Vol. 15 - Chapter 8: Yggdrasil and the Enlightened
Three months have passed since the battle. The war in the Borderland left a great scar on History, thousands of people died and the twin cities disappeared from the face of the earth. The Enlightened manipulated the information and for the rest of the world, an eruption took place burying the cities. The Enlightened manage to obtain a Philosopher Stone, although its powers remain unknown. The Red Moon Blood War was the beginning of chain of events, Uriel´s whereabouts are unknown. The following is the aftermath of the war:
Part 1 – Sakura City, Japan
In the South East region of Japan, 50 km south of Tokyo, a small city lies in between mountains. The city is highly advance in technology, and what attract tourist and people from all over Japan are the forest of Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Trees that bloom all year long. The name of this city is Sakura City and it's also the main base of Yggdrasil. Even though it's open to the public, there are a few places that are forbidden for tourists.
In the middle of the city, a tall building stands. The building has mirror windows that reflect the pink color of the Sakura trees. In the highest floor lies an auditorium where the higher ups have gather to talk about the situation of the world. There is a total of 200 people in the seats above, many 150 are lower root agents. Ginkuma, Rizu and Shion are among them. The other 50 are Elite Roots, Katsumi is one of them.
Katsumi stands next to a door covered in bandages. "There is sure a lot of people, right senpai?" Shion walks towards her; she is also covered in bandages. Katsumi looks sad, Shion looks at the crowd and says:
"Are you worried about Uriel?"
"Yes, it's been 3 months and no one knows where he is, its like he disappeared from the world."
"Don't worry senpai, I´m sure we will find him someday. Please try to stay calm, the higher ups are coming." Shion says to Katsumi, they begin to see people coming out, the crowd cheers, 13 agents come out and sit in the chairs behind the round table. Each of the places where the people are seating has the Zodiac Symbols; they are the 12 Zodiac Roots. The Gemini place has two seats where twins sit next to each other making them 13 in total.
Among the Zodiac Roots, Allan, Heidi and Raions have all bandages as well meaning that they haven't healed from the previous battle.
"Man, you guys look beat up, what happened to you?" The male from cancer asks Raions. Raions doesn't respond, the male from cancer asks again and Raions responds; "That´s none of your business."
"HAHA, you sure do make me want to cut you in half." The man from cancer says, Raions stands up and says:
"Well, bring it on you stupid crab."
"Enough both of you, the superiors are coming." A girl from Aquarius says to them. The 5 higher ups enter the room and sit in the round table in the middle of the room.
Yoshiro Inoue, the General Director of Yggdrasil, he is an old man with wrinkled face. He has two different colored eyes and no hair. He is wearing a black suit with pink tie and a golden cane.
Reo Miyazono is the Chief of Staff, he is Katsumi´s uncle. He has orange hair, blue eyes and white skin. He is in charge of all the missions for Yggdrasil. Reo assigns the missions to the Elite Roots and Zodiac Roots personally.
Aaron Johansen is a Scandinavian man. He has white hair with reddish eyes. He has wrinkles on his eyes and wears a gray suit with a red tie. He is in charge of Political Relations in the European Union.
Jack Carter is Allan´s father. He is a middle age man with long white hair and blue eyes. He wears a black suit with a blue tie. He is in charge of Public Relations of Yggdrasil as well as Political Issues in the Yggdrasil assignments.
Alvaro de la Hoya is a brown skin man with hazel eyes. He wears a reddish suit with a black tie. He is in charge of the economic divisions of Yggdrasil. He manages the transactions and pays the workers, specially the Root members.
"It´s a pleasure to have all of you gathered here; I know it's sudden but I have some issues I want all of you present to know." Director Inoue begins to speak; he makes a giant hologram appear. In the hologram, a picture of a red round stone appears. People begin to speak in a low tone wondering what that is.
"Members of Yggdrasil, this is a Philosopher Stone. This stone was the true objective of the Enlightened as they wage war in the Borderland three months ago. According to my investigations, there are a total of 9 stones scattered throughout the world. "
"And what do this stones do?" Aaron asks the director, the director point at the hologram with his cane. "This stone contains the power of God. The Enlightened wants to gather all nine of them to gain the power of God and control the world."
People begin to discuss about what they heard. "So then, this is what the Enlightened want? Director Inoue, why are you so worried about that with all your respect, those are only legends." Alvaro says to the Director.
"If it were a legend, than the Enlightened wouldn't want them. Now moving to the next topic, I witness firsthand the true power of the members of the Doomsday Clock and I must say that we are in a great disadvantage."
"And why is that Yoshiro?" Reo asks the Director.
"Well the answer is simple; I want to the Borderland for some personal issues and witness the horror. It took 3 Zodiac Roots, One Elite Root and 3 Lower trunk members to stop a single member of the Enlightened. I feel sorry to say this but if we didn't have the Horseman of War on our side, then we would all have died."
People discuss about that, "I think that they underestimated him, if I was there, than things would've been easier." The man from cancer says to the director.
"Stop that, you don't know what you are talking about." Heidi interrupts him with anger.
"That´s quite enough, I am saying the truth, he was the tenth hour and yet he destroyed the whole region with one attack. Now he is dead, Darius dies that night by the hands of Aleister, who took his place as the Tenth Hour. Now for my final topic, I plan to join forces with the Horseman of War."
A picture of Uriel is shown in the hologram, "My how handsome" A woman from Virgo says with a luxurious voice.
"With all you respect, we shouldn't trust a horseman, they are evil…" Aaron says with a face full of disgust. Katsumi gets angry as makes a fist. "That bastard!"
"That´s right, plus he looks weak, I doubt he´ll be of any help." The man from cancer says with an arrogant expression. Katsumi begins to walk forward, Shion stops her and says:
"Stop Senpai, if you do that, you´ll get in big trouble. Please"
"It´s true, he might be evil, but he is powerful, right now we need allies. If the Horseman accepts, we will also have the aid of the Order of the Holy Maiden to which her mother is a member. His brother and sister are both powerful esper suit users, we will get more assets in this war."
People see him with doubt, and speak ill of Uriel. "I support his proposal, I teamed up with him a year ago in Jalisco and we manage to save the city." A Russian man under the Capricorn sign says with pride.
"He was a big help in that mission, plus he of a good heart." A girl from Pisces says to the audience.
"He saved Heidi´s and my life during the battle with Darius, and took final a fatal blow protecting her." Allan also supports the idea with Heidi nodding in agreement.
"I will also support the director; he did save one of my daughters, I support him as well." Reo says with a smile, Katsumi smiles and says; "Thank you Uncle…"
"Then its settle, are there any objections?" No one responds to the question. "Very well, than I will recruit Uriel Di Fiore. I know of his whereabouts and I will personally request him and the Order to join forces with Yggdrasil."
Director Inoue walks forward and begins to scream; "MY CHILDREN, THE TIMES UPON US ARE GOING TO BE DIFFICULT BUT REMEMBER, WE ARE THE TREE OF LIFE, WE SUPPORT THE LIFE IN THIS WORLD. WE ARE YGGDRASSIL, WE ARE ONE, AND WE WILL FIGHT…"
He begins to leave as the crowd cheers for him. Alvaro stands up and begins to talk about the economy. As the director goes backstage, Katsumi walks towards him and says:
"Director, thank you for supporting Uriel, do you know about his whereabouts?"
"Indeed, but I´m sorry, you can't go. The reason is that starting tomorrow; you will start a new position as the Principal of Sakura Highschool. Please look after the future of Yggdrasil." Katsumi is in shock as Shion congratulates her; "YOU DID IT SENPAI, YOU DID IT!"
"Now the, I have something to tell you, it's about the two assets I gained in the war three months ago, and here they are."
"Katsumi" Katsumi hears a familiar voice and turns around; she sees two figures walking towards her. Katsumi begins to cry as Shion says; "NO WAY, THEY ARE…"
Part 2- Bucharest, Romania
In the largest castle located in Bucharest, Romania, a certain group has established its new home there…
"MAN THIS IS LIFE" Victoria says as she drinks from a glass, she is surrounded by handsome butlers who are attending her. She is wearing a long red dress with high heels.
"Victoria, you shouldn't relax that much, we are about to go on stage." Angela exclaims, she is also wearing a long black dress with high heels.
"You girls are too loud, just relax and let me finish this book" Raul who is wearing an elegant suit says to the girls.
"It´s about time, we should get going" Melissa who is in her normal form and wears a blue dress says to the others. In the hallway, outside a special room, Marjorie waits for Aleister´s reunion to be over. She thinks about a few moments before he entered:
"Finally, we made it my dear…" Aleister says with a sinister tone, Marjorie looks away and replies:
"Indeed, I am glad my dear."
"I see, so you reverted back to your original form. This means that your thinking about Uriel."
Marjorie opens her eyes wider; "That´s not true…" Aleister hugs Marjorie and whisper on her ear:
"Marjorie remembers that I love you, and I won't tolerate any betrayal. If you betray me, I know of a woman with two twin siblings who might be in danger."
"You wouldn't hurt my maman right?"
"That depends on what you answer, now remember this, I have your heart in my hands, yours and Uriel´s, like I said, if you betray me your dead."
"Aleister, its time." Dimitru comes out of the room. Aleister steps away and with a smile he says; "Wish me luck dear."
In the present, Marjorie shakes as she think; "Uriel, help me"
Inside the room, there is absolute darkness; there is only a light in the center where Aleister and Dimitru stand. Surrounding them, there 12 monitors with silhouette of the members. In each monitor there is a Roman number, from I – XII.
The First Hour begins to speak; "My dear brothers and sisters, we are hear upon the request of the Third Hour; this is with the purpose to induct Aleister Lucifugus to the Enlightened as the Tenth Hour."
"First Hour, don't you think he is a bit young for that, I understand that his father was the Tenth Hour, but it will take more than that to be a member." The Second Hour says to the First.
"That´s right, and shouldn't he begin as the 12th Hour first?" The 11th hour suggests to the others, Dimitru steps forward and begins to explain;
"I the third hour support Aleister. Despite of being young, he with his group Sabia Regueli consisting on high novels, Leviathan and the White Witch. This group convinced the population of Romania, formed an Alliance with the Vampires in Transylvania and the faction of the former kingdom. In just three months, they overthrew the Communist Government and established a new kingdom where Aleister was declared the Ruler."
"I Aleister Salome Lucifugus, am humbly requesting the opportunity to aid the Enlightened on their quest for illumination, I promise to never betray you and always fight along side the true rulers of this world."
Aleister bends and puts one knee in the ground. "Very well, it's time to vote." The First Hour says to the other, they need to press the green bottom for approval or red for rejection.
"With total of 7 in favor and 3 against, I the First Hour declare Aleister Lucifugus as the Tenth Hour of the Enlightened. Our reunion has ended, until we meet again my brothers and sisters."
The monitors turn off one by one, Aleister stands up with a sinister smile thinking; "I did father, I´ve obtain power."
"Very well Aleister, I´ve done my part, I will observe your path to see where it leads you." Dimitru says to Aleister who vows his head; "Thank you for your support."
Aleister comes out of the room and walks the hallway to the window where he was going to be presented. Marjorie and Dimitru walk beside him, in the door, the other members except for Alexandria were waiting for him. They kneel with one knee as they say:
"We humbly greet you, King Aleister." They put Aleister a cape and his silver staff, the spokesman begins to present him:
"LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, IT IS MY PLEASURE TO PRESENT THE FIRST RULER OF THE LUCIFUGUS KINGDOM, OUR SAVIOR ALEISTER I"
The crowd cheers with excitement as Aleister receives the crown from the Patriarch becoming the new ruler.