Interesting Times

Chapter Eight

It was not a question but it did demand an answer. It demanded the truth, a truth which was already known. Now all that remained to be seen was whether or not she would compound her error with a lie. Why bother? Kiyemon shrugged mentally. She was already damned. She would not dishonor herself by lying or playing games.

Kiyemon thought about it before decidedly replying, :No.:

Silence. Then there was a low sigh that Kiyemon felt echo through the room and into her bones. The Gate Keeper studied the figure leaning forward in the throne-like seat across from her. Nemesis, she decided, did not look well. Unlike Kiyemon and Tyche, the years had not been kind to her, immortality aside. There were lines in her face that seemed to carry the weight of centuries in every fold. Kiyemon felt her heart twist in regret at the cost her sister was paying.

Tyche and Kiyemon kept the Gates, watching the mortal and demon realms but never interfering and that was all they did. Nemesis kept the balance of the Gates, repairing rips and maintaining the perfect harmony the gates required to exist. It was a task that demanded energy and time from its performer. Nemesis had been beautiful once, young and vibrant and now… What sat before her was wasted away, her once clear ivory skin yellow and sagging. Once black hair hung loose and thin in gray, brittle strands. Only her eyes remained the same. They were commanding eyes, sharp and golden like a hawk’s and every bit as piercing. Those eyes saw past any falsehood and if she should detect a lie… Kiyemon did not like to think how those eyes could narrow and darken with the promise of punishment so vast it made her head spin. And despite her apparent age, Nemesis still had more than enough power to make good on her promises.

:Kiyemon. Sister.: Nemesis rose from her seat, clutching the arm rest as she swayed. Kiyemon fought the urge to rush to her side in assistance. It would only make matters worse. Tyche felt no such compunction and was at the older woman’s side in a blink.

:Leave off, girl.: Nemesis shook herself free unsteadily. :The day I cannot stand on my own is the day one of you will take my place in the Chair Of Balance.:

Which might be sooner than any of us knows, Kiyemon thought and was instantly shamed by the thought. Nemesis had held the balance of the gates for untold eons, she would not fail them now. But things were changing. Kiyemon felt a trembling in the air, a chord striking somewhere, heralding vast changes. The echo hadn’t reached here yet but when it did… Kiyemon had the feeling that they would all be swept away in it wake.

:Sister: Nemesis hobbled slowly towards her, back bent with duty and time. Kiyemon forced herself not to flinch as the other’s gnarled hands caressed her cheek. The flesh against her face was leathery and dry in sharp contrast to Kiyemon’s own young, fresh flesh. :Sister, we have watched the Gate for untold millennia with the orders to wait and do not interfere. It is not our job to do so. That will be for the ones who come after us. By doing as you have, you have broken our most sacred laws and I cannot protect you from punishment.:

Kiyemon felt fear ripple through her. :I know that, sister. And I am ready to accept your judgment.:

Nemesis’ sharp eyes softened. :No, sister. You are not. No one could be.:

The old woman drew back, studying her sister’s face as if trying to memorize it. :As set down by our laws, I must carry out sentence. Kiyemon, you are henceforth stripped of your powers and banished to the fartherest reaches of time and space, to the void that has no name or meaning. There you will stay until Those Who Are to Come arrive and make the final judgment.:

:Nemesis!: Tyche cried in shock. :Surely--:

:Be silent, girl: Nemesis snapped. :Kiyemon knew the law as we all did and she chose to break it. It cannot be borne and I must carry out punishment no matter how much I wish it were otherwise.:

:Tyche: It was Kiyemon who spoke now. The former Guardian straightened, then knelt in front of her sister and judge. :I submit to your will, Nemesis. I always have but you must realize that things are changing. We can no longer be impartial judges in the happenings of the universe.:

Nemesis frowned. :Explain.:

:Then whose place is it?: Kiyemon lifted her head in agitation. :If we do nothing, then we are as much to blame for the spread of evil than those who inflict it.:

:Who are we to decide what is or is not evil?: Nemesis asked patiently. :One man's evil is another's goodness. It is a mortal issue. All we can do is guard the gates.:

The two women stared at each other, the weight of eternity spent on their shoulders. Neither would back down. Neither would admit defeat. We have gotten old, Kiyemon thought bleakly. Old and unable to bend. Perhaps the universe will be a better place when creatures such as we are gone.

Kiyemon rose. She was doomed but she would not die in supplication. :I am ready for sentencing.:

:So be it.: Nemesis lifted her hands, eyes closing in concentration. Kiyemon felt the hairs on her neck stiffen as she felt her sister's power rose. Nemesis, she breathed in the confines of her mind, Please, be quick.

As if in answer, Kiyemon felt her muscles stretch then begin to contract, drawing tighter and tighter together. Pain pushed away coherent thought and it was a relief when nothingness stole up in a gentle embrace.

:Good luck, Slayer, Troopers: She wished into the vastness one second before she ceased to exist.

***

Buffy rose to her feet, circuiting around the room before stopping in front of a window. Her face was one of abstract concentration. Giles frowned, studying her. He knew his Slayer well. When she got an expression like that, it usually meant something.

"Buffy?" He got off the couch to stand next to her. "Are you all right?"

She didn't answer right away, her blue eyes far away. Then she shivered. "You know that expression about walking and graves?"

"Yes," he replied ever cautious.

"I think someone just mowed over mine."

***End of Chapter Eight