I do not own the anime/manga that this fanfiction is written for, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

BOM 18: NIGHT OF REUNION AND RESTORATION

With a kiss, I'd pass the key
And feel your tongue
Teasing and receiving.
With your spit still on my lip — you hit the water.
Through the glass, I'd watch you breathe
Bound and drowned
And paler than you've ever been.
With your life the only thing in my mind —
We pull you from the water.
(Kate Bush, "Houdini")

Brothers!
Oh, Brothers!
We are your Brothers!
Do not forsake us now....
(Pet Shop Boys, "Drama At The Harbour: 'Brothers'")

Hamarikyū, Yokohama, Kanagawa
October 7, 2004
00:10

Meanwhile, at Hamarikyū, Sayoko was unconscious. She had been raped by Tarō Chūzenji for 3 hours straight. Chūzenji père was invigorated from those rounds he had with the woman from 5 years ago.

Sonia approached him. "So, it's done."

"Yes, Lady Sonia. She's now under our thrall."

"Good," she replied. She then turned towards him. "Hopefully, you'll forgive me for what I'm about to do."

Chūzenji père, however, wasn't upset. "I'm ready, Mistress," he said. "I've been ready for this for all my life. When my daughter wished to join you, I was elated; the missing piece of our coven had been found, I trained her for all these years, and hopefully she has served you well." He then sighed. "I'm ready."

Sonia then chanted an incantation; this incantation was to remove his human side, rendering him only as his true form: a high-class demon, whose only purpose is to breed the woman who is the vessel for the child that will destroy this world, in this case Sayoko. He was drooling like a maniac. In this form he was mindless, his sole thought was to breed the woman.

"Excellent," Sonia said. "Now you are who you've always been meant to be. Now head upstairs and wait at the altar."

The now-crazed Chūzenji père did as he was told. Soon Sonia was alone, except for Sayoko who was still unconscious. She walked to Sayoko's unconscious body and began to caress it.

"Dear Sayoko, you'll never know it," she began, "but your time has finally come. You shall finally be our vessel. You've served us very well all these 11 years; now the turning point has finally come. Your child shall destroy this world and place us at the helm." She chuckled evilly.

A moment later, Aiko Nogami appeared.

"Lady Sonia, preparations are almost complete," she said.

"Excellent", Sonia replied.

"Have you finally released Kirika's father's true form?", Nogami asked.

"I did", Sonia replied. "Now all we need to do is to take our vessel to the appointed place."

"Do you think it will work this time?"

"It must. Mankind has no time left. This ritual must succeed, at all costs! Only through the arrival of the Messiah can we truly create our own world."

"I wonder where Chūzenji fille is", Nogami said.

Sonia was also worried. It wasn't like Kirika Chūzenji to disappear. "Hopefully she hasn't run into trouble," Sonia mused. "But even if, it makes no difference. The ritual will succeed, and soon Mankind's swan song will be in full swing."

Unbeknownst to either of the two women, Sayoko was about to undergo a different ordeal — one that might change the course of events.

Inside Sayoko's mind, she'd found herself in a black mindscape. Like her external appearance, she had no clothes on her in her mindscape. A moment later, someone appeared out of nowhere. This being looked like her in all respects, and spoke like her in all respects.

Hello, Sayoko, the figure said.

Who are you?

I'm you. I'm Haruka Yano — or should I say, I represent you as Haruka.

Please explain.

I represent all the memories that were shut away from before the failed ritual in 1999, and from before Anna Midō put you through your training, "Haruka" said. I have come, not just to counsel you, but to merge with you.

Sayoko was astounded. Merge with me?, she asked.

First, though, "Haruka" began, I came here to counsel you and to at least provide some help.

What help?, Sayoko spat. I'm in a dire situation, if you haven't noticed! I'm about to be the vessel for these people's desires!

I know, "Haruka" responded. I can't exactly break you free from their control, but I can help give you the courage you need. Our son is on his way with Yūka Genzōji to rescue you.

Now, when you say "our son", Sayoko started, you mean....

That's right, "Haruka" cheerfully responded, our son with Isao Yano: Ryōichi.

Sayoko cried tears of happiness. This marks the second time that he saves me...., she said. We've put a heavy weight on him, haven't we, "me"?

That's right, "me", "Haruka" responded, but our son is brave enough to face even the organisation we work for for bombing the school instead of killing everyone, and is brave enough to face Tenma in his den.

You said that you wanted to merge with me, Sayoko said. What do I gain?

Why, we become one being, "Haruka" responded. All my memories from when I was raised as a human, plus your memories of when you acted on your succubi blood; my maternal instincts with your lasciviousness; my knowledge of the Shintō liturgy with your combat knowledge and demon arts; in short: the being we were always meant to be.

At hearing this, Sayoko pondered the possibilities, the pros and cons. Finally she decided. Sounds fun to me, she said. I may stand to lose my individual self, as will you, but the possibility of being one being definitely sounds like a good idea.

Excellent!, "Haruka" cheerfully said. Also, I've made peace with losing my individual self as I am now; anything is preferable to the victory of Sonia and her lackeys.

You're right, Sayoko responded. We can't let those bastards win. I'm not exactly powerful enough to take them out, but if Ryōichi can, then all will not be lost. She exhaled. OK, "me", I'm ready.

Good!, "Haruka" cheerfully responded. Now then, stand before me, and extend your arms out, she instructed. Yes, it's a bit DBZ-ish, but it's the proper way to merge, I swear.

Sayoko did as she was asked. She extended her arms out, and placed them in front of her. "Haruka" did the same.

Just so we're clear, Sayoko said, it's not the DBZ thing, but the prospect of fusing that a bit weird, but like we've made clear, desperate times call for desperate measures.

"Haruka" chuckled. Yep, that's all too true, she responded. Now then, the next step is to touch each others' hands.

Sayoko slowly approached towards her "human" counterpart, and placed her left hand on her counterpart's right. Her counterpart was, however, the one trembling. She was the one offering to merge with her, but she was trembling. However, as her "demon" counterpart had made clear, desperate times called for desperate measures. So, "Haruka" gathered her courage.

OK, here we go!, "Haruka" declared, having finally gathered her own courage. As soon as she she said that, she and Sayoko touched their left and right respective hands. As soon as their hands touched, "Haruka" and Sayoko transformed; their bodies became a cerulean blue-tinged outline, and they started to merge. Their bodies melted together as they merged. When they finished merging, a cerulean blue-coloured mass was left. That mass suddenly began to take the shape of a woman. As it did so, two opposing sets of memories began to rage.

Yano.... I'm sorry I got you involved in this....

The name of our son shall be.... the one we thought of that night....

This former miko will sacrifice herself for the ideals of our Seiryūkai....

Unlucky for you two.

I'm pregnant with Mr. Yano's baby!

Beautiful things become even more beautiful when they've been defiled....

The soul contract is complete.

Take a shit while calling out to your deceased husband!!!!

Whether the brat dies or not is up to you....

The one who'll be in trouble if this gets out to the public is her — the slutty teacher!!!!

If Haruka was here, she'd never let you get away with this!

It all depends on your service. But.... when that boy dies, he won't die immediately....

Nah, you ain't "Haruka" — for now, at least...

If you wish to get away from this, come with me, please.

Your fucking family owes their fucking lives to me!

Jeez, knock it off.

Leave the "Purification" Ritual of that miko to me.

She means nothing to me.

You want to see your son? Fuck your son!

I will never forgive you!

Rape her! Destroy her completely!!!!

Beg forgiveness while you cum!! Scream your husband's name out — after all, he offed himself when he found out about our relationship!!!!

Don't.... listen.... to her, Miss.... Sayoko....!

Impossible.... The Advent shouldn't have failed...!

No! Ryōichi!!!!

At this last memory, the being of light could only emit a primal scream.

The being of blue light, now a gynoid figure, doubled over in pain.

Ryōichi! Isao! Someone! Anyone! Help me!!!!, the being cried out in pain. I can't take it anymore!!!!

As the being kept thrashing about, a voice, calming and soothing, came through and spoke to her clearly.

Just let go, my child.

The being opened its eyes. She looked up and saw a man, vaguely resembling Ryōichi, but much older, with coarser features. He was smiling.

Just let go, my child, the man said. Your saviours are on their way. Your burden is past.

The being recognised the figure — not as Ryōichi, but as someone she hadn't seen since she was an infant.

My father....

The figure smiled at the gynoid being currently lying prostate.

The pain will pass, he spoke. All you need to do is let go. Let go of what is holding you back. Only then can you be the being you were always meant to be. Just let go.

The being did as she was told. She then slowly got up from the prostate position she was in and stood tall. The light vacillated between blue and white, going from a slow throb to a blinding flurry. Finally, the light began to recede; the being's features started to take shape: English Lavender-coloured hair cascading down her back, her skin a slightly beige colour, her eyes a deep blue, her lips a deep red, a mole under her left eye. The being finally assumed the form of Sayoko Saeki: as her human persona promised, the new Sayoko carried both sets of memories from when she was raised as human as well as those from after the ritual failed, only these were now combined to one memory stream. She also gained two distinct abilities: her past knowledge of the Shintō liturgy, and her demonic arts. This was the being, her human persona promised, she should've been from the beginning: a demon, but with all aspects of a human.

Sayoko looked at her hands, beholding her body after she'd merged with her human persona. Moments later, she began to cry. The survivor's guilt she had been repressing for so long finally started pouring out in rivulets. She fell to the floor, weeping.

Oh Gods, what have I done?!, she weeped. Ryōichi, Isao, forgive me! How could I have let things go this far?! Now I'm going to die! Worse still, the child I'll beget will destroy this world! How did things get this far?! Under duress, I let these people strip me of my pride as a demon, and as a person as well...!

She continued weeping. Her thoughts turned to Ryōichi, the son she had unwittingly dragged into this mess.

Ryōichi, you must forget about me!, she weeped. You must forget the monster I've become! Don't look at me like this! Stay away from me....

Suddenly a voice responded.

Like hell!

This voice got Sayoko's attention. She recognised that timbre of voice.

Ryōichi? She then turned away. No! Stay away from me! Don't come closer to me!

Ryōichi's voice, however, was insistent.

No way, Sayoko!, he replied. I'm not gonna leave you to your fate! We're on our way to rescue you! Stay strong!

Sayoko turned away again. I can't let you do this! You're both headed to your dooms! Please, you and Yūka must forget about me!

Ryōichi couldn't believe what he was hearing.

You're saying, he started, we should leave you to die? I can't do that! I love you too much to even think about leaving you behind!

Sayoko was astounded. You.... you love....

She started crying again.

I'm not gonna leave you, Sayoko, Ryōichi said. I'm not under any illusions that the rescue won't be tough. But I'll do it — one way or another, I'll do it. I didn't come all this way to watch the woman I love get killed or sacrificed! We're gonna save you; just that it will take some time to organise ourselves. But we are gonna save you. That you can be sure of.

Sayoko cheered up some at this determination.

Then, she started, if you still love me, if you still want me, get me out of here. I'll stay strong for you. But it's not gonna be an easy—

Ryōichi chuckled. Like I said, he started, I'm under no illusions that the rescue will be an easy task. But if you've forgotten Yūka and I, we've got the determinations of steel. And, in case you've forgotten, I made a promise to you that I'd protect you! I'd be crazy if I didn't fulfill that promise!

Sayoko remembered. He had promised her those exact words. Her resolve returned; she was willing to endure the tortures of the Seiryūkai — as long as he was coming to save her.

Then hurry!, she said. Hurry and save me!

Thanks for believing in me again, Ryōichi spoke. Then Sayoko was left alone again in her mindscape.

Hurry.... hurry and save me....

Back in the real world, Sayoko was still unconscious. Sonia and Nogami had gone off for a bit. Had either of the two women been there, she would've mocked Sayoko for the words she was now murmuring.

"Ryōichi.... please.... help me...."

As she said that, a tear ran down from her eye.

--

Mikami Academy, Tōkyō
00:18

Meanwhile, back in Sonia's chambers, Kirika Chūzenji was beginning to stir. The kick and suplex drop that Yūka Genzōji gave her was not enough to kill her (in truth, Yūka wasn't expecting it to), but it did draw some blood. As soon as the ritual is done, she swore, that brat would pay a terrible price. She would make sure of that. But first things first.

Lady Sonia, are you there?, she contacted.

I'm receiving you, go ahead.

We have trouble!, she exclaimed. One of those agents from Midō's organisation, the young girl, Yūka Genzōji — she's in this facility. I think she's just rescued the Yano boy.

Sonia chuckled. That doesn't concern me, she responded. Those two are like hens with their heads cut off. By the time they figure out a plan, the ritual will have already succeeded.

How's my father?, Kirika asked.

We've just liberated him, Sonia responded. He is now pure, his mission clear. The ultimate vector for our plans.

And the sacrifice?, Kirika asked, referring to Sayoko.

Deep asleep, Sonia confirmed. We're actually considering returning to the school. Join us there as soon as you can.

No, Chūzenji fille responded, I'm headed over to Hamarikyū immediately! The ritual cannot be started without one of its key players! I'll see you in a moment!

She then took a moment to scan her body. No broken bones — good. No bruises, haematomae — good. All functions normal. She then teleported to Hamarikyū, to where her comrades were. The ritual would succeed.

--

00:17

If Sonia thought that Yūka and Ryōichi were like headless hens running around, she was sorely mistaken. The first thing Yūka did was find 25 people who survived the bombing, all feeling very betrayed by the actions Anna Midō took.

"Lt. Genzōji," one soldier, name of Yōichi Ikehata asked her, "what the hell is going on?! We did what we were told! Have we been betrayed?!"

"I'll get to that in a moment," Yūka responded. "Right now I need everyone around to pay attention." She then turned to the other surviving soldiers. She whistled to get their attention. Everyone turned around towards her.

"There is no doubt of what happened tonight," she started. "Anna Midō is a traitor! She betrayed everyone who worked for her, all for the sake of bringing a new world with the Seiryūkai! She sent her own agent to the slaughter! She may say she did what she had to do, but make no mistake: she doesn't care about any of us! Well, I was taught that we must never leave a man down! As of this moment, I'm taking charge of the operation! Myself and Ryōichi Yano are entering the school for one purpose only: we are going to free Lt. Sayoko Saeki! I cannot ask you to come along, but rest assured that you'll all play important parts in the success of this mission. And when we make it out of this alive.... Well, let's just say the drinks are on us two. Are you with me?!"

The 25 men raised their fists in affirmation. A satisfied Yūka smiled. "Move out!", she ordered.

The 25 soldiers dispersed, and started reloading their weapons. Yūka approached Ikehata.

"Ikehata, I need two changes of clothes: one for myself, and another for Mr. Yano," she ordered.

"Yours I'll do right away," Ikehata said, "but why him? He doesn't look like our personnel."

Ryōichi rolled his eyes, and sighed. "Because I'm not," he replied.

"They took all his clothes, Ikehata," Yūka added. "We need to give him a change of clothes as well."

Ikehata pondered. "He doesn't fit the height of us, but we could do that," he finally responded. "We only have military outfits, though...."

Ryōichi, however, wasn't worried. "That'll do just fine," he said.

As Yūka changed her clothes, Ikehata gave Ryōichi a military outfit, which oddly enough, to both Ikehata's and Yūka's surprise, fit the boy. Ryōichi himself didn't feel weird wearing black jeans, a black long-sleeved shirt, a camo jacket, and black combat boots.

"Well, I'll be, the boy fits them fine," Ikehata marvelled.

"Sir, we need another change of clothes," Ryōichi then said, "this one for Lt. Sayoko Saeki."

"I've got that handled," Yūka confirmed. She handed down a copy of Sayoko's kunoichi outfit. Ryōichi blushed.

"Yikes, stripperific much?", he joked. It was one of the outfits he saw his own mom in when she saved him from getting killed by Sonia's goons; seeing her with it on, even before he knew that Sayoko was his mom, made him fall in love with her harder.

"One more thing," Yūka added. "Have you been taking swordsmanship lessons?"

"Yes," Ryōichi responded, "I'd been taking both kendō and iaidō lessons before all this — never real swords, though. Never had the chance to."

"In that case," Yūka began, "you can take this." She handed down a familiar sword. "It's Sayoko's katana. I can think of no other person to handle it. I'd have preferred that it were held onto for safekeeping until she was rescued, but you may just hold a chance. Remember: this is no ordinary training exercise. These aren't your typical bodyguards; these are many cultists who're hell bent on one thing: destruction."

"Yūka, you worry too much," Ryōichi responded. "I know the chances are slim, but this just increased them. Only thing that might not be good would be if there were a big number. I'm prepared to save Miss Sayoko, no matter what it takes."

Both of them marvelled at the determination of this boy. Here was an academy student, and he alone, with some assistance, will head into the lions' den? I wish we were this brave, Ikehata thought.

"I'm not gonna deny that I'm scared," he continued, "but I will stop them — come what may." He then turned to Yūka. "Let's go in, shall we?"

Yūka nodded her head, and then a thought struck her. "I haven't asked you since the explosion but — how're you feeling? Tell me the truth."

"I'm a bit better now," Ryōichi responded. "Compared to how I could've been at the hands of Kirika and Miss Sayoko's doll clone, I'll live. I'll be fine, Yūka, no worries. I'm fine at the moment."

Yūka could only marvel at Ryōichi's words. Only a few moments, he'd gone through two attempts at his life — one caused by Kirika stabbing his heart with a poison, the other was when Sayoko's demon doll clone tried to strangle him to death. However, his words seemingly didn't betray how he was really feeling — she could sense that he was recovering somehow. Her suspicion mounted as to what Ryōichi might really be, but she kept her suspicions to herself.

At that moment, Ikehata stepped towards them. "I must insist that you take me with you," he said. "You might need someone to bounce ideas off."

Ryōichi shook his head. "I'm afraid, Sergeant Major," he started, "we can't allow you or your men to come with us; it isn't due to lack of trust. There are personal reasons why myself and Yūka — I mean, Lt. Genzōji — must go alone."

Ikehata understood. "In that case," he started, "good luck to you." He saluted them, and they returned a salute — this was the first time Ryōichi ever saluted a military officer, and he was unofficially recruited into the ranks. Both Yūka and Ryōichi then rushed off towards the school.

Once back inside the school, Yūka and Ryōichi started rushing towards various places. They came up empty. During their search, however, they found the body of their homeroom teacher, Ayako Nakamoto. Yūka and Ryōichi then found some clues, which brought them to the realisation that Ayako was in fact a member of the Seiryūkai as well. In spite of them being their sworn enemy, Yūka and Ryōichi took pity on her lifeless body and covered it with a sheet, while Yūka passed on the information to Ikehata and the others. They then resumed their search, each room turning up empty. The two were now starting to rack their brains for other options.

We've searched this entire place, top to bottom!, Ryōichi thought, frustrated. The infirmary, the Principal's office, even the underground corridors turned empty! Where could they have gone?

They even went to the auditorium, as they supposed that was where the Seiryūkai were going to do their ritual. When that turned up empty, they had come to a decision.

"We've both been avoiding it 'cause it would be the most obvious place," Yūka started, "but I think we should check the Occult Research Club Room."

"Yeah, I agree," Ryōichi replied. "There's another reason I'd been avoiding it — I hope we don't find anything surprising, but we need to check that room now."

They then went to the Occult Research Club Room. They didn't find Sayoko there either. Both Ryōichi and Yūka kept searching. However, their search was suddenly interrupted by a patter of a multitude of feet that had entered the room.

"What do you think you're doing here?", an angry voice demanded.

They looked up to see 143 club members — almost the entire student body. Ryōichi was in total shock. Many of these members were people Ryōichi talked with on a regular basis; people he considered friends. His heart almost sunk at this sight, the betrayal in his face becoming increasingly obvious.

Yūka, however, was not willing to let this impact her negatively.

"Guys, you have to help us," Yūka pleaded. "I don't know what the principal has done to you, but you can't follow her orders! You have to help us stop her and her goons!"

"You should leave at once," one of the club members said coldly.

Yūka's eyes widened in horror. She had expected them to help them in their endeavour, not for them to refuse to help them.

"You can't be serious!" she exclaimed. "You can't be a party to this! You'd willingly let your school nurse be sacrificed to destroy the world?! How can you guys be so heartless?!"

The club members — although by that point, it was more safe to call them cult members at that moment — were unmoved by Yūka's emotional pleas.

"Be that as it may, we will not help you," the aforementioned club member spoke.

Yūka's rage became more evident. Out of respect for people's lives, however, Yūka decided against killing them. She punched that particular cult member in the face. Yūka then kicked him repeatedly. She didn't want to beat the member to a pulp; she wanted him as intact as she could. She then grabbed the cult member by the lapels.

"You're all cowards!", she angrily exclaimed. "You call yourselves humans?! Where is Sayoko Saeki?!"

The cult member, though heavily beaten up, still was defiant.

"We won't tell you," he responded. "We've been given by Lady Sonia express orders to resist any member of Kinryū that poses a threat to us. This includes telling you the location of the sacrifice."

"Are you really that stupid and cowardly?!", Yūka replied. "I can't fucking believe you would sell out your race! Again, how can you be so heartless??!! Are you guys stone?! You can't honestly believe your leader will create a better world, can you?! How do you sleep at night, knowing you're accomplices to crimes that may land you in jail — if there'll even be a justice system by the time these bastards get through with our world?!"

As Yūka spoke, Ryōichi entered into a trance. Actually, trance is one way of putting it. He was suddenly seized by a clairvoyant telepathic fit. He was suddenly seized by a disparate bunch of visions. The first was a vision of Sayoko being raped in the Ground Self-Defence Forces' Eastern Headquarters back in '99, in what looked like an auditorium. Then suddenly, he saw random images, images he had gleaned when he had managed to create a telepathic link with Sayoko. He saw images of a Chinese restaurant/villa; a sign which read "Hamarikyū", and a stage being set with an altar. Then images of another rape took assaulted his mind; whose, Ryōichi didn't know, but he thought it was Sayoko being raped again. He also saw someone whose voice he recognised, replying to a man that the person being raped meant nothing to her. Then the person being raped was made out clearer: it was indeed Sayoko. These were the images of where she really was.

After this psychic barrage, Ryōichi let out a tear on each eye. Everyone noticed Ryōichi in a trance; their heated argument ceased when seeing their classmate suddenly walk in a slow daze. He fell to the floor on his knees.

"Oh, Gods.... I know where she really is...." Ryōichi whispered. "I know where the ritual will take place...."

Yūka was surprised. How could Ryōichi realise where Sayoko was? Midō was right, Yūka thought, there is more to this boy than appears....!

"Where?", Yūka spoke.

Ryōichi's eyes, which became dulled from the psychic barrage, returned to normal. He turned to Yūka. "She's in Yokohama; she's at this place called 'Hamarikyū.'"

All 143 members were shocked. They realised that in spite of their best efforts, their classmate somehow found out where their principal was. They didn't want to admit it, but the game was up for them, though that wouldn't mean they wouldn't try and prevent Ryōichi and Yūka from stopping the ceremony.

Also shocked was Yūka.

"'Hamarikyū'?", Yūka echoed. "But isn't that that restaurant Aiko Nogami ran—" Suddenly she realised something.

"Of course!" she whispered. "Why didn't I think of it sooner? Hamarikyū is actually a front for their operations!"

"And that's not all," Ryōichi cried out. "I saw them preparing the altar; saw them rape people.... I saw them rape her.... Oh Gods, it was horrible...."

He was almost weeping in fear. Yūka approached him. "I'm sorry, Ryōichi," she gently said, putting her hand on his shoulder.

However, the moment she put her hand there, Ryōichi turned at her, his gaze suddenly full of anger. Yūka then began to note an aura building up around him.

"I won't let them, Yūka!", he growled. "I won't let them complete their ritual! We've wasted enough time — time, I must admit, we could've used to go to Yokohama and stop those people!"

Yūka was startled by his way of speaking.

"Ryōichi, we couldn't've known they weren't here!", she responded. "Also, Yokohama isn't in our jurisdiction—"

"Wasn't, Yūka, it wasn't," Ryōichi replied back. "Didn't Anna Midō just indicate she didn't care about you or anyone else in the mission?"

This Yūka couldn't deny. She then started to comprehend what Ryōichi was suggesting.

"That means, you're not beholden to her orders, nor are the 25 other survivors", he continued. "We're going to Yokohama, or die trying! I didn't come all this way to see how these bastards destroy the world!"

Yūka assented. "Yeah, you're right. We're our own agents now!" She then decided: "I'm in! Let's go!"

The two then started to leave. As they started to leave, however, a voice stopped them.

"Ryōichi, old buddy."

Ryōichi turned around as soon as he heard the voice. It belonged to Hideki Kamio, his old buddy, whom only days earlier he'd mused with about whether Sayoko would mourn Ryōichi if he were to die. Now, the reality that Hideki was willing to allow Sayoko to be raped and killed so that her child, the Messiah of Darkness, would rule the world as Sonia saw fit, was too bitter to contemplate.

"Look in your heart," he said. "We used to be friends, remember? You wouldn't do anything that would jeopardise us, would you? We can have a good conversation about this. It doesn't have to end like this."

Ryōichi just stared at him with utter disdain. He then approached Kamio slowly, and delivered a very piercing slap at his former friend, which sent Kamio tumbling to the ground.

"I don't remember being friends with cultists," Ryōichi coldly replied. "You think being in a death cult gives you the strength to take on the world; all because you were bullied for being a romantic? Goddamn it, you've been played like an organ — you and all the others — by a woman who wishes nothing more than the destruction of the world! They promise you power, but it's so they can be in power! Demons, humans — it doesn't matter to them! To them, power is the only thing that matters! They are just like the Axis in the Second World War! No, they're worse! Once you've served your purpose, you'll be destroyed as well!"

Yūka watched in shock once more as she heard Ryōichi's voice take a dark timbre. It was, in Yūka's mind, as if something made Ryōichi dig deep down within himself and find this slightly dark personality.

"They show no mercy to those they use!", Ryōichi continued. "They'll kill your kind, as they will the rest of us!"

Hideki shook his head in horror at this realisation. "No," he grunted. "The orders—"

"Their orders!", Ryōichi countered. "Break them!"

An angry Yūka stepped up to them and stood beside Ryōichi.

"This boy, your former schoolmate," she started, "may be throwing his life away, but isn't better that than letting 4 psychopaths and their governmental friends rule over a world of the dead?"

Ryōichi glared at them.

"Yūka was right," he spoke. "You're all a bunch of cowards. A bunch of lily-livered cowards. No, I'm not killing any of you; it isn't worth it. But all of you — especially you, Kamio — must now make a choice with your conscience. Do you reclaim your humanity, or do you let these bastards destroy the world many of us love? It's all up to you. Should you choose to side with Sonia, make no mistake: If you should somehow appear in Hamarikyū, the next time we cross paths, I will end all of you. I assure you, it's not a threat: it's a promise. The choice is yours. Goodbye, all."

Thus saying, he and Yūka walked across the sea of their former classmates. Ryōichi had basically left them with something to think about. And it didn't take long for that something's seeds to take hold. A good amount of the students then began to realise that they were giving their lives for something that wasn't to be. One student in particular, name of Yūki Shirogane — another of Ryōichi's friends —, realised their position was untenable.

"You know," he muttered, "it makes no sense to keep fighting like this. We're outmatched."

Another cult member disagreed. "Don't even think that, Shirogane", he replied.

Kamio, however, was still rubbing his wound; he had also come to a realisation. "Ryōichi's right, he's right", he spoke. "We've all been lied to. I can't believe I'm saying this, but.... I say we join."

The cult member who disagreed was in shock. "Are you nuts?!", he said. "Lady Sonia gave explicit orders to fight to the death!"

"Well, it's better to live in shame than fighting an uphill battle that we know we'll never win!", Shirogane responded.

At this, the students faltered. Certainly, Sonia had given them the explicit orders to resist any member of Kinryū. But at the same time, they couldn't deny that Ryōichi was speaking truth to power with them.

The cult member who disagreed was annoyed. Then he decided on something that would settle the matter.

"OK, we'll take a vote," he spoke."All those in favour of continuing the fight, raise your hands!"

To his surprise, no-one raised their hands except himself and the student Yūka had beat up. Shirogane smiled at this.

"All in favour of joining with Yano and Genzōji?"

140 of them raised their hands, including Hideki Kamio.

"That settles it," Shirogane said. "We will join with Ryōichi and the others involved in the rescue mission. Let's all walk out one at a time."

They started slowly walking out, led by Kamio and Shirogane.

Meanwhile, some yards down the hall, Ryōichi and Yūka were angrily walking back to the 25 soldiers.

"I can't believe their bullshit!", Ryōichi spoke.

"I'm sorry, Ryōichi," Yūka spoke. "We tried, but it would seem, like I said, that we can't trust anyone in this fucked-up academy."

Ryōichi wasn't assed about it, however.

"In the end," he confirmed, "it's just us two and the 25 survivors. Midō we can't count on, and a good amount of the student body has turned evil, and that's without mentioning the other teachers who may be involved in this."

"What do we do now?", Yūka wondered.

"We go to Yokohama, of course," Ryōichi responded, his determination stronger than ever. "We'll find a way to stop the Seiryūkai before they can get away with their ritual and killing my mom, you can count on it, Yūka."

All of a sudden a voice stopped them.

"Ryōichi, wait!"

They turned around to see Hideki Kamio, Yūki Shirogane, and 139 others slowly gathering. Ryōichi had a mixture of shock and slight anger.

"What do you want now?", he asked.

"We've taken a vote and have come to a decision: Is it too late to join you guys in stopping Principal Sonia and the others in this plot?", Kamio asked.

This actually gladdened Ryōichi and Yūka; both of them realised that the students could be trusted after all. Ryōichi shook his head.

"No, Kamio, it's never too late to change, trust me," Ryōichi replied. "We're glad you've decided to change your minds. Welcome to the resistance."

Thus saying, he cautiously extended his hand. Hideki Kamio then shook it with a strong grip.

--

Hamarikyū, Yokohama, Kanagawa
00:45

Meanwhile, back at Hamarikyū, events seemed to be playing in the Seiryūkai's favour.

At the same moment as Ryōichi and Yūka had rescued the 25 Kinryū soldiers, Kirika Chūzenji had teleported back to Hamarikyū to join with her comrades. First she paid a visit to her father, now turned into a crazed demon. They gave their farewell embraces to each other. Then she went down to the underground rooms, where Sonia and Nogami were both getting ready for the ritual.

"How is the sacrifice doing?" Kirika asked.

"Still deeply asleep," Sonia replied. "All those rounds it did with your father made it very exhausted. It is now under our thrall." Sonia was using "it" to refer to Sayoko in very dehumanising terms.

Kirika chuckled. "And all it took was for us to wound the man it's in love with, who is none other than its idiot son, and threaten it with his death should it refuse us. I'm still upset at him being rescued by that bitch Genzōji."

Sonia, however, was not angry.

"Like I told you moments ago," she replied, "those two are like headless chickens running around. By the time they realise that Ryōichi's precious lover is not in the school, we'll have already completed the ritual, and it'll be too late for them. Ryōichi Yano will be reunited with his mother in the afterlife, alongside his father."

Kirika chuckled again. "You're smart, Lady Sonia, very smart," she spoke.

"Yes," Sonia replied, "of course I'm smart.... because I am a superior being! No offence, dear."

"None taken, Lady Sonia," Kirika replied. "In fact, I'm glad to be part of your plans alongside my father. I wanted to avenge our family's loss in '99. I'm pleased to be of service to you. Thanks for taking care of my father all these years, I'm serious about this."

"It was the least I can do, my child," Sonia responded. "I've proven to be a good mother figure to you all through the years; you're like the daughter I've never had."

The two then embraced; this was their final embrace to each other, similar to the ones they gave Chūzenji père.

Aiko Nogami then spoke up.

"There's just one thing," she pondered. "What if those two somehow find us before we get the chance to complete the ritual?"

Chūzenji fille and Sonia had not considered that. However, both shrugged.

"I'll take those chances," Sonia responded. "Even if they somehow find this place before we even attempt to start it, they are powerless to even stop us. Like I said, they're nothing but headless chickens at this point. They have no guts to even dare stop us," she chuckled.

The other two women were convinced.

"I'll take the sacrifice up to the main stage," Kirika spoke. "The ritual must succeed, at all costs."

Thus saying, she carried Sayoko in her arms, carrying her back up to the main level, where just a few hours earlier, Sayoko had been raped by the whole of the Seiryūkai in circumstances similar to her capture back in the '90s.

Once both Sonia and Nogami were alone, Sonia mused.

If those two brats and members of Kinryū do show up in this place at the moment the ritual will be carried out, she thought, it will be bad for all of us. But no matter. Like I said, I'll take those chances. I'm convinced in the chances of our ritual succeeding. Two brats and some disaffected soldiers, it won't matter in the end. My destiny will not be denied any further. This world must end, and I shall be its regent. Sayoko, I lied: you'll never see your son, your lover, again, except maybe in the afterlife. Give my regards to oblivion!

The one person who wasn't entirely convinced about their success was Aiko Nogami. She had no doubt about the success of their mission, but unlike Sonia, she was more pragmatic. Unlike the club members, who were more malleable in their youth, Aiko was a diehard fanatic. She absolutely sympathised with Sonia and Tarō Chūzenji's plans, and with the Seiryūkai's plans, by extension. For Sonia, Aiko was the sole human being she trusted; Aiko trusted Sonia deeply as well, but her concerns could not be shaken any longer.

At that moment, Aiko Nogami decided on a move that she hoped Sonia would forgive her for.

--

Mikami Academy, Tōkyō
01:10

As that was going on, back at the academy, Ryōichi and Yūka, accompanied by the 141 remaining students, were back at the front gates. The 25 remaining soldiers were surprised at their immediate appearance.

"Get used to it, guys," Yūka said. "We're gonna need all the help we can get. There's been a change in plans. Ryōichi Yano can explain it better than I could."

"I found out where the Seiryūkai are going to have their ritual," Ryōichi spoke. "They plan to have it on a restaurant called 'Hamarikyū' over at Yokohama."

At hearing that name, some of the soldiers realised which place it was. It was the perfect place to be a cover for lots of illicit activities, including both the manufacturing of drugs and blood sacrifices.

Yōichi Ikehata began pondering.

"If Lt. Saeki", he started, referring to Sayoko, "is being held in Yokohama, and more specifically enemy territory, this is a bit tricky. Ordinarily that place would be out of our jurisdiction, but with what happened, I'd say jurisdiction is the least of our worries right now. You're right, Mr. Yano: Whatever ritual they're up to must be stopped. I don't know your relationship with Lt. Saeki, but I promise you we will help her out."

"I'm grateful," Ryōichi replied.

"Now, then," Ikehata started, turning his attention to the 141 students, "what's your story in this? What do you hope to gain from collaborating with us?"

Hideki Kamio sighed, "Let's just say we realised our goals and Principal Sonia van Lierop's are not as perfectly aligned as we once thought. We don't ask for special treatment; we ask only that we be given a second chance, and a chance to redeem ourselves. We take full responsibility."

Ikehata pondered these words.

"Well, the Buddha hates cowards," he chuckled. "Have you had weapons training?"

"Yes, but only at the very basic level, considering we were drawn in in just one week," Kamio responded. "We never thought about putting those abilities to use."

"Well, you'll use them now," Ikehata responded. "As of this moment, you're all drafted into Kinryū's 12th Battalion — along with your friend, Mr. Yano; unofficially of course."

This shocked Kamio and Shirogane.

"You mean, you haven't joined with these guys?", Shirogane asked.

"No, I'm unofficially a member for the duration of the rescue," Ryōichi responded. "That doesn't mean I'm not ready to put up a fight. Like I said, I'm not ready to see my mom die like this. I'm going to stop those maniacs before they cause any damage with their warped sense of morality."

As he said that, realisation hit the 141 students, plus Kamio and Shirogane.

"Wait," Shirogane said, "Ms. Saeki's your—"

At this Kamio elbowed Shirogane and sternly shook his head. Kamio realised that their friend's mother, the school nurse, was the woman their friend loved romantically, and that they were about to do something very stupid to him and to her.

"I can't ask any of you," Ryōichi continued, talking to both his temporary Kinryū teammates and his fellow classmates, "to join me and Lt. Genzōji in this. The mission is dangerous and there will be heavy fighting. Some may even lose their lives. This mission is personal for me."

Ikehata then stepped up.

"Mr. Yano, we're coming with you," he spoke.

Kamio stepped up as well.

"As are we," Kamio spoke. "We now know we've been deceived. If a good majority of us have to stay, then for the greater good, let it be so. We're prepared to lay our lives to stop our former masters."

Ryōichi pondered this.

"I really don't want to see any dead, especially not after that carpet bombing attempt," he spoke. "But if you won't change your minds then.... then let's get going. There's a woman in need of our help, and we have got to free her and prevent some fools from opening Pandora's Box; they don't care that their plan will affect demons as well, demons who want nothing in this silly business of those people. They must be stopped at all costs." He then looked at them with hard determination. "Are you guys with us?"

All of them raised their fists.

Ryōichi smiled. Yūka took over from Ryōichi.

"Then let's move out!", she ordered.

At this, all 168 present — unbeknownst to them, a woman, disguised in a balaclava, was amongst them, a woman determined to right her wrongs for what she did a few moments earlier, her main uniform hidden in one of the trucks — scrambled for the trucks that brought them here.

Ikehata went up to the 141 students.

"What's your names?"

Kamio responded, "I'm Hideki Kamio, and this is Yūki Shirogane. We're both currently the ones leading the former Occult Club, in the absence of Kirika Chūzenji."

"Sergeant Major Yōichi Ikehata, second-in-command of Kinryū's 12th battalion as of 30 minutes ago. Unfortunately, you're right about something," Ikehata spoke. "We only have 4 trucks, with space enough for 16 in the cargo hold. Over 3/4 of you will have to stay, I'm afraid."

"Like I said," Kamio responded, "we're prepared to have reserves ready. Just so long as myself and Shirogane join. I'm only asking one thing: After all this, we wish to have fair trials. After this mission we surrender — on the proviso that you give us fair trials."

Ikehata accepted. "You have my word of honour," he responded.

With that, 32 of the students joined Kinryū's largely diminished 12th Battalion. Watching that scene with Kamio and Shirogane unfold was Ryōichi Yano. There was a point where he wanted to kill them both, but he also felt that any member of that nasty organisation called the Seiryūkai must be brought to trial.

Just how many lives have the Seiryūkai ruined in their quest for greed?, he thought. He then shook his head and cleared his mind of such thoughts; right now, they had a mission — get to Yokohama and stop the Seiryūkai from accomplishing their plans. Oh, and equally important, rescue his mother/love interest as well.

All people involved went to where the convoy of trucks was parked. Yūka took one of the trucks — Toyota Type 73s — and got on the driver's side; Ryōichi got in the passenger seat.

"Do you know how to drive?", Ryōichi asked.

"Duh! Who do you think you're talking to?", Yūka responded half-jokingly. She turned on the car and backed out slowly. Two sets of 13 (Kinryū's soldiers) and two sets of 16 then went to the four trucks, with the unknown female soldier joining them on one of the trucks; Ikehata and his adjutant got on the front cab of one, Kamio and Shirogane took another, and two other students took the last one. Yūka turned to them.

"Follow us!", she exclaimed.

The trucks then took the 30-minute drive to Yokohama. They all knew where they were headed: the Chinatown district. Their search didn't take them long: the fact that a Chinese-style villa/pagoda was standing in a almost desolate location, sticking out like a sore thumb was all the confirmation they needed. The trucks stopped a few yards away from the place. Everyone got out of the trucks — everyone, that is, except the unknown female soldier, who stayed behind, unbeknownst to the other soldiers who took the truck Ryōichi and Yūka took. She removed her balaclava, then changed her clothes back to the military outfit she wore during missions, and let her hair loose once more. She was determined to right the wrongs she had done earlier that evening. Sayoko was her friend, and she had forsaken Sayoko twice that evening: once when she was earlier in Hamarikyū, and the second was when she bombed the Mikami Academy when she thought all was lost. She realised she had done something very stupid, and decided to redeem herself. She would not forsake her a third time.

As the soldiers and students began to gather, Ryōichi felt the need to repeat an express order he'd given.

"Guys, I know you want to help," he spoke, "but I must insist that you do not follow us. This mission is personal for myself and Lt. Genzōji. I cannot let any of you get hurt. Yes, I know the odds are against us, but only we can get Sayoko out of this mess. I'm asking you, stay behind."

With that said, Ryōichi went off with Yūka and Ikehata to search for a hidden entrance.

If this place is as similar to the academy as I think it is, Ryōichi thought, there should be a hidden entrance and underground corridors in that place.

Within a few moments, he found that hidden entrance. Ryōichi and Yūka then descended the stairs down that entrance. Ryōichi then turned to Ikehata.

"Don't let anyone through," Ryōichi spoke. "I don't want any martyrs tonight, not if I can help it."

Ikehata assented. "Whatever you say, Mr. Yano," he spoke. "I'll keep guard as long as you need me to."

With that, Ryōichi and Yūka descended down to the underground corridors.

Thanks to the telepathic barrage, he had a clear understanding of where they should go. They did meet some resistance, but the combined efforts of Yūka's angelic powers and Ryōichi's brawn, in spite of his physique, managed to win the day for both of them. They took down 20 of the guards in this manner. They kept going, stoping for nothing, down a path that led them to the inside of the pagoda. A thought then struck Ryōichi as they kept running.

"Is it true?", he asked.

"What is?", Yūka responded.

"Is it true that you killed Kirika?"

Yūka shook her head. "No, she's still alive."

Ryōichi sighed, "I figured as much."

"I needed her alive to tell me your location," Yūka admitted. "She fell into unconsciousness after that. I honestly don't know our chances should she somehow get up and join that ritual."

"50-50, I'd estimate," Ryōichi replied. "But I'm not worried still. We will find a way to stop them. Kirika or no Kirika, they must be stopped."

They continued down the corridor until, thanks to Ryōichi's acquired knowledge of the corridors, they reached the end of one particular corridor, which led them to the inside of Hamarikyū; to be more specific, the main room in the centre of the building, where only a few hours before, Ryōichi realised, Sayoko was being raped by government officials, and even members of the GSDF. Both discovered that the room was now filled with over 100 or so cult members. They quickly entered the room from below, and stealthily went into the top box facing the stage — the control booth. Said control booth had the outward appearance of a dragon's head. By chance, they found out, no-one was in the control box; as they'd all gone to the ground level. So they seized the chance and went in, and closed the door, and thus became witnesses to what would amount to be the most blasphemous ritual in all of human history. They only hoped they were not too late.

BOM 18 End

END NOTES:

So, there you guys have it; to quote from Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now: "The shit is piling up so fast you'll need wings to stay above it." Things are gonna get explosive in BOM 19.

This perhaps is the chapter where the most amount of research went into. The plot with the students originally was going to be resolved in BOM 19-20, where they were to be the new Seiryūkai, and the plot was to take place in the school (as with Bible Black), but when I reread the story, I had to do lots of overhauling: the students became the advance guard for the Seiryūkai instead; and I returned the climax (on the next BOM) back to the pagoda, after realising that they (Sonia and the others, plus the captured Sayoko) were in Yokohama. I think it was the Suspiria and the Bible Black that caused me to consider that aspect. Also, Ayako is confirmed to be dead: I originally wanted Ayako to duel Midō in BOM 20, but after looking carefully at BOM 9-11, I realised that that could never be; Sonia murdered Ayako, pure and simple — which meant that that whole subplot had to go. (I still plan on using Ayako in the omakes, however — there's a subplot with her husband/widower and her son, and that could be a good place to explore.) After I finish publishing BOM 22, I shall put on QuoteV (and perhaps here and the other sites where Yoake is being posted) the original preliminary version of Part 1, complete with some of the changes I did for the final version.

I didn't just pluck out a random sport for Ryōichi to practice. I maybe wanted to give him what Imari had in the Bible Black games, which I got confused over (she practised Shōrin Kempo); I made a mistake, however, but I chose to give him both kendō and iaidō as his sports. (This in spite of only being armed with a wooden plank to hit Kirika with back in BOM 12!) It also hearkens back to Young Sherlock Holmes where Holmes was a fencer; I'll explain in the notes for BOM 20. There's a plot point about Sayoko that also needs to be mentioned, but I'll wait for the notes in BOM 20 for that as well. So for now, I'm gonna keep quiet about Ryōichi.

I'll give you guys one guess as to who snuck herself into the rescue mission.

I'd almost forgotten about the "Stream of Memories" at the start of the chapter where the two Sayokos merge. Some of these I made up for Yoake, but the vast majority of them are from the Original BOMs from both Yoru and In. This was another part of where I had to do the research, because the translation for In no Hōteishiki that's out there is rife with typos. In order of who spoke:
- Sayoko Saeki (from BOM 11)
- Sayoko again (from BOM 15)
- Tarō Chūzenji (from BOM 15)
- Sayoko again (from BOM 1/OVA 1)
- Sayoko again (from BOM 15)
- Sonia Seyrig-van Lierop (from BOM 1/OVA 1)
- Sayoko again (from BOM 4/OVA 2)
- Chūzenji père again (From BOM 15)
- Kirika Chūzenji (from BOM 12)
- Sonia's silver-haired ponytailed thug (from BOM 2; only appears in the manga)
- Isao Yano (I made this one up)
- Sonia again (from BOM 12)
- Chūzenji père again (from BOM 16)
- Anna Midō (I made this one up)
- Chūzenji père again (from BOM 15)
- Sayoko again (from BOM 3)
- Sonia again (from BOM 15)
- Midō again (I made this one up)
- Seiryūkai scientist (I made this one up)
- Sayoko again (I made this one up)
- Sonia again (from BOM 13)
- Chūzenji père again (from BOM 15)
- Ryōichi Yano (from BOM 12)
- Sonia again (from BOM 15)
- Sayoko again (the latter part was tacked by me; but it corresponds to BOM 12)

It took me a while to do this since I could only go to Google Translate to translate the Japanese pages from scratch and since I don't know a lick of Japanese (except for the kana), I had to rely on the "Handwrite" feature to get the kanji correct. All this can be confirmed by running the kanji of those pages through Translate. 'Course, I modified it a little bit so it can be original and not a full translation of what was said; but it's still faithful to the original dialogue, unlike the hen-toy translation. It's an absolute shame SahaDou didn't finish the translation of In (and then went legitimate by signing up with FAKKU, much to people's ire), I'd have loved to have seen that alternate translation. Oh, well, maybe Fated Circle or someone else will take up the mantle?

And that's it for the chapter notes. As always, reviews are appreciated! I'll see you guys in the next one!

FFSM