(no subject)
Title: 31 Trials from Hell
Rating: 18
This chapter: PG
Main Characters from: Gacktjob, Malice Mizer
Main Pairing: Gackt X Kami
Summary: When his lover dies Gackt will do anything it takes to get him back even if it means following him into the depths of hell.
Previous Trials
Trial 1: The Deal
Trial 2: Trust
“I just need to prepare a spell to protect you from harm.” You explained. “Just a mixture of herbs and salt you already have in, why don't you put on something comfortable to sleep in? It'll only take a few minutes.”
“Sure, OK.” Gackt agreed wandering into his bedroom and stripping away his shirt but remaining in his trousers knowing he didn't own anything that was more comfortable, he usually slept naked but doubted You would appreciate him doing so now. Normally Gackt didn't consider his guests feelings so much but when a man was helping you out you compromised, it was just how things worked. Still he didn't know the man and glancing at the doorway Gackt picked up his phone and ran a search for information sure that if You was as nice as he seemed he'd understand and if he wasn't, well it was nice to be warned.
“OK I'm ready.” You spoke up as he carried a bowl filled with herbs and salt into the bedroom finding Gackt with his phone deeply engrossed in whatever he was reading.
“Why aren't you a woman?” Gackt spoke up seemingly at random though it was clear exactly why he had asked.
“Valkyries are meant to be beautiful.” You replied. “Or the kind of woman you can trust but not all men trust women, not all men can be seduced by them so Odin created a few male Valkyries to fill this gap. Now women have started becoming warriors too things are perhaps easier, though modern times seem to prevent men becoming the warriors they should be. Nothing like a gun to kill the warriors spirit. Any more questions? I'm sure if I looked at that phone I’ll find you've been asking the internet, not the most reliable off sources I'm afraid.”
“Do you mind that I’ve been researching Valkyries?” Gackt worried scared he might have upset You though to his relief the other shook his head and sat beside him on the bed.
“No, I get it. You can't remember your past life and don't know if you can trust me. Doesn't matter what I say but I’ll let you in on a secret, you were a lieutenant before. I really liked you and I think you liked me too. We were close you know, when I was around. Perhaps because you were so bored and I could offer you stories from earth on how it had changed. It fascinated you so it came as no surprise when you asked to come back here again. I just never expected this too happen, you were meant to live a nice normal life and then come back to me. All past life memories return on death if you were wondering about that.”
“I see.” Gackt replied. “Can't you tell me anything more about the man I was?”
“You're not supposed to know.” You admitted. “But you were a Samurai who died young, only in your early twenties. I'd been watching you and you trusted me, thought I had died on the battle field with you at first but then you realised what I was, you saw Valhalla as a way to restore your honour though I never told you then, your honour was never in question.”
“So you admit you manipulated my feelings?” Gackt asked.
“I just... OK yes but you were strong and I needed men like you. It's harder for us male Valkyries to gather the souls of men you know, less choice really.” You admitted glancing at Gackt who didn't seem angry.
“The Vikings thought Valhalla was heaven.” Gackt commented. “But what kind of heaven is fighting all day?”
“And partying all night.” You added. “Though it's not so much day and night as half the time you work the other half you have fun. You liked it anyway.”
“I'm going to trust you, I feel like I should.” Gackt admitted. “It's what my instincts are saying anyway. Can I just ask one question, do you really choose who lives and who dies on the battle field? Can you really sway the tide of a battle so that your chosen army wins?”
“Only a god can choose who lives, as for who dies, even a mortal like you can control that.” You explained. “I can't play with free will or fate in the way you're implying. If I want a man to die I can kill him myself or get someone to kill him for me perhaps. And before you ask, no I don't kill warriors just to get them in my army, when you've lived for thousands of years you learn patience.”
“Well that just leads to another question!” Gackt complained. “How old are you?”
“Oh I must be closing in on 3000 now, the female Valkyries are older off course but only by a century or two. Odin is quick to learn his mistakes and fix them.” You explained.
“I wish I had time to ask you everything.” Gackt replied with a sigh. He was still curious, every one of You's answers making him think of a dozen more questions, but he didn't want to wait any longer. He needed Kami back and he wanted it to be sooner rather than later.
“When you die you'll remember most of this, it's all things I’ve told you before.” You explained. “But really the question is, do you trust me?”
“I do.” Gackt replied glancing down at his hand where the symbol had glowed so brightly before but now had disappeared yet again. “If this is your mark on my soul then it's been there for my whole life and no harm has fallen on me. Let's do this, let's go to the underworld.”
“As courageous and determined as always.” You replied smiling. “OK, let's move this bed away from the wall to start with, I need to make a circle with this salt and herbs.”
“Yeah OK.” Gackt agreed finding the bed quite easy to lift and move with You on the other side, clearly the Valkyrie was strong, stronger than he was even, but perhaps that was only natural? If the Valkyries led armies off histories greatest warriors then they had to be something special themselves right? You was probably a force to be reckoned with when annoyed and perhaps it was for the best he had attacked Chachamaru and not him. The demon was a worry though, he hadn't given up just backed off for now and he could only wonder what he had planned for him next. Well he was trying to get him to choose his side so it was unlikely he'd be under attack, just he'd have to watch what the other said and be prepared for lies and trickery, he had placed his trust in You and he swore in that moment that he wouldn't doubt the Valkyries intentions. If You thought something was a good idea then he would at least listen. Though obedience was not his greatest strength he found himself willing to follow You's orders and commands, perhaps there was a part of him that remembered that You was his commander after all? A part of him that was still fiercely loyal and eager to please You, and only You. Let Chachamaru try, he couldn't destroy this soul deep bond he thought he shared with the Valkyrie.
Picking up the herbs You began to leave a solid circle around the edges of the bed listing the ingredients and what kinds of creatures, or magic, they protected him against. It was too much for Gackt to take in so he stopped trying and just accepted You was doing his best to keep anything bad out of his unprotected body. It seemed without his soul the flesh would be a welcoming host for any number of creatures that he hadn't even heard off or a warm rest spot for a wandering spirit.
“I can see ghosts you know.” Gackt spoke up when You brought this last part up. “Is this because I was reincarnated?”
“Perhaps.” You agreed. “But it's unusual for a second born soul to have physic abilities. Normally such things develop on your third or fourth reincarnation. Some men are really into the idea of being reborn and all the heaven dimensions seem happy to reincarnate such souls. We Valkyries are a bit reluctant but it happens and as for those in hell, usually a god has to interfere.”
“Thank you. I never said that did I?” Gackt realised. “For letting me be reincarnated, for helping now, for being so patient with me.”
“Your welcome, though the last part comes with the job.” You replied with a gentle smile. “Well the circle is done, you need to get in bed like you're asleep. Some way you'll be comfortable.”
“Sure.” Gackt agreed as he got in bed and with a cheeky smile crossed his arms over his chest like he was lying in a coffin. It was his idea off a joke but You only shook his head and quickly chanted a spell that sounded like it had been written in German or at least a Germanic language. As he finished Gackt stared at him waiting for something to happen but it didn't, he was still lying in bed staring up at You expectantly.
“Come on, this was the easy part, now I have to take you into the death.” You encouraged and confused Gackt sat up realising that as he did the flesh he had been lying in didn't move. It was shocking even though he had half expected it and getting out of the bed he turned to find his body lying still breathing but with unseeing eyes.
“That's really creepy. I should have shut my eyes.” he complained reaching down to force his eyelids close but finding his hand refused to make contact.
“You won't have a solid form in this world until I reverse the spell.” You apologised as he reached down and gently shut Gackt's eyes like you might do to a corpse. “But you'll feel human again once on the other side.”
“It's kind of fun to be a ghost.” Gackt realised. “I take it no one can see me? Can they see you?”
“Depends on which plain of existence I want to stand on, life or death.” You explained. “Now your body should be untouched while we're gone, I can return your soul to earth any time I please after you leave it so it'll just be like you slept for the night if anyone comes in.”
“I've been asking the wrong questions.” Gackt realised. “I didn't even think to wonder what people might think.”
“Well it's a good job I'm watching your back then.” You replied with a smile. “Now let's see, the nearest portal into death would be.... oh just at the end of your street outside McDonald's of all places.”
“Why McDonald's?” Gackt wondered finding the information hard to digest.
“Because McDonald's happened to build a restaurant right next to a portal.” You explained. “You ready to leave?”
“I'm ready to find Kami.” Gackt replied reminding himself why he was doing all this and taking courage from his lovers memory. Kami would be so proud off him for doing this, though shocked off course. This was far better than his deal with the devil plan, for a start Kami would understand and not scold him for being so reckless.
“OK then.” You replied as he headed out of Gackt's room leaving the man to smile sadly at a photograph off him and another man, presumably Kami, messing about at what appeared to be a theme park.
Gackt wasn't too far behind You and could easily see where they were headed, a large glowing oval filled the street looking inviting and warm as it shone with brilliant light that wasn't blinding though really it should be. Approaching he realised he must have walked through this oval a thousand times since he had moved here without even noticing it.
“The portal.” You explained. “Think of it as the front door to a house leading into a hall with a hundred doors leading away. You won't go to any specific dimension stepping through here but it does take you into the underworld.”
“It doesn't want me to step through, it's like a voice in my head telling me it's not my time yet.” Gackt worried.
“Because you're still alive.” You replied. “You'll be fine, trust me?”
“I trust you.” Gackt replied and smiling You stepped through the portal without hesitation or doubt. In an instant he was gone and Gackt was just about to follow when he saw the demon materialise beside him.
“You know Gackt, things would be so much easier if you just let me help.” he scolded. “Why are you going for Plan B when Plan A would have been a success?”
“Because my full name is Gackt Orpheus Camui?” Gackt suggested.
“You could have Kami back right now you know.” Chachamaru tried to tempt him. “Why are you doing this the hard way? I thought you loved him? Wanted to be with him?”
“Well it's simple, I don't trust you.” Gackt responded. “And it was wrong for me to try and summon you in the first place.”
“Yet you trust You?” Chachamaru asked. “Even though he hid your past from you? Even though he's branded your soul? It's no fun being a solider you know.”
“Life isn't about fun, it's about what's right and wrong. It's about being noble and honest.” Gackt retorted. “But more importantly I trust him, with my life as you can see.”
“You're a fool.” the demon scolded.
“Well you know the thing about fools is that they'll rush in where angels would fear to tread.” Gackt retorted stepping through the portal finding You waiting on the other side looking very much like the kind of person he'd be proud to call a friend.