ARC ONE: RED

Chapter One

Origin of specie

'...even though the origin of creatures such as vampires and were-people is still unknown, it is said that they are, in fact, another species of Homo sapiens. Indeed it is a rare occurrence if an Entity is found to believe in such fables, but when we look at the Mages we can see the proofs ourselves.

'Unlike these other oddities, the origin of Mages is well known. In fact, one of the most fabulous tales between both Vampires and humans, is the born of the Mages...'

Chapter 1, Page 62

A History: Dawn of Darkness

Kasamatsu Yukio knew she was going overboard.

It was an understatement and she knew Aomine would definitely disagree just to conclude that she was damned crazy to think that she could pull off something like this (precisely the reason why she never mentioned it in front of her) not to mention she'd been listening to the same chatter from all her colleagues. Indeed, it was crazy. She knew that.

Oh come on! She frowned. Going to meet the bigwig of some super dangerous vampire cult? I'd be dumb to not see the craziness in this!

And she most definitely was not dumb. Nope. Even if she was persistent about meeting a vampire cult all alone, going against her superiors, no way, she wasn't.

Yukio stuffed her hands further into her pockets and frowned. Not for the first time, she wondered if she should've worn something more professional instead of her usual black pleated overcoat. She felt awkward in just that and her casual jeans standing in one of the most magnificently furnished living rooms she'd had the fortune of seeing.

Almost like a bug in a rose.

Even before she saw him, she felt him. His presence was strong and it seemed to defile the air in the room.

Of all the things about him, it wasn't his appearance that struck her the most, nor was it his blood red eyes that even put the brightest of rubies to shame. Rather it was his attire.

Akashi Seijuro came down the stairs, wearing a very normal high school uniform,

By God, he couldn't have been a day over 16.

Nonetheless, Yukio straightened up, sat face in her infamous scowl, and in two long strides was in front of him offering her hand.

"Akashi Seijuro?"

Whatever. She thought.

"Hello." For all I know, he's probably hundreds of years old. "I am Kasamatsu Yukio. The Head of Special Investigations Department."

"A pleasure." His hand gave hers a barely noticeable squeeze and let go almost immediately. He gestured towards the green haired man with him. "This is Midorima Shintarou, my brother." Midorima nodded once at her. "Let's sit. Would you like something to drink, Kasamatsu-san?"

"Thank you, but no."

"I must say," Akashi continued as he and Midorima took sit on the sofa opposite hers. "I am very surprised by this abrupt visit of yours. Of course, we were thinking about visiting the office about the registration."

"Yes, about that." Yukio nodded. "I think it would be better if all of your family members dropped by. There's no pressure, but it's better if you can do it within a week."

"I understand, I'll make sure about it."

"Now, about the matter at hand, Akashi...kun..."

"I must ask, are you sure about this?"

Yukio was taken aback by this sudden turn. She tried not to blink too stupidly and asked, "About the proposal?"

Akashi chuckled and a shiver ran down her spine. Something is so very wrong with that laugh, it should be illegal. "If that's what you are calling it than yes, the proposal." He didn't even look the slightest bit disturbed about the whole thing. "Do you know of the consequences that you might have to suffer?"

"I do," although she didn't harbor much of it, she tried to sound as confident as possible. "Even though it's been largely used in the other countries recently, Japan is still quite reluctant about helping hands of the Entities. But I think we should give them options to work as law enforcements since almost forty percent of crimes in Japan is committed by rogue Entities. I know this isn't exactly a supported idea, also most of the Mage Union is against it. That is why I came to you."

"Because we don't have a Mage?"

"Yes, that's the reason."

Akashi stared at her. "You're quite straightforward, aren't you?"

Yukio blinked. "Pardon?"

"You do know most cults consider it a shame to not have a Mage and do not like mentions of it?"

"Yes." She nodded. "However, I think if you wanted, you very well could've managed a Mage."

For the first time, Midorima Shintarou spoke up. His hands pushed up his glasses as he trained his stony eyes on her. "Are you saying we are unwilling to find a Mage? Do you know how serious accusation that is to us?"

"I simply think you're not trying hard enough." Even Akashi's eyes widened at that, but she continued. "But that is not a matter I should be concerned with. The Mage Union is there just for that. If they thought your cult was dangerous and shouldn't be left alone, they would have assigned you a Mage at least temporarily. But they didn't and you've been without a Mage for almost fifteen years now, which means you are not a threat to humanity."

There was silence for a while. Finally Akashi chuckled and Midorima came out of his reverie.

"You've sure done your homework Kasamatsu-san. But that's not really it, is it?"

She shook her head. "No, my father used to know your last Mage."

"Our Mage?" Midorima asked, a bit surprised.

"Yes. My father was also a Mage."

"But you're not one?"

"No. I took after my mother, she was a human." Yukio sat up straighter. She knew among Vampires, it was almost considered a shame if one did not take after it's Mages parents, even though it's nothing but biological. Either the child of a Mage is born a Mage, or it's not. It was as simple as that. But of course, like many other things, the Vampires had a different opinion of the matter. No matter what, a human child of a Mage parent was always looked down upon.

Hmh. What a sorry bunch!

But she simply would not allow them to look down at her. Her status was not the subject of this meeting.

"Should we carry on, if there is no other matters you're bothered with?

There was no other mentions of her origin.

...

...

...

'Among the Entities, Vampires have always been considered as the most rogue and uncontrollable oddity. But around XXX B.C, they started to go berserk. To bring order back, the Entities decided to bring forth a creature that would not only protect the humans from Vampires, but also protect a Vampire from other rogues. Thus the Mages were born.

It is a known fact that Mages are indeed humans with powers of nature bestowed upon them. But these humans are the ones protecting both humans and Vampires from the prowess of Creatures of Darkness.'

Chapter 6, Page 101

A History: Dawn of Darkness

"You're reading that again?"

Seijuro looked up, his concentration wavering, and found Midorima frowning at him. "Hm?"

Midorima pushed up his glasses. "Just how many times are you going to read that?"

He closed the book. The old thing was almost falling apart, it's spine wasn't unscathed and the cover was frayed on the sides. It only got worse every time he read it again, which was often.

"Tch." Midorima's frown deepened as his eyes went back to the road. "Seriously, if you're so obsessed with Mages then instead of wasting time on something so fake you should try reading one of the books with the original histories. You do know that book is banned, right? They say most informations in it are false."

"Well, that's why I read it." Seijuro smiled. "I'm trying to figure out why it was banned. It's just some fake informations. Why would they ban it? Because it said Vampires are part of humans?"

Midorima shook his head. "The only thing I can tell you is that you don't ask questions about those Akashi. Nobody does."

Akashi shrugged. "Anyhow, I am not obsessed with Mages."

"No?"

"I am simply fascinated with them."

"Well, I think that they are just a bunch of idiots." Not for the first time, Midorima established his opinion. "What they said in that book, if it's the truth then they should just come out with it. The Mages should let everyone know about their true origin and what they're really capable of before

they make further fools of themselves."

Akashi shrugged. It was better to just let Midorima rant and agree to disagree in his mind when he was having one of his sessions. And Midorima's been in a somewhat foul mode from the morning. It had only worsened after the meeting with Kasamatsu Yukio. Seijuurou wasn't sure what bothered Midorima most, the fact that he had agreed to help out with the case, or that she had brought up their old Mage.

From all the years spent together, Seijuurou knew very well that Midorima Shintarou did not like speaking of Nijimura Shuzo.

"We're here."

Midorima had parked the car a block before the school. They had decided to not go in together. They didn't want to attract any unwanted attention.

"Well, you should head in." Midorima said as he checked the lock. "I need to see something first."

Seijuurou nodded. "Make sure Kise drops by the station."

He stood there for a moment and watched as Midorima headed for the local florist shop.

Probably to look for his lucky item of the day.

...

...

...

Midorima Shintarou was not having a good day.

Tch. First day in work hadn't even start officially and he was already exhausted.

First was that detective. Of all the things in the world, why did she have to know Nijimura?! The whole time Shintarou was stiffly sitting there and thinking, Now! Now! She's going to bring it up now!

Shintarou hated remembering of that day.

How many years had it been? Whoever said time heals everything, he thought bitterly. Is nothing but an abomination.

Shintarou cursed his fate as he entered the flower shop. Of all the things, why was it a lilac? No wonder cancers were fifth today.

The small bells overhead chimed and a cheery voice called out ,"Welcome!" Midorima looked around and found the owner of the voice.

A woman in her early twenties stood beside the white roses. Her black hair and tan complexion did not blend well with the background and her grin was almost too bright and hurt his eyes.

She strongly reminded him of his Kise as she almost skipped to him.

"How may I... Oh!" Her silver eyes widened. "You're the new family in town!"

"What?" Midorima blinked. "How did you..."

She grinned. "Small place. You're the one joining as the nurse in Teiko High, right? Must be fun working as that?"

Yes, of course. Shintarou grumbled in his head. If you like whiny teenagers.

"Well, what would you like?"

"Lilacs. Do you have them?"

"Of course." She led him to the lilacs. Their pale violet petals shone in the bright sunlight. "How many would you like?"

When he was paying for them he couldn't help but wonder. "Are you the owner here?"

She smiled. "Yes. Here you go." She handed him the flowers. "I'm sorry, but I didn't catch your name?"

That's because I didn't tell you. Shintarou frowned. He didn't like meddlesome people, but he wasn't as bad as to brush off a lady like that.

"Midorima Shintarou."

The girl's smile widened. "Hello, I'm Takao Kazunari."

...

...

...

'After the dark ages when not only Vampires but other Entities had also ruled, it was decided that every Vampire Cult must have a Mage. Said Mage would only serve his cult, both his vigor and weapon would belong to the cult. Without a Mage it is almost impossible for a cult to survive, just as it is impossible for a Mage to survive without a cult. None can prosper without the other. It is said that a Mage and his cult Is like the two sides of the same coin..."

Chapter 20, Page 604

A History: Dawn of Darkness

Seijuurou could feel his world crashing down when ihe was in front of his new classroom.

The smell was faint at first, but the closer he got to his class, the heavier it got. Now, it was almost reeking.

He knew that smell. He had smelt it a long time ago.

And when he got in the classroom and found the cause of the smell, he knew he was right.

Baby blue eyes stared back at him. They were full of shock and anger as the owner shot up from his seat.

It was his somewhat of a brother, Kuroko Tetsuya.