~Prologue~

"If you want to rid of your suffering, you will return here with the right to serve as my underling." Bernhardt laughed mechanically, sitting on an amethyst colored throned, edged with gold. He allowed himself a sip of wine, giving Kazuma a demonic-like glare with paired well with his devilish smirk.

"No way in hell's name will I ever come back here with the intent to be under your dictation, my only purpose in returning here will be to slain you! You damned bastard!" Kazuma scowled, griping the backside of his neck, cringing with absolute pain.

"Ahh... You must have chosen to protect that 'little girl' instead. I pity the both of you. It's a shame that you choose love over power." Bernhardt then called for Lapis. "Come Lapis! Let us return to Belial."

"Damn it all!" Kazuma spat. He watched as Lapis entered the room from a long corridor, where he had agreed to let Ayano handle the fair beauty who resembled his past love.

"Yes, Master." Lapis replied simply. She eyed the Fujutsushi user. Before catching up to Bernhardt, Lapis shifted towards to where Kazuma was bearing his neck in pain. "The woman that you seek is outside. It is best for you in your condition not to delay here much longer." Lapis paused. "This place will collapse as soon as we depart." And with that, Lapis was again called by Bernhardt, she hurried after her master, leaving Kazuma on his knees, crouching in utter sufferance.

The ceiling of the building began to creak. The void was about to fall apart.

Ayano... Where... I have to... Kazuma continued to crawl until his stamina had drained to nothing.

"Ayano..." Kazuma looked up upon hearing footsteps (More like dragging). With his vision blurry Kazuma only caught a glimpse of his crimson colored love. His eyes followed the Kannagi heiress, she was slumping towards him, most likely weak from the battle with Lapis. She fell to her knees just a few inches in front of him.

"K-Kazuma...!" Ayano cupped Kazuma's face in the palms of her hands. "What has he done to you?..."

Kazuma found no words, he felt the darkness pulling him in, lulling him into unconsciousness. He lifted his right arm, trying to reach Ayano's face. His backhand barely skidded across her cheek, before it fell to his side. He was knocked out cold. This was Bernhardt's doing, along with the help of Belial.

OoOoO

A year after the battle at Pandemonium, Bernhardt, along with Lapis returned with a new tactic in mind. Basically, they summoned Belial. After a year of silence, they had finally regained the strength and power to awaken the most powerful youma to have ever set upon the earth. All of Tokyo is being run down by various Youma. Most of the citizens have fled to other areas of Japan, though they are aware that it is only temporary safety. Soon the entire main island, along with it's sub islands of Japan will be consumed by the menacing beast and soon the whole world will be under Bernhardt and Armagest ruling. No soul shall be heard from again.

Currently the situation is under Tachibana, Kirika and her department, along with many other magic user clans; including the Kannagi's control. In each clan, most of the head families have fled to safer area however, Kazuma had volunteered to take on Bernhardt himself with Ayano tagging along. (Even if Jugo was clearly against it, this time around). Ren had also wanted to aid, but again Jugo wasn't for it. He only allowed Ayano this once, only because he knew she'd be by Kazuma's side. So when the void appeared, Kazuma and Ayano took first opportunity in taking it down. Unfortunately it had lead to where they are now, defeated and pain-reddened.

The young couple have been hiding out in the low-class ghetto areas of Tokyo. Keeping their whereabouts a secret. They had to take serious precautions, especially seeing how Kazuma's condition is at his worst. He had received a mark from Bernhardt. The mark of Belial. This mark contains dark magic; directly from Belial, which pulsates throughout his body, causing serious pain. Right now we fall upon the scene of the crimson-headed Kannagi heiress, Ayano, as she aids in Kazuma's recovery.

OoOoO

"Kazuma..." Ayano muttered softly, grasping Kazuma's hand in hers. "Please... Please... Wake up." Ayano looked down at her cellphone. There was no service. The time though, read: 4:27 AM. She sighed sullenly, tears silently slipping from her tear ducts as she closed her eyes to regain her composure. It had been 3 days since she and Kazuma barely escaped with their lives from the momentary void, created by Bernhardt and Lapis. She blamed herself. Why hadn't she had been strong enough to handle Lapis on her own? Why had she had let Kazuma recklessly trudge on forward into the void, ultimately leading to his downfall?

Ayano threw her cellphone against the wall. She still held Kazuma's hand in hers as she continued to mourn in silence. Some girlfriend she was, let alone his partner.

"I was the idiot this time... I brought this upon us..." Ayano kissed Kazuma's back hand then stood up and reached over to plant a soft kiss on Kazuma's cheek. "I'll be back Kazuma. I hope you'll find the strength to live... to survive. I still must apologize for all the trouble I have caused you and to beg for forgiveness." She neared the door. She placed a fire-like barrier around Kazuma. That should keep his temperature up and to protect him from any foul Youma... Before leaving to go retrieve provisions, Ayano stared longingly at Kazuma, the palms of her hands, clenching her chest. "I'll be back! Don't worry..." Ayano mumbled. It was cold out. This is all I can do for him at the moment... He doesn't look too good... probably won't be waking up anytime soon.

Ayano looked up at the sky. It was a horrendous sight, a gloomy midnight-purplish gray. She frowned. There's no wind... And with that the Kannagi heiress continued on her way, cautiously into the abandoned streets of Tokyo.

Hello minna! I hoped you enjoyed reading this new fanfict! I had just came up with the idea and I feel as though this may be another good storyline! It's a bit dark, but it will have it's moments. Oh and if you are wondering, yes Kazuma and Ayano were in a relationship before all this came upon them. So basically the story will revolve around Kazuma and Ayano trying to strive in both love and in battle. Will the two be able to hold out, what is there to hang on to when all is lost?

Continue to read on and find out (;

Please tell me what you think of this new fanfict. I am not used to writing dark things, so please bear with me as I experience a new type of genre! Also, if this introduction sounds a bit confusing, hopefully it will be more understandable in the chapters to come! I Hope you all find this new change exciting and refreshing from my original work. (:

Again, thank you all for your wonderful support and praise~!

[4/5/2013; 1:53 AM]