YAMI NO MATSUEI - DESCENDANTS OF DARKNESS

APOCALYPSE RISING

Chapter One - The Emissary from the Hereafter

To the Reader

Yami no Matsuei is a shounen-ai series (boys' love, guy/guy relationship, or insinuations of guy/guy relationships other than friendship). Apocalypse Rising is a sequel to Kyoto Files Revisited. As much as this story can be read in itself, some of the characters and situations contained in this story unfolded in Kyoto Files Revisited.

Apocalypse Rising will explore darker themes and heavily-debated issues. It will have more violence, gory scenes, and angst than its predecessor. It will also play more into the shounen-ai aspect...so don't be surprised if the rating rises as this story progresses.

...and to answer the question of some readers via their reviews or personal email, yes... There will be much more of Muraki Kazutaka in this story.

To everyone, happy reading! Let me know what you think via reviews (especially if there are things that can be improved for the subsequent chapters)

Warmest Regards, PJ Zatken

Timeline: February, almost one year after the incidents in Kyoto Files Revisited

Location: Saint Catherine's Catholic Church, Nagasaki

Father Lorenzo Opava took a deep sigh as he ventured on a midnight walk inside the church. Unable to fall asleep and feel relaxation from the cool night breeze coming from his bedroom window, the elderly priest rose from bed and went to the garden.

Looking at the starless sky, Father Opava's restless spirit eventually prompted him to go inside the empty church and inspect the ongoing renovation.

After crossing through the courtyard and unlocking the wooden doors, the smell of paint and sawdust invaded the priest's nose once he entered the sanctuary. The scent of turpentine was a chilling reminder that his first parish which stood for almost fifty years burned down in one night almost a year ago. Aside from his old parish burning down, he recalled the string of brutal murders that plagued Kyoto along with the untimely death of one of his active young lay ministers when his home burned down.

Months after those fateful incidents, the Archdiocese requested for Father Opava's transfer to Saint Catherine's Church in Nagasaki. Even though he welcomed the change and felt at home with his new church and her parishioners, he sorely missed his old parish.

Once Father Opava inspected the work-in-progress left behind by the carpenters for the following day, his gaze rested on the newly-restored wood-and-ivory cross which hung above the sanctuary - the prominent and symbolic fixture that greeted parishioners as they attended weekly mass. He remembered the numerous occasions wherein he stared at the similar cross which hung over the altar of his former church while he counseled many troubled souls.

The kind priest took another deep breath and smiled as the ever-resonant message he garnered from staring at that wooden cross during his pondering echoed in his mind...strength in spite insurmountable odds, redemption after a tragic fall from grace, clemency from a merciful Creator, consolation whenever desolation would seep and poison one's mind and soul, and hope that springs from an ultimate sacrifice.

Calculated footsteps against the marbled floor reverberated from behind the priest and interrupted his meditative state. As the footsteps continued to approach the pew that he was sitting in, a tight-lipped Father Opava remarked, "I knew that you'll pay me a visit soon. It's been a long time since you've stepped on holy ground."

A dark-haired young man slipped inside the pew, looked into the elderly man's eyes, and sat beside the priest while his hands remained hidden inside his pockets. It took the midnight visitor a few minutes of leaning against the pew and staring at the huge cross before saying, "The last time I saw you was at a memorial service that you had organized before you left the parish. You made quite a poignant speech to honor my memory."

"It needed to be done," murmured the elderly priest.

"I would've cried that day along with those other hypocrites, that is if I could still manage to shed a tear. You happen to be one of those hypocrites."

Stunned from what he just heard, the priest glanced sideways. Recalling those familiar charcoal gray eyes that stared at him earlier, a chill traveled down his spine. He saw that the innocence and kindness that he used to see in those eyes were now gone...or worse, tainted and warped. He tried his best to slow down the racing of his heart when he told the young man, "We've always talked in the past about everything. I've been praying for your soul every night. Nothing's been the same since last year."

The young man intensified his stare at the cross before them as he intently replied, "Should I really believe that from you? I know that you don't scare easily, especially since you're used to seeing those who shouldn't be in this world anymore. Nonetheless, as much as you're trying to hide it from me, you're quivering just from sitting beside me. Is that something that someone who claims to have missed me would do?"

Hearing the cold response and sensing something different from the one who he knew well for many years, the priest kept his probing stare on his visitor. The fear within him began to build as he mumbled, "What happened to you? You've changed..."

A disturbingly twisted smile crept out of the young man's lips as he turned to fully face the priest. The malevolent gleam in his charcoal gray eyes scared the elderly priest even further as he said, "I didn't come here tonight to catch up on old times, Father Opava. I'm here to collect what rightfully belongs to my realm. Calling your Maker won't even save you from your fate...or from me..."

After those chilling words were spoken, a bloodcurdling scream reverberated throughout the empty sanctuary...the prominent wooden cross serving as the sole witness to what transpired afterwards.

Location: Meifu

The first minute that Tsuzuki Asato rose from bed, he opened the windows to his apartment and stared at the sky as the sun rose...a ritual that he had been doing for the past months. As he saw the sun slowly creep out of the horizon, he closed his eyes, was comforted by the morning breeze blowing against his face, and took a deep breath before mumbling, "Please make this a wholesome day with the ones who I care for."

Today, Tsuzuki's birthday, was the first time in months that he woke up with some hope coursing through his being.

Every year, starting a few months before his birthday, Tsuzuki's mind would go through an inventory of everything that had happened within the previous year. Outwardly, he displayed his most cheerful mood during these times of reflection. Inwardly, however, he was at his most guilt-ridden and desolate state. He had many events to think about this past year - the retrievals that he made, his short friendship with Tsuuri Troy, the Shokan Division's last encounter against Muraki Kazutaka in Kyoto, and his close falls towards insanity just to name a few.

Hisoka was surprised when he dropped by at Tsuzuki's apartment one-and-a half hours before work. It was the first time in almost a year that he entered the apartment without having to use the spare key that Tsuzuki gave him. After raising an eyebrow as he saw Tsuzuki all dressed up and ready to leave for work, he greeted his elder partner "Happy Birthday" and handed him a gift-wrapped box before saying, "You look rested."

"I had a good night's sleep," replied Tsuzuki with a grateful smile as he motioned his partner to come inside the apartment. "We have plenty of time. Why don't we have breakfast before we leave?"

"If it's the scones from the bakery that we passed by last night, yes. If it's your cooking, no," declared Hisoka, his arms crossed over his chest.

"So mean..." pouted Tsuzuki before letting out a resigned sigh, "Yes, it's the scones."

Once Hisoka gave a nod and followed his partner in the kitchen, he felt at peace while he shared tea and scones with Tsuzuki before they went to work. Since the events at Kyoto, the last workday of the week meant a harder time for him to block out Tsuzuki's grating nerves and sinking spirits. Today, however, he knew and felt that his partner was finally emerging out of his year-long emotional bout. As Hisoka gazed at his elder partner from time to time, he allowed that long-sought hope that he had for Tsuzuki to sink into his soul.

Just as the two partners silently hoped for in the morning, the day had been comfortably mundane. It was indeed a good day.

The Shokan Division staff was in a celebratory and relaxed mood, highlighted with a huge strawberry cheesecake that Wakaba had baked for Tsuzuki along with birthday wishes from everyone including a greeting from Terazuma done in his usually gruff and tactless way. As a gift, Wakaba baked Tsuzuki a small basket filled with apple cinnamon pockets for him to take home and enjoy.

Tsuzuki's birthday, however, was still not over. Chief Konoe, Hisoka, Watari, and Tatsumi were taking him out to dinner in Nagasaki. Watari and Terazuma would have joined them, but the partners had begged off due to undercover work for a case that they were about to wrap up.

As the work-week wrapped up and everyone else went home, Tsuzuki and Watari sat at the benches of EnmaCho's dojo and watched Hisoka's ongoing kendo training. Tatsumi, on the other hand, worked with Hisoka as he commanded his shadows to serve as the young man's sparring partner.

At first, Tsuzuki was engrossed in watching Hisoka and noticing how his younger partner had improved his skills since the past year. As time passed and enthusiasm gave in to hunger, he glanced at his wristwatch and tapped his fingers on it. "Where's the Chief? We've been waiting for him more than an hour now."

"Tatsumi-san said that Kacho left this morning to meet with EnmaDaiOh-sama. He's coming back to join us, and he told us to wait for him here." Minutes after observing Tsuzuki shift at the bench and glance between his watch and the wall clock, Watari could not help but blurt out, "If you're so bored, why don't you help Bon out there?"

"Why me? Why don't you volunteer to be his sparring partner?"

Watari did not respond, nor did the glazed look in his face diminish. His pet owl, 003, extended her wing and brushed it against his neck to get his attention.

"Watari?" asked Tsuzuki as he glanced sideways.

The scientist still did not stir even though Tsuzuki ran his hand in front of Watari's face. Finally, Tsuzuki playfully slapped his friend's arm.

In a monotone, Watari replied while blankly staring ahead, "I'm a scientist. I don't know anything about martial arts."

Rather perturbed from hearing and seeing Watari just now, Tsuzuki's eyes narrowed and leaned forward. "Are you all right? You've been acting really weird lately."

Watari glanced sideways and gazed at Tsuzuki with a raised eyebrow and a bewildered look. Still in a daze, he rubbed his forehead as he replied, "I'm sorry. I just have a couple of things in my mind, and I'm tired."

Blinking a couple of times and then relaxing his stance, Tsuzuki patted Watari on the back. "For a minute, I thought that I lost you back there. You should take it easy this weekend."

"You should take a few pointers about discipline and focus from your partner. It'll keep you out of trouble," Chief Konoe called out to Tsuzuki while he leaned against the dojo's main door. Unknown to the others, he had been watching his four subordinates since his quiet arrival from Lord Enma's chambers.

As Hisoka saw Chief Konoe's arrival and knew that it was almost time for them to leave for Chijou, he returned the sword to its sheath, gave Tatsumi and his umbral opponent a respectful bow, and then marched towards the locker room to change.

Barely managing to stifle his rumbling stomach, Tsuzuki stood up and mused, "Finally, the old man's here! I'm hungry!"

Once Hisoka emerged from the locker room and joined them, Chief Konoe asked his subordinates, "Is everyone ready?"

Minutes later, the five of them inconspicuously materialized in Nagasaki. Blending in with the busy crowd, their hurried steps eventually led them at the entrance of a posh restaurant in the heart of the city's busiest area.

Tsuzuki's probing glance spotted the sign beside the restaurant's glass doors. As he saw the word karaoke lit in neon orange, he blinked a couple of times and rolled up his eyes while pondering, "Oh great... The Chief's going to hog the microphone and torture us with his singing all night long. Add Tatsumi to that equation, and it's going to be a very long and painful night."

Nonetheless, Tsuzuki shook his head in silent amusement as the hostess greeted and led them to a private room. After all, he continued to receive what he had wished for early this morning - a wholesome day with the ones who he truly cared for in his afterlife even though it meant painfully-pounding eardrums over the weekend.

As they took their seats before a traditional table, Tatsumi asked while putting his briefcase aside, "I thought someone's joining us tonight, Chief."

After nodding, Chief Konoe replied, "Yes. I've already talked with him at the Castle of Candles with the Earl. He'll be here after he finishes his meeting with EnmaDaiOh-sama. Tonight, we're celebrating Tsuzuki's birthday. It'll also be a proper time to welcome him, since he'll be joining our Division starting Monday."

The four were visibly stunned as their respective thoughts began to race. An additional member in the Shokan Division meant only one thing to them - a new shinigami would be joining their ranks.

Pushing back his glasses, Tatsumi remarked, "I'll re-allocate funds to make room for another staff member on Monday."

Chief Konoe's eyes reflected his half-smile as he told his second-in-command, "There wouldn't be too many budgetary concerns for you to worry about. Our new hire and our budgetary increase were the reasons why EnmaDaiOh-sama asked for a closed-door meeting this morning. He authorized to increase our Division's yearly budget to furnish our new staff member's salary and allowances. He wants to meet with you Monday afternoon with your financial reports and projections."

Tatsumi simply sighed. A frown creased his forehead, as he thought, "This new hire better not be another headache. It's bad enough that Tsuzuki-san and Watari siphon out most of the Division's discretionary funds through excessive spending and property damages. I hope that he'll be as sensible as Kurosaki-kun."

Watari echoed everyone's curiosity as he asked, "Is this guy a transfer from another Division? Who's going to be his partner?"

Chief Konoe scanned the private dining room and saw his subordinates' puzzled expressions masked behind their respective casual demeanor. As he extended his hand and Tsuzuki filled up his empty cup with sake, he responded, "He'll be introduced to everyone once he gets here. Until he's assigned a permanent partner, he'll be giving assistance to anyone in our Division who needs it. EnmaDaiOh-sama requested that the four of you help him become more familiar with our Division and his responsibilities."

Although Hisoka appeared collected on the surface, his mind had been unsettled since this morning. His innocent-looking but truly probing gaze lingered on Chief Konoe while the elderly man accepted a karaoke song list and two wireless microphones from their hostess. He pondered with slight irritation, "The Chief's hiding something from us, and he's blocking my empathy."

Letting out a sigh of inspiration, Tsuzuki smiled and rubbed his hands together while saying, "Ah, someone new to train. Isn't this exciting?"

Hisoka took a sip from his tall glass of iced tea before he deadpanned, "The Chief wants us to guide the new employee, not turn him into another slacker."

With his genial grin converting to a childlike pout, Tsuzuki complained, "You're so mean. You were mostly nice to me this morning."

A wry smile escaped Tatsumi's lips while he shook his head. "You can't blame Kurosaki-kun for telling the truth."

As Watari stroked 003's feathers and elicited a series of soft and satiated hoots from his pet owl, he nonchalantly told the others, "Come on, you two. Give Tsuzuki a reprieve even if it's just for one day."

Heads shook in amusement and light laughter broke out as Tsuzuki grinned, shrugged his shoulders, and sipped some warm sake from his cup. Their attention soon focused at the door as it slid open.

"Your guest has just arrived, gentlemen. I'll bring another round of beverages and take your orders a few minutes from now," announced the restaurant hostess before she exchanged slight bows with the new arrival who remained concealed behind the wooden door. After helping him take off his black leather jacket and motioning him to come inside, she smiled at everyone inside the room before leaving.

With the new arrival's back still turned away from the others, he set a forest green box and a leather folder down on the floor, took off his sneakers, placed his shoes beside five other pairs, and secured his belongings. As he straightened up and turned around to face his new co-workers and superior, a warm smile radiated in his face and voice as he said, "Happy Birthday, Tsuzuki-san. I'm sorry for being late."

"I - It can't be," mumbled Tsuzuki, as a chill traveled down his spine and his eyes went wide in disbelief.

Hisoka, Watari, and Tatsumi were also left speechless as who they saw before them was too surreal for them to accept. As each one thought that the restaurant's dim lighting was playing tricks with his eyes, four transfixed gazes fell on the newest addition to the Shokan Division.

End of Chapter One

Normal Disclaimer

Yami no Matsuei - Descendants of Darkness and its characters are copyrighted properties of Matsushita Yoko. This fan fiction, along with the original characters that appear within, belong to PJ Zatken.

Author's Notes

I did forewarn you that a sequel is in the works for Kyoto Files Revisited. I hope that you'd enjoy reading and reviewing this sequel, as much as I enjoy writing it. To the many readers and reviewers for Kyoto Files Revisited, thank you very much for your encouraging and constructive reviews. I'm so humbled...

Terminology

Chijou is the series' term for the mortal world or the world of the living.

Lay Minister is what Roman Catholics call volunteers who serve the church. Due to their active service in the church, lay ministers normally have friendly relations with the priest.

Nagasaki is one of the areas wherein Tsuzuki and Hisoka are assigned to monitor. Known for its many hills, this city is also the place where Tsuzuki first encounters Muraki in The Vampire/Maria Wong Case (in the manga and anime).

Review Responses from the last chapters of Kyoto Files Revisited...

To Everyone - Thanks for your continued support. I'll do my best to write well. Constructive criticisms on how I can improve as a writer are most welcome, and please let me know how you think the story's progressing.

Luna-Chan - Yeah, I like the last chapter, too...especially the "legal" cliffhanger at the very end. It features everybody in there...Tatsumi, Tsuzuki, Hisoka, and Watari. It also establishes each character's frame of mind when it comes to his relationship with the others. There are still a lot of hanging pieces that Kyoto Files Revisited leaves behind that Apocalypse Rising will answer.

Ah, about Troy and Enma... This fic will answer that mystery...

As to Troy being like Emrys (BTW everyone, Emrys is my OC in the Yu-Gi-Oh fanfics that I've posted in )... Yes, they have their similarities. The similarities between them begin with the trials that they have to individually go through to find themselves, to test their strengths, and to grow.

There is also a major difference between Troy and Emrys. Troy is more mentally, emotionally, and spiritually stable than Emrys...this has something to do with his own past. He's also not as obsessive as Emrys when it comes to matters that need decision and action. Although they believe in sacrificing their well-being for the sake of others, they handle those matters in different ways.

In the original fiction project that I've been working on behind the scenes, Troy and Emrys are the closest ones who can relate to each other's problems (they'll be very good friends, although their peers might think otherwise). The similarities between them will allow for a strong rapport to establish between them, but their differences will enable each one to learn from the other. I'm working on this project behind the scenes until its completion - it's a supernatural series divided into story arcs, so no one save for me will see it until maybe a couple of years from now. Once it's done and you're interested, maybe you can beta-read them for me ;-D

Thanks for standing by, especially the constructive criticism...you don't know just how much I value and need that for my growth as a person and as a writer. Keep writing. BTW, as to my Statistics class last semester... let us just say that I followed your advice and "killed it back" ;-D

Lexa1 - Thanks for reviewing! I'm so humbled to know that I enticed you to read more than 18 chapters and still hold your interest in the story. It's great to know that Troy's presence is welcome and significant (significant enough for him to be involved in the YnM universe, but not too significant that he overshadows the canon characters' importance). Yeah, I like Troy, too. As much as I love Tsuzuki, I also love seeing him suffer and feeling sorry whenever he suffers. This fic will explore as to what will happen next about this dark power of his, and who he really is...so stay tuned ;-D

Xelena - Thanks for your reviews. Ah, the dark liquid that the crystal released...that question will be answered by this story, which means that there'll be more of Muraki in this story. Let us just say that the dark liquid being absorbed by Muraki's body close to the end of the story spells really bad news for JuOhCho, and most especially Tsuzuki. As to torturing Tsuzuki and giving Muraki the opportunity to do so, I feel sorry for Tsuzuki but I guess the sadist in me likes doing that to him sighs

Chubby-King-Chocobo - Thanks for your consistent reading and reviewing of this story ;-D Yeah, I'm mean sometimes through writing those evil cliffhangers and leaving our dear characters in the most uncompromising circumstances. Just as I told Xelena, the sadist in me likes doing that sighs And please don't hate me if there's going to be more of Muraki...it's necessary for the story crosses fingers

RubyMoon17 - Ah, more of Muraki in this sequel...and more of the shounen-ai angle playing in this story than Kyoto Files Revisited which might force me to raise this story's rating to an R.. Need I say more winks

Word Dreamer 999 and Littly Myy - Welcome to my little YnM fanfic world, and thanks for the lovely compliments.