Digital Devil Story: Reincarnation of the Goddess (13 page)

"My name is Set. You are insolent to call the name of another..."

As Izanami let go of Nakajima's hands, the image dispersed, and in its place a gloomy space spread out before his eyes. Sweat from his temples trickled down his neck.

"Set!? That's the most powerful evil god from Egyptian legend!" Nakajima's voice was shaking.

"It's not just Set. Many demons have sensed the pathway you opened to their world, kindling their ambition to conquer the human world. More than just a handful of demons are looking to make an alliance with you...." Izanami's voice was solemn and full of gravity.

Trying to push any indecision out of his mind, Nakajima closed his eyes and spoke.

"This is all my doing, and I have to reap the seeds that I have sown. My mission now is to find a way to close the passageway to the demon world and do so."

"Well spoken." Izanami's expression softened slightly. "It will be difficult, but I am confident your efforts will eventually pay off. I cannot descend to the material world myself so I cannot fight alongside you. However, I will give you Hi-no-Kagutsuchi instead. He is a god that will lend you great power as a sword of flame when you are in danger. Hi-no-Kagutsuchi's power is a force to be reckoned with even amongst the gods of Yamato, and will surely help you."

While listening to Izanami, Nakajima could not help but feel anxious about the still-sleeping Yumiko. Perhaps she knew what he was feeling as the goddess gently put her hand on his shoulder.

"I will give this girl my power. And when she has gotten strong enough to defend herself on her own, I will return her to you. You'll wait that long, right?" Not waiting for an answer to her question, Izanami turned away from Nakajima.

"Soon a messenger from Yomi will come to pick up your friend. Until then, enjoy your brief reunion." With a smile, Izanami quietly lay on top of the dais. As she vanished as if dissolving into the very air, ashes in the form of a human figure remained behind on the stone slab.

"Izanami..." As Nakajima reflexively started toward the disappearing vision of the goddess, a familiar voice called him to a stop.

"Nakajima, you kept your promise to me!" Turning around, he saw Yumiko looking back at him, her chocolate-brown eyes filled with kindness. Delicate and pure, she leapt into Nakajima's waiting arms.