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

Part 23

As we crash, I'm thrown off the dragon, hitting the ground hard before rolling to a stop. I hit my head on a jagged rock, making the world around me turn hazy. To make matters worse, Aka slides into me with his massive body, almost crushing me entirely. I hiss in pain as my arm disappears under him, being crushed under the weight. "Ah!"

I try hard to get my bearings, but it's difficult as blood seeps from my head while I'm pinned to the ground by the now unconscious dragon. I look up when I hear footsteps crushing leaves. A blurry figure approaches me. Flames that are licking at anything they can reach in the background, give them an eerie demeanor. I snarl when a familiar chuckle sounds.

"This is how I like my victims best. Struggling and bleeding." Akuhei says leaning over me. I try to pull myself free, wanting to attack, but stop as a sharp pain hits me. I bite hard on my lip to keep from screaming. I don't want to give him the satisfaction. He only chuckles at my effort.

"How nice to see you again. I was expecting you. No doubt that you would leave me alone for long. It's heartwarming really." he taunts.

"Shut up.", I hiss at him angrily. He only laughs before motioning around him. "Do you like what I have done to the place? It was hard work with so many there trying to stop me." My vision finally clears to see nothing left standing, bodies littering the floor. "I wonder. What happens if you kill someone who is already dead?" I can't help but cringe at the thought of all those lost souls.

"Why haven't you killed me already?" I ask, cutting him off.

"How much it would satisfy me to do so, no doubt. But too bad for you, I have other plans." he says, taking something from his sleeve. It looks familiar. "Look what I found. You remember this don't you?"

"Is that...Kana's?" I ask staring at the mirror. "Not quite, as that mirror was destroyed, but it has the same effect." he explains.

"You're taking my soul?" I let out, almost afraid to ask. "Again, not quite. I'll only be taking your body." he states casually as if ordering ice cream at a parlor.

"What?!" I exclaim is horror. "Don't be so impatient. Let me explain first." he says turning the mirror to me, making me gaze at my own reflection.

"After separating your body and soul, I will wield your body like it's my puppet. With it, I will travel back to wreak havoc. I myself won't even have to lift a finger as you will be destroying everything on my path. My first target being your dear Sesshomaru of course."

My eyes widen at that. "No." I whisper in fear.

"I wonder how he feels about fighting you. Would he even dare to lift a finger against you? Whatever he does, I'm sure it will break his heart. I will allow you to stay inside the mirror, wallowing in your self-pity. Once I turned the world into my personal kingdom, the gods will be too weak to fight back, leaving them at my mercy. Oh, how I look forward to it." he finishes as the mirror starts to glow.

...........

I retrieve my consciousness after who knows how long. The place where I find myself is cold and dark. A feeling of utter loneliness is tugging at my heart. This place...is filled with nothing but despair. I crawl to my knees sadly as a realization hits me. I lost, and so quickly. I didn't even struck him once. How could I have let this happen?

Tears start to make their way down my face, my hands flying into my hair. I failed them all. My friends, my parents, little Rin and most of all Sesshomaru. I disappointed him by not being strong enough and now Akuhei will catch him by surprise by letting my body fight him. Akuhei will kill him. He will kill them all!

Sobs start to wreck my body for the second time in such a short period of time. A monster, that is all Akuhei is. Not even children are safe from him. I never thought that there could be anything worse than Naraku, but here he goes and proves me wrong. If only I had been stronger, I would be able to protect them. But here I am, locked away in a mirror. I'm completely useless. With that thought, I roll up in a ball, not being able to life with myself. I close my eyes tightly, only hearing my sobs echo in the empty space.

............

I stare off into space, unmoving and unfeeling. Everything was drained from me a long time ago. It feels like I've been here for months now. I try not to think of anything, especially not about the condition the outside world must be in. My mind is empty and my heart even more so. I don't even register it when a small light appears in the distance, steadily growing bigger. I don't feel the hand that touches my face tenderly. I can only blink when a tear falls onto my cheek.

Wait, I felt that. What was it? I slowly turn my head to see a familiar face. "There you are." her soft voice speaks sadly. "Let me get you out of here." Her arms wrap around me, as she does, light floods in from all corners, enveloping me. Nothing is left to darkness, not even shadows. For what seems like forever, emotion flood back into me. I gasp as it hits me hard my eyes closing tightly as I'm pulled away from emptiness.

Slowly, I open my eyes again, coming face to face with Amaterasu. "You were really far away. I was afraid I wouldn't reach you." she says. My lip starts to quiver and tears threaten to fall. She smiles down on me gently. "It's alright dear. You're fine now."

"No." I whimper. "Their gone." She shakes her head. "You were only in that mirror for a few hours dear. There is still hope." she explains. I blink at this.

Sitting up, I look around to find myself at the goddess her home. "How?" "Aka brought me the mirror. It was quite a struggle to free you." she explains.

I look back at her. "And Sesshomaru? Everyone? They are still alive?" I ask, hardly able to believe that. She nods though. "I can still try and safe them?"

She looks uncertain. "Well, not like this. You don't have a body as it stands." I look at myself to find I'm slightly see through. "You can't go back to your world like this, but I might be able to help you with that." she speaks.

"How?" I ask eagerly.

"I will need to change your entire being. Kaname, I'll be making you a deity."