Forever yours

Chapter 18

"Father?"

Kagutsuchi turned to look at me and Haizaki sprung forward, his black power encircling his hand. I screamed a warning and a pillar of flame sprung forth from Kagutsuchi encircling us both and Haizaki turned away, his left side burned and blackened. I gagged at the smell of burnt flesh but Haizaki simply frowned and held his left arm, I could see it beginning to heal over with new skin.

"You are getting weaker, that attack before would have completely burnt my side to ash. Too much time in hibernation huh?"

The mocking tone in his voice disappeared and he wailed, "Why do you come now? This is my stage not yours!"

I could see the madness in his eyes as he screamed at Kagutsuchi but there was something else, a look of betrayal and sorrow.

"You took the wrong path Shogo."

"Don't call me that!" He screamed hysterically as he sent dark spears speeding towards us. They bounced off the shields I still had up around the speechless exorcists and villagers and Kagutsuchi burnt the ones aimed at us.

"You left me, betrayed me!"

"I gave you all the tools and knowledge you needed. I put my trust in you and even let you watch over my son but you destroyed it all with your own selfish needs and want for power."

"I have the right to rule! I am powerful, more powerful than any of the others, even more so than your son! I should rule not him!"

"That is not your decision! It is his birth right to take my place as the God of Flames, it was yours to be his right hand man, to rule over your faction and your faction only. You are the betrayer here, no one else."

Kagutsuchi turned to me and I could see his face was pale, sweat formed on his forehead and he was gasping.

"Keep the shield up, I will get rid of him."

He spread his hands his wings flared with renewed flames. The flames poured out around him and began to twirl until there was a giant fire tornado in front of him. I was amazed to see it didn't touch the ceiling. He glared at Haizaki who was slowly backing away, clutching his wounded side.

"You bastard you think you can have it all. I will have your son and if he moves against me I will kill him for good this time there will be no rebirth."

"Begone!"

The flames arched down and shot towards Haizaki who sprung out the doorway but he wasn't fast enough and the flames hit him in the back and he roared in pain as his wings set alight. I rushed forward to see where he was, ignoring Kagutsuchi's cry to stop. I stood at the door and saw two other bat demons flying off with a limp Haizaki between them. I called up my power but my knees wobbled and I slumped against the wall. I had overexerted myself. With a sigh I let my power go and the barriers fell.

"Kagami!"

My heart lurched, I had forgotten about Kagami. I turned to move towards him but my weakened legs gave way. I would have fallen but Kagutsuchi was there. I looked into eyes the same as mine. My father stood before me. I had so many questions but I needed to see Kagami. As if sensing my thoughts he helped me over to where Momoi and Mitobe were slowly turning Kagami over. I could see his chest was covered in dark red blood and tears pricked in my eyes. Suddenly he sighed and Momoi looked up at me, eyes wide. He was still alive! Kagutsuchi knelt down with me and placed his hand on the wound, closing his eyes.

"It missed his heart by a mere centimetre but it hit an artery. Your normal artes won't be able to help him."

I closed my eyes in defeat as Momoi cried out, tears in her eyes.