliber, but do you really think that, after this massacre, he’ll be seen as the hero who defeated the demon that attacked the city? He has black wings, you know. Not exactly the symbol of a good guy.” Kanon spoke casually, his golden hair fluttering in the wind.

“Remove the barrier!” Tomoki screamed angrily, trembling.

Kanon jumped off the tower, not making a sound. "Sorry, little boy. I’m not a first class ‘Dark Walker’ Barrier Master like you. 1 can’t make barriers. All I am is a lump of mud Shana created.” He pulled Tomoki close to him and peered at him. "Wanna know who made it?” He licked Tomoki’s cheek, making him shudder. “Shiki did. Your older brother. He’s a Barrier Master, too. I'm sure you don’t remember what he looks like. Humans that are related not only look alike, but they smell alike, too... Mmm, it drives me crazy,” he whispered excitedly into Tomoki’s ear. He licked the nape of Tomoki’s neck, and Tomoki clenched his teeth.

That was the first time he had heard that his brother was still alive. There's no way my brother did this...Kanon has to be behind it! Had his brother been held captive by Kanon somewhere in the Depths of Dreams? Even though Tomoki didn't remember him that well, he wanted to see his brother very badly.

"As soon as I have both of you, I'll seal Shana and the whole world will be mine!”

“You did this terrible thing just to capture me?”

“Is it really that terrible?” Kanon asked patronizingly. "Jusl so you know, I'm going to kill you soon—and I don’t feel the least bit bad about it.” he whispered with a terrifyingly gentle smile on his face. "Anyway, when I obtain your powers, the boundary between the real world and the dream world will vanish. I II fuse you and Shiki together. If any of your consciousness survives, then you can admire they way I'm gonna destroy this world. And a new world will he born where demons walk and feed on humans."

"Fuse me and my brother?”

"I m going to give all your powers to Shiki. To the gentle, obedient Shiki. Well, it's about time to start on my masterpiece..." Suddenly, a snap of electricity came from Kanon's finger.

“Don't touch me!" Tomoki glared at his blue eyes, and pushed his fists out.

“Ohh. so it looks like you can make barriers now, huh?” Kanon smiled with an impressed look on his face. A taint green membrane surrounded Tomoki's body, but it was unstable. If Kanon tried to penetrate it. it wouldn't stand a chance against him.

"Get away from me!" Tomoki slowly backed away and put both arms in front of his chest. He concentrated the electric current to his hands and sparks fell.

“Your boyfriend just died.”

“What?" Tomoki’s eyes flew open as Kanon looked down below them. At that moment, he breached the barrier and grabbed Tomoki with his large hand. "Damn it!" Green sparks burst from Tomoki’s fists and landed on Kanon’s leather jacket. The demon grimaced slightly and threw Tomoki down.

“Humph. Fine. I'll come back after I get him. Wait here and stay quiet. After all. there's nowhere you can run to." Kanon said, smiling, and walked away. After the sight of his fluttering golden hair vanished, Tomoki rushed over to the side of the building. "Yuugo's in trouble!"

Below him, Yuugo was about to stab one of the demon’s arms, but he looked like he was in bad condition as well. As he dodged the demon's attacks, it would toss aside and destroy buildings and houses like toys. If Yuugo didn't dodge its attacks he would surely die, but because of this the collateral damage had intensified.

“Is that...?" Tomoki said as something suddenly caught his eye. "Shiki!" Even though the humans on the ground below seemed like miniatures from this high, he was sure it was his brother. His face looked sad. They definitely looked alike. Tomoki felt a strong sense of nostalgia for his long-lost brother. He started to run down the building's fire escape. “Shiki!”

"Tomoki..." Shiki said as Tomoki ran over to him.

“Don't listen to that demon! Undo the barrier!"

Shiki stood amidst the panicked crowd with his eyes down, lie wore an elegant silk shirt, black pants, and boots. A faint green sphere floated above his outstretched hands. That small sphere was what had caused this chaotic scene in Reality.

“You don’t really want to do this!" Tomoki yelled, grabbing Shiki’s arm. “Oniisan!” The moment he yelled this, the outline of the barrier sphere Shiki held faded. Tomoki held his arms out to him, and suddenly a strong flash of light like a thunderbolt shone between them. The world shook beneath them. “Did...the barrier break?” The moment he felt the tremors, Tomoki’s field of vision went black.

Across from Yuugo, the outline of the angry demon that was trampling humans also became faint. Both Yuugo and Kanon, who stood beside him, disappeared like an illusion. The people who witnessed this stared, dumbfounded, as if time had frozen. Even though it had seemed like a dream or an illusion, the harsh reality was still left before them. The buildings the demon had destroyed, the numerous corpses it had left behind—one could hear groans and screams from those who had managed to survive.

As soon as they entered the Depths of Dreams, Yuugo severed the giant demon's head and killed it.

“You look pretty rough,” Kanon said as he stared at the panting Yuugo.

Yuugo wiped the blood that streamed from his forehead and shook the blood off the blade of his katana, which glittered in the hazy world of dreams.

“Let me play with you a while.” Kanon stretched out his arms. A long saber appeared in his hands. He grasped the handle and swung it through the air with a whirring noise. As he held it before him. it reflected his cold, blue eyes. “Dark Walker," he whispered and laughed at Yuugo.

Clang! The sharp sound of metal against metal reverberated. Yuugo had blocked Kanon's sword just in time. “Oof!" As they pressed their swords together, Yuugo felt his feet sinking into the ground. He clenched his teeth as he stared at Kanon’s confident smile. He was exhausted from the the battle he had already fought. If he lost focus for even one second, he knew he would be destroyed.

“Yuugo!” Tomoki planted his feet in the ground and pushed out his right fist. Green sparks flew from his clenched fist, and a flash of lightning spurted forth. Unfortunately. the beam of light suddenly changed direction right before it hit Kanon. “Shiki!”

Shiki had absorbed Tomoki’s energy into his own fists. "Tomoki. I won't let you interfere with Master Kanon,” he said carefully, clenching his raised fists.

Tomoki tried to support Yuugo many times, but Shiki blocked every one of his attempts. Even though they had the same powers, it was like a child fighting against an adult. But Tomoki wanted to do anything he could to help Yuugo. He mustered up all his strength and punched his fists out. Shiki sighed painfully and held his hand up over his head towards Tomoki. "Ahhhh!” Tomoki’s face contorted with fear. A thin silver chain coiled around his wrists like a snake, up his wrist and then around his body. "Why, Shiki?” he cried angrily. Then as he looked at Shiki, who stood before him, Tomoki could see that his brother did not look like a cruel person. “Why are you doing what that demon tells you to?” Tomoki looked up at his brother with frustrated tears in his eyes.

When he looked at Tomoki making a face like that, Shiki wanted to stretch out his arms to him. His indistinct memories suddenly came flooding back to him.

When his little brother would cry. Shiki would hurry to pick him up. “It’s Onii-chan. Tomoki. It’s okay." Whenever he would say that and smile. Tomoki would stop crying and look up at him innocently. Shiki would rub Tomoki’s small, soft hand on his cheeks. His little brother was so cute; he adored him. His skin always smelled like milk.

“You’ve gotten so big, Tomoki." Shiki smiled nostalgically. Sometimes he would gaze at his family and his younger brother. He was filled with homesickness, but it had always seemed like he was seeing some kind of illusion. But he had watched over Tomoki as he had grown up. Strangely, he never harbored any jealousy or hatred towards his brother, who had grown up normally and happily. His world was Kanon, and he belonged to Kanon.

"Oniisan." When Tomoki called him that, his chest felt tight. Even though they hadn't seen each other for so long, they knew they were brothers. "Let’s go home together! Mom and Dad never forgot about you, either!" he desperately pleaded with his brother, but Shiki shook his head quietly.

“I’m a demon. I can’t live as a human anymore," Shiki whispered sadly. Behind them, a heroic struggle to the death between Kanon and Yuugo was unfolding.

The sounds of their swords striking against each other echoed in the darkness. Their swords shone, but moved so fast their eyes couldn't keep up with them. All they could see were the afterimages of their glittering blades. Yuugo lowered his sword and stared at Kanon with sharp eyes. Every muscle in his body reacted to his opponent’s attacks. His instincts clung to survival. They were roughly equal in speed. But Yuugo was approaching his body's limit. When he had fought the giant monster Above Ground, he had taken a lot of damage. He couldn’t let his guard down; he couldn’t even blink. If he did, he knew Kanon would slaughter him.

His body reacted to Kanon’s movement, and he thrust his katana upward. Kanon’s golden hair fluttered in the air. "Damn you!” He narrowed his blue eyes with annoyance. Black blood ran down his cheek. His confident smile vanished, replaced with the brutal, bloodthirsty expression of a demon. Yuugo’s katana sliced through the shoulder and front of Kanon’s leather jacket. But that was when he reached his limit.

“Watch out!" He saw Tomoki scream at him in his peripheral vision. Tomoki... Suddenly, his consciousness faded. His opponent’s blade drew near, and he covered himself with his left arm.

Crack! It was the sound of his bone breaking. Kanon’s saber pierced through his arm guard and penetrated his skin. Yuugo mustered up all of his strength and somehow shook off Kanon’s sword. He quickly jumped back, but his wings were already broken. He cringed in pain. The guard on his arm disappeared, and a large quantity of blood spurted from below his elbow. He clenched his teeth and took up his katana in his other hand.

Yuugo’s broken arm hung loosely at his side, barely attached to his shoulder. Blood dripped down to his fingertips, and he felt himself growing faint. A burning pain raced through his body, like he was being burned alive. He felt like he was falling.

Kanon laughed cruelly and licked the blood off the blade of his saber. He narrowed his blue eyes. Suddenly, he thrust his saber deep into Yuugo’s belly. “I love the look on your face.” Kanon smiled with desire as he looked at his trophy. He twisted his sword, and its cold tip ripped right through Yuugo’s wings and pushed out his back.

Even though the pain should have been unbearable. Yuugo didn’t feel it. Tomoki... Through his slightly open eyelids, he saw Tomoki running over to him, his face wet with tears. Run away...!! Yuugo moved his lips, clutching the saber that stabbed through his stomach. Then, he coughed and blood spurted from his throal. He fell, still kneeling over, onto the hard ground.

"Nooooo! Yuugo!” Tomoki screamed. His eyes were wide open, wild with fear. His tears blurred his vision, and he shook his head. He had broken tree from the chains that had bound his body.

“No, Tomoki!” Shiki pointed towards him, and Tomoki’s body stiffened as if it had just received an electrical shock. The flash of light tied up Tomoki’s body. The more he struggled to break free of the curse, the tighter his restraints became.

"No! Shiki...Oniisan! Stop it, stop it! Please save Yuugo!” Tomoki cried in a hoarse voice as he fell to the ground.