Act 11 Voodoo Child 10

Kazuki is back to his pretty words, talking about those fluttering flowers in the wind again. And about the Fuuga of the past (during the "warring" period of Mugenjou's history). The picture suggests the Black Thread was the 5th member of Fuga at that time. Anyway, they're all thinking about "him". It seems "he" is already in that "corrupt place" (which I assume is the Sodomunado Akabane was talking about in the last chapter). So, Kazuki announces they should go to the meeting place as they will need "his" power in order to win and once again Kazuki announces the reformation of Fuuga. On to Akabane and Himiko. Akabane is on the phone and has just found out that Kazuki et al will be participating in the upcoming "GrandPrix". Akabane comments how this really is becoming a lot more fun. Such is Akabane. Anyway, the two begin to descend the stairs to the underground town we have heard so much about, Sodomunado. Himiko considers how the other her is in that place, and also in that place resides the secret of the Voodoo Children. At the bottom of the stairs Himiko opens the door to that underground world, the "decadent city", where people have no money or things and many poeple are crazy (Akabane actually says that! Like he can talk!). And we see some prostitutes selling their wares and a crazy man shouting stuff. So then, on to the exposition. Akabane tells us the city was founded back in the "Taito Tokyo Era" (when was this anyone?) and was a project to construct an underground route. I get a bit confused here, but it seems that it was the predecessor to Mugenjou; a plan of Babylon Tower to increase their prosperity. However, this plan was discontinued and construction was stopped. It seems there were delays and building was neglected and so the buildings around Babylon Tower collapsed in on it, creating Mugenjou. Then criminals came to Sodomunado and the town grew in this way. When this fact came to be known the doors leading to the above world were closed off and only a little while ago did the door down which Himiko and Akabane descended become accessible again. Because there was no way out, people lived their lives in the underground city (and we see miserable pictures of dead/dying children). Himiko comments that the place is like Mugenjou, but Akabane disagrees. Mugenjou Lower Town had Raitei and now has Makubex as ruler to keep things under control. Himiko argues there is a place like that in Mugenjou but again Akabane disagrees. As lawless as Mugenjou may seem, even the Beltline had a ruler who he names as "Der Kaiser". But in the Underground city, there was and is no ruler. Himiko thinks how this "Der Kaiser" guy is German. "Come to think of it, Ban is also German..." she thinks (yeah, and several million other people are too but that doesn't make them related. Sorry, but Japanese poeple seem to think all foreigners know each other personally). Anyway, back to the story. Akabane says that because there is no leader, there is no order and therefore, those with power exploit and kill those without. As if to emphasise his point, we see the mad man from earlier in the chapter, but now he's just a skeleton. "In this place, he is meat. His internal organs becomes money..." Akabane says. But Himiko says what about the one with her face, the "Queen". But Akabane tells us she is not ruler of the town. She is powerful and rules over the "Infernal Dome" but the reason for her existance is not to rule, but on the event of her 17th birthday a competition is held. And the winner of this "Queen's Cup" is given her "favour" (this can also be translated as love or patronage). "So she exists for the purpose of being the trophy." Akabane says. Now Himiko gets pissed off with all this. "A woman is not a thing that can belong to a man!" she says, "It's ridiculous!" (Go Himiko!) But Akabane argues that competition has been a way in which men have gained brides since ancient times. (Hmm.) In any case, the lure of the Queen's Cup is also a way for men to test their limits. And we all know this is Akabane's fixation. Then Akabane goes on about the wishes of the Underworld people to gain the "right" to be beside the "Gods" of Mugenjou; to go to Babylon City. Their long conversation is then interupted by the appearance of three blokes who Himiko thinks are very strong. It appears they are going to compete in the GrandPrix thing. Himiko gets even madder when they say she and Akabane can't be going to the GrandPrix because Himiko is a woman (at this point I am also starting to get slightly pissed off by these gender politics). In any case, one of the "Fighters" recognises Akabane's strength and asks if the two of them will join them to make a team (and Akabane explains to Himiko you have to have a team of 5 to enter). And if they don't accept then they will be their enemies and will "Die right here". Himiko says shouldn't they consider accepting as they need three more people. But Akabane comments they shouldn't descend to such a level. Himiko agrees and goes to fight them but Akabane tells her to "Please not do that" and to stay calm. They should reserve their strength for the main event. Himiko's well pissed off now and says she's going to go fight them on her own. But Akabane says she will not need to fight them alone as the other two memebers of their team have arrived and so appears Ban and Ginji.