Disclaimer: World Trigger is owned by Ashihara Daisuke. Minoru and Taka are owned by Yujonokage

Chapter 1: Ketsueki Kagerei

The sound of flesh pounding into flesh could be heard in the room.

Grunts and groans came after every sound, each second having a noise filling it up.

The repeated movements of the two people there made for an interesting rhythm that created a sort of melody with those noises alone. Sweat rolled down their faces and their heartbeats continued to pump at an above average rate, adding more to the sounds.

"Ow, ow, ow..."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to go so hard. Are you okay?"

"Yeah... I'm fine. Let's continue."

The sounds continued on, even amplifying with the repeated sound of a body hitting the ground with a good amount of force. If it wasn't for the fact that a mat was there to cushion each hit to the ground then the pain would be worse.

The two people in the ground continued their rigorous activity in the room, both having ragged breaths.

The intensity coming from the both of them continued to pour out.

They both found this to be helpful in some way.

This helped to forget.

This helped to distract.

This helped to get everything out.

Both of them gave their consent to this before starting.

The two of them had decided that this was a fine and went all out because of it.

They continued to pound into each other with everything they had. They would finish and feel satisfied once this was all done.

Until then...

"Let's keep going!"

"Are you sure? Maybe we should take a break."

"It's fine. We both need this right now. The more we go at it the better we will both feel at the end of it all."

"If you say so."

Kagerei Ketsueki let out a content sigh as he used the towel around his neck to get the sweat off of his face. Next to him, Hatohara Minoru did the same. The two looked rather tired with their breathes trying to even out.

Ketsueki walked over to two water bottles. He grabbed one for himself while tossing the other to the younger male.

"Thank you for helping me train, Minoru-kun. I'm more of a spearman, but this still helps to move my body the way I want it to move. I really appreciate it."

"It's fine. This also helps me out so we are both benefitting from this."

Ketsueki gave a smile while walking towards the door. He heard the other following by the sound of the second set of feet behind him.

The two started down the hallway, not bothering to stop the conversation going on.

"Still, even after all of this, I can't really seem to win. I lose to you in our sparing, I lose to Rei-san at arm wrestling and I'm still not the best with a polearm among everyone in Border. Kirie-chan and Yosuke-kun are such tough people to pass."

"To be fair, I've been doing this a lot longer than you. You are getting a lot better though. The time it takes for you to hit the mat is a lot longer than before. You can hold your head up in pride about that."

"Yeah. I suppose. It would just be nice to win once in a while. Generally speaking that is. I am fine with lose to a more experienced person. It's only natural they would be better than me, so no complaints."

"Hm? What do you mean? Don't you win a lot when you do some solo matches or practices?"

"I wish. Any time I feel like doing a solo match I end up noticing that I'm not even in Mikado City anymore. The last time that happened I was in a different country altogether."

"Ah. You really do have a habit of just up and leaving..."

Ketsueki could only sigh at the sad fact that what he had been told was true.

He was a man who love mythology of all kind. He never actually believed in any of the stories that were told yet he enjoyed the stories themselves. That was why he would have lapses where his love for mythology would take over and he would end up leaving on unexpected vacations to learn more about different mythologies. That was also why he was usually chosen to go on away missions as well. His love for mythology extended to other worlds.

Even so, this would cause problems more often than not. It was always troublesome for the directors when they could not figure out where he had gone or when he had duty and was nowhere to be found. Even the one from Tamakoma - the branch he belonged to - found this irritating at times.

Although there were those who found this rather entertaining. There were many times where people like Tachikawa, Touma and, shockingly enough, Ninomiya joined in on his trips. Those were when everyone was fine with it since the added people would tell the directors beforehand.

It was the sad truth that he let his interests override his logic.

"Oh yeah, I have something from Egypt for you and Masa. I figured I would get some souvenirs for all the trouble I cause everyone."

"There's no need for that. I'm pretty sure that most of us are use to it by this point."

"That shouldn't be something that happens..." He gave another sigh. "Well, I suppose I can't do much more. Although having to apologize to the directors every time gets tiring. Especially since I'm pretty sure Netsuki-san is out to get me while Kido-san glares at me every time he sees me."

Minoru could only give a small pat on the back, unsure of how to comfort the older man.

It was also a truth that due to his sudden disappearances that he started to get on some of the director's bad sides.

Before he could say anything to cheer the man up, a noise was heard.

"Woof!"

Hearing the familiar bark of a dog, Ketsueki quickly shot his head up and ran forward.

The speed he used to run made it really seem like he had not just been in a sparing match with a skilled martial artist.

.

Ketsueki quickly slid into the room before looking around wildly. It wasn't long until he found his target. When he did...

"Taka!"

He made another quick dash to where a small Samoyed pup was happily barking. That was when he also noticed what the pup was barking at. Rather, who it was barking at.

"Krümel too!?"

He slid on the ground, ready to grab both pups from the bound and lift them up.

What he failed to notice were the people standing around the two pups.

One of the people quickly bent down and lifted the two dogs into the air, leaving Ketsueki to continue sliding on the floor and getting a small amount of burns from the friction.

"Ow..."

"Sorry, Ketsu-san! I picked them up out of reflex! Krümel-kun got scared when you suddenly rushed them so I just did it! I'm really sorry!"

"There's no need to be sorry, Hogo. Just let him stay there for a bit. He got too excited at seeing the dogs."

"Rei-san, that's so mean! You could at least help me up."

Kizaki Reiji rolled his eyes as he bent down. He placed both hand under Ketsueki's arms and easily lifted him up, his feet now barely hanging from the floor.

"I was kidding..."

Ketsueki only blushed a bit as he was gently placed back in the ground.

He coughed into his hand before looking over at the boy who was holding the two pups. He slowly walked over before holding his arms out.

The Samoyed pup happily barked before jumping into his arms.

The German Shepard that was still in the boy's arms made a small noise before being gently handed over.

Ketsueki was quick to gently rub his face into their fur. The soft feeling and happy barks were enough for him to forget that small injury he had just gotten.

"This guy..."

"We can't really blame him. He just really loves dogs."

Kizaki looked over to see Minoru walk in with the towel around his neck and a bottle in hand.

"I know. That's why he went to Egypt. He wanted to know more about Anewbus."

"It's pronounced 'Anubis,' Rei-san. Not 'a new bus'."

"Right..."

Seeing the interactions going on, Hogo Oshiro smiled. It was nice to see his dog fine with this kind of thing. That was probably because he knew that Ketsueki would spoil him if he wanted.

He looked around before turning to Kizaki.

"Kizaki-san, where is everyone else? This whole place seems to be empty. I would have thought that at least Yotaro-kun and Usami-san would be here."

"They're just out right now. The two you mentioned went over to see Miwa Squad while the others are just doing other things right now."

"They probably went to see Yosuke-kun." Oshiro jumped a bit before turning over to the one with the two dogs. "Ketsu-san, Yosuke-kun actually as a message for...you..."

The three currently standing up looked down to see Ketsueki on the floor, Krümel in his grasp, high above him and in the air. On his stanch was Taka, jumping on him as if he was a trampoline. It was a very odd sight.

Minoru and Oshiro contemplated taking their dogs back but saw that they were having fun and decided against it.

Even so, Kizaki let out a sigh before bending down again. He repeated his process of lifting Ketsueki up. This time he didn't let the other stand and instead simply held him in the air like a child.

The two dog owners could see their dogs running around, playing. With Ketsueki no longer able to play with them they settled for playing with each other.

"Alright, Hogo, continue."

"Right..."

Oshiro could see Ketsueki blushing like crazy for the fact he was being held like a child by Kizaki. He could understand the feeling since he had been in similar situations with a certain Gunner.

Thinking that it was better to continue talking, he ignored the blush and spoke.

"Yosuke-kun wanted to know if you wanted to have a solo match with him. He said that he wanted to try something and asked me to pass the message on."

"'Something,' you say? I wonder what it could be."

"You should probably go see what it's about."

"I would love to... If you wouldn't put me down that is!"

He was gently placed on the ground for a second time. The blush on his face still lingered, even when he moved over and coughed.

"I don't have my phone on me. Hogo-kun, can you message him back saying that I will be at the base in an hour? I am interested in seeing what he has in mind. Rei-san, I'll probably be out for the rest of the day. If anyone asks where I am then just tell them where I am."

"Right. Just make sure you don't go off and disappear again. I don't want to hear that you just suddenly went off in another trip without letting any of us know. If you do that... I'll make sure you get punished. Even more so than the directors."

"G-got it...! It won't happen!"

Minoru and Oshiro could only watch with varying expressions as the two Tamakoma me,beers continued to talk to each other like good friends. Rather, it reminded them a bit of how talks between them and their boyfriends were at times.

They turned to each other for a few scolds before turning around and bending down. They grabbed their dogs before walking towards the front door.

"Hm? You two are leaving now? Minoru-kun, did you get your stuff?"

"I'll come back for it later..."

Ketsueki tilted his head a bit as he watched the two of them walked out the door.

"We will see you guys later! We have some people to go talk to right now!"

The door closed behind them, leaving a confused Ketsueki and a Kizaki who already figured out what was going on.

He looked at the bigger man but got no answer.

A strange woman took one step after another.

Her clothing seemed like it had came from Spain while her actual appearance was undoubtedly that of an Asian. The contrast seemed odd, yet also went well together. Her crimson clothing and short purple hair moved with each step.

She walked with purpose, ignoring the stares she was getting from others and simply made her way down the street.

This place is nice. I am very glad that I do not have to total it and crush everything around me. Over.

From where she was walking she could see the large building in the middle of the city. The structure seemed like a fortress rather than a regular building. The surrounding area had buildings, but no one actually moving around them.

A large black ball with crackling electricity started to appear near the fortress-like building. From it came strange creatures that would undoubted be taken out by the people coming from that fortress-like building.

This was Miden after all.

The residence her call this place "Earth" instead of Miden. I suppose that is fine since they live here. They are free to call it whatever they want. In the end, though, it is still a massive target for others to come and dominate. Over.

She looked down at her wrists to see two white bracelets hanging there. One was slightly larger than the other, but unless you were to look really close you wouldn't notice it at all.

Will I be able to do something using these? To be sent here by myself... So troubling. Well, I am only here to check things out. The others may come later. Once I give my report. I just make sure to examine every pat of this location. Should this place become a target for a large nation, we can use that to our advantage. No matter what, I will make sure that they are prepared in some way. Over.

Crimson and purple fluttered in the wind as one step was taken after another.

A conspicuous woman continued to walk down one of the streets of Mikado City. The large fortress-like building known as the Border base could easily be seen from where she was walking. Even the Gates opening around the building could be seen.

For one reason or another, this woman was here. A woman who simply did not belong on this world was walking around.

Maybe I will even be able to fine a man who I may call "husband" here. Over.

A strange woman was not the only one who seemed to be wandering around Mikado City with hidden motives.

A boy who seemed to be in his late teens grinned. His body was covered in cuts and bruises, yet he grinned. Blood that did not belong to him stained his clothing, yet he grinned. A fight had just gone down that ended with multiple bodies on the floor, yet he grinned.

He grinned as if everything that was on him was a trophy - something for others to see and for him to be proud of.

The pain~ The pain~ Oh~ I think I just came! This pain is so good!

The boy stopped for a moment before frowning.

Nah. This pain really isn't anything. It isn't really enough to give me pure bliss. I don't really know what kind of pain I'm looking for but... This really isn't anything. Shot, cut, stabbed, broken bones, disclosed joints, limbs chopped off. Emotional, mental, physical. Which of those am I looking for? Will it be heaven or hell when I happen to find it?

The boy could feel it. His whole body was in pain and throbbing, yet it seemed like he felt nothing at all. He frown out of boredom and he walked as if the world was frozen and he could take as much time as he wanted.

After all, why should he care about anything going on? Nothing in the world see,Ed to give enough pain for him to feel like he should care. As long as that special kind of pain eluded him then there was no point in caring about anything.

Misó knew he had to deal this boring life.

He continued on. He continued to live and deal with boring life. This lack luster life if his that had pointless pain and idiots who he could easily hurt.

Those people are the worst. I really get bored with people who are so easily wounded. There is no fun if they fall to their knees crying after the first thing I say or do. Granted, someone if them are fun. I especially love the ones who want to end it all by the end of it~ Breaking them to that point-

The boy felt a wonderful shiver run through his whole body.

He could feel himself get warmer. Goosebumps started appearing on his skin as he thought about it more.

Their faces in agony~ The moment they realize just how painful something like a true cut feels~ Or when they try it with some rope! That slow pain! Ah! The best times are when I stop them before they finish! The realization that they had failed and are still in pain!

He fell to the ground, on his knees. He could feel something boiling inside of him. It felt like pleasure. It wasn't complete pleasure, but it was enough for him.

"Hm~!"

He let out a few breathes before slowly standing up.

Pain and pleasure went hand-in-hand for him. One can lead to the other and vice versa. That was how Misó saw things.

I guess I should get to work though. It sucks, but I need to do it. I need to make sure that everything is set up right for them. I can get punishment for failing, but I'm sure my reward will be much better. Besides...

He started grinning once more.

If things go smoothly, I may end up finding the sort of pain I was looking for this whole time. Maybe it will come from someone innocent. Those kinds of people are always fun~ Then again, seeing a strong-willed person go down is also fun~ I suppose I will just have to wait and see.

Misó continued to grin as he continued to walk. Each step, each breath, each movement was a painful one that was not good enough for him to call it real pain. None of this was good enough for him.

Deciding to think about other things, he looked around. Maybe then something interesting could catch his attention.

He knew he had made the right choice in doing so when he saw a strange woman in crimson walking across the street.

What do we have here~?

The area chosen for this was near a mountain range that lead from one place to another. This area had a barrier partway through.

If it was an actual place in the world, the open area in front of the barrier would normally be filled with different vehicles carrying goods; but that was not the case now.

Two figures faced each other as the setting sun lit the area.

One was a gray-haired man standing at the foot of the mountain and wearing a dark blue uniform and what looked to be armor. He held a long gray and blue trident.

"Kagerei Ketsueki, A-Rank agent of Border and spearman of Tamakoma Branch."

He was also an oddly polite and honorable man.

The other was a guy standing toward the mountain and wearing a gray uniform and blue buttons. He held a spear.

"Guess I gotta follow suit~ Yoneya Yōsuke, A-Rank agent of Border and spearman of Miwa Squad."

It always felt weird to say it, as well as not to say it.

And the younger boy asked a question.

"Why do you always want to do that?"

"Force of habit. I always thought of those who use polearms to be respectable. Do you dislike it?

"It's fine. It's just that it's a bit weird. You aren't embarrassed by it?"

"Of course not! I am a strange person and will stick to that! That is how all Tamakoma members are!"

"U-um..."

Yoneya averted his gaze and spoke out.

"Um, Narasaka. How am I supposed to talk to someone with difficult circumstances?"

"What the heck? Why are you asking me something like that? If anything, he ranks at about 1/5 that crazy woman."

"I see." Yoneya looked up and finally spoke to Ketsueki once more. "Thanks for taking up my offer for a fight."

"What do you mean?"

Yoneya tilted his head at that question and he used his left hand to point at Ketsueki's trident.

"Trishula is a special Trigger that doesn't let you enter rank wars and it's crazy strong. It sucks that you didn't make it back when we went to Tamakoma, so I didn't get to fight you at that time. Still, it would have been a great stopper for us, aside from that Black Trigger. Still, wouldn't it have been better to rush back so you could help out? I'm pretty sure you were told about what would happen."

Ketsueki remained silent.

After a while, he looked up in the artificial sky and suddenly brought a hand to his forehead.

"How could I be so stupid!?"

"Eh...? Ehhh!?"

But Ketsueki quickly lowered his gaze. He brought a hand to his chin, hung his head, and muttered under his breath as if counting something.

"Wait."

"...For what?"

"Just give me a moment. Yes."

He lightly stuck his left hand with his right fist and looked back toward Yoneya.

"I have a feeling that arrangement was decided by Jin."

"I see."

"I only heard half of what he said, but I believe he had a good reason for it. In that case, there was a good reason for me to not rush back."

"You sure do have a positive mindset."

"No," he answered. "I think about nothing but mythology and dogs, so my mindset is neither positive nor negative."

"Who do you think will win this time?"

Yoneya lightly spread his legs as he spoke. He moved them forward and back while maintaining a gentle width.

"In general, you can't beat me in speed. You get that, right? If you get it... It's fine to give up."

"You say that... But you really want this fight. We need to see who is better at this. Leaving Kirie-chan to the side, we are the two in Border who use polearms constantly. I am actually really excited for this. Also..."

Ketsueki lightly spread his legs as well. He also moved them forward and back, but then he leaned forward.

"I haven't been too serious until now."

"Neither was I."

"I was at 50%."

"I was at 30%."

"No, I meant 25%. Yeah."

"I said 15%, right?"

The two of them pulled their weapons back as if extending them.

"Then..."

They slowly began to move as if pushing their bodies forward.

"Now is the time to get serious!"

Immediately afterwards, gray speed and blue speed collided.

Ketsueki Kagerei

Attacker

- 20 Years Old

- Born Oct. 31

- Chronos, Bloody Type O

- Height: 6'2"

- Likes: Mythology, Pool, Dogs, Fire