After the Mask (Secret of the cursed mask game sequel)

Part 22

"Stand up child." Amaterasu says, making me do so. "But... You're the mother of all beings. How is this possible?" I stammer.

She smiles gently. "Dear, I can only be what I am thanks to humans like you. It is only your believe in me that makes me able to do what I do. It makes me strong. So really, I should be thanking you for putting yourself in my service." I smile at that. It makes me feel good that a goddess like Amaterasu can appreciate a lowly person as me.

"Please eat and still your hunger. You will need every bit of energy you can get." the deity speaks, motioning to the fruit.

After eating silently, while Amaterasu waits patiently, I finally ask, "Was it you who brought me here?" The goddess nods in answer. "I did. Your ancestors are direct children of mine and for many generations, you who possess the power, guide those in need of guiding. It is the faith that your ancestor chose for themselves and future generations after being born from my tears. You Kaname, stand close to me. There are only few of you left and as faith in me falters with each generation, I grow weaker. So I would like to thank you once again for your efforts."

I am amazed. My family lineage stems from Amaterasu herself? I couldn't imagine something like that in my wildest dreams. "It was really no problem at all. But, why did you bring me here?"

Her face suddenly saddens, making the area look more gloomy than before. "It was your distress... It was aching my very heart. As my kin, I could not stand you hurting like that. I wanted to relieve you of your pain by bringing you here. Not only your heartache, but physically as well. You would have died if I didn't act soon."

I stay silent, reliving the happenings that caused so much pain. I feel the need to cry, but this place... Only being here is making me unable to do so.

"It was unfortunate though, that with you, that wretched demon came." Amaterasu says painfully. "He's killing off every deity he comes across, burning down every village. Eventually he will come here. I am unsure of my strength being great enough to stop him." she continues worriedly.

I look down feeling ashamed. "It's my fault. If I took better care, you would have had no reason to bring me here and he wouldn't have had the chance to follow. I should be the one to stop him."

"Is that what you really want?" she asks. I nod. "It's my duty. If I don't stop him, soon nothing will be left. He will end life as it is, and end the lives of my loved ones completely. I can't allow that to happen. I already failed once, it won't happen again."

"I understand. I do hope you will succeed for the sake of all of us. We will be watching." Amaterasu says. "Where do I find him though?" I ask. I have no idea about the vastness of this world. "He's in my brothers' realm. It's a dark place only lit by the moon. I will arrange transportation for it's a long way." she offers.

I follow the deity outside where I'm surprised to find a dragon waiting. It's a bright red with golden eyes and it has a long body of a snake, except with paws. I stare in awe at its magnificent appearance. "This is Aka, he will take you to where you will need to go." the goddess says before turning me towards her. "Kaname, I want you to live. Remember what you're fighting for and you will not fail."

I nod determinately. "I won't disappoint you." I tell her before making my way to the dragon. There I carefully climb on, sitting behind its head. It then rises, walking towards the edge, making me hold on tightly. I take one last glance at the goddess I have been serving all these years, my own ancestor, before the dragon lets itself drop from the floating building.

My heart races as it dives towards the ground, only pulling up just in time. From there it takes off past the endless fields, the home of Amaterasu growing smaller into the distance. It seems to take many hours of traveling, the pace tempting to lull me into a sleep. I'm shocked awake when in a blink of an eye, all goes dark. The sun is replaced by a full moon indicating that we've left the realm of the sun goddess.

As we travel deeper into the realm of night, more and more fires can be seen. An awful smell hits my nose, that of burning flesh. Akuhei is already wrecking carnage here it seems. I need to find him quickly before he upsets the balance of the heavenly plains even more. I need to beat him or many lives will be lost. If I don't complete my task, I might never see Sesshomaru or anyone else ever again.

All of a sudden, a purple blast flies our way. On instinct I take a good hold on the beast beneath me. The dragon tries to dodge, but reacted to late. "No!" As he is hit in the belly, he gives out a roar in pain before his muscles loosen. I look on in horror as the ground approaches quickly as he falls down in a fast pace. We are going to crash!

"Please move! You need to fly Aka!" I beg the dragon. It gives a small noise, signaling that he's still alive. "Come on! You can do it! Fly!" He finally reacts, trying to right himself, slowing its descend. Sadly it only softens the blow as we already were too close to the ground.