Chapter 3

Keima returned home. It was as empty as it had been for the past three years. He went upstairs. He owned his school. It didn't matter if they were man or women, he knew everything about them, and had conditioned them from the first time he had stepped foot there, two years previous. Keima knew he had a gift. He had several theories about it, but he did not honestly have a clue how he obtained it. Possibly it was from the incident all those years before, but because he had it, he used it. His handiwork had paid off. He was only a Sophomore, but he had established himself as a ruling power. His power was unworldly, and he had realized that the power that he exerted now could very well establish a place in his future.

He went to his computer. For some reason, the boys at his school had started calling him the Capturing God, or just God. He felt that the title was a little outlandish, but he understood why he was called it. It terms of 'Capturing', he had 'captured' over one hundred girls and virtually 'collared' them. It was impressive. He was sure that no man's harem had ever been as loyal to their master as his was to him. 'Spam, Spam, Spam…'

His email account was filled with two things. Spam, and questions from guys on how to improve their own chances. Suddenly, an odd message caught his eyes. He clicked on it, and suddenly the room went dark. The screen began to glow. He had to put a hand in front of his face as it suddenly flashed white. Slowly, the radiance faded, and Keima could see again. He looked around. Small, one person bed? Check. Study desk with almost all of his school work on it? Check. Computer? Check. Skull Plushy? Che- What?

He stared at the odd creation. Keima wasn't really sure whether he should be freaked out, or, you know, hug it or something? He decided on freak out when it spoke. In a very deep and ominous voice.

"Are you Keima Katsuragi?"

Yes. Definitely freaked out. "Yes."

"I am the Grim Reaper."

"Okay."

If the toy reaper could blink it would have.

"You actually believe me?"

"I neither believe or disbelieve you, but until further knowledge is known, I will give you the benefit of a doubt."

It's round eyes suddenly narrowed. Smoke suddenly started to coalesce around its body. With another flash, the Grim Reaper in all her ten foot, bony self stood before him. Keima stared unblinkingly, unflinchingly at the behemoth before him.

"I am sure you have realized that this is not merely a social call. It has come to my attention that you have enslaved one of my lieutenants. What is your purpose to use her, and can I request that you give her back."

"I'm sorry. I do not know who you are talking about."

"We, the Council of New Hell, witnessed your actions this afternoon."

"Ah, so Yuri is your Lieutenant?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry, but I cannot give her back."

The storm clouds that were circling the Reaper grew larger and darker. "And why not?"

"Because I cannot break the bond that I made with her."

The Reaper gazed at him impassively. "This is an interesting development. What is this bond that you speak of?"

"Maybe it will be better if I just show you…"

Keima stepped away from his computer terminal. With a single thought and an open palm in front of his heart, he pulled, and began to glow an earthly green. His eyes turned red, and his fingers became skeletal. He began to grow, the meat on his frame dying away. When he fully stood, he was eye level with the being of Death before him. He spoke with a raspy, powerful voice, "This is who I am. My slaves whisper my name, as do their associates. I am the Capturing God.

"I do not know when I first was able to take this form, but I have since mastered it. I am but a child, and as such, my influence on the world is limited. I know the limits of this power, and I intend to keep the ones I have captured, including your lieutenant."

The Reaper looked thoughtful for a moment. He then spoke in his own dark voice, "I see that your form is influenced in some way by Hell. I believe that we can draw up an alliance, you and I."

Keima narrowed his glowing eyes. "Why are you so accepting of this, and what is in this… Alliance for me?"

"We were aware that there were some forces at work around your region, but until now, we were unable to pinpoint them. We acknowledge that you have mastered a power of Old Hell, and we wish that you would aid us in capturing others like you."

"This is an… odd request. Tell me about this business with Old Hell and New Hell. You have distinguished between them several times."

The Reaper drew in a rattling breath, and proceeded to sit down. Keima did the same, and the Reaper began to speak.

"We have long since lost track of the number of years this has been going on. Many centuries ago, Hell was filled with Depravity and Suffering. Although some demons at the top thrived off of this, the lower levels hated it. With an overwhelming force, we captured all the spirits of what is now called Old Hell, and locked them away. With the help of six Goddesses, we sealed them away. We have since renovated Hell. What is now called New Hell is a kingdom filled with demons and devils. But even though we thought that we had imprisoned all of them, it soon came to our attention that they were escaping. By the time we had attempted to mobilize a force against them, almost a thousand evil spirits had escaped. We were able to capture all of them because they refused to unite, but now we are facing the problem of capturing them again because of that same reason. For almost four hundred years, we looked frantically for them. You know those years as the Dark Ages of Europe. Now, though, we have discovered where they have been hiding.

"Humanity has fallen in more recent years, has fallen into the same depravity as the demons of Old Hell. We soon realized that they were somehow possessing humans and taking over their minds. But the type of human that they may possess is very specific. To possess a human, the human must have a hole in their heart. Not a physical one, but it has to be a crack, something that is drawing the darkness into them. Demons are able to exploit those holes and eventually expand them. We have noted that the only way dislodge a spirit is to close the hole. The best way is through love, as it heals the person completely and prevents anything else from inhabiting their body.

"Now, the reason this pertains to you is that we have discovered an influx in the number of spirits escaping. The only other abnormality is that they seem to be focusing on this town. We believe that an alliance with you will help because you hold so much power over the people of this town. We wish to offer you the position of Region Commander in exchange for the protection of this town. Any future conquests of both patrolling demons and humans will be considered yours."

Keima mulled it over. This was a good opportunity. He could expand his influence even more, and he would actually gain more slaves in exchange for giving Hell their prisoners back. "There is two questions I have before I accept this position."

"Fair enough."

"I am sure that the spirits will not automatically be transferred back to hell after their expulsion from the host bodies. How will I capture them?"

"There is two things that we can do. The first is assign you a partner that would tell you when one is close, the second is to give you a sensor and let you figure out where its pointing yourself."

He gazed unimpressed at the intended slight. " I'll ask for a partner then."

The Reaper didn't hesitate. "Done. What was your other question?"

"Will anyone remember if they were possessed? I am sure that you have had problems with this before…"

The creature of death leaned back. "Normally, no, but I think that the ones under your protection deserve to know. You will allowed to tell them if you wish, or allow them to remember."

Keima extended a hand out. "On the condition that this doesn't kill me if I fail, I accept."

The Reaper took his skeletal hand in her own and shook briefly. "It is a pleasure doing business with someone who can ask intelligent questions. Your 'partner' will arrive tomorrow. Please remember that you will not just have her under your command, but you will also have four other Demonesses working with you."

"I can work with that. We'll be in touch?"

The Reaper nodded. "I hope to see you soon."

With a nod of finality, the room's original aura returned, and the Reaper vanished, almost as if she had never been there. He retracted from his form, turned off the computer, and went to sleep.