"Those who live on the fringe say that it was a struggle between two opposing cults."
"They believe in this book of prophecy called the Scripture of Miroku. In that book, it says that chaos will befall the world."
"If something does happen, Naoki, just run like hell. Alright?"
"The world must start over from the beginning."
"No matter how the world changes, I'll be your strength."
"This is a special gift. Do not move, it will only hurt for an instant."
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"
Naoki Kashima's Point of View
I woke up with a gasp, one hand touching my forehead and coming back wet with sweat.
"...Why did I dream of that?" I growled as I removed the covers and stood up from the bed. I thought I left all of that behind, but apparently all it was needed to call it back was a battle against a wayward Greek Goddess of War. Stupid Athena. And stupid Godou: I had no doubts it was somehow his fault, he should have dealt with Athena before she reached the city. And I also promised to explain what happened today. Well, it's not like I had intention to tell them everything: far from it. It would not satisfy them, I knew people like Erica don't like not knowing something, but honestly?
They can't force me. Nobody can.
After a quick shower I put on my school uniform and did a quick breakfast with milk and cereals. Not very Japanese I know, but since I lived alone and my only sustainment came from my part-time job I had to be frugal.
I picked up my bag and was going to leave my apartment when I noticed something that I previously overlooked.
My laptop was on. And on the screen the symbol of a new e-mail was flashing.
I remembered perfectly turning it off yesterday before going to bed. What's more, nobody here knew my address, and the ones who knew can't contact me.
Except one person. This already happened, a little while after my arrival here.
With a frown I sit down on the chair, opened the e-mail and read it.
"Dear Naoki-kun,
I couldn't help but heard about your most recent "adventure". While I am in no way opposed to you doing what you want, Freedom is after all the greatest and cruellest of gifts, I remember advising you against such "displays". For your own good of course.
They are still searching. for you And I am afraid They will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. While I can hardly imagine Them posing a threat to you, I know you value your own peace.
Sincerely,
Your Benefactor."
I scoffed after finishing the letter. "Meddlesome old man." I muttered as I turned off the laptop and removed the plug.
Opening the door of my single-room apartment I stepped outside. "I know that."
I closed the door.
Godou Kusanagi's Point of View
I was nervous before coming to school, but now that I was sitting next to Naoki-kun and he acted like nothing happened last night I wasn't sure how to react.
Naoki Kashima. The quiet, a bit sarcastic but polite classmate that I knew for almost a year; who revealed himself as a powerful person capable of defeating a Heretic God. For me, who despite my status as a Campione was mostly ignorant about the magical world, I reacted by thinking along the lines of: 'I will ask Erica and Mariya-san'.
Except, both of them hadn't any idea about the origin of Naoki-kun's powers. Even Mariya who possessed Spirit Vision was unable to receive an Oracle, only an unclear sense of 'danger'. It wasn't a one-time only: since the time Kaoki-kun transferred to Jounan she never received a Vision. Erica explained that for someone with Mariya-san's talent, who had a success rate of 60%, it should be impossible to always come up blank. It meant there was something blocking the information regarding Naoki's kun from reaching the users of Spirit Vision.
For once I wasn't the only one completely clueless. The feeling, instead of comforting, made me quite uneasy.
Was it because he was another piece of my dreamed normal life crumbling away?
Was it because he resolved the Athena's emergency in my place, stealing the vic-Ahahah! As if. I can't think that with a straight face.
Glowing golden eyes, staring straight through my soul
"Is something the matter Kusanagi-kun?" Sensei's voice brought me back to reality. "You looked spaced out."
"S-Sorry." I sheepishly admitted. "It will not happen again."
"See that it doesn't."
Erica shot me a worried look. I smiled at her, trying to tell her it was alright.
While Naoki-kun...
Was making doodles of a man in a suit being bitten by dogs?
Naoki Kashima's Point of View
When I saw Godou and Erica walking towards me after the bell ringed for lunchtime I could only sigh. "So, where are we going to do this?" I asked as I crossed my fingers and leaned forwards on my desk.
"The rooftop." Godou pointed above with his finger. "Mariya-san is waiting for us on the way."
"Alright." I stood up. Then I point at Godou. "Half of your launch is mine."
"Ok-Wait, what?" He said confused.
"I usually eat at the cafeteria. If I talk with you I can't buy my lunch." I explained as if I was talking to a little kid. "So share your lunch with me."
"Absolutely not!" Erica declared ferociously as she held up a lunch box. "This food contains all my love and dedication. Only Godou and me, as his wife, are allowed to taste it!"
"Wasn't it prepared by Anna-san?" Godou glared suspiciously at it.
"It matters not whose hands prepared it. It contains my love and that's all that matters."
Let's consider my options: I could do nothing and let them quarrel; or I could shut them up and just go to the rooftop.
The first was appealing, but this means they would try again the next day. And knowing Erica she would not bring food just to spite me.
Aah, fuck that. Let's just get it over already.
While they were busy arguing I grabbed them by the wrists and unceremoniously dragged them outside the classroom. Nanami, Sorimachi and Takagi shot our little group a look before starting whispering between themselves in a conspiratorial manner. I hoped they didn't start any weird rumor.
"Unhand me!" Erica growled as she tried to pry open my fingers. From the feeling of magic in the air I deduced she was using a spell of some sort, probably one to augment her strength.
Only, my hand didn't move an inch. "Give up. Last time I checked I can shatter diamonds. Without assistance:"
She stopped.
I let go only when Mariya came into view. Together we proceeded to our destination.
I hoped that, whoever this 'Anna' was, her food was good.
Godou Kusanagi's Point of View
I had to admit it, eating lunch on the rooftop wasn't bad. It was peaceful without the chattering of others and the breeze was nice. Even Erica, who usually would try something inappropriate like feeding me or sit on my lap, was restraining herself.
"This is good." Naoki had a pleased face as he ate. "Give my compliments to the cook."
"Ah, I will." I replied in place of Erica, who was still glaring at Naoki. Those two never got along. It all started when Erica demanded Naoki to give her the place next to me and he refused. Now that I thought she probably tried to use a spell to hypnotize him, but it failed.
Soon we finished eating. There was nothing more delaying the inevitable. But how to begin?
"Tell me! Who are you and what are your plans?" Erica demanded Naoki with an arrogant tone.
Too direct!
Naoki quirked an eyebrow. "Naoki Kashima. Age: sixteen, almost seventeen. I plan to graduate high school and then study to become a P.E. teacher."
"Not that! How did you defeat Athena? Athena is a Heretic Goddess, only a Campione or a Heretic God could have defeated her."
"Well..." Naoki crossed his legs. "Why don't you start by telling me what a Campione is? And why did you use the term 'Heretic' to refer to Athena? Last I checked, she was a legitimate member of the Greek Pantheon."
"If I may?" Mariya-san raised her hand to ask for permission. She took a deep breath. "Gods: from myths and legends they were born. The essence of the world and beyond, this is what compromises their supernatural core, thus lending form to those existences, the Gods. In the course of history many civilizations created many stories and legends to explain what they cannot comprehend. Those beliefs gave birth to Gods.
But for some gods, the forms and nature of their myths become a burden, and they rebel against them, manifesting in the world, escaping from the myths and legends, also known as the Domain of Immortality, as Heretic Gods, and bringing disaster with them."
"Basically: every now and then Gods appear on Earth, go berserk for some reason and start wreaking havoc upon their surroundings, endangering normal people." I summarized Mariya-san's explanation.
Naoki nodded. "Okay, gotcha. And Campione?"
Erica cleared his throat. "It is written in the works of the Italian mage Alberto Ricardo:
Campione – Godslayer – is the supreme ruler.
Since he can kill a celestial being, he can therefore call on the highly divine powers held by the gods.
Campione – Godslayer – is a lord.
Since the power to kill a deity is in their hands, they therefore have the power to dominate the mortals on Earth.
Campione – Godslayer – is a devil.
Therefore of the entire humanity living on earth, those who have the power to oppose them do not exist!"
The answer this time was a flat look. "I confess I understand nothing of poetry. Care to cut off the shitty cryptic messages and give me something concrete?"
SNAP!
Oi oi! I can hear it snapping. I can hear Erica's patience snapping! This isn't good at all!
"Humans can't defeat Gods." Mariya-san said. Luckily it was enough to distract Erica and prevent her from going on a warpath. "This is an absolute rule. But every now and then a human, through some method, manage to slain a Heretic God. By doing that they take upon themselves the Authorities of that Heretic God, becoming something more than human: a Rakshasa Raja, a devil king, a supreme lord, a King; a Campione."
"Authorities are...?"
"They are the divine powers and magic of the gods, far surpassing mortal magics, and what gave them their right to rule. What is known is that the particular Authorities of a god are shaped by the myths and legends that give birth to them, and reflect that god's history."
"And Godou-" Erica declared with pride. "Is one of those exceptional individuals. The slayer of Divinity. Supreme King. Campione."
Naoki blinked. One, two times in rapid succession. Then, slowly, turned in my direction. "Devil...King?"
"That's righ-" Erica was interrupted as Naoki started laughing.
It was a full belly-laugh, like someone just told him the best joke in the world. I, Erica and Yuri could do nothing but look on in confusion.
Eventually he calmed down. "Ahah, sorry." Naoki wiped the tears from his eyes. He didn't sound sorry at all. "But this is just rich. Sorry to say this, but Godou? You don't deserve the title of Devil King at all."
"I don't like it either." I answered truthfully. Yeah, it wasn't flattering at all. Just another source of headache.
"And what make you say this?" Erica questioned.
"Oh, it's simple." Kaoki smirked, a crooked grin filled to the brim with maliciousness. "I met real Devil Kings, the Kings of Demons. And compared to them Godou is as virtuous as Buddha himself."
Oh, wow. That was flattering. Except it raised even more questions: did he say demons?
"So Godou, you killed a God?" I nodded. "Which one?"
"He called himself Verethragna."
"...Nope, name doesn't ring a bell."
"Verethragna was the Persian God of Victory, also known as the Invincible Warlord and a servant of Mithra, God of War and Light." Erica helpfully supplied.
Naoki snapped his fingers. "Mithra I know. So a servant of that guy? Then I wonder why I didn't meet him when I fought his master..."
"What? Excuse me, are you saying you fought Mithra?" Erica asked incredulously.
He shrugged. "He was in my way, so I removed him."
The way he said that, as he was talking about the weather sent a chill down my spine. Fighting a God? I can understand being frightened. If I try to think like Doni I can understand being excited.
But being completely indifferent?
"How...How many Gods have you fought?" Mariya asked weakly.
"I lost count. Gods, Angels, Demons...add that they respawned, and counting them was the last thing on my mind. I would say I met..." He tapped his fingers. "Almost two hundred different mythological figures."
That day I had the unique experience of seeing Erica choking on her own spit. Followed by Mariya-san and myself.
"You're lying! That's obviously a lie!" Erica accused after recovering her composure. "There is no way you could have done that!"
"Okay."
"Okay? What kind of answer is that? So you admit you're lying?" Erica looked triumphant.
"Okay, as: I recognize the fact there is nothing I can say or do that will make you believe me." Naoki replied nonplussed. "Everyone is free to have their own opinions."
Erica looked ready to explode. I must do something, but before I could stand up...
"What is [Hitoshura]?" Mariya, who remained silent up until now, suddenly spoke up while looking intently at Naoki. I remember that word: Naoki said it during his battle against Athena. I too turned towards my friend, who showed a strange, lonely expression before sighing and massaging the bridge of his nose.
"Godou. You said you were changed into a Campione after killing the god Verethragna, right?" I nodded. "Something…similar happened to me. Only, I did nothing: I didn't kill a god or do another awe-inspiring feat. I was just a normal boy that happened to be in the right place at the wrong time."
He leaned against the fence. "Once there I was, for lack of a better word, chosen. I think just at a whim, really. The one who did it…He's not important." She shook his head. "My body was changed against my will and I gained those powers. I was way, way weaker back then, but afterwards I fought so many battles that I was forced to grow very quickly."
"[Hitoshura]. Demi-Fiend." He spread his arms open. "The title given to the being with the body of a demon and the heart of a human. Created for a very specific purpose."
"What purpose?" I asked, feeling suddenly afraid.
Naoki's smile lacked any mirth. "To kill God and bring forth Armageddon."
Then he laughed as if nothing happened. "But I ain't a weapon, so I said: Screw you, I'm outta here!" His expression turned melancholic. "It would have been nice if it was so easy. But it wasn't. That's why I am here, waiting for the waters to settle down."
He kicked the ground. "I didn't even want to interfere last night, but what's done is done."
The bell ringed.
"Time's up." Naoki said as he stood up. "Better hurry before the teacher scold us."
He was right. But before we could go Erica stopped us by raising a hand. "Hold on. We are not finished here."
"Oh, but we are." Naoki just walked away. "I said I will answer some questions, and I did. My curiosity is sated, so there is no need for you to tell me anything more."
"Will you challenge Godou's rule?" Erica tried again. What rule? I don't want to rule anything! "Am I to believe you will not use your powers for your own benefits?"
At that he stopped. When he turned his head it was to look at Erica as he was stupid. "World-shaking powers are hardly useful to attend class and get good votes. As any normal student would tell you."
Having delivered that line he left.
"Erica: was that really necessary?" I scold her. For once I was really angry at her. "I understand you two don't get along but you were very rude."
"Are you telling me to ignore a threat?" She retorted. "You saw how easily he defeated Athena. What if he decided to fight you, to take your Authority as a Campione for himself?"
"Naoki is not a enemy!" I protested. Sure at times he was scary, and there was more to him than meets the eye, but he was still my friend. I told her as such. "He's my friend!"
"Don't be naïve!"
"Kusanagi-san is right."
"Eh?" Both me and Erica looked at Mariya, who suddenly talked.
"I don't think Kashima-san is a threat." She continued. "He wants to live peacefully. He will not use violence unless he's forced to do so."
"Is that from your instincts as a Hime-Miko? Did you receive a Vision?"
Yuri shook her head.
"No. This is from my instincts as a normal girl. Kashima-san..." She smiled sadly. "He looked lonely. And so weary."
Erica fell silent. I looked at the door Naoki used to left.
"He was, wasn't he?"
Later I would look at this moment and ponder: did I already saw at that time my future self in Naoki?
Naoki Kashima's Point of View
After school was over I left the building and walked towards the commercial district. My part-time job was being a waiter in a small but frequented bar. There was always a lot of work to do but the pay was good: barely sufficient to cover all expenses, but it was fine that way. A calm and peaceful life was what I wanted.
Of course things barely go as planned.
After a few minutes of walking I made a sudden turn and entered a narrow alleyway.
Four seconds later my pursuer entered the alleyway too. He was a twenty-like years old guy in a suit. The classical "white-collar".
"Where did he go?" He muttered, confused at the emptiness of the alleyway.
"We can do this the easy way or the hard way." Shocked he looked up. I was standing straight on the wall as if gravity decided to stop working on me that day.
In reality I was just gripping the surface with my toes hard enough to bear my weight. It was a useful trip I developed after reading a manga where the main characters used it. If only I had it back in the Vortex World.
"Easy way: you tell me why you're following me." I continued. "Hard way: I beat the answer out of you."
"P-Please be at ease!" He took out a business card and hold it out to me. "I was merely told to give you an invitation. The History Compilation Committee wishes to talk with you, Naoki Kashima-san."
I didn't take the card. "...What is the History Compilation Committee?"
"It's the organization devoted to controlling all supernatural events in Japan and hiding their existence from the normal people. I believe you met Amakasu-sempai yesterday?"
The guy with the eternal smile. I nodded.
Then I breathed out a stream of fire that incinerate the card. He almost screamed as he dropped the ashes.
"Tell them I am not interested. Don't follow me or butt into my life again, or I will make sure you never do it again."
I jumped back on the ground and get out of the alleyway, leaving behind the whimpering white-collar.
I was really, really regretting helping Godou last night.
"Ma'am? This Amakasu Touma. I'm sorry: he refused. He also said we are not to disturb him anymore or there will be dire consequences."
"I see. Well I also expected a result like that. Stop the investigations for now and retire all agents. Since he seems to be friends with Kusanagi-sama we will wait until we have a better relation with the latter to acquire more information."
"Yes, Sayanomiya-san."
Q & A Time!
Crow667: Pixie will appear in the future, but not now because of reasons.
Mo Eazy: don't worry, I have an explanation about the merging of the two settings. One that make a scary amount of sense once taken into perspective...
BlazingFireAngelXXX: yes he is, but he believed himself to be capable of containing the destruction. And he can, to a certain extent.
