Jail Bird volume 2
Chapter 1
(Night. Shion is sitting on his bed with a bandage against his shoulder.)
Shion
Ow...!
—The wound isn’t healing.
Probably because it was a cut from the holy sword. The blood has stopped, but it’s not closing—...
(He smiles.)
A wound from Mahumi...
What’s wrong with you, Shion? Getting that angry... You thought that it would be fine to be killed by Mahumi, didn’t you?
He was always one of them. What’s so unnatural about him being friends with them? Isn’t that right?
I am such a fool. We were together for such a short time, but I deluded myself into thinking that we were true companions. It felt like that.
He shouldn’t have chosen me...!
(He stands and walks toward his reflection in the window, spreading his wings.)
Last night’s darkness deceived me, but these wings...
My wings...
The truth is that killing a single monster has begun to stain them with blackness. Little by little...
In any case, these white wings that he liked so much, when I lose them, I will no longer—...
(He touches his shoulder, and his hand comes away streaked with blood.)
It’s bleeding again...
In my heart, too, there is a wound he left behind. A gaping wound out of which blood trickles unstoppably.
(At the church, Mahumi puts away a first-aid kit.)
Mahumi
Father, are you all right?
Raphael
Yes. I’m sorry, Mahumi.
I’m fine. The wound looks worse than it actually is. It doesn’t hurt that much.
Mahumi
I’m glad. You lost so much blood that I was really worried that you might die. That’s why—
—That’s why, I—to Shion...
Raphael
Oh, Mahumi. You’re worried about him, aren’t you?
Mahumi
It’s okay. I’m not worried.
Raphael
He only did what was natural. You were deceived by him, Mahumi. You see now, don’t you...? He is such a terrible person. You only came to save me, but he didn’t just attack me, he attacked you.
Please stay here for a little while, Mahumi. Don’t go back to his place.
Mahumi
Father...
...
The Father...the Father rationalized everything, but I—
...
—With these hands I—...to Shion...
—Why, Shion...? Why did you betray me? Shion...
(The next morning, a beautiful day. Mahumi is watering the lawn. He hears something.)
Mahumi
Mm?
Voices. A guest? Strange.
(He sees Uriel through the window and hides behind a bush to listen.)
!
Him—...!
Uriel
Raphael, are your wounds healed yet?
Raphael
How cold, Uriel. When I went so far as to sacrifice my own body.
Uriel
You’ve always said that your powers of healing are greater than anyone else’s.
Anyway, enough about that. I want to meet Mahumi soon.
(Raphael hides a laugh.)
What!
(Raphael chuckles.)
Raphael
Nothing, I just thought you were cute. Because you’re usually so prim. But when it comes to him you’re all feeling.
(Uriel makes a rude gesture.)
Uriel
Shut up!
Raphael
You seem to like him a lot.
Mahumi
Uriel? Why is he here with the Father?
Raphael
If we’re talking about cute, Mahumi was also very cute.
“Father, don’t die”—he said, with tears falling down his face. Ah, but I put on quite a good performance.
Mahumi
Wh...at? What is he talking about...?!
Raphael
I guess I forgot to go easy on myself when I used my powers to injure myself.
Mahumi doesn’t think about us as companions. I need a little more time.
Although we’ve gotten rid of that troublesome guy, Mahumi is still concerned about him. But since he isn’t here he’ll be forgotten in due course.
He’ll be with us always after this. Be patient for a little longer.
Uriel
—What will you do if Mahumi goes back to that guy’s place?
Raphael
It’s fine. He won’t go back.
The Sword of Flame is no ordinary sword. It is a weapon whose express purpose is the extermination of demons. He will heal very slowly.
(Mahumi slides to the ground in shock.)
Uriel
We should finish him off while he’s weak.
Raphael
Perhaps there won’t even be need for that. He’s probably gone back to the demon world by now, crying copiously.
Mahumi
—Shion...!
Then I did such horrible things to Shion, who hadn’t done anything...?
—...!
(Mahumi runs off. Uriel sees him through the window.)
Uriel
Mahumi?!
Raphael
Damn it!
Feh. That’s why I said to wait a little longer. It’s because he saw you, Uriel.
Uriel
I’ll stop him...! I won’t let him go to that guy’s place...!
Raphael
Uriel!
(Uriel runs off after Mahumi.)
Mahumi
I’m a fool... I...
“There are no good demons.”
I believed those words.
I need to apologize. I not only wounded his body, I also injured his heart.
He probably won’t forgive me even if I apologize.
—He probably hates me now—
...I’m sorry.
I’m sorry...Shion—...
I’m sorry...
(Shion is lying in bed when he hears the doorbell ring.)
Shion
!
(He gets up and goes to the door.)
Mahumi
...
Shion...
Shion...I’m sorry. I...said such cruel things.
There is no reason for a demon who doesn’t eat humans to remain in the human world. But you’re here. Just to be by my side—...
I wondered if you had a reason; maybe, like the Father said, you had tricked me...
It’s probably just selfishness, but I want to be with you again.
I’ll apologize. I’ll apologize however many times you want me to.
(Shion, walking down the hall, hears Mahumi. He lays his hand on the doorknob.)
Because I...I...
I love you.
When you’re with me, I’m somehow at peace.
(Shion takes his hand away from the doorknob and leans against the door.)
Shion
If I... If I open this door, we may be able to go back to what we were before.
But...
Mahumi
...Shion.
Have you...gone back to the demon world...?
—Shion.
Shion.
Shion
—but I won’t.
Mahumi
—...
(Mahumi stares at the closed door, defeated. He trudges away down the hall.)
Shion
Laughable, isn’t it? That even someone like me can feel pain in his heart.
...I love his smiling face. Anger, laughter, expressions changing every moment. I love them.
That bad habit of his, crying at everything. When we first met he cried, too. I only thought of wanting to be with him, of seeing his face...
He’s probably crying now because of me...? I shouldn’t want to make him sad, but the thought of those tears shed for my sake warms me.
Joy or sadness, I’m happy if he feels them for my sake.
Heh...
Heh...heh...hahah...hah!
Was just being by his side enough...?! I am such a fool! I was wrong about this too.
Did I think I was so admirable for enduring in this? In the beginning I thought it was okay. But I was terribly wrong, wasn’t I? I suppose I want to kill everyone Mahumi visits so I can monopolize him.
This overwhelming need to monopolize—...! For what purpose?— Can I even say why I want to be beside him?
I understood quite plainly his words just now. When he said “I love you”, it’s completely different from the “love” I think of.
—We exist in different worlds.—
—No. But this is probably a good opportunity, isn’t it? To separate myself from Mahumi.
...I’ll go back. Yes, I’ll go back to the demon world. And I won’t see Mahumi anymore. We are completely different.
If I cannot have him, then I might as well end this once and for all—...
(Mahumi is sitting on a swing in a park. Uriel approaches, holding out his hand.)
Uriel
—Come back... It’s going to start raining soon.
Mahumi
Liar.
I won’t believe you anymore. Anything you say. You and the priest are both liars. I won’t go back with you...!
(Mahumi starts to cry. Uriel kneels in front of him and hugs him.)
Uriel
—don’t you know why I lied? I lied to get you back. Nii-san...!
Mahumi
!
Uriel
—Come back.
—Come back to our home.
(The rain starts to fall.)
Shion
Mahumi...
Will Mahumi be sad if I am longer here?
Your sadness makes me sad. But somehow I’m glad of your tears.
Somewhere within my heart there is probably a joy that cannot be concealed. Because you can truly feel that you love me.
—Mahumi—
It is as if your tears succor me like the rain.
Chapter 2
(A beautiful angel with golden hair spreads snowy wings into the darkness.)
Angel with golden hair
Yesterday, I saw in the reflecting pool a face I didn’t recognize.
A child’s form—who are you?
It felt as though you’re myself from another time.
(Sunlight shines into a meadow filled with flowers—the Garden of Eden.)
Angel with golden hair
—Even though I knew it was a sin—...
(A woman, walking naked through the long grass, picks a flower and tucks it behind the ear of the man walking behind her. They smile at each other. The angel with golden hair smiles as well.)
A voice
Brother. You’re looking at the Fourth Heaven again? You like it too?
Angel with golden hair
Uriel.
(Uriel in his angel incarnation is a grown-up version of his child form without the glasses.)
Uriel
Are they really that wonderful?
Angel with golden hair
Oh, yes.
I never grow tired of watching them—Adam and Eve.
They don’t know of the existence of “evil”.
They’re so innocent. They were created to resemble us—their forms are exceedingly charming.
(Uriel pouts, then stamps violently at the pool of water.)
Angel with golden hair
Ack!
...
(He bursts out laughing and hugs Uriel.)
Uriel! Don’t do childish things like that!
Uriel
But!
What’s so great about creatures like them!
They look just like us, but inside they’re far inferior. Why would the omnipotent Lord create something half-finished like them?
There’s a pair of them, but they’re not like other animals. It doesn’t look like they’re multiplying. I don’t understand what God is doing.
Angel with golden hair
Uriel...
Don’t say things like that.
Uriel
You of all of us understand God best, since you are closest to him.
Why am I not like you at all even though we’re twins?
Like you: the one nearest to the throne of God, the most beloved—
Like Lucifer.
(The angel with golden hair, Lucifer, kneels within a great hall)
Lucifer
—When did it start?
Since when I have felt doubt at being called thus?
Doubt arising within my faith in the omnipotence of the Almighty God...
They open in my breast by ones and twos like worm-eaten holes.
(Lucifer speaks to a light shining upon him from above.)
I have just returned from the Second Heaven.
Like uncovered holes—
O Lord...
Will you not pardon them?
Those angels in Raquia seemed so pitiable.
Samael as well as the peaceful angels are in contemplation.
Since they had absolutely no intention of defying you when they opposed the creation of human beings, will you not show them your compassion...?
God
Would you defy me as well...?
Lucifer
—No.
But surely such punishment is too harsh for Samael, who distinguished himself in your service during the Creation.
He...merely did not realize that humans are harmless to you—
God
Do not intrude into my affairs. I alone shall be the judge of guilt for all creation.
I have no choice but to cast them out of Heaven for rebelling against my will.
They will burn in flame. For such rebellion is a great sin.
Lucifer
...
I hear and obey...
(Lucifer is sitting in a tree with another angel with long black hair—Mikael.)
Mikael
Nevermind, Lucifer.
What the Lord said was quite right. They were judged; don’t let it weigh on your mind.
It doesn’t concern us.
...But it seems like these kinds of troublemakers who’ve been causing unrest have been increasing among the angels lately.
Don’t carry it all on your shoulders, Lucifer.
Lucifer
?!
Mikael
They want a leader—and since you’re second only to God himself, you’re the favorite. They’re a bunch like that, you see.
Hahah, well that was a dangerous subject. I know that you’re not as stupid as that.
The powerless ones can complain all they want.
But it’s another thing altogether for someone with power to rashly defy the one at the top.
(Mikael leans forward, looking down.)
Hey, look! It’s Eve!
She’s alone today—how unusual.
She’s so innocent like always. Eve is cute, isn’t she?
Lucifer
...ah.
(He smiles at Mikael.)
Hmm...
I see...so you—Eve—...?
Mikael
Huh?
(Lucifer grins at him, and Mikael blushes. He coughs.)
Nya. Not really.
Lucifer
Hmm, I see... But hmm, that’s fine...
Mikael
Aaaah...I want to be like Eve too.
Lucifer
HUH??
Mikael
Don’t be so surprised!
’Cause! Even though there are both sexes among the angels, we don’t have breasts!
I want things that jut out soft and round and go boing boing like that.
I just want to try it out once.
Lucifer
Ah...re-really?
Mikael
You don’t understand my feeling, hmph!
So, yeah! If I ever became human, I’d want to be female!
Lucifer
I got it, Mikael. Yes yes, I got it.
Mikael
Anyway, I would be careful of what we talked about just now. “Lucifer, God’s favorite—isn’t he proud?”—I’ve heard that said.
I don’t see that in you anywhere, but there are still people who say that.
Lucifer
—So angels can also be jealous...?
—The doubting heart is greedy.
One, two.
The rising doubts eat away at faith, scattering the leaves of confidence.
In my heart—
Three, four—...
They expand—...
(Lucifer is standing in the meadow with Eve.)
—Hello.
This is the first time I’ve met you in person.
...but I’ve watched you for a long time.
(Eve tucks one of the flowers she has been picking behind Lucifer’s ear. Lucifer smiles.)
Thank you.
(Eve smiles happily.)
Why is it that I am so relieved?
How long has it been that my heart knew no peace at His side?
Look.
(He and Eve are sitting together in front of a pool. He holds out his hand over the water’s surface, and images of skulls and hideous creatures appear within.)
It’s mysterious.
We can see like this those in the world beneath us.
If God is omnipotent, then why do beings like these exist?
Monstrous forms shut away in a dark world—it twists at the heart.
Why does God not help them?
Everyone says that they are traitors, but—...
Why do angels have free will? Why does rebellion arise in our hearts?
If God is all-powerful, he should have manipulated our hearts.
Poor Samael.
Should I not also burn in flame?
Are these doubts also what one would call “hubris”?
(Eve leans forward and kisses Lucifer on the cheek.)
...!
Eve...
(Eve smiles back at him happily.)
...Ah, I see.
Even if I’m mistaken about everything else, this alone I understand.
It was not a mistake for the Lord to create human beings.
This is what He wanted.
(Eve stands and runs away. She holds a large red apple from a tall tree.)
Eve, you must not pick that fruit.
Those who are so pure—
This is the “Tree of Knowledge.”
If you eat from it, something terrible will happen.
This red, delicious-seeming fruit is poisonous.
(He points to another tree in the distance.)
Likewise, you must never touch that “Tree of Life” over there.
These belong to God.
If you should eat from them, everything will come to an end.
Please, promise me.
That you will never eat from them, that you will never change from what you are.
(He kneels before her and kisses the palm of her hand. Uriel steps out from behind the tree where he has been watching Lucifer and Eve with a broken-off twig in his hand.)
(Some time later, Lucifer leans over a pool of water.)
Reflecting water,
Show me today, too,
The Fourth Heaven and Eve...
(In the water he sees Uriel holding out a large apple toward Eve. His eyes widen.)
(In the Fourth Heaven, the apple lies upon the ground with a single bite in it.)
Eve.
(Eve turns to look at him, startled.)
Eve?
(Eve suddenly blushes and puts her arms around herself. She turns and runs away from Lucifer.)
Eve...
Why...!!
Why did you break that world apart?
Mikael
Hey, Lucifer—
What’s wrong? I’ve never seen you look like that before.
Angels
Lord Lucifer.
!
...It’s Lord Lucifer.
Lucifer
—why!
(He opens the doors to God’s hall and walks in to stand beneath the light.)
Lucifer
—O Lord—...
—why...?
Why—?
Uriel said that he was carrying out your orders. Is this true?
You created humans as pure beings.
Then why would you deliberately inflict sin upon them?
(In a stone water basin, he sees—)
This is...!
Adam and Eve...
God
Lucifer—
Listen well.
They will be driven out of the Garden of Eden.
Because they have sinned against God.
The descendants of they who know good and evil will before long overflow the earth, and they will never be forgiven until the day of the last judgment.
Because they carry deep sins.
They will come to regret their errors.
(Adam and Eve are huddled together in the darkness.)
Lucifer
You—
Deliberately...
In this manner—
To prove that you are the absolute—
You created these poor creatures for that purpose, didn’t you?
I hear nothing.
I know nothing.
To be punished by you.
They who adored you like children.
If I became a child,
Could I return once more to happiness?
And I, too...?
Shall I, too...
Then it was I myself who wished for this.
But...
What have you in store for me?
And so. What now?
This feeling that makes me detest you—
Did you create this too...?
And then I knew what I needed to do.
You are the light. I am the shadow.
...this is what you wanted.
(Battle rages among the angels. They fight each other with swords in the sky.)
From now on I will oppose you, fight you.
(Some time later, Lucifer is chained against a wall.)
This body will probably burn in the depths of Hell for eternity.
Chained for the length of one thousand years in Purgatory.
I can no longer return.
—Yes.
This shadow in my heart from that worm-eaten hole.
Because I knew then that it too was the truth...
Chapter 3
(A stormy day. Shion looks out from his apartment.)
Shion
—What horrible weather...
I wonder if Mahumi got back to Raphael’s place safely?
Or...
...!
—I am such a fool.
I sent him away, and now I’m worried about him.
I’ve already decided to distance myself from him.
At this late hour—...
A voice
You hate the thunder, don’t you?
(There is a woman sitting in his kitchen.)
Woman
The thunder that is God’s sword—
You’re afraid of it, aren’t you?
It’s said to strike sinners, you know.
You’re more of a coward than I thought, Shion.
Shion
—Who the hell are you?
Woman
Aaah, I haven’t introduced myself yet, have I?
I am Mikael.
I’m happy to finally meet you, Shion.
Heheh...
(Mikael in this incarnation is a beautiful woman with short black hair and an ample chest.)
Shion
The Sword of Flame!
Then she...
—So you’re one of Raphael’s companions...!
Mikael
—Correct.
You hate this sword too, don’t you?
(She caresses it against her cheek.)
Though it’s a beautiful sword.
Shion
It doesn’t really bring back any pleasant memories.
That’s what your companion used to make Mahumi believe I was going to kill him so that we would fight each other.
—But what hurts are not just the wounds of the body.
Mikael
!
Shion
—That’s true.
Mahumi—he betrayed me first.
I didn’t abandon him.
The one abandoned was me, wasn’t it...?!
—Cold eyes—...
Eyes I’ve seen before.
Somewhere, before.
Of course. It was the first time we met.
The eyes of one who hunts demons...!
—I...
I’m surprised that I was surprised.
I misunderstood, didn’t I?
I am a demon. Someone to be hunted.
Being with him, I would sooner or later have been—...
I thought that it didn’t matter if I died.
Without attachments, I could live as I wish.
But even more than that, I wanted to take his hand.
And I was resigned.
But—...
Those eyes...
Seeing that despised color once more
—This wound
...that alone was enough to stop my heart...!
I probably won’t be able to forget for the rest of my life...!
Mikael
!
Shion
You came to take Mahumi back, didn’t you? Don’t worry, he’s probably at your companion Raphael’s place about now.
I’m...going back to the demon world, so you can do whatever you want.
Mikael
Hum.
And you’re okay with that?
You astonish me; I never expected those words from you.
Shion
“Is that okay” you said?
Yes, I am afraid...
Then what do you want me to do?
...of meeting Mahumi again...
Should I indulge in dirty behavior? Don’t make me laugh.
You should take him along with you.
You should hurry up and snatch him away from me...!
Of seeing those eyes—...
I’m afraid, so I’m running away—...!
Mikael
You said that we should snatch him away?
You really don’t know anything, do you?
About yourself. Or about Mahumi.
(Lightning crackles in Mikael’s hands, and Shion is slammed back against a wall.)
Shion
!
Uaaaagh!
Mikael
I don’t want to hear that from you!
First of all—...
The one who snatched him away from us was you...! 1
Shion
...?
Mikael
Oops, dear me. I shouldn’t speak like a man in this form, should I? Old habits die hard, I guess.
—...I won’t let you go back to the demon world.
Because, you see, you need to be killed by Mahumi.
Shion
Wh...!
Mikael
...Hey...
Haven’t you ever thought about how strange you are?
You are, aren’t you?
That form which bears an angel’s wings even though you are one of the demon clan.
How and why were you born that in shape?
Shion
I...!
I...
Ah...?
It’s strange. My memories...
What...?
If I think about it—I’ve always been alone. My kind hated me because of this shape.
But before that?
When was I born?
And what was I before?
Then aren’t I the same as Mahumi?! I have no memories of the past...!
—Why—...?!
I...am...?!
What...am I...?
What—...
Mikael
Do you want to know?
Shion
...!
Mikael
I’ll tell you.
Of that sorrow. Of when I lost my friend Lucifer.
But before that, which should I use, I wonder? The Sword of Flame or lightning?
I think I’ll play with you a bit before Mahumi gets here.
—Both are appropriate for a sinner like you, aren’t they...?!
Shion
...!
Mahumi...
What in the world happened to the both of us...?
What—are we...?
Mahumi
Wa...wait!
(Mahumi is standing with Uriel in a sheltered spot near the park.)
You said that I’m your brother?
Are you trying to deceive me again?
Uriel
No!
Look at this.
(He holds out a pendant.)
Mahumi
It’s the same as my pendant.
Uriel
Yes.
I gave you that when you were exiled from Heaven.
Whatever shape you took, I would still recognize you immediately.
Your memories are sealed—...
Within this pendant.
—Open it and see.
Mahumi
My...past...
The past that I had wanted to know so much is right here.
Uriel
Go ahead...
Mahumi
Then why am I hesitating?
I didn’t want to meet him.
Was it because I had remembered something?
Uriel
If you do, you’ll remember everything.
Mahumi
Why—
Perhaps because I am afraid of my own past—...?
(Mahumi opens the pendant, and a bright light engulfs him. He opens his eyes to see—)
—oh...!
Flower...petals?
(He looks upon a breath-taking scene—a wide meadow framed by mountains and filled with flowers. A pair of unicorns stands in front of him.)
Woooow...!
What a beautiful place!
I wonder where this is?
It really really seems like Heaven!
(Rabbits graze quietly, and a bird chirps on the branch above him. Mahumi reaches out a hand towards it.)
I want to touch it.
(His hand hits a barrier. Mahumi looks around—a fish swims in the water behind him.)
Oh, I see. I’m looking at this world from a pool of water. I’m within the water.
(He looks up through the surface of the water, and sees Lucifer.)
Oh...
How...how incredible!
Such a beautiful person...!
It seems like a golden light is radiating from his entire body.
(Lucifer is kneeling on the ground, peering into a pool of water.)
Oh...?
He smiled.
At me...?
Mahumi
Ah...um...hello.
I—...
Uriel
Brother!
Are you looking at the Fourth Heaven again?
Mahumi
Hu...h?
Could that be Uriel?
His face is somewhat—...
(Uriel pouts and violently stamps at the water above Mahumi.)
Mahumi
Uaaagh!
It really is Uriel!
That little brat!
Kicking the water surface all of a sudden like that—
Uriel
Humph.
Mahumi
Huh..?
(Lucifer tousles Uriel’s hair, and he laughs.)
That expression on his face...
He must really like this person...
(Lucifer is sitting with his friends, talking and smiling.)
...this golden person
He always seems to be enjoying himself.
He has so many friends
He’s always laughing, surrounded by everyone.
A beautiful, kind person
I would certainly come to like him, too.
But I know.
I know.
Sometimes now he would look like that.
As if he were a little sad.
—What could he be sad about?—
(Mahumi sits at the bottom of the pool with his arms around his knees. Something splashes onto his cheek and falls glowing into the palm of his hand.)
A tear...?
(He looks up, and his eyes widen.)
He’s crying—that person is...
Why?
Why is he crying?
What is it that’s making him so sad?
My heart is aching too...!
...even I am sad.
(Lucifer weeps over the water basin in God’s hall.)
Aaah...!
The one who is crying there is—
That’s—...
...!?
(Tears flow down Mahumi’s face.)
Me...
—That’s...me...!
—Oh...
Uriel
...
Do you remember now?
Mahumi
That golden...person
That was me...!
That’s why I want to return to Heaven.
I want to go back to that time.
That’s why...
Uriel
...you will return.
But for that to happen, you needed the blood of 999 demons.
You were banished from Heaven for the terrible sin of rebelling against God.
In order to atone, you were given this form and the task of exterminating the demons.
But there is one left.
One more, because 1000 demons are necessary.
—Yes.
You need—the blood of that demon called Shion...!
Mahumi
...!
Wh...!
Uriel
Everything had been decided—
—from the beginning...!
Chapter 4
~Mahumi
You’re saying that I need to kill Shion?
I have to...?
With these hands...?!
I have to...kill Shion...?!
I can’t.
I could never...!
Something like that—...!
Why would you say something like that?
I can pick another demon, can’t I?!
If I need just one more, another demon would do just as well—...
Right...?!
Uriel
—No.
Because Shion is special.
It has to be him.
Mahumi
Special?
What do you mean?
Uriel
He is your shadow.
—No, I should say that he is a part of you.
If you want to return as the commander of the seraphim, the archangel who is called Light—
If you do not erase the shadow which must not exist, you cannot return.
That’s why you must destroy him.
For my sake—...and for your own.
Somehow—...
Mahumi
—shadow...?
“Shadow”.
Shion is my...?
What does that mean?
(Shion is sitting back against a wall in his apartment, bleeding from a wound in his arm.)
Shion
...!
Mikael
What’s wrong?
You’re not going to fight back?
It’s boring if you’re just going to let yourself be tossed around.
Or have you resigned yourself to your fate?
Huh, so your blood is red, too?
Will you care if I mar that pretty face this time?
—You’re strong, aren’t you? Why don’t you fight?
Shion
—Is she being sarcastic?
Strong?
Mikael
Hmn, that’s what you demons say, isn’t it?
The one who is truly strong knows his own power, right?
You’re an overconfident fool if try to fight a battle you can’t win.
When going up against an archangel one-on-one, a demon has no chance.
(Shion snaps back from Mikael.)
Oh, so that’s honor, hmm?
Shion
—It’s not that I want to die, really, but...
—...
Mikael
You...
(Shion suddenly strikes Mikael. The Sword of Flame spins out of her hands.)
...!
You...!
Shion
But that’s when you’re an angel. I won’t lose against you when you’re in the shape of a woman fighting barehanded!
Mikael
!
Shion
Come forth: I summon thee from the depths of hell. You who can take a thousand shapes. In the moon’s name and in mine, I give thee birth from my blood.
(Shion smears an arc of blood on a mirror, and a dragon roars out of it.)
Mikael
!
Black magic summoning!
Shion
He has no chance against Mikael—he’ll simply gain me some time.
But better than nothing at all.
Mikael
So he’s planning to escape through the glass.
I won’t let you!
(The dragon attacks Mikael. She evades and spins around with the Sword of Flame. The dragon attacks her with his tail from behind)
Hmn.
Clever!
(She slashes through the dragon’s neck with the Sword.)
—Did you think that you could use a thing like that to escape?
(She throws a blast of power through the glass at Shion, and it hits him squarely.)
Shion
!
Uuu...gh.
Ah...!
(Mikael grins.)
Mikael
Sorry. I have a rule of never allowing a man I target to get away from me.
Oh dear, it looks like one of your arms is now useless, hmm?
But you shouldn’t get violent—
Be adult about it.
Eheheh.
You know, it’s strange, but I’m rather happy.
I didn’t want even Lucifer’s shadow to be a coward.
Shion
Lucifer—?!
Why did you say that name?
Lucifer, the king of Hell...
Whom they say fought against God but was defeated and so concealed himself deep within the earth.
Mikael
Oh, that’s right.
Shion
The one whose name we hesitate even to mention, whose existence holds everyone in awe—...
Mikael
You demons don’t know, do you?
Lucifer doesn’t really sit on the throne of Hell. It’s an empty seat.
Shion
!
That’s impossible!
Mikael
It’s true.
Because—
You see, Mahumi is Lucifer.
The archangel who was called “the one closest to God.”
We came here to look for him.
And if Mahumi is Lucifer, then you, too, are Lucifer.
Shion
That’s...impossible...?!
I am...?
Mikael
It’s true.
But you are one part of him.
If Mahumi is Lucifer’s light, then you are his shadow.
Yes.
You are the part of Lucifer who should not exist.
(Outside, the rain has stopped.)
Uriel
You know of the Seven Deadly Sins, right?
Pride, envy, wrath, lust, sloth, avarice, gluttony.
These are the sins you must avoid.
Your sin was “pride”.
In the midst of the angels you were the strongest, the most beautiful, and the most beloved.
Perhaps that why pride was born within you...
And suddenly one day you tried to rebel against Heaven.
Then, sadly, you were defeated and bound in Purgatory.
Mikael
Even now I don’t understand why he did something like that.
Everyone says that pride awoke in his heart because he was so beloved of God, but I don’t believe it.
They can say whatever they want.
He wasn’t someone like that.
If he was closest to God, then the friend closest to him was me.
That’s why I want to resurrect him and hear the truth from his own lips.
Then I want to say to him—
Yes, I’m the only one who believes.
“I believed in you”...!
Shion
What was that...? My chest, just now—
A feeling that I’ve missed this person very much—...
Why is that? I’ve never met her before.
Mikael
—There’s more.
It’s said that after that, Lucifer escaped from Purgatory and became the king of the demons.
—But—
That isn’t true.
God loved Lucifer so well that He could not abandon him.
So He bestowed upon him one more chance.
God divided Lucifer into two personalities and threw them down to Earth.
In other words, the part of Lucifer as the angel he was originally became Mahumi...
And the part which rebelled against God became Shion.
The two of you were one originally.
In order to atone for his sins, he needed the blood of 999 demons.
—And then, to return to Heaven, he would have to erase the personality that is you, which must not exist in an angel.
Mahumi
That’s a lie!
Shion and I were originally one person?
—that’s—
Uriel
...When I first saw you, I thought that it was strange that you were keeping company with a demon.
But now everything is clear.
Lucifer was you and Shion.
Mahumi
—...!
—When I first met him...
Why didn’t I kill him?
It was as though they the wings I no longer had...
I missed them so much...
The second time I went looking for him—
I thought that it was I alone who wanted us to be together.
Until then I never thought I wanted someone to be with.
I thought I was fine by myself—
I thought that—...
—So why did I go looking for him?
I felt so sad thinking that he might hate me.
I have always searched, always—
For my wings...
—I have to go.
To where Shion is.
Uriel
Brother!
Look, do you understand?
This is a test.
This the last chance bestowed upon you by God...!
In Heaven you were beloved above anyone else.
If you want companions, you’ll have them anytime.
Everyone would be happy at your return.
I would be, as well—
Mahumi
I truly want to go back.
But—...
I...
Uriel
Anyway—
Whatever you do, Mikael should already have gone to his place.
Mahumi
!
What do you mean! Is he going to...?!
(Mahumi starts to run off.)
Uriel
Brother!
Mahumi
!
Uriel
You’re coming back...aren’t you...?
Mahumi
...!
(Mahumi turns without answering and runs off.)
Uriel
Brother!
Mahumi
...
I...
Why am I running?
For whose sake?
I don’t know.
But I have to go—
To where Shion is—
Shion
!
(Shion runs up the stairs of his apartment. He opens the door to the rooftop and crashes against something. Mikael spreads white wings and floats in front of him. Blood bursts from Shion’s shoulder.)
The wound from before!
Mikael
—You are a part of my Lucifer.
But if you didn’t exist, then he would not have been banished from Heaven.
We’ve been looking for him for so long. That search is finally over.
This is the shape of your “death”.
You’ve nowhere to run from this rooftop. A barrier covers this entire apartment building.
Well?
You can’t get near me from there, can you?
Heheheh. Let me see what I wanted to see earlier.
Here!
(Mikael flings lightning at Shion, and he screams.)
Shion
UUUUAAAAGH!
Mikael
Fight me, Shion.
Shion
In truth—
Mikael
I like the forms of those struggling for their lives, even if it’s a useless effort.
It’s a beautiful thing.
Shion
My eyes are growing hazy, and I feel nauseous.
What do I do now?
I want to see him again...
Mikael
Hey,
I wonder if it would be the same if I killed you instead of Mahumi?
Or—
Shion
—...What he say at the end?
Mahumi, flashback
I trusted you.
This you is entirely—
Shion
What...was it he say of me...?
Chapter 5
~Shion
I remember now what you said then.
You told me that I was entirely like a demon—...
(Mahumi bursts into Shion’s apartment.)
Mahumi
Shion!
Shion!!
!
(He looks around. The place is trashed.)
—No one’s here.
But it looks like a storm passed through this room...!
There was a fight here—
(He touches a bloodstain on the wall.)
Oh...
—Shion.—
Could it be that he’s already—
...dead...!
No, it can’t be.
Uriel, flashback
This is your last chance!
Mahumi
—No...no...!
Even so...even if that’s true...I can’t, Uriel.
I can’t kill him.
I...
Shion...
I...
Will protect Shion...!
Even if they are my companions of old, I will protect Shion, so—
So please be alive...
—somehow, please be alive...Shion...!
Shion
—dizzy—
This is...not good.
I’ve lost too much blood.
I no longer have the power to maintain this shape.
If this goes on, I’ll turn back to my original form.
My original form...?
Mikael
I know. You have wings too, don’t you? Like us.
The only thing you inherited from Lucifer.
Why don’t you show me?
Shion
—the only thing...
How ironic. Those wings I hated so much.
If not for them, Mahumi and I would probably never have met.
A voice
What are you dallying around for?
Mikael
!
Raphael!
Raphael
Why are you taking your time with a guy like that, Mikael?
Did you become weak when you became a woman?
You have bad taste.
Mikael
Shut up! What are you doing here, anyway, Lord Monsignor? This is my part!
(Raphael completely ignores Mikael.)
Raphael
—It looks like your wound from that time still hasn’t healed, hmm?
I told you, didn’t I? Wounds from the Sword of Flame are special.
If it were an ordinary wound, you demons would heal within the day, but wounds from the Sword of Flame are different.
It would probably take a month.
Haven’t you seen changes in your body?
For example, your wings.
The wound from the sword is not limited to the wound on your body.
Rather, it is a sword with exorcises impurity.
It hurts when the poison gushes out from your body, doesn’t it?
Shion
—He knows...
Raphael
In any case, I must congratulate you on this second meeting.
Mikael
Wait a minute, Raphael!
Are you just going to ignore me?
(Light bursts around Shion, and the roof crumbles beneath him. He falls.)
Shion
—Mahumi...!
Mahumi
Shion...?
The roof—...
I heard voices from above just now.
Are they—...on the roof?
Mikael
Wait a minute! Raphael, I said wait!!
What are you doing?! If you go on like that—
(Shion is hanging from the roof ledge by one hand.)
If you kill him before Mahumi gets here, everything will be meaningless!
Raphael
It’s okay. I have no intention of killing him right now.
That’s going to be up to the person himself.
Beneath you is hard concrete. Even you will die if you fall from this high up.
Since you have wings like us angels, why don’t you use them?
I know why.
You don’t want to show Mahumi those black wings on your back, do you?
—You are a fool.
Just a little nudge is enough to push some things off-balance.
Mahumi’s feelings for you are like that.
You saw it at the church, didn’t you?
Mahumi, flashback
You are entirely like a demon!
Raphael
Killing a single demon has stained your wings, hasn’t it?
That must be it.
Each mark of Mahumi’s purification will brand itself into you.
The Sword of Flame’s effect is a bit more than I planned for. It looks like I was somewhat hasty.
Shion
Hasty?
Raphael
The number of demons Mahumi must destroy is not just 999. In truth, 1000 demons are necessary.
Shion
1000 demons?
Raphael
Yes.
—and the last is you, Shion...!
(Raphael slashes down with the Sword of Flame, and Shion falls.)
Mikael
!
Raphael!
Raphael
I know.
See?
The prince has arrived.
(Mahumi bursts through the rooftop door.)
Mahumi
...!
...Shion!
(Shion spreads his wings. They are jet-black.)
...!
Black wings...!
(Shion looks back.)
Shion
...Mahumi...
Mahumi
Sh...
Why does Shion have...?
—it couldn’t be...!
Shion...?
Shio...
(He reaches out a hand towards Shion, but Shion draws back from him.)
...!
Th...that’s right, isn’t it.
I made you suffer so much...it’s natural that you wouldn’t forgive me.
Shion
No...!
It’s only that I never wanted to show you this form.
Mahumi
I’m so selfish, aren’t I?
Shion
I thought that you would hate it...!
Ma—...
(Raphael puts a hand on Mahumi’s shoulder.)
Raphael
Mahumi.
(Mahumi jumps back from Raphael.)
Mahumi
Don’t touch me!
Raphael
My, my.
Mahumi
You liar!
You deceived me, didn’t you!
Even though I liked you...!
That’s so cruel...!
Raphael
Your crying face is cute, too.
Shion
Wh...!
Raphael
Sheesh...
I like you very much.
So why do you think I lied to you?
In order to save you.
Lucifer has become so cute.
Look at him.
That is his true form.
Abominable black wings...
I feel a little like it would be a waste to have him return to his original self.
He is the source of your sins...
Killing only 999 demons is not enough.
—If you don’t kill him, you will never be able to return to Heaven.
—Are you really okay with that?
(Shion, looking at Raphael and Mahumi, clenches his teeth.)
Shion
Yeesh.
You’re such a fool.
Don’t you understand even after seeing this?
Mahumi
Shion...?
Shion
What you see now is my natural form.
The white wings were a lie.
The truth is, from the beginning I’ve been acting the part of your companion to put you at ease so that you would drop your guard...
—because I planned to eat you...!
—you...
You said it, didn’t you?
Mahumi
Oh...
Shion
In that church. That I was entirely like a demon.
I remember now what you said to me at the end.
Ah, yes.
I am not “like.” I truly am...a demon...!
—that is what you said...!
Mahumi
...!
You...
You’re lying...!
That’s a lie!!
Shion
It’s not a lie!
Anyway, I’ve always hated children!
(He attacks Mahumi with a ball of energy.)
Mahumi
!
(Mahumi’s pendant breaks off its thread, and a flying piece of rubble leaves a bloody streak across his cheek.)
Mikael
Are you okay? Mahumi!!
Mahumi
Shion...
I came to save you...!
So...why...
Raphael
Attacking even Mahumi...! How cruel!
That’s why I told you not to trust him.
Now he’s showing his true colors...!
Mahumi
—why...
—why—
Mikael
You...—damned demon...!!
Mahumi
—Shion?!
Mahumi, flashback
“—Why 999, I wonder—?”
Shion, flashback
—What is?
Mahumi, flashback
Don’t you think it’s incomplete? That number.
(Mahumi is sitting on a bunch of cushions, playing a video game.)
None of this bunch is responding.
I think there should always be 1000 really strong guys.
Shion, flashback
Hmm...?
Mahumi, flashback
And when I’ve cleared everything, my wish will come true.
It’s interesting—just like a game, right?
Shion, flashback
Your wish?
Mahumi, flashback
You know! I’m always saying it! Haven’t you been listening?
I want to return to being an angel, with beautiful wings like yours.
(Shion is imagining Mahumi in child form with tiny wings and a halo.)
Shion, flashback
Mahumi...they wouldn’t fit.
Shion, flashback
I guess that’s “originally an angel”.
(Arrow pointing to Shion: meanie)
Mahumi, flashback
Oh, that’s right.
What about you, Shion?
Shion, flashback
Hm?
Mahumi, flashback
Heheh.
If I go back to being an angel, isn’t there anything I can do to thank you for helping me?
So tell me now.
What do you want?
If it’s something I can do, I’ll do it.
So? What is it?
(Shion stares at Mahumi.)
Shion, flashback
...!
—I
My wish is—...
Mikael
Mahumi! Here!
Do you remember? It’s the Sword of Flame.
The holy sword created to burn away all demons...!
Shion
Yes.
Mikael
If you defeat the thousandth demon with this, you can get everything back.
Shion
You should expel all doubt from your heart.
You are kind, so you must be hesitating because of these injuries.
But—
If I had betrayed you from the start, it should be easy for you to kill me. Right...?
Mahumi...my wish is—
—to grant all of your wishes, so...!
—so—...
(Mahumi holds the sword before him, pointed at Shion, but he is trembling.)
Mahumi
Shion...
Something like this...happened before, too.
That time...
Shion, flashback
You don’t trust me...!
Mahumi
Those words...
He was asking me...to believe in him.
Yes, Shion—is asking me to trust him.
Yes—
—...He said so, didn’t he...?
...!
Then—
(Mahumi runs into Shion’s arms. The Sword clatters to the ground.)
I...
I loved your white wings.
I really am a fool.
But—
I would love any color.
Because—
Because they’re your wings.
Even if they’re black...
I was going to repeat the same mistakes over again—...!
I don’t care...!
Shion
...!
Mahumi
I...I...don’t care if I don’t return to Heaven.
I don’t know if you’re still willing to listen to me, but—
I don’t want to go anywhere.
Because...
The place I most want to be—
Shion
The words that most wound me...
The words that I most wanted to hear...
Mahumi
Is here...!
Shion
You’ve given all of them to me—
Is this okay?
To be told like this, I...
I will never be able to let you go.
—I will never let you go.
—never...
(Uriel is feeding seagulls wheeling above his head. Raphael walks up to him.)
Raphael
—We’ve failed.
Even though my plan was flawless.
Uriel
Liar.
In any case, you failed in your poor tricks, so now your words become more and more obfuscating.
It isn’t in my brother’s personality to cast Shion away under these circumstances.
Raphael
Strange, isn’t it. My plans shouldn’t have ended up that way. Whose fault was that?
Uriel
No...
It would have turned out the same.
There are no circumstances under which my brother would eventually have come to kill him.
Don’t you think that’s true?
Since they were originally one person.
—No one would truly come to hate themselves that much.
(Mahumi is running through a train station. He gets on a train with Shion.)
Mahumi
—Say...
Is it really okay for you to remain here?
You could have returned to the demon world...
(Shion smiles.)
Shion
...Yes, it’s okay.
In any case, I don’t have any family.
And besides...
Mahumi
And besides?
Shion
—My wish is to make your wishes come true.
END