Mei and Kazuma exited the capital's ruins, Takashi and Kalik walking silently behind them. Mei knew they were not happy with her and for some reason she didn't let it bother her. She needed to return to her home, away from the humans. Mei walked to the east of the capital, towards the base of the mountains. Mei knew the portal that allowed Osamu entrance into their world was there, and that's where she would find the temple Soushi spoke of. She had a gut feeling it was in that direction; the crest on her neck started glowing brighter with every step. The journey was completely silent, no one having the courage to start a conversation. Mei looked up in the sky, admiring the brilliant blue and the white puffy clouds. What does my world look like? Mei wondered. Is it anything like this world? Or is it completely different? Mei closed her eyes, feeling her feet carrying her onwards. Her body felt heavy with sadness, deep inside her heart was breaking. A part of her told her to stay, not wanting to leave the world she grew up in and made precious memories with. But Mei knew it would be better for everyone if Kazuma and her left, knowing this world would return to peace. I also have my own home to rebuild, Mei thought as she remembered Osamu slaughtered the demons there too. Mei was so wrapped up in her thoughts she didn't even hear the small conversation going on between Kalik and Kazuma. She looked over her shoulder and she saw a huge grin on Kazuma's face, and Kalik had an annoyed expression on his.
"Am I missing something?" Mei asked curiously.
"I wouldn't even ask," Takashi said as he walked with his hands behind his head. "Unless you want your ears to be full of shit, then go ahead and listen. I wish I would've brought earplugs or something."
"It's personal business," Kazuma said with a devilish smirk.
"Personal business? With Kalik? You're kidding me," Mei said raising her eyebrow. "I know you two never got along."
"Things can easily change," Kazuma said nonchalantly as he winked at Kalik.
"For you, maybe," Kalik said with a smirk. "You lucky bastard." Mei had a look of confusion cross her face as Takashi started to laugh at her. Rolling her eyes, Mei turned her attention to the path before her. The trees around them started to get thicker, and the sky was disappearing due to the thickness of the forest. The longer they walked, the darker the forest came to be.
"I can see why this would be a portal for demons," Takashi said as he looked all around him. "It's creepy as hell." Kalik couldn't help but laugh while Mei ignored them as her crest glowed brighter, lighting up her face. She turned around and all three of the guys stopped whispering immediately with smirks on their faces. Mei couldn't help but smile, because they all looked like children caught in the act of a crime.
"What are you doing?" Mei asked with a laugh.
"I was placing a bet," Kazuma said as he cracked his knuckles. "Which one of them complains first to have us warp there." Mei smiled with arrogance as she turned back around.
"Then I'll place mine on Takashi."
"That's not even fair and you know it," Takashi growled as he looked off to the side. Mei's smile got bigger and she was about to reply to their continuous rambling when a soft sound caught her ears. She froze, straining her ears to hear the sound. Frustrated over the fact she couldn't hear it with the boys rambling, she turned around sharply and hissed at them, causing them to immediately shut up. Mei could tell they could hear it, because their faces were now covered with shock. It's a lullaby, Mei thought. She walked in one direction and found the smooth sound fading, so she turned and started walking the other way. The sound echoed louder, so Mei began to walk down the path with the guys falling in right behind her. They broke into a run and finally came into a clearing where the lullaby stopped. Mei's eyes widened as she saw a broken, wooden building, with wildflowers and weeds growing inside of it. Small animals ran to and from it, their little squeaks echoing throughout the forest. Mei walked forward; the sight of the rundown building completely overrun with nature was an amazing sight.
"It's the temple," Kalik murmured as he took in the surroundings.
"The song is gone," Takashi said as he looked around. "Bummer." Mei walked up the stairs into the building, her eyes trailing over the remains. The wood had rotted and plants started growing up in the cracks. Worn out books and scrolls lay scattered all over the floor, and as Mei continued through the building, she noticed an opening in the back of the temple. She made her way over there and a smile came across her face as the pieces fell into place. Before her was a cobblestone road, with large pillars with the heads of beasts on top of them made of marble. It was withered from age, but not even age fazed their beauty. The road led to a stage where large rocks curled upwards into an arch with small cracks in them, a large hole in the middle of them.
"The portal," Kazuma said as he came up beside Mei. Takashi and Kalik walked up beside them and stared in wonder at the scene. Mei walked down the path with Kazuma close behind her, her eyes scanning the pillars. Old bloodstains painted the pillars, old enough to where it looked like rust. Mei ran her hand over it, and then continued up towards the portal. Kalik and Takashi made their way after them, determined to see them off. Mei observed the portal, putting her hand through the hole. Mei stepped back and transformed into her demon, her light purple hair falling behind her. Kazuma transformed as well, and the cracks inside the rocks began to fill with energy due to their presence. The energy swirled through the cracks and filled the hole, a clouded light filling the void. The portal looked like a peaceful wave of energy.
"I'm guessing this is goodbye," Kalik said walking towards the base of the stage, his face clouded with depression.
"I guess so," Mei said, her throat starting to close up from emotion. She looked at them, determined for them not to see her sad. "Make sure you give your all for the restoration for this world okay?"
"Naturally," Takashi said winking at her. "We wouldn't give half effort now. We've been through way too much not to." Kalik directed his attention towards Kazuma, a playful smirk on his face.
"Kazuma, you filthy bastard," Kalik said with a smile. "You won, so make sure you take care of Mei."
"At the cost of my life," Kazuma promised, a grin appearing on his face. Mei flickered her eyes between the two of them, her eyes narrowing in irritation.
"Won what?" Mei asked.
"It's a game between guys. Girls wouldn't understand," Takashi said smirking. Mei rolled her eyes, and then addressed Kalik.
"If you need me, I'll come back. I still have my promise," Mei said sadly. Mei felt her heart tremble at Kalik's expression. "Don't give me that face Kalik. We'll always be together, so don't worry. We'll meet again."
"Friends for life," Kalik said smiling, as if sealing the promise. Mei sadly smiled at him and Takashi, their smiling faces making the knot in her stomach tighten up even more. Mei bowed to them, the way a demon would bow to its elders. Placing her left foot directly behind her right to where the arch was in the heel, she bowed low, her back as flat as a board. She curled her right arm in an arch near her stomach and her tail wrapped around her legs. Standing back up, she waved at them, and noticed the small tears gathering at the base of their eyes.
"Just know we'll meet again, Kalik," Mei said as tears gathered in her eyes despite all her efforts.
"I'll take your word for it," Kalik said sadly. Mei turned and walked through the portal and Kazuma followed closely behind her. Mei took a couple of steps in and her breath caught. Before her was a humongous palace and mountains surrounded it. Mei looked around, taking in the sight of her world. The air was completely still; the grass around her was black, like it had been caught on fire. Everything had a dark aura to it and Mei noticed there was no sign of life to be found anywhere; everything was dead. The sky seemed frozen between day and night, having the color of the sunset and stars lining the clouds.
"It's as if time stopped here," Mei whispered as she took a couple more steps.
"No one has been here for 200 years. I expected that much," Kazuma said walking after her. Mei walked further down the dirt path when her crystal around her neck glowed brighter than before. Mei froze and watched as thousands of souls poured from it, filling the fields surrounding the entrance to the palace. In front of her she saw her mom, Taichi and Ryou, and standing behind them were Sakura and Masaru. Mei's mom stepped forward, her eyes shining with pride.
"You did it Mei. We are home."
"I didn't do it alone," Mei said smiling, Kazuma walking up beside her.
"I never imagined it to look so peaceful," her mom murmured.
"Everything's dead. That is not peaceful," Kazuma stated in an annoyed tone.
"It is because since we left, this world has been frozen in time. Mei, summon your Abyss Blade." Mei obeyed and summoned it, grasping the handle firmly in her hand. Her mother walked forward and gently placed her hand on the flat of the blade. She looked over at Mei, a sly smile appearing on her face. "Did you ever wonder what the energy was in the middle of your blade? It is the world's life energy. Release it, and everything will return to its original state." Mei looked at her mom, and her mom nodded. Closing her eyes, Mei placed her hand next to her mom's. Mei's body glowed a light array of purple and Mei could feel a heartbeat within her sword. Mei opened her eyes and watched as the green energy shot from the blade, and the sword closed the gap, sealing itself together. Mei watched in awe as the light shot towards the sky and started circling high in the sky. Taichi and the other demons launched themselves upwards, joining the light. Mei saw the grass turn into a beautiful emerald green, and wild iris started to bloom. Mei ran down the path, watching in amazement as everything started coming back to life. She made it to the gates of the palace of the Desani house, and stared in wonder as skeletons guarding the entrance had the muscle, organs, flesh and skin return to them, and the demon guard stood, his eyes trailing to Mei.
"Princess..." he said startled. Mei saw several guards stand, looking at themselves with surprise and shocked expressions. Mei couldn't believe her eyes; she watched as the sky turned into a sapphire blue, the mountains into their natural beauty, and felt a gentle breeze whipping through her hair. Light shot up from several locations on the other side of the mountains, and Mei knew the small villages and everything located in that direction was alive, including the palaces for the other houses. The guards walked up to her, numbering about fifty in all. They dropped to their knees, pledging their loyalty to her. Mei smiled and turned to see Kazuma walking down the path towards her, his face lit up with excitement. As Kazuma started to address the guards, Mei walked back into the field, watching as the wildflowers flowed gently back and forth from the breeze.
"Amazing, isn't it?"
Mei turned around and saw Taichi drifting over to her. "More than I dreamed it would be," replied Mei.
"I regret not being able to physically stand beside you, but the view is even more amazing from above. Beats the hell out of seeing parts of it," Taichi said, a light smile touching his lips.
"I'm glad you're here, Taichi," Mei said closing her eyes.
"You're not the crybaby type, princess," Taichi mocked. "Don't be sad. You have a whole world that needs a leader." Mei nodded her head and smiled at Taichi, who returned her smile. Taichi drifted back up towards the sky, waving at Mei as he went. Mei looked down and noticed she still had the Abyss Blade in her hand. She released it, and jumped at the sound of metal clanging. She looked down and saw her blade didn't disappear like it usually did.
"The power your blade had returned to the world," her mom said making her way over to her. "You have to wear it like everyone else's now."
"That's a bit inconvenient," Mei grumbled as she picked back up her sword. She looked over at her mom and they both laughed. As Mei looked back up, she noticed several figures in the distance. Recognizing them, she ran over there quickly, coming towards the portal. Hintani, Setski, Rai, Marzul, Kaito, Kalas and Mizuki all stood there with smiles on their faces, taking in the sight of this world.
"Guys..." Mei began, but Hintani held up his head to stop her.
"I'm happy you're officially home, Mei," he said. "I guess we'll head back so we can rest peacefully in our world."
"No," Mei said smiling. "I want you all here. I will make you proper graves, honoring you. After all, none of this would've become a reality without you."
"I'll pass," Kalas said looking away. "I betrayed you. I deserve to live in true Hell with Soushi and Osamu."
"No Kalas. Yes, you betrayed me. But even you were betrayed at the end. I forgave you a long time ago Kalas. Stop looking at the past." Kalas smiled at her and Kaito went over to stand beside his brother. Mei turned and yelled for Kazuma, who immediately sprinted over. Mei explained what graves she wanted for them and the samurai snickered as Kazuma gently smiled at her.
"I always knew it would be him," Kaito whispered. Hours later, eleven gravestones stood off to the side near the temple leading to the portal. The graves were polished and shined brightly in the suns' rays. On each of them were written the names of Mei's fallen comrades: Hintani, Setski, Rai, Marzul, Kaito, Mizuki, Kalas, Taichi, Sakura, Masaru and Ryou. They were decorated with pearls and bright purple roses lay across the graves. Mei had a small fence built around them, and she stood on the outside of the fence, the sadness creeping up inside of her again as her memories resurfaced.
"You alright?" Mei looked and saw Kazuma standing behind her, his hair flowing with the wind. Mei smiled and walked over to him, her head gently resting on the side of his shoulder. Smiling, Kazuma put his hand on the side of her head. "You'll see the others soon. We both have a lot of work to do. All we can do now is move forward." Nodding her head, they both made their way back to the palace, waiting for the time when they would head back to see the world their samurai friends had created.
Don't fret guys. This isn't the last chapter. However, there is only one more chapter before this book is completed. Hope you guys are enjoying this ^_^