CHAPTER NINETEEN: ENDGAME

"What the hell?!" Keiichi shouted, "Are you serious?! They did all this over some stupid business rivalry?! That's insane!" He was positively livid at Kasai's explanation.

The bodyguard stood solemnly, "I think there may be more to it than that. Nobody would take such a petty rivalry so far. Not even the Ushiromiyas. There has to be something more to this. I think the only way we're ever going to know exactly what went on last night is if I go down there myself."

Keiichi turned to Rena and Mion with a look of determination, "We're going too." He let a slight smile arc his lips, "When I first came to this village, I was scared I'd be an outsider, but you guys were there for me when I thought I was alone. It took me a while, but I realized eventually that I was following in someone's footsteps, but the path he took didn't lead anywhere I wanted to be, and you helped me break free from that path of destruction that swallowed him up. The darkness may have consumed Satoshi, but I can be different. He may have succumbed to the madness of Oyashiro, but Rena, YOU can be different. Shion may not have been able to save herself, but Mion, YOU can be different."

The door slid open to reveal Rika and Satoko standing just outside. Satoko's expression held a stark determination that could not be broken. She clenched her fists, "We're coming too, Keiichi. We're all in this together, but I…" She trailed off, looking down at the floor.

Rika put her hand on Satoko's shoulder, "Mii~ We understand. This is something we all have to face, but you especially…" Rika's eyes darkened and her voice dropped. Keiichi recognized the face of the witch that shared his painful experiences. "…You must face the brother who betrayed you. This is the unbreakable route of destiny."

*Shatter* "Looks like this is it for you, witch!" Keiichi laughed, jabbing a finger at Lambdadelta, "With this courage as our sword, with this bond as our shield, we can annihilate any enemy, smash down any barrier, and conquer the entire universe. That's the power of humans!"

Lambda giggled, "Nihehehe! I like it. Let me see if your power can deny what comes next, the resurrection of Oyashiro upon the board. Of course resurrecting him here would be pointless…" She rolled her eyes over to Bernkastel, "…Wouldn't it you BUTCHER! Nihehe!"

Bernkastel stepped back in shock, "W-what are you talking about? You're speaking nonsense!" Her voice was quivering.

Lambda threw her head back and laughed. It wasn't the giggle befitting her childish façade, but the booming cackle of a thousand years. For a moment, the illusion of childhood that Lambda maintained was dropped. A cruel woman sat where a girl had once been. She smiled dementedly, "Don't you get it yet?! Hanyuu, the games, all of it was to create you, Bern! A being to surpass God himself! You are Oyashiro-sama! GAHAHAHAHA!" She continued laughing maniacally as Bernkastel backed away in horror.

"Y-you're insane!" Keiichi spat, "Don't listen to a word she says, Bern-chan! This is her last trick! For what you've done to Bern-chan, and for what you did to me, I will kill you here, witch!"

Lambdadelta grinned, "I'm absolutely shaking in anticipation for your much built up final move, furniture. Don't disappoint me! GAHAHA!"

Kasai had brought the group to the back right side of the house. They found themselves facing what appeared to be a fairly innocuous wall. Keiichi had almost asked Kasai why they were wasting their time there when the large man grabbed the corner of the wall and pushed it aside.

Keiichi smiled, impressed. A hidden door? And behind it…A gun rack containing an AK-47, an empty space for a shotgun, and a Howa Type 64 assault rifle.

Kasai grabbed the Kalashnikov model and tossed it to Mion. "I assume you remember how to use one of these?" He asked. Mion nodded. He lifted the Howa and handed it to Keiichi, "Can you handle this weapon?"

Keiichi looked down at the gun in his hands quietly, remembering his past mistakes. I can do this. I'm a better person now than I was then. "Yes, I can. Shion taught me how to use one of these after… what happened. I didn't want to be helpless like that ever again."

Kasai nodded. He and Keiichi shared a brief glance before he turned to Rena, Rika, and Satoko. "Can you defend yourselves if worse comes to worst?" He asked.

The three girls smiled and nodded. Rena held a large hooked cleaver she'd found in the garden shed, Rika carried a scythe from the same source. Satoko wielded a large combat knife from Kasai.

With nary a word, the group charged off into the night, barrelling toward the inevitable conclusion of their sordid adventure. Keiichi was left with one thought in his mind. This is the end of all things.

Satoshi stepped slowly into the tunnel. He didn't flinch at the sight of Mifune's corpse, he simply stepped over it and walked over to Eva. She didn't bother to look at him.

"Ushiromiya-san… I did everything you said. Now follow up on your end and rid me of this curse. The virus may have enhanced me, but it's as much a burden as it is a gift. Please show me the cure!" Satoshi pleaded.

Eva gestured toward the end of the tunnel, "The answers are there. I suggest you remain down there for the duration. None who witness the resurrection of Oyashiro-sama will live to tell the tale. The bloodlines of Hinamizawa end here, and I will rise from the ashes as an eldritch god! Of course you don't believe in such things do you?"

Satoshi frowned, "It's not really my problem I suppose, but you will remember your promise right? You have to spare Satoko. You swore it."

Eva looked deep into the darkness, "Her death would merely impede the ultimate goals of a third party you are not aware of. I'm interested to see how their scenario plays out, so this little gambit won't doom your sister. I promise you that."

Satoshi nodded and began the long journey through the tunnel. Cold hands of darkness enwrapped him as he walked, and before long, he had vanished completely into the shadows.

"OYASHIRO ALT. PROGRAM PARAMETERS MET. HINAMIZAWA SYNDROME WEAPON TYPE VERSION 2 PREPARE FOR LAUNCH. ALL PERSONNEL PLEASE EVACUATE."