Prologue:
The faint sounds of a train moving along the railway tracks above echoed throughout the entire tunnel. The tunnel, most famously known as the Akasaka Tunnel, seemed to stretch forever, which was only amplified with the shadows that danced along the walls. Lights of low brightness illuminated the way forward and scarcely allowed the people standing there to differentiate each other. Their faces were hidden behind shadows, but their familiar auras helped everyone to take notice of them.
No one made a sound, allowing the somber and tense silence to fill the emptiness of the tunnel. They waited for a few minutes before one of them spoke.
"It seems that everyone has arrived." Despite the darkness that blanketed the area, he was the easiest to recognize; his silver hair was bathed by the weak light hanging from the ceiling, the green matrix code design on his haori glowed softly like the light from a dying ember, and blood red eyes pierced though the opaque surroundings.
"Whoa. Wait, what? Hang on a second!" a second figure exclaimed, "We're still missing some people!"
A feminine voice soon followed in agreement, "that's right. I mean, I know that Gin and Haru told me that they can't make it, but what about Midori or Mari?"
"Mari's got some work to do, so she won't be coming. She told me to tell you guys to take care of yourselves," a man said with his gruff voice. He too was standing underneath a light. His dark pink hair was slicked back and he had sharp, feral features. He was wearing his typical black jogging outfit with a black jacket and black shoes.
"Huh. Is that so…" the second figure mused, "then I guess we really do have everyone here who could make it today."
"Aren't you forgetting about someone?" the female asked, "Keisuke and Midori?"
"No worries, Yoohoo! Keisuke texted me to say that he wasn't interested, and I passed by Midori the other day. She said she had to go to some animé convention."
All the information that was said passed by the girl's mind, as she was focused on only one thing he said. Her red eyes narrowed, filling with irritation. She snapped, "I thought-I told you-to stop-calling-me-Yoohoo!"
The boy laughed teasingly, "whoops. Sorry, Yoohoo."
A growl resonated from the girl. She was about to move forward threateningly towards him when she heard an impatient sigh.
The man who broke the silence and started the gathering glanced at both of them, "are you two done yet?"
They both immediately fell silent and mumbled apologies. The boy's apology was sheepish, while the girl's apology was bleak. They both averted their gazes and looked at the ground. They knew better than to get on his bad side. He was calculative, manipulative and cold; he wouldn't hesitate to get rid of someone if they were in his way.
Once the silver-haired man was sure that everything was silent again, he went straight to the point of the meeting. "Let's get started. We have no time to waste. Everyone here should know why we've all gathered here today. We have already discussed the problem and planned our next steps in the previous gatherings. All that is left is to put it into action." He looked to his left, "If you would, cousin."
The eighteen year old boy was wearing a black long sleeved shirt, and red pants with a belt strap on his right side. His dark-colored mp3 player was clipped on his collar and the white headphones were sitting comfortably on his shoulder. The boy's blue hair almost looked black from the lack of light and his similarly colored eyes were just barely perceptible.
"Right," he said, as he took out his white and black COMP. Pressing a few keys, he quickly found the one he needed to summon. Aion: a deity race demon known as the god of eternity that has control of unbounded time, and is related to the zodiacs and the orb encompassing the universe.
Only a few seconds after, Aion was summoned before the group. Other than the markings below his eyes, the long pointed ears, and claw-like nails, he appeared human enough. His long hair had stripes of black and white, his eyes were molten gold, and he had a seemingly delicate figure. "Ah. King of Bel, is it time for my assistance?"
As the two cousins were the only ones to see the deity beforehand, everyone else had varying reactions. Some had stiffened from his presence; they were still uncomfortable around demons and didn't trust them. Others were wide eyed because his appearance, one stayed blank and unfazed, and another was smirking from all the power he felt from the demon.
"So this will be the one to send you over there," a soft-spoken girl said. Her face was set in an emotionless frown and her violet eyes were blank. The lotus headband on her head stood out along with the orange robes she wore. Her boots also held the same flower as the one on her head.
"Yes," the silver haired man said, "Aion is more than capable in fulfilling our needs. Now then, I've already designated who will be going."
The fact that not everyone would be going surprised all the other individuals in the tunnel. They fought together and faced all challenges together. Most importantly, they survived together. They all knew that splitting up would be more dangerous based on their past experiences.
"It takes a great deal of energy and effort to send people over, so we can't ignorantly send whoever we want. As the maximum number of people is four, I've chosen those who would benefit us the most in our commission. Of course, Kazuya will be going. I will take the second position, and Kaido will take third. Atsuro, you will the final group member."
Naoya had very carefully chosen the members of the group. He went over everyone's strengths, weaknesses, and abilities. He considered their mental and physical capacities, as well. The four of them each served a specific purpose and unexpectedly, they worked well together.
Atsuro would be Kazuya's support during the harsh times ahead. His dear cousin was still too emotional and would eventually breakdown even though he has hidden it quite well. Atsuro is loyal to Kazuya and would do anything for him. After all, he didn't abandon him like that female friend of theirs had done.
Kaido's physical prowess was stronger than the others by a great deal. Not only that, but there would be no need to worry about his mental state. He was the leader of the most famous gang Daemon, and he never backs down from an opponent.
To balance the raw strength Kaido held, he, himself, would accompany the group. His intelligence and foresight would minimize losses and plan for unexpected situations. The damage dealt from his magic and Kaido's strength would deal a great quantity of damage to the enemy, as well. Amane would have also been an ideal companion, but she was needed here to watch over the humans that Kazuya so desperately protected.
Kazuya would once again be the group leader. His leadership skills were growing each day and his skills in battle were prodigious. He would deal the final strike and end what has been going for all eternity.
Chuckling, the grin on Kaido's face was almost bloodthirsty, "Hell yes. I've been waiting for you to call my name. All those powerful opponents we'll face… I can't wait to destroy them." He missed the fights during the Yamanote lockdown. Things were fun back then; beating people who were against him, killing demons and gaining macca to get stronger demons… Peaceful times just weren't for him. He'd gladly risk his life if he could get some action.
A look of hesitance and uncertainty crossed Atsuro's face. He wasn't sure if he was the right person to go with them. Well, if Naoya says that I'll be useful, then who can argue with him? He glanced at his best friend and became determined. He went through Hell for him and he wasn't about to leave him to face everything alone. "Right. I'll do my best."
Kazuya closed his eyes briefly. He had already known who would be coming along with him, but he was still worried. It had been a year since the battle for the throne happened, and everyone was enjoying their year back to normalcy and peace. It would be another difficult journey; he could feel that something would go amiss.
Although the participants were fine with the decision, those left out were not.
"Hey. Why aren't I going?" 'Yoohoo' asked. If her two friends were going, she should be with them. She couldn't abandon them again. The guilt of doing so in the past was a strong reminder of her mistaken choice.
"Do you want to come along?" Naoya asked, questioning her determination and will.
She flinched. It was true. No matter what she did or told herself, she would always be scared. She didn't have the strength that Kaido has, the loyalty that Atsuro has, or the intelligence that Naoya has. She couldn't stay by Kazuya's side because all she did was run away.
"Well, whether you do or don't does not matter, your abilities are not required for this commission."
She wanted to bite back, to say something sharp that would prove herself but she couldn't. There was nothing to prove and she was at a loss of words.
Kazuya stepped in before things got worse. He smiled gently and said, "Yuzu. Stay here, okay? Someone has to be with our parents while we're gone." You'll be safer here, as well. Kazuya thinks that, but doesn't say it.
"I agree." The priestess said, "We of the Shomonkai will take care of the people in your absence."
A man wearing soldier clothes nodded, "leave it to us. You just worry about what you have to do. It's our civil duty to protect the citizens. Right, Captain Izumi?"
"Yes, Commander Fushimi!"
Yuzu still looked upset but otherwise agreed, "I guess… Just promise to come back safe."
It was just like the time she had asked for the same thing when Kazuya was entering the demon world. As expected, he agreed easily with the smile that would always reassure others.
Looking at all the people he would be leaving behind, the people that would try to help him no matter what, Kazuya said words of gratitude, "thanks, everyone. Please take care of yourselves while we're gone."
After saying their farewells, the four chosen members of the group stood together, apart from everyone else.
"Good. I will now bring over the four chosen candidates," Aion said. Small orbs of light surrounded him and then circled around Atsuro, Kaido, Naoya, and Kazuya.
"And so it starts," Naoya said, a smile of anticipation slowly breaking onto his face.
"Our objective: To kill God."
They vanished.