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All characters involved in this fanfic with spoilers are the property of Watase Yuu sensei. Please give Virgo-chan comments on how you feel about it and tell her. For any prove read error, tell me.
第二部 Я⑦ワズ急展開!(Dainibu Nikini Kyuutenkai ~ Second part quickly starts with popularity!)
Part 2: Little Hope
by Virgo-chan
Chichiri's thoughts were partially true. Because the guardians failed to destroy one of the Seishi, the Gods drew even more energy from their Mikos at an even greater pace. However, one good thing had come out of all the Shichisei regaining their memories: greater, stronger energy.
The Mikos weren't strong enough to handle such a great drain; what the Gods have gathered wasn't strong enough to use. But the Seishi remembered what has happened to them via others and their anger, fear and hatred became an even greater source of power. And they had to be so strong and so full of endurance; therefore, when they actually felt the drain, they just thought it was fatigue and either shrugged or slept it off. Well, that is, the eighteen that got dragged into jail, anyway. Those that were smart enough to stay out of the fighting were still raging with emotions - mostly at being pissed or embarrassed by their fellow Seishi - and still excellent sources of energy anyway.
The gods' plan, as overused and beaten to death as it is, was to take over the world. It is not that they were dissatisfied with having the world in the book, after all just because a world isn't real in another world doesn't mean it's totally fake. The problem was, they were too happy with it. Being feared, worshiped, and talked of in awe, they wanted more, they wanted more people to carve their images in gold, build shrines in their honor and prostrate themselves to the four Gods. You see, like other Gods, they can't actively give proof of their existence since proof would deny faith and faith is what makes Gods powerful. If the people knew that their Gods would come to save them and had proof that all believed, the offerings and praises would come less often and less honorable.
They decided to pick a world where they knew there were a few people that already believed in them, one where religion and faith and other Gods would fail to unite and stop them. They knew that the only thing standing in their way and their conquest was their own priestesses and their celestial warriors. They decided they had to fix that.
Seiryuu has always been a tough and cruel God; he ruled those who believed in him very strictly. Being the God of mentality, he only allowed those with a strong mind to rise to the high positions. Yes, on occasions there were flukes, such as the last emperor, on other times, like with his champion. Their minds were stronger than others and consumed with greed and hate. He loved power and he loved the fear he generated; yet he did care about his followers.
But one thing he truly hated was total freedom and trust. Seiryuu was distrustful by nature, he preferred to test each of probable seishi and mikos of their mentality, independence and desire to follow him before he chooses. When Yui first came, he was skeptical of her ability to be his priestess. When she kept her faith in Miaka, he was almost sure she would never make it. But when Nakago's influence and her own distrust that slowly and manifestly twisted her mind, he knew that she would be the right person for the job.
Ever since he decided that, he was slowly taking her over by her hatred and disgust for Miaka. Her determination drove her forward, to call the Seiryuu before her 'friend' could call the Suzaku. He was impressed by this girl - if there was one mortal he could admire, it would be her. She was true to her heart; she wanted to be with her friend without that Tamahome, though the way she came about it was wrong. Still, through the twisted half-truths, Nakago fed her and her own feelings of betrayal. Yui knew what her heart wanted and Seiryuu knew that her heart was pure. Even with all the people standing in her way, she never once wanted any to die, even those of Suzaku. Usually Seiryuu, being the God of War, would find this as a weakness, but for some reason, he actually admired the girl for her selfless heart.
Like both Genbu and Byakko before him, when Seiryuu was called, his conquest over this girl became quicker. Her desperation to get rid of all oppositions and to rid herself of all this hate, anguish and pain almost made the God pity what he had to do. Almost. He truly liked the girl, but he had a duty to perform and he would not allow one person to send him astray from it.
Suzaku, in contrast, was a kinder God, but his temper was short and he was not one you want to get mad. He ruled his people with freedom, he let them do what they wanted as long as it didn't bother him, he encouraged trust and resisted using fear on his people if he had to. He truly hated Seiryuu because he kept his people on a tight leash and the two would always bicker about it and anything else they held opposing views on. He wasn't too fond of Byakko either because he let one of his Seishi, Hikaze, run wild with his slavery industry, which, when it came into his kingdom, led to - if any - mild distrust among people.
As the God of the heart, he had his Shichiseishi and Miko applicants going through rigorous training of trust and decisions before they were chosen. He knew from the minute Miaka entered the world that she would be the perfect Miko. Well... with the exception she was still incredibly naive and easily distracted by anything that had to do with food, she was just about perfect. He knew he could trust her because her heart was open and she was willing to see the good in everyone and everything.
He didn't hesitate to start taking her over because he believed that if he could trust this girl, she could trust him. He believed that was the entire bond of the God and his priestess. By becoming one, she would no longer be that naive little child she is and he would be able to see the goodness in all. He figured that there was no way there could be a down side to this entire thing.
As the oldest God, Genbu's temper is long and he is extremely patient. However when one gets him angry, he would never stop harassing that person, even after death. Nor was it just that one person, but his entire family for three generations suffered too. Like Seiryuu, Genbu didn't like giving his people too much freedom; however, he also didn't like being so strict, either. Unlike the younger two Gods, Genbu's mind was broad and he trusted his people to an extent. And when someone broke that limit, there was always going to be some form of harsh punishment.
Much like Suzaku, Genbu made sure that his Seishi and Miko were strong, but instead of actual strength and chi, his people relied on learning how to utilize their raw power. Unbridled and untapped potential that, when fully unleashed, could not be controlled and could do devastating damage. In order to insure that this would not happen accidentally, each had to have a strong will and mind to keep their powers under check at all times.
That's why he liked his Mikos so much. Both had potential that they had no idea of having, but time and time again, they always reached down into their hearts and brought out that untapped power. When he first began taking the girls' ki, it was because he felt that if they were one with him, he could use their power for less trivial things than they had. He admired both of their strong wills, their determination and purity was almost frightening, but knew that if his plan were to work, he'd need them.
Byakko's a strange one to figure out, even for the other three Gods. His mood swings were erratic and he seemed to be very sullen and brooding when he wasn't getting edgy or upset. He was known for his hair-trigger temper; sometimes it left quickly, sometimes it lasted for a year, other times he could be nearly as patient as Seiryuu or Genbu. He could never decided on how to control his people, but he hated having outsiders around, nor did he enjoy having his own people take exodus. That was why, on one day of a long and harsh temper, he had tall and hazardous cliffs and a scorching desert block the way in and out of his country. Nearly three centuries later, he took pity on the fact that his people were miserable and primitive compared to others, so he used a lands slide to take a couple of the more dangerous cliffs out and lowered the temperature of his desert capital. However, a few years later, invaders came and destroyed his country and the Miko was brought.
Byakko had never been picky with his people. All he wanted was determined, strong fighters who could work together and whose hearts shone brightly. Because their spirits burned so strong, they're able to manipulate more spiritual essences of life.
It should also be know that Byakko was a romantic, though not the only one of the four Gods. When he asked if it was possible to send his champion and his Miko back to earth, Suzaku, of course, sided with him. The other two claimed that this would cause a breakdown in their reality and also the other world. He enjoyed being the God of both girls, Suzuno and Taiyo; their hearts were filled with love and courage to protect and seek equality for those they love. He hated to see Suzuno die, and he was sad that he had to consume Taiyo. But, he figured, then he would be able to be closer to those lovely hearts and burning spirits. With that piece of logic, Byakko decided that he might as well go along with it. Besides, as the type that hates staying idle for more than half a century, he thought it would be a fun challenge to overcome.
They were all proud of their Seishi, however there were some that they would rather not have in their ranks. For example, Chiriko, Chichiri and Mitsukake were the big ones for Suzaku. Sure, the former was just a kid, but Suzaku was brooding upon the fact that the genius couldn't defend himself if his life depended on it, which it did, for several times. Chichiri and Mitsukake he didn't really have a problem with. Their physical bodies and power were great, but neither of them had fought. The healer clearly had the strength and power; he just was too kind and gentle. The monk was fast and a quick thinker, really handy with his shakujo, but Suzaku was forced to be content with Chichiri kicking ass with his magic.
Kobushi, Yuki and Bakuhatsu were Genbu's problems; all three were hard to get along with, refused to do what they didn't want to do and always did before they thought. In short, they were the biggest pain in the ass, thorn in the side - whatever you want to call them - Genbu had ever seen. He gave Kobushi a lot of trouble because the guy was always starting a fight and showing off. If there was one thing Genbu liked, it was modesty. Bakuhatsu was a wild one, almost totally unpredictable and just as annoying. She had the same heat in her temper as she did in her explosion attacks, like she had PMS year 'round. The youngest of his Seishi had it easier than the other two, just because her sister, Meiyo, also one of his warriors, was someone he could learn to respect, and he knew Meiyo wouldn't like it if he hurt her younger sister. But the brat still got on his nerves all the time.
Then there were the Bo twins, or more importantly, Amiboshi. Seiryuu didn't really mind the two that much; it just annoyed him how Amiboshi trusted just about anyone and how Suboshi trusted anyone his brother trusted. It was really bothersome because they didn't believe in their god half as much as the other Seishi did. Their only reason why they follow him is because of the marks on their shoulders. Soi was also a little problem. He did like her. But she only trusted one person asides from herself, and that was Nakago, which was kind of the wrong person to trust but - oh well. What he really didn't like about her was the fact that she could get irritated too easily, especially when Tomo was around. Well, no one's perfect.
Though Byakko might argue, he was the only one that liked all his Seishi and his Miko. He liked the way they would follow their instincts and how nothing deterred them from their path. He felt sorry for Inochi, though; she was the absolute youngest of all 28 Seishi and the most innocent. His heart broke when the 10 year old died - she knew her duty and she never let anyone down. Then there was Hikaze, the one that started the entire slavery deal. Being a romantic and having someone like that in his force was a mix blessing for the tiger god. He was good, aside from being a slave dealer, he also revised a branch in the martial arts which he later taught to Tokaki to use. However, he always brushed off Yumetsu's affection because he was afraid to love after what happened to his brother. So Byakko tried to do everything, without actually getting fully involved, to get that guy to fall for her, which was proved virtually impossible.
Now, some might argue on the four gods' plan on taking over the world. Since they can't actually prove to the entire population that there were four mighty and powerful gods that could turn someone into dust in the blink of an eye. How could they sway enough followers into believing they were there? Well, first off was to get rid of all the most of the technology, science and medicine because with ignorance on how to cure others of potentially dangerous diseases or just unaware of how the world worked around them, any god could become all-powerful. Yeah, the Christian God had it made, until his religious leaders were too greedy and made too many 'un-truths'.
Therefore the four gods would divide the world into fourths, handing out enough miracles and clues to show the world that there was a new power around that wouldn't be sitting on their hands for a millennia or more. And the best part was that the legacies of their Mikos would have to be re-done one day, allowing them to take over yet another world once they got bored of the last.
The only problem was... just who was going to get what? Seiryuu opted for the Asian nations and islands for they were well known for their educational achievements and their society was usually strictly enforced. Suzaku and Genbu were interested in that area, too - Suzaku was for their development in the martial arts area, while Genbu was intrigued by their development in the visual arts area. However the oldest god let that claim go, his attention diverting to the United States and Canada for their ability to adapt quickly, being on of the leaders in arts and technology, being a super power and the diversity of their population and culture.
Byakko had trouble deciding between Africa and Europe for he liked both at their various cultures. He finally decided on Africa, there was more space; more variety and, best of all, it was a lot warmer than north in Europe. Also, because he didn't mind the temperature and received an even greater variety, was allowed to claim the Middle East.
Suzaku, after failing to get Asia, settled for Europe, quickly growing to like the various talents of each country and their way of working things between each other. He's not the god of love for nothing, and since the most romantic countries were in Europe, he liked it even more. Then came the arguing over leftovers.
Because Suzaku received the smallest portion, he was able to choose what else he wanted to add on to his claim - Which happened to be Russia, which Seiryuu didn't like at all. Not only was that annoying bird right over his territory, but he also had more land, therefore more people. Genbu and Byakko then pointed out that Indonesia, Micronesia, Melanesia, Papua New Guinea and even New Zealand (much to Byakko's disappointment) would make the blue dragon at least a match if Suzaku planned to take over.
Genbu then was allowed to have all of the Western Hemisphere; both Americas, islands, Canada and Mexico, and was content. He didn't really care much for battle, only for their rich cultures, but wanting enough strength to at least defend himself. Byakko was then allowed to have all the islands left over. However, he wasn't too happy with the fact that Australia and Greenland were way far away from Africa. And for those that were wondering, no one got Antarctica because no one lives there. Not even Genbu wanted to be that cold with no light for six month at a time.
So each God planned what he was going to do with his soon-to-be giant country, though none of them planned anything with wars or conquering fellow God because Genbu wouldn't have it. After all, he didn't like it when Byakko's country tried to invade his the last time; he certainly won't feel any different now. Now the only problem was to conquer to world, get rid of the other religions, plunge society and education into another Dark Age and dispose of anyone that dared to oppose them - Anyone that had any knowledge of the Shijin Ten Chi Sho and was still alive and kicking.
The only problem was they still needed their Seishi's energy to be able to actually do anything major in this world; for the time being, their presences were suspended between both worlds, unable to do much divine intervention in either world. Once they had enough energy to actually be physically present on Earth if they so chose, the Gods would then consume their Mikos, slowly merging with them to become even more powerful that before. Then they could destroy the Seishi before they could attack and the world and its inhabitants were theirs for the picking.
And the time to strike was nearly on hand.
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*Looks at her outline and then looks at the chapter* Wow, one more chapter and this book is done I guess I put too much together in one chapter! Well, the outline was rather short, couldn't get in enough descriptions to tell what would go in which chapter! Oh well, anyway I'm sorry that this one is so short and very boring. But I had to put in what the Gods were going to do and what I think they would think about their Shichisei and their Mikos and how they would rule. Hopefully I'm kinda on the dot here. It just seemed that way to me by how the Seishi act and how the people in the kingdoms do, too. I hope this answers some of your questions as to what the hell is going on. Again, neither this series, nor the characters belong to me (except for those I've made up myself) and I'm not using this to gain any profit. If you want to give me C&C, send it to ladyvirgo@hotmail.com. Thank you. Until next time!
~Virgo-chan