[11] Reijin

[Burter Jr]

23. Reijin

"I'm glad you are back," Said the angelic general. Gabriel had his hands behind his back, nodding as the saiyan stepped into the tower. Akira was with him, walking side by side. "Our forces are ready for the final battle. I have a favor to ask."

"Ask it," the saiyan replied.

"You are a saiyan. In your blood is a fighter. I want you to prepare our troops. They may be angels, but they are not as trained you as think. They can...die. They probably will die. They don't have the brutual attitudes these demons have."

"And you think a saiyan can bring it out?"

"I don't mean any offense," Gabriel's face was grim. "But yes, I believe you and the demons have at least one thing in common. Your will to fight."

Reijin turned around. Akira was watching his face, looking for any type of reaction. "I'll think about it," he told the man. And he was telling the truth.

[Reijin]

?There?s something in those stars that seem to reach out to me,? the youth found himself whispering. He noticed Akira giving him an odd look, not at all having expected the brash Saiyan to have spoken such words. He gave her a grim look. ?I do not feel that I am going to be here very much longer.?

She seemed a bit startled by the sudden words. She fumbled a moment mentally, seeking out a decent response. She spoke slowly, choosing her words carefully. ?Are you planning to leave here??

He shook his head almost sadly. ?Not at all. I do not plan to leave here. On the same account, I do not plan to stay.? He gave her a deep look. ?I have others who are probably wondering as to my whereabouts. Staying here?? he trailed off and finally reached out slowly, grabbing her arm and tightening his fingers around it for a moment. ?Staying here with you has reminded me of something that I think that I am losing back on Earth. Someone.? He didn?t totally want to look Akira in the eyes, but he found himself doing so.

She seemed a bit regretful to hear him speak, but she nodded. ?I know this. Your eyes speak strongly of your feelings at times. I know that I have been a bit? playful with you,? she smiled. ?Don?t take me as having bad intentions. Please?? She bit her lip slightly, as if she were trying to be understanding.

Reijin smiled. ?Trust me. I think I?m going to have to introduce the two of you one day. That is, if you manage to make it off this hellish asteroid with me. What do you and your sister have in mind??

She shrugged. ?I don?t know. I wasn?t really able to plan my day much until recently. We come and go as the wind blows us, really.? She turned slightly, leaning her shoulders against the outside wall of the watchtower.

The Saiyan returned her shrug. ?We have an alliance. Well, Vejita and I have this alliance with a few other fighters. We?ve got quite a diverse group, really. If you are ever interested and on Earth, you could possibly stay with us.? He gave her a slightly longing look, very odd for his normal attitude. Something about her had really toyed with his normal lack of emotion. She seemed to have ignited more within him than simple fire ability.

She giggled a bit impishly. ?I really don?t think Katel and I would fit in with a group frame of mind. We come and go as we wish, like leaves on the wind. That is just our way,? she said apologetically.

He understood, and had expected nothing more from her. He didn?t wish to leave her, but he had Videl, and something about the human girl had left him with a feeling that she would not be happy to involve anyone else with him. Regardless of his feelings. Saiyans had no such emotional cage to contain their feelings in, and he?d never understand such an unconfident and hopelessly imprisoning method of keeping their loved ones by their side. ?The offer is always open.?

Akira gave him a warm smile. ?I appreciate it. There are very few places we can say that offer is valid in. Yours we will keep in mind.? She suddenly gave him a strange look. ?So what exactly did you mean by not being here for very much longer??

The warrior in him burned and he gave her a strong smile. ?Well, my friends have been dropping one by one recently. I can only imagine if any of them are still alive. My gut tells me they are, but as far as hearing from them, nothing. I guess if I really need to I can try to contact Vejita, but otherwise, I?d rather not interfere. I don?t think I?ll be here for very much longer, because with Brim dead, there is not much left for me to accomplish here. Kao will be my final prize, one that I will take and allow you to carry the knowledge of my strength far,? he spoke, flashing her a very confidant Saiyan smirk. He gave her a very human thumbs up to compliment this final comment, causing her to laugh affectionately.

?We?ll see. I think I have a few more surprises up my sleeve for you,? she whispered mysteriously. She gave him a devious grin when his eyes furrowed, and then nudged her arm to the door of the watchtower. ?We should probably get back inside.? She touched the door handle, but it suddenly swung open widely the moment she did.

Reijin?s attention snapped to the door, but nothing happened. He motioned for her to step away, and then he walked slowly through the door, on his guard. At the other end of the chamber stood the angel once more, his wings spread widely and majestically, as if ensuring that all would know who commanded the angelic army upon Kala. "I'm glad you are back," his voice boomed in greeting. He held his hands behind his back as a general would, despite his vast wingspread. "Our forces are ready for the final battle. I have a favor to ask."

Finding Akira at his side within a moment?s breath, Reijin?s face took a very stern composure to it. "Ask it," he replied in a hard voice.

The angel watched him for a moment, looking for any reaction in the mature fighter?s facial expressions, and found nothing. He had adorned himself with a very grim look, betraying the mood of the procession before the words ever left him. "You are a Saiyan. In your blood is a fighter. I want you to prepare our troops. They may be angels, but they are not as trained you as think. They can...die,? he spoke slowly, following up hastily. ?They probably will die. They don't have the brutal attitudes these demons have."

He then gestured at Reijin, who had already followed his train of thought with battle hardened precision. "And you think a Saiyan can bring it out?" He was almost a bit insulted by the manner in which the angel had suggested such an idea. He had strayed very close to that thin line of insinuating that the Saiyan culture was a barbaric one, devoid of any form of thought process. In the end, he decided that he was actually somewhat honored by the request. Whether he accepted the proposal or not, Reijin doubted that anyone else had ever had a celestial being of such magnitude request that he help an army of angels train for the final battle.

Gabriel?s lips thinned for a moment, taking a very serious and professional stance. "I don't mean any offense, but yes, I believe you and the demons have at least one thing in common. Your will to fight." He stressed these final words in a way that Reijin could only assume was something that he meant to impress upon the Saiyan as a quality that he both loathed and admired.

Almost by instinct, Reijin found the words of turning him down at his lips. He swallowed them down, and looked over at Akira, who was watching him curiously. She seemed as if she wanted to see him training more, so Reijin finally drew in a breath and gave the angel a cold stare. "I'll think about it.?

Gabriel nodded, unsurprised by Reijin?s lack of enthusiasm. ?I?m sure that you will. The troops are below in that training room that the watchman has prepared for us. I?m sure that you will do well to find your way there if you decide to help us defeat the great evil that plagues Kala, and will soon plague the other worlds.? He grimly made his opinion clear with his final words, hoping to drive the Saiyan into an immediate decision.

Running his fingers through his jet black hair, however, Reijin returned the angel?s stare, until the sheer immensity of such a higher being?s presence overwhelmed him, forcing him to look away. ?I can promise nothing more,? he continued. ?I will think about it. That is more than I am required here.?

The angel?s lips curled back into a blackened sneer as his wings folded in upon his back. ?Fair enough,? he spat. He gave a small bow, and turned, walking towards the cellar stairway. The watchman was nowhere to be seen. ?If you decide that you would prefer to avenge your friends by helping us to save many worlds, Saiyan, then join us below.?

The light that seemed to perpetually follow him faded into the stairway and the boy finally turned away, shaking his head angrily. ?From one man?s game to another. This is ridiculous.? He looked up and noticed Akira watching him. ?I take it that you want me to help them train?? he spoke dryly.

Innocently, she gave a shrug. ?Do whatever you want. I am no one to order you around. I trust that whatever decision you make will be of the best benefit. I?m going to go look for my sister. I?ll meet you below should you decide to help them.? She gave him a level look. ?Remember. Make your decision based on what you feel is best for this world. Don?t choose your fate from duress. Free will is what separates our kind from that of an angel.? She grinned slightly before turning to walk away. ?That and a soul,? she laughed, disappearing into another room.

Reijin watched her go and then tightened his gloved fist strongly. He wasn?t sure at all of what to do. He really didn?t want to get involved, but something told him on the deepest level that he had no true choice in the matter. Somehow or another, he was going to either find himself assisting these angels, or he would find himself at the blade of one of them. Whether the angel?s found the will to fight or not, he was sure that they were all bound to vanquishing anything that they viewed as morally corrupt.

Disgusted, he found himself wondering how a creature could find themselves so high up on the cycle of existence to view others as morally corrupt. They were judging people?s actions based on experiences that they had never lived. They would know nothing of the pain that some felt, nor of the sense of duty that others were constantly surrounded by, regardless of their own opinions in matters. Reijin could understand how they had no soul, as Akira had said. They were creatures of pure holy power, created for the sole purpose of extracting revenge on anything sinful and evil. Reijin was only thankful that creatures like demons existed. Otherwise the angels would be turning to those with even the slightest amount of sin, eradicating until no one was left.

The only question that remained? Was Reijin himself a demon?

His fists trembled angrily and he turned, walking down the stairwell to the cellar. His footsteps echoed furiously around the hall, sending painful vibrations throughout his ears until he nearly found himself recoiling. From somewhere deep below, Reijin could hear the sounds of metal striking metal. Before he made it to the bottom, however, he found himself reaching out to tug on a ivory feathered wing.

The figure turned around, Gabriel?s disarming smile upon his golden face. ?Reijin, such a pleasure to see you again!? he beamed. ?I assume that you have decided to assist us?? His face returned to its somber expression. ?It is, after all, the right choice.?

The Saiyan growled at him. ?You are attempting to train an entire army of celestial warriors inside this small cellar? I can definitely understand your need for my help now. This cellar is barely large enough to have one such as myself or Akira in it. I do not see how anyone could have assumed that your army would fit in here.?

The angel seemed a bit mystified by Reijin?s comments, and simply stepped aside while he motioned for him to enter. ?I don?t understand. However, if you will?? He waved Reijin in as the Saiyan stepped forward.

Reijin?s eyes widened in awe as he saw the cellar that had once been a small pitch room. He saw a vast open sky surrounding him in all directions while he had stepped out upon a dirt floor, faint whispers of grass attempting to break through the cobblestones below. An angelic chorus had begun from a short distance away, summoning the entire angelic legion to its location. In a clear formation, with precise accuracy, angels dropped in from the skies above until they had filled a rank and file before the experienced Saiyan warrior. Reijin, while impressed, simply grunted in expectation of anyone seeking his experience. He gave them all a realistic look before finally turning to Gabriel, the general of the celestial armies before him. ?I hope that they are not slow learners,? he growled.

The slow smile crept upon the face of the massive armored form. ?I assure you, Saiyan, that they are not. They are quite competent in their abilities, despite their lack of true experience and determination. Determination that you, I believe, swell in.?

The Saiyan found himself nodding. ?Indeed. Then I shall look over my troops,? he announced, glancing over at the group. They were all upon one knee with their heads lowered before the warrior. Reijin smirked to himself.

[Reijin]

He cleared his throat loudly to make sure that he had gotten everyone?s attention from within the open field. He turned slightly, seeing Gabriel standing next to an open archway with a shimmering ripple moving across the surface. The angel nodded to him in a way to attempt to encourage the Saiyan and lend him strength, but Reijin was already turning to the army with an almost diabolical smile upon his face, enjoying every moment of this adventure thoroughly. He contemplated on exactly what words he should say and how he should go about saying them for a moment as every head before him faced the ground.

He allowed them to stay in that position for a few moments and not a single one of them stirred, nor a single uneasy muttering amongst them. His smile touched his ears. Finally he spoke. ?Rise.? As one, every head lifted from its resting position and every warrior arose to their full stance in unison. Reijin nodded, thoroughly pleased by their sheer discipline. He still knew that he was going to have a very difficult time training them, though.

Looking to Gabriel, he motioned at the rest of the angels. The general caught on to what Reijin was wanting, and shook his head obstinately. ?No, my lord,? he spoke, stressing the final word for Reijin?s approval. ?I am a general among my troops. I may not train with them as I must maintain that I am their leader.?

Reijin eyes hardened around the edges as they shifted into a glare. ?You have as much to learn as they do if you wish for me to teach the pure of the animalistic ferocity of a Saiyan.?

The angel?s eyes widened a bit, but he said nothing. He finally took a step forward, finding a spot in the front of the line before Reijin. The Saiyan simply cleared his throat once more and addressed them all. ?When I am through with you, you will never again feel the need to bow before another.? He watched their eyes carefully as he spoke, noting that a few of even the hardened angels actually twitched at this notion. ?Yes, I speak the truth. A Saiyan bows to none, and those few that manage the honor should accept it as one of the greatest honors available to them.

?I have tried to think out every possible scenario regarding your fighting these demons under the training that you currently have, and I can only imagine carnage. I will not ridicule your abilities in the least, although I do feel that you lack a few essential things. Now let me tell you what you are going to face,? he finished, his feet leaving their resting location and beginning to walk down the line and through the chorus of angels. ?When the demons are upon you, they will not decide your fate based on something as frail as morals and sin. They will not make their actions and decisions based on intelligent thought, nor that of training. They will not care what happens to them, as long as they have destroyed you.?

He turned for a moment in the crowd, changing directions at that moment for effect. ?Utterly, totally, completely destroy you. These demons will continue to rip the flesh from your bones and to engorge themselves upon your inner meat long after you are dead. That is where you are finding yourselves to be weak. You believe that because you are angels and well trained that you are immortal.? He turned once more, slowly stepping into the center of the cluster. ?You are not immortal. You are not a Kai. You are not a God. You are an angel. You are a great and nigh invincible creation indeed, however, you are a creation.

?You think that you are ready because of the training that you have received for thousands upon thousands of years?? He suddenly laughed. ?You know nothing,? he spat. ?These demons have had those same millennia to sit and boil, weeding the weak from amidst their ranks using methods too dirty for your own kind. They have achieved a sense of natural selection and self preservation that would turn the vilest of hearts several shades of black, and leaving nothing more than a blackened remnant behind. These creatures are going to come at you in a maddening and crushing horde, assaulting you with every fiber of their livid hatred, loathing malice, and desolate abhorrence. These creatures live and feed off of their detestable ways, wanting nothing more than to eradicate your kind and every other that they come across. They need not reason for this.

?You have spent far to long trying to justify and understand why they act as they do because your pure intentions cannot comprehend a thought as abstract as complete and total malevolence.? He suddenly turned and looked at an angel that was towering above him. The angel never once met the Saiyan?s eyes, and the dark haired youth?s smile returned. ?What is your name??

The angel spoke in a strong and booming voice, filling the entire field easily as his bulky muscles moved within his tight chest armor with every breath. ?I am Seraph, my lord.? He made no attempt at trying to broadcast his words; however they were heard by all.

Reijin nodded with a thought deep within his brain. ?Seraph. That?s quite a name. I do believe that is the name of a form of angel, similar to an archangel. Am I correct?? He saw from the glimmer in the angel?s eye and the twitch of his mouth beginning to speak that he was. He quickly motioned with his hand to silence him before the words began, and then moved in a blur.

His dual Ki swords appeared within his hands in a flash, one gold sword spreading parallel to a black sword as he suddenly stabbed head on for the angel?s chest. With barely an effort, the angel?s large sword found its way to his gauntleted fist and he gave a broad yet instantaneous stroke that easily batted away the Saiyan?s own weaponry. Reijin held his position for a moment as everyone suddenly turned and broke their composure, giving him a cautious eye.

His trademark smile crept dangerously onto his face once more. ?As I thought. You are all perfectly defensive, and you seem as if you will attack an enemy just as fiercely. You are well trained.? As soon as the words left his mouth, Reijin suddenly drew back his foot and slammed it hard into the metallic center of the angel?s crotch. He had empowered his foot with a severe amount of Ki, easily sending an impact through the completely unharmed metal even as he drew back his foot. He winced in pain from his leg while he watched the enormous angel?s mouth drop open and his eyes bulge in agony. A loud roar escaped him and he simply began to glow with a soft golden and white light. Reijin stepped back to observe him as the field was filled with gasps, and he saw that the angel soon quelled his suffering through a disciplinary Ki technique, returning once more to his position, sword at ready.

The Saiyan shook his head sadly and looked around. ?This is the very thing that I was talking about. You fight based on a set of rules for warfare, rules that will not exist. You all have created this imaginary perspective of what battle is truly like, assuming it very similar to a duel. You all seem to have it implanted into your brains that you will simply cross swords with an enemy, striking and returning blows in this glorious and magnificent display of skill until the winner finally cleanly bats away the sword of his adversary, severing his head from the rest of its defunct body.? He suddenly lowered his voice. ?You are painfully wrong. I just broke a rule that I?m sure none of you even considered. It was just completely against the morality that you strive for, and you seem as if you could not even comprehend why I, even now, would do such a thing to someone I am teaching.?

The field was totally silent, and the smallest of winds could have brought about an enormous clash to be generated by one tiny leaf. The Saiyan?s voice caught once more on the wind. ?I am here to remove that glaring weakness. Stop fighting by a fake feeling of rules, and start fighting to win. The enemy will impale themselves on your blades, and you will simply let them, assuming that you have won. Until they drag themselves closer along the blade of the sword, grabbing for your throat and rending it from your body with a great slash, while you stare in shock.?

His Super Saiyan aura burst into golden significance around him and lightning began to crackle around his form. ?Do you wish to learn what it is like to really fight? To strike for every opening your enemy has? I live by my own rules. I am not limited by others, as I only follow the rules that I find the need. I will not allow my enemy to kill me simply because he has bested me in combat. I will continue to fight until the final breath has evacuated my slowly dying body, expelling every ounce of Ki energy into their legions as they overtake me.?

Looking into the eyes of all that were around him, Reijin could see that they all now understood exactly what they lacked from their training. The ferocity that only an animal could achieve. He could see that they now knew just what had to be done. They would have to sheath the false ideals that they had originally been trained under and have to embrace the lust of war, and to relish the bloodlust of removing an organ from your fallen enemy at your hands. Reijin smiled, imaging the carnage that would soon follow when he was through with them. When he was through, they would know no rules other than the prime rule: to be victorious of their goal, at all costs.

Hours passed, and the Saiyan could be seen flying high above the army as half of the legion flew over the field as a single flock, scanning the ground below for their enemies. Suddenly they saw the figures of another group of angels crotched down against the ground, sliding through the small field of grass as if trying to hide their glowing armor from those above rather than to simply meet it in glorious albeit suicidal combat. The air force suddenly broke into a dive towards the ground troops, blowing on trumpets of war with a thunderous clap of wings, raining down upon them as hailstones until they were striking their kindred from above, going for places that they never would have considered otherwise.

The largest shock of all was that some of these angels were covered in open wounds as they made their dive, while a few others lay dead upon the ground. Gabriel grimly surveyed the troops before flapping his immense wings and soaring up to meet the Saiyan. ?Your methods are indeed rough,? he spoke grimly. Reijin simply nodded. ?They are killing their own brothers for the sake of training. Do you find this acceptable??

Reijin turned to him with a hard look. ?When they are knee deep in Hell, they will envy their fallen brothers that were fortunate enough to fall upon the blades and spears of their brothers in arms, rather than the dark claws of demons. For now, the weak will die a clean death, depriving them of the torment that they would otherwise face. They are learning a hard lesson, but they are learning it well.?

The large archangel nodded. ?Indeed. How long do you plan to continue this gruesome practice?? He looked to his troops with concern for their well being.

Reijin followed his look to see them clashing furiously, a few of them wildly striking with great precision for places along their fellow angelic bodies that they knew they would not like to be struck upon on their own. Angels were cleaving into the necks of other angels, while others were thrusting their swords deep into the thighs of others, waiting for the parry so as to suddenly spin around, slamming the hilt into their adversary?s gut. Reijin saw the angel drop down, short of breath, as the first angel suddenly brought his sword up above him. He looked down into the eyes of the lower angel and then closed his eyes, beginning the decent of the blade.

?Enough,? echoed he voice of the Saiyan warrior across the field. Reijin?s arm was extended before him and the large angel?s sword had ceased to move a mere inch from its target?s neck. Reijin smiled a bit, but chills ran through the marrow of every angel surrounding him. He ceased his telekinetic control over the sword and watched the angel bring it to his side as the other angels rose to their feet, a few with open gashes across their chests. ?Heal yourselves and your brethren. We will rest. You have come far.?

He glided forward until he came to rest before the large angel that had nearly decapitated his fellow warrior in the practice. He recognized the angel as Seraph from earlier. ?How did it feel?? he asked him quietly.

The angel gave him a sad look. ?I did not wish to do it,? he spoke, ending his sentence resolutely.

Nodding, Reijin looked him directly in the eyes. ?From where I was at, it did not seem that way.? The angel opened his mouth as if to defend himself and Reijin simply continued speaking over him. ?From my location, it seemed as if it would destroy a portion of who you are to kill someone in such a dastardly way. It seemed as if you would rather cease to exist.?

Seraph slowly nodded. ?You understand.?

Spitting at the ground, Reijin wiped his mouth with his sleeve. ?Yet you knew that if you had not moved for the killing blow at that moment that your opponent could have, coming up from underneath with a strike that would have spilled your intestines across this field.? He motioned at a few of the fallen angel bodies. ?It seems that once death becomes a very real possibility that you begin to understand exactly what it means to die. War is not a glorious struggle in which the victor forces the loser into submitting. War is carnage. You are going to be facing the denizens of Hell itself. They will do far worse than anything that you can possibly imagine.?

Seraph?s large sword began to glow a dark red color as his arm illuminated with a golden hue. ?That is why I would have done it. I wish to cleanse the demons from existence, and in order to do this, I must prepare myself using whatever methods are necessary. Otherwise, I will end up far worse than them,? he explained, solemnly pointing at his fallen comrades.

The dark haired youth gave the blond haired man an understanding bob of his head as he followed his gaze. ?Then you are the first among many to realize what this struggle will mean. I will allow you all some time to eat. During this time, I suggest you discuss this among your peers so that the others can come to the same epiphany as you have. Preferably avoiding the possibility of having any more of us fall before the war itself. This is practice, and for every man that falls during training, I have prevented the loss of four on the battlefield. I hope that you understand that.?

The angel seemed preoccupied by a downcast thought as he rose to his feet, making his way to the other angels. He had learned a very harsh lesson, and Reijin felt someone guilty for having to be the one to cause the immolation of the innocence that these beings had previously held on to. He was now confident that they would at least halfway win this war. He still had a long way to go.

[Bardock]

Bardock?s crimson aura burned fiercely around his body, enveloping his figure in a shroud of blood-red light. The stone structure of the watchtower loomed up in the distance, until finally it completely encompassed the saiyan?s vision. Seconds before colliding into it at his dangerous rate, he slammed on the breaks, coming to a rough stop on the ground. The earth shook beneath his legs with the force of impact. With a single thrust of an arm, he forced open the great doors and thundered in. He suddenly wished he?d known the angels name, so as to call it out during his search. Screaming ?angel? at the top of his lungs would likely get a response from everyone. In any case, the fighter was not searching for long before he found what he was looking for?or more specifically, heard.

?I can promise nothing more. I will think about it. That is more than I am required here.?

The voice that floated to the saiya-jin?s ears was none other than that of Reijin. The youth seemed to be everywhere Bardock turned these days. You meet somebody once, and then they?re all over the place. He shrugged. The younger fighter had probably never even left the tower. The voice that followed was one Bardock was more interested in. There was a pause.

?Fair enough.?

The great angel was displeased with Reijin?s answer.

?If you decide you would prefer to avenge your friends by helping us to save many worlds, saiyan, then join us below.?

The affair that was transpiring between the two meant little to the roughneck. All he cared about was extracting some information out of the celestial being. His ears perceived the sound of footsteps walking away, and then down a stairwell, accompanied by the ever so light ruffle of feathers. The angel was getting away! Bardock started to move, but then stopped as voices resumed. Reijin was speaking with another. It sounded like?Akira. Their exchange was brief, and the black-haired brawler heard her laugh before walking towards him. He stiffened. It wouldn?t do well to attract negative attention to him, especially since he didn?t really prefer to associate with her. He was far enough away that he was out of sight, but too close to slip away before the elemental saw him. Well, it wasn?t like he was the enemy. What did it matter if he was nearby? Akira gracefully sauntered close by, and noticed his presence. He gave her an emotionless look as she observed him, as if considering the very nature of his intentions. His black eyes followed every motion of hers, staring her down, oblivious to all else. What did he have to hide? She finally relinquished any pursuit and continued to walk away. Bardock?s hard eyes trailed her departure until she was out of sight. Once she could no longer be seen, the saiyan went in the direction of the angel?s voice. He was startled to find that in such a short time, both he and Reijin had disappeared. The only path down this section of the tower was a winding stairwell. Bardock had little other choice than to assume they had gone this way, and chased the same route. His boots fell softly against the mineral steps until he finally arrived at a heavy cellar door.

?This is where they went? This thing?s way too small,? he noted to himself.

Regardless, he opened. At first, the entryway was black. He stepped inside, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the lack of the light. The watchtower itself was lit by torch, and that wasn?t a very strong source of illumination, so it shouldn?t take long. Bardock was taken aback by what he saw. Black washed away, giving precedence to a vast sky awash with warm rays of sun. It was as if he had entered another realm completely. Benign clouds laced the sky, painting a blend of faded white against the softness of cobalt. He could feel firmly packed soil beneath his feet, cobblestones forming a definitive path. Hints of lush green poked up here and there, as grass trying to shoot its way towards the breathtaking view above. It was only a deep-pitched decibel that awoke Bardock from his dream-like gaze.

He hadn?t even noticed the perfectly aligned columns of angels. They all stood at attention, fully dressed in their saintly war garb. A strong sense of discipline and unity emanated from the body of angelic warriors. The saiyan was impressed and disgusted at the same time. Here was a unit of refined fighters, and yet their very cause for fight went against everything the roughneck believed in. He had his own defined set of principles, and they stood for what he opposed. They were the cleansers of sin, the hammers of the gods, determining what was right and wrong and doling out punishment for it. Bardock felt in the deepest corners of his heart and mind that for any creature to hold such judicial power over another was wrong. Who was one to tell another, what they should and should not do? Who decided what was morally sound?

Reijin?s voice rang out throughout the pitch. Was he?instructing them? Was Reijin to be the leader of the mighty angel?s army? Bardock grinned. How ironic that the mighty deities were turning to someone so, unclean as a saiyan for lessons on fighting prowess. But truly, there was no one better than a son of Vegeta-sei. The young lecturer?s words resonated with power and passion, each one fully absorbed by every member of his audience. Icy truth and cold, hard reality stung their minds. To defeat one?s opponent, one must become one?s opponent. It was an inevitability of battle. Reijin decided it would be best to lead by example. Twin blades of Ki materialized in his hands, setting off Bardock?s battle visor. In a display of pure swordsmanship, the young saiyan lunged towards the flank of one column, directly assaulting an exposed soldier.

A voice link directly to his mind informed Bardock of the specifics of the attack, and a visual display materialized on the monitor accompanied by a brief section of text.

[Dual Ki Swords]
[Energy-based attack]
Twin blades of opposing ki: one positive (gold signature) and one negative (black signature). The power is formed into concrete energy, giving them the ability to cut through opposing energy attacks. Countering with the correct amount of energy at any of the specific fracture points will rupture the structure, causing the ?swords? to dissipate.

Impressive, thought the brawler in reference to both Reijin and the machine.

The angel in defense perfectly parried the blow, but was completely caught off guard when Reijin utterly violated him with an energy-charged boot. The surprise on their faces at such a horrendous and dishonorable tactic meant that they expected the ?rules of combat? to be observed. How foolish and na?ve. Any saiya-jin knew that there were no rules. Winning was winning, no matter what you did. Your chances of victory were only as good as how far you were willing to go to obtain the prize. Bardock knew this?all too well.

He returned his eyes to the younger saiyan, who had burst into golden flames. He was now transcended beyond that of a normal saiyan?a Super Saiya-jin. The battle visor quickly registered this, and although its owner let it, he didn?t need the information. Someday?

Not long after, the actual practice commenced. Brutality ensued. The weak were being weeded out, picked off one by one. If they could not defeat their brethren, what hope had they had against bloodthirsty demons? It was better this way, cleaner. They deserved not the glorious rush of battle through their veins if they were not worthy of receiving it. Bardock was so absorbed in watching them, mentally criticizing and critiquing their every move that he had forgotten all about Reijin and Kao. How he loved the intricate dance of death. It was his calling, his reason for existence. Beautiful and ugly at the same time, Bardock could both appreciate and hate the need to fight, and all of the physical and psychological ramifications. He could communicate his love, his anger, his sorrow, all with his fists. Could they? Could they feel such a release?

Their stamina was most impressive as they were able to last for hours throughout the bloodshed of their kin. Reijin gave them their restful reprieve, but they looked as if they would find no comfort in it. Their way of life was forever and irrevocably changed by the revelation of the underbelly of the beast. Bardock hoped they could understand what a cesspool the realms of Hell really were. He had lived it, and so soon would they.

The warrior slowly made his way to Reijin, who looked to be deeply contemplating something. The younger did not notice the elder?s presence next to him, and so Bardock stood silently, arms folded across his great chest.


OOC: Two. Check your PMs, Rei.

[Reijin]

There had been much bloodshed this day, and yet there was a severe limitation in the numbers when compared to the results that actual war would bring. The decimation of the denizens of the world of the dead was all that consumed their minds now. They were ascending beyond their ideals and morals to a state of true justice, willing to martyr themselves if necessary in order to destroy the minions of Hell. A lone Saiyan?s words rang clear over the field as their break came to an end.

?Forget about winning and losing; forget about pride and pain. Let your opponent graze your skin and you smash into his flesh; let him smash into your flesh and you fracture his bones; let him fracture your bones and you take his life. Do not be concerned with escaping safely. Lay your life before him.? Each and every angel felt these words deep within their beings and they knew that there had to be truth in it. Gabriel watched them with hardened eyes, occasionally shooting Reijin an eye that the Saiyan interpreted as hatred.

Moments later, Reijin found himself facing the archangel. ?You have corrupted them. They are losing their being. They question their existence as an angel!? he boomed to the dark haired youth.

Giving an impassive nod as he gazed upon the army, Reijin responded. ?You said that you wanted them to have the same ferocity as that of the Saiyans. That is what I have done. I have instilled within them the ability to fight only by the rules that they themselves set. When it comes to life and death, there is no such thing as ?fair?. You have your honor, but in the end, I would make a judgment call and say that the man that survives to save his species has more honor than the angel that allows himself to be taken in battle in order to avoid wounding his pride through naivet?.? He gave the angel a smirk. ?You know this to be true. This is why you asked for my help, knowing what I would do.?

The gladiator slowly nodded, his great and knowing eyes twitching slightly in their composure. ?I have agreed to trade that which makes us what we are in order to destroy the enemy. You said yourself that I have allowed them to become the very demons that we are out to destroy. How can I accept this??

Surrounded by a soft yellow hue, the Saiyan responded in a whisper. ?When Kala?s inner demons are vanquished, you will realize that you have saved their people from the fate of the walking dead. Those that are not already that way, anyway.? He turned from the angel and walked slowly down the hill until he came to rest watching them. Looking up at the artificial sky, he saw no form of sun. He realized that the only time he?d seen a sun was when they wished for their to be one, when he had them training themselves to keep their bodies within the sun itself as they dove for their enemies, rendering themselves effectively invisible.

He heard a blade of grass snap nearby, and he spoke up. ?Have you been watching long?? He never allowed himself to convey an element of surprise, even in the rare circumstance that he felt it. He looked to his side and saw a tall and rough looking Saiyan standing nearby. A name came to his drying lips as if carried by the wind. ?Bardock,? he spoke, remembering. Moistening his lips, he turned to him. ?How are things??

The two met eyes as the brawler spoke to the youth. ?There are few of us left,? he said bluntly. ?I did a scan earlier, finding you. I also found Bra, Vejita, and Cell. Noone else.? He noticed Reijin take a very curious expression and he nodded, intercepting his thoughts before they transformed into words. ?Yes, I believe that Raditzu is gone. I do not know the fate of 18. I cannot scan her.?

Finally, dark hair blew in the wind slightly and Reijin?s fingers found their way to smoothing it back out from his eyes. ?She?s a bit of a perky one,? he mumbled. ?So if Raditzu is indeed gone, I highly doubt that 18 is hanging around anywhere. From what I?ve seen of her lust driven feelings for him, if something were to happen to him then she would go insane.? He turned and gave Bardock a knowing gaze. ?This entire rock would know of it, as emotional as the so-called ?emotionless cyborg? is concerned.?

Bardock motioned towards the training regime nearby. ?I see that you are showing them how to survive.? His words betrayed no form of his opinion on the matter, but from his eyes Reijin gathered that he did not feel that the angels deserved to be honored with the training of the Saiyan race.

Sighing, Reijin smirked slightly. ?Indeed, I am. I don?t know how well they will do, but they seem competent enough. I plan on meeting up with Vejita after this and after that we are going to end this damn game.? Hard muscles in the rougher Saiyan?s neck flowed as he turned to Reijin upon hearing these words. Reijin?s smile grew. ?Yes, you have heard correct. We plan to kill Kao as only a Saiyan can.?

Bardock slowly nodded, thinking deeply. ?Kid, as soon as Kao is found, Kao is going to be dead. As far as I?m concerned, we?ll be racing to see who finishes him off first.?

A bone chilling chuckle escaped the younger Saiyan with a tone that would incite any non-Saiyan to shudder. ?Sounds like fun,? he spoke evilly. ?I?m going to contact Vejita now.? He waved a hand at the group battling below. ?If you want, see to it that they continue purging themselves of weakness. They can?t become Saiyans in a day, but I will ensure that they strike fear even into the heartless cores of demons.?

He did not allow the other man to respond as he reached up to his ear, touching his lobe gingerly. A red tint washed down over his vision and numbers and readings began to scroll down the screen that overly his eyes. He waited patiently until he input the coordinates to contact Vejita with, and finally transmitted his connection, waiting for the conversation to spring to life.

He heard a sudden noise from within, and heard sounds of carnage immediately fill his ears. ?Vejita!? he snapped, hoping to catch the Saiyan?s attention. He heard no response, only heavy breathing for a moment. He heard everything grow quiet for a moment, and suddenly he heard a female scream. ?Vejita!? he yelled again into the LENS unit. He received no response and suddenly the transmission was cut short. Reijin simply blinked a few times, unable to decide what to believe. Whatever the situation was, things were obviously not going according to plan. Reijin hoped that his Prince had simply ceased the connection in order to concentrate.

He found his feet carrying him quickly down the hillside, each step sinking into the grass. The angels were once more clashing with thunderous applause as he came near, and he saw Bardock standing to the side, watching them with very little in the way of expressions crossing his face. He slowed his job as he tried to focus on the situation at hand. Bardock saw him and shot him a curious glance. Reijin came to a stop and spoke quickly. ?I couldn?t get them.?

?Then what?s the big deal??

Reijin paused for a moment, deliberating upon his words. ?Something has gone wrong. I heard fighting when the connection was established. This didn?t sound like the good kind though. It sounded as if they were losing, and they were fighting just to survive.?

This brought a few twitches of distress to the face of the hardened combatant. He glanced at the angels and seemed to contemplating his next move. Reijin cut in before he had the opportunity to speak. ?I heard a lot of heavy breathing, as if someone were struggling to quiet themselves down. That?s very unlike Vejita.?

Bardock nodded, grunting his agreement. ?So they wouldn?t speak to you??

The youth shrugged, following the other Saiyan?s eyes to the angels. ?The transmission was cut short and wouldn?t reconnect. I think its time that we get to moving out.? He didn?t wait for a response before turning to stride after the creature known as Gabriel.

The broad wings of the archangel were spread wide, moving in a manner belying the overwhelming presence of the angels, conveying the sanctity of the place of angels. His hard and golden eyes were contemplating the training session with great interest. He seemed caught between emotions, as if contemplating whether the expected result was indeed the result that he had wanted. He heard the footsteps of the Saiyan and turned to him, meeting him in the eyes.

By now, Reijin had overcome the awe inspiring feeling of weakness that usually washed over him when under the gaze of the celestial being. He returned the look with a spark of cold anger burning within. ?It?s time. If we plan on forcing these creatures to return to Hell, then I suggest we do it now. I don?t know how long we?ve been down here, but I think that Hell itself is beginning to slowly consume this asteroid.?

Gabriel simply looked at the angelic chorus before him. ?They are not yet ready,? he spoke resolutely. A sneer crossed his normally apathetic yet prideful face. ?They still have some good within them.?

Anger flashed across Reijin?s face for a moment in a manner unlike him. His fury burned in a very symbolic fashion as a blue flame ignited around his fists without his notice. The angel?s eyes twitched towards the fire and then met the Saiyan once more in the eyes. ?Then alert me when the last of the angel?s have fallen,? he coldly spoke, leaving the double meaning evident. ?If you wish to hide inside your little sanctuary like cowards, then so be it. I?m going out there to destroy Hell. You can either meet me outside, or on the field of battle, or after the fight is over, but I?m leaving now. I have given you more than enough to give you a fighting chance.?

He turned and moved towards the stares, his arms visibly raging with open flame. Something inside of him was speaking angrily, and he was noticeably engaged with a struggle to keep his temper. He was tired of this inaction and indifference. While he cared nothing for the fate of this asteroid, it was obvious that his friends did. Most of them were gone now, proving Reijin right in his thoughts, and yet he felt as if he should be out there doing something.

He reached the archway that separated the grassy and peaceful meadow from the murky ripple of the portal. A quick glance over his shoulder showed him much in the way of blood and glory, and he stepped through the portal, his determination untouched. His feet clamored angrily upon the stone stairwell, echoing loudly around him. He was going to bring about the end of these demons and turn the struggle around for them. Vejita needed his help, and as long as he kept his dragonball within his clothing, its radiance would not nullify his Prince?s own powers.

Reaching the tip of the stairway, he found the twin sisters collaborating in the main room. They were talking amongst themselves and giggling when his presence was noticed. He walked past the two of them without so much as a second glance and Akira?s voice called out to him, penetrating him. ?You aren?t even going to say good bye?? She sounded slightly hurt, and Reijin?s composure faltered.

Without turning around, he caught his breath within his throat. ?My friends are out there being slaughtered right now. I heard it when I tried to contact them.? He felt her presence grow closer alongside her sister. He turned and saw the two standing near him. ?I have to go to them.?

She swallowed a bit and Katel spoke for her. ?I understand. Are you going to die, or are you going to kill??

He smiled ironically reflecting upon his own inner demonic spirit. ?Both.? He saw Akira?s eyes follow the burning flame that seemed to creep up his arms without singing his clothing, and he calmed himself using his strict training, quelling the flames from existence. ?I must go. Any who wish to accompany me are more than welcome. I plan to go help them now, and I would be more than honored if you fought once more by my side. I?m sure that your sister is just as capable as yourself when it comes to the field of close quarters combat.? He nodded to the other sister acknowledging her.

Katel smiled. ?You?d have to see me to believe me,? she worded lyrically. Reijin nodded to her once more.

?Then I?ll be at the top of the tower waiting. There is a man down below. His name is Bardock. I have no quarrel with him, so if he wishes to follow, send him my way,? he instructed.

The fire and ice clad female stepped forward in small distances until she had closed the span between the two. ?I remember him from earlier. He didn?t seem as if he were up to trouble though, so I let him pass. Still? Take care of yourself,? she whispered, wrapping her arms around him. ?You have someone back home that you have to take care of as well.? She gave him a sad smile.

He flashed his trademark smirk at her and embraced her tightly. ?I?m going to introduce the two of you one day. I think that you might get along.? Flashbacks of Videl went through his mind and he faltered slightly in his confidence. ?Maybe. She can be somewhat moody.?

Katel smiled. ?We all are.?

Reijin released the older sister and walked back towards the younger of the two, slapping Katel?s shoulder before giving her a quick embrace. ?Thank you as well for your assistance in this struggle. You are the one that started this entire resistance, as far as I can see, and you have saved your sister?s spirit.?

Somehow, her clothing shifted and yet still managed to cover all of the necessary places on her body and she laughed. ?I try. Without my sister, there is no reason for me to be here.?

He looked over to Akira and smiled. ?We all have our reasons. Anyways, I?m going to the top of the tower. I?ll hopefully see everyone there. If not, I?m leaving without you all.? He immediately walked away from them without so much as another glance, his angry thoughts having now subsided and allowing him to think on a much clearer level. He realized that as much as Akira had struggled to release his emotions, she had managed to help him contain them as well when the time had come. Perhaps that is why she was the mistress of fire and ice, anger and calm, passion and indifference.

He reached the top of the watchtower and walked to the edge of the building, placing two gloved hands upon the railing. The night chirped almost peacefully and yet Reijin knew that in the distance there was a maelstrom of utter chaos and torment. He sighed a bit, his breath forming a burst of precipitation before merging with the mist that now surrounded the tower. The time had come to decide the fate of this asteroid named Kala, and he was going to ensure them all that Kao would be released to the suffering of those that he once had thought that he commanded. Kao would be reunited with his father Brim within the depths of Hell, and Reijin could assure them that the reunion would not be a happy one. He had heard of the stories that Videl had told him regarding Hell, and it brought shudders to him. A glint entered his eye as the excitement nearly derailed him with anticipation.

He was ready.

[Burter Jr]

END OF ROUND

23. Reijin - Wins Shapechanging