Chapter 17 - The Lost Souls

Shinigami had returned to Shibusen, but he was in a bad way. The battle against Kishin Oni was taking its toll.[br]
“Shinigami-sama, are you alright?” a concerned Spirt – also known as Death Scythe – asked[br]
“He should be fine” Mirra Neigus replied, as she was the one tending to Shinigami’s injuries “All he needs is rest and he should heal up nicely”[br]
Spirit let out a huge sigh of relief “Thank goodness”[br]
“I was a fool to think I could kill her without your aid, Spirit-kun” Shinigami sighed[br]
“Don’t blame yourself Shinigami-sama. How were you to know that she was already healed from her battle against Stein” Spirit reassured[br]
“I took a gamble and it failed miserably”[br]
“Yes. But next time, we’ll finish her”[br]
“It seems that she is a lucky little Kishin. Surviving two battles against Shibusen, that’s quite an achievement”[br]
“Hmph, well her luck will run out once you’re healed up”[br]
“I wonder…”[br]
“Something wrong Shinigami-sama?”[br]
“Is she the lucky one, or are we? Lately I’ve been feeling a sense of darkness approaching since her awakening and its slowly been getting stronger as each day passes”[br]
“Your just anxious to kill her. You know that the longer she lives in the world, the quicker the insanity she brings with her will spread, and you want to prevent its spread before it becomes irreversible”[br]
“Yeah I suppose you might be right about that Spirit-kun”[br]
[br]
Word of Shinigami’s injuries quickly spread like wild fire within Death City, as well as Shibusen itself. But the news that really sent people for a loop, was the fact that Shinigami was able to roam outside of Death City, which was thought to be impossible, as Shinigami embedded his soul into Death City, so that he could keep Kishin Asura from roaming the world again. But with Kishin Asura’s death, it seemed that Shinigami realised that there was no need to keep his soul embedded within Death City and had found a way free himself from his seal.[br]
[br]
Meanwhile outside of Death City, within the deserts that surrounds it. A dark presence was lurking its way towards the city.[br]
If Shinigami thought that I would be down and out for long? He is seriously underestimating my capabilities Kishin Oni thought as she marched towards Death City with a massive army of monstrous creatures, which have known to be called, Lost Souls.[br]
With this army of Lost Souls at my side. Shibusen doesn’t stand a chance[br]
While Oni marched further on to her target, she reflected her thoughts to Aku and Okami, back at the hideout[br]
[br]
-----Flashback-----[br]
“Lady Oni, how did you manage to control these monsters” Aku queried[br]
“I discovered that these beast are insanity prone and are ironically controlled by insanity. So as a Kishin - who’s existence brings insanity to the world - controlling these beasts was easy” Oni answered, calling more of the creatures to appear.[br]
“Claws, teeth, wings, a serpentine body shape and a scorpion like stinger at the tail. These monsters don’t mess around when they attack.” Aku analysed, as he gazed at the Lost Souls that were appearing before Oni and were awaiting for her orders, like a dog wanting attention.[br]
“That is why I wanted to command them. For not only can’t Shinigami control them, but when they battle, chances of surviving are slim to none….or at least according to what people say about them.”[br]
[br]
Aku was starting feel somewhat out of place, or do be more precise, no longer needed anymore. As far as Oni was concerned, the Lost Souls were her sword and shield against her enemies.[br]
“Lady Oni, do you know how a Lost Soul is born?” Aku quizzed Oni[br]
“No. But I’m sure you’ll educate me on that matter” Oni replied[br]
“Of course. Now when a person dies, their soul appears where the body has vanished. What usually happens is that the soul gets devoured or sealed away, so under normal circumstances a Lost Soul can’t be born. However if the soul is left alone for a prolonged period of time, the soul begins to form a casing round itself, to protect itself from being devoured or sealed away. In time this casing then develops a mind of it’s own and once that happens, a Lost Soul is truly born.”[br]
Oni was definitely intrigued by this knowledge and asked Aku if he knew anymore about the Lost Souls. To which he answered, “Lost Souls once they are born have only one goal in mind and that is to kill whatever they encounter. For what reason is unknown. Also Lost Souls are solo predators, you never see two working together. If you do see two, they’re most likely trying to kill each other. The fact that you can control a whole army of these things and make sure that they don’t fight each other and make them work together, amazes me.”[br]
[br]
Oni was feeling very proud of herself for her monument’s achievement. But Aku was feeling rather useless and unwanted.[br]
“Well my Lady, with this new found power to control the Lost Souls that you have obtained. I feel that I must take my leave of you” Aku announced[br]
Oni nearly died of shock from what she heard and asked “What are you talking about?”[br]
“You no longer need me. You have now gained enough power to look after yourself now.”[br]
Oni was lost for words. Her loyal protector was saying to her that she no longer needed him and was saying that he’s leaving.[br]
“Well….Aku…..I … I don’t know what to say?” Oni managed to say out of shock[br]
Aku placed a reassuring hand on Oni’s shoulder and said “Go and take care of Shibusen, send it into oblivion. That’s all I can say to you”[br]
Oni snapped back into reality and said “You got it”[br]
With that said Oni told her Lost Soul army to march for Death City and prepare for war[br]
[br]
-----End of Flashback-----[br]
[br]
Don’t Worry Aku. I’ll make sure that Shibusen never gets to see another sunrise ever again Oni thought as she saw Death City before beyond the horizon.[br]
“Alright my Lost Soul army listen up. I want an advanced squadron to appear within Death City and cause some pandemonium before the main force arrives to crush the enemy” Oni ordered.[br]
Just like that about a hundred or so Lost Souls vanished from sight with the intention of surprise attacking Shibusen.[br]
[br]
Back at Shibusen, everyone were doing his or her usual rounds for the day and were enjoying the peace that came with the knowledge that Shinigami would eventually eliminate any threats that would appear.[br]
At first all seemed to be peaceful, but that peace was suddenly shattered by the arrival of a monstrous creature that appeared seemingly form out of nowhere. Then by the arrival of another, then another and then another. In the end, these monstrous creatures were appearing all over the place and everyone ware thrown into a state of panic.[br]
[br]
Shinigami was in the Death Room still trying to rest up from his injuries, when Asuza burst into the room and was in a state of fear.[br]
“Shinigami-sama we have a problem” she screamed[br]
Shinigami was stood up and asked the distraught Asuza “What’s wrong?”[br]
“Lost Souls. They’re appearing all over the city and are attacking everyone” Azusa exclaimed[br]
Needless to say, Shinigami was in shock himself and used the mirror in the room to project the image of what was happening to the city. What he saw stunned him[br]
Lost Souls? But how did they end up here? Never mind that why are they co-operating with each other? That shouldn’t be possible Shinigami thought as he tried to rattle his brain as to what was causing the Lost Souls to attack so suddenly[br]
Then suddenly Shinigami felt the familiar prescience of a Kishin near by and changed the image on the mirror to project what was out in the desert that surrounded the city.[br]
He quickly realised by what he saw in the mirror that the reason for the attack was caused by Kishin Oni who was being followed by a massive army of Lost Souls numbering in the thousands[br]
“How is she able to do that?” Azusa asked aloud[br]
“I have no idea, but she must be stopped” Shinigami replied with a mixture of fear and anger in his voice “I want every meister and weapon to mobilise at once and kill as many Lost Souls as possible”[br]
Azusa didn’t hesitate when Shinigami gave the order, she immediately sent an announcement that went all over the city, telling everyone to fight against the threat of the Lost Souls and to protect the civilian population at all costs.[br]
Shinigami was then left in the Death Room to contemplate how he could salvage the situation in his condition[br]
To think she could control those mindless monster. I never imagined she would be this strong[br]
[br]
Thus the battle to save Shibusen from Kishin Oni and her Lost Soul army began.[br]

You are not authorized to comment here. Your must be registered and logged in to comment