Guren's P.O.V
She stares me down with grueling intensity. My temples saturate with sweat and I grit my teeth with anticipation. She flashes a smirk and pulls her hand out from behind her. "I have no intention of combing that disgusting mind of yours for a traumatic trial to put you through. So, this will be your challenge." The cold iron dances in the sunlight. Dangling from her dainty palms is a pendant in the shape of a cross. "All you have to do is retrieve this pendant from me and I will lend you my power." She taunts, offering me a challenge. She holds the object directly out from her side to taunt me. I grin snidely. This will be easy. I sprint forward, but she disappears. I stand motionless, frozen in shock. Before I can react, a mass materializes behind me and touches me with a single finger. My body tingles and then sears with pain. Electricity runs through my veins and I cry out in agony. I land on my knees, clutching my chest. Slowly, I stagger to me feet.
"Is that the best you can do?" I hiss and take a step forward. I haven't moved a foot when another surge of electricity runs through me. I stagger, but manage to pick myself up. "I didn't even go for the attack that time! That's just sick and twisted." I shout out of irritation, but she just laughs hysterically at me. This is just a game to her. I feel the blood boil in my chest and I straighten my stature. A dark aura encompasses me and I stare her down. "This isn't a game." I dash towards her and she disappears, but before she can attack from behind I dodge. I side-step left, avoiding her attack. Once she is in reach, I pivot and lift my leg. My kick collides with her wrist and she grabs my ankle mid-air. She lets go and extends her arm towards me. She opens her palm, revealing the pendant.
"There is more to this war then brute force. A man can possess all the power his simple mind can conjure, but if he has no skill of his own then the power he gains is useless. I wanted to see if you not only had the skill, but also the heart and determination. Congratulations, lieutenant colonel Guren, you have gained my approval." She smiles softly towards me, a warm brilliance fills the air around her and wraps me in a blanket of comfort. She is wiser then I could have ever imagined. A slight blush falls on my cheeks and I turn away to hide my embarrassment. She lets an adorable giggle escape and pats me on the shoulder.
Your P.O.V
Everyone has gathered in the main room of our claustrophobic living quarters. An air of seriousness lingers. "We need to save Mirai." Kimizuki demands and everyone nods in agreement.
"If we try to infiltrate the Imperial Army's main base, then we will be decimated." Yuu counters. Everyone also nods in agreement at this statement. The tension in the atmosphere grows.
"We don't need to infiltrate when we already have access." Guren cockily sneers. "I am still trusted by the Army and have full access to the research wing. Rin and I will head back to the base and make contact with Shinya. He will be more than willing to join our troop. From there we will locate and retrieve Mirai and meet up with the rest of you at the corporate building Southeast of the North gate." Everyone smiles shyly. This is the commander they have dedicated their lives to. I now see the reasoning for his desperate rescue. He is a cunning and heroic man who they look up to. I give him a slight nudge on the shoulder and he looks towards me with wonder. I give him a thumbs up and an encouraging smile. At first he blushes curtly, but then returns my warm gesture.
"Any objections? Good. Let's head out." Shinoa commands and we rise from our seats. Our next stop, Shibuya.
Guren and I walk side by side as we approach the gate to the Imperial Demon Army's base. We remain silent as the truth settles in. "I guess you had better equip your weapon." I tease, poking at his midsection. He grits his teeth at my remark, but he stops. He holds the pendant tightly in his grasp and presses it to his chest. I feel him call for me and my body begins to glow with unimaginable brilliance. Suddenly, I am transported to a baron wasteland. I begin to search the area around me, but all I can find is dust and despair. That is when I see it. My eyes widen and I feel my chest ignite. His memories.
Guren P.O.V
I am unable to make contact with Rin and I begin to worry. I call out for her, but my mind is devoid of response. I guess I will have to complete this mission on my own. I cringe in frustration at her inappropriate absence. As I stalk down the hall familiar faces salute me in admiration. I return their greetings without much thought or consideration. I spot Shinya leaving one of the classrooms and pull him to the side. At first he grumbles at my rough treatment, but freezes when he locks on to my eyes. No longer do they glow a fiery red. "You're not possessed anymore. Where's Mahiru?" He manages to choke out. I signal him to remain quiet and lead him to my private quarters. I lock the door behind me out of caution. "What's this all about Guren, what's wrong?" He prods me and I check the room for surveillance cameras and wire taps. Nothing. I turn to him and he is able to recognize my urgency. He sits down and allows me to speak.
"I've made contact with Yuu and the others. Mahiru was slain by Rin Aeria, the girl who was possessed seven years ago. She defeated the demon that possessed her and gained his powers. Now she is a half human half demon and my new cursed gear." I state blatantly as I motion to the katana strapped to my side. Shinya simply stares at me with astonishment. "I am here to retrieve the Kimizuki boy's sister, Mirai. Our goal is to unite and rebuild this crumbling nation. Are you with me, brother?" My voice echoes in the hollow room. There is no time for explanations or second-guessing. Our window of opportunity is limited. Shinya is hesitant and refuses to speak. A look of utter contradiction is plastered across his face. Finally, he speaks.
"I am with you." I grin cunningly and we proceed to the research facility.
As we approach the door, Shinya bombards me with questions. I sigh with irritation, but I answer patiently.
"Can I see her?"
"Later."
"Is she inside of your mind?"
"Yes, but she also has a human form."
"She was always a shy one, wasn't she?"
"You're disgusting."
"She was able to defeat the demon king with human hands. That's impressive. I wonder what she looks like. I bet she's-"
"Would you shut up?"
"Oh so that's what she means to you."
"Never in a thousand years would I ever care for that brat."
"But you're blushing. Ow! Don't hit me!"
I slide my key card into place and the door opens obediently. There, lying unmoving in her bed is Mirai Kimizuki. The seraph of the end. I motion Shinya to grab her and he lifts her into his arms. Then, we retreat from the research facility and head for the North gate. Each move is extremely cautious, peering around every corner to avoid danger. Suddenly, the loud speaker blares. "Specimen 338, Mirai Kimizuki has escaped from her cell. All units scour the area." Shit. I hear the distant trotting of robotic soldiers march in our direction. We are able to avoid detection and recollect our thoughts in a vacant corner before resuming. A guard appears out of thin air and slashes his sword towards me. I have no time to react. I brace myself for impact and hold my breath to counter the searing blow. But, it never comes. I shoot my eyes open and stare at the wonder in front of me. Rin stands before me, her stature embodies a valiant lioness. Her hand holds the blade that was thrust at my chest. Crimson blood drips from her palm and her brow furrows in anger.
"You really should be more cautious of your surroundings…" She jests and chokes on her laughter. Her breathing grunts out of discomfort. "I might hate your guts, but you are an incredibly selfless man. I have seen your memories. I have witnessed your undying devotion to protecting those you care about. The pureness of your heart is unfathomable. It's admiral." She speaks shyly, which I find undeniably cute.
"Lieutenant Colonel Guren. Major General Shinya. How could you betray us?" The young soldier's voice trembles in fear. But, his presence is disregarded.
"Go! Get Mirai to the others. I will join you shortly." She commands. I try to speak but she cuts me off. Her tone and persona are reassuring so I nod and proceed to stand. I grab Shinya by the arm. "I'll hold them off." She snarls and swiftly kicks the young soldier in the side. He flies into the concrete wall, coughing up blood as he falls. The velocity of the kick is inhumanly terrifying. "Don't worry I won't kill anyone." She coaxes and I smirk to myself. She is an interesting girl.
Shinya and I reach the North gate and burst out into the vibrant and illuminated world. We bound towards the corporate building and the others greet us with congratulatory smiles. Their faces contort to distress as the violent scene plays out behind us. Rin darts from one position to the next, like a blur, taunting them. Her movements are feline and she is invisibly fast. Kureto charges forward with his sword, but she doesn't dodge. His sword plunges into her midsection, sending a sprit of reddened liquid in all directions. The others gasp in terror around me, but I just chuckle. Yuu notices my amusement and looks back intently at the scene before him. "Disperse!" Kureto barks in triumph, but to no avail.
"Oh! I have been slain." Rin dramatically curses as she twirls and falls to her knees. I clap curtly at her pathetic performance. Yuu shoots me an unimpressed stare and I shrug at him. Kureto stands in shock at the realization that his demonic powers have failed. Rin begins to giggle hysterically.
"Stupid human, thinking you can kill a demon with a demon's weapon." Rin blurts out. Suddenly, her eyes glow an iridescent gold. A black aura surrounds her in a torrent of dread. Then. She disappears. Shinoa looks to me unenthusiastically.
"You and her are cut from the same cloth." She mumbles. I raise my fist in protest, but resist my violent urges. I smile to myself, remembering her kind words.
"D…D…Demon…" Kureto stutters. The look of agonizing terror on his face is comical and long over due. He spots me in the distance and I shoot him an arrogant grin. He composes himself and returns inside. This is not a battle he is ready to fight, but he will return. Shinya turns to me and gives me a thankful smile. He is happy to have escaped hell on earth.
Soon after, Rin reappears beside us as we walk towards our base. She floats above the ground on her back, contently. She darts over to Yuu and Shinoa until she is inches away from their faces. Her smile is smug. "How was my performance?" She implores and the two giggle at her. Their faces wash white soon after. I wrap my arm firmly around Rin's shoulders and pull her into my chest. I rest my head on hers.
"You did good." I whisper and her face flushes a brilliant pink. I can feel the heat radiate against my chin. Shinoa and Yuu just roll their eyes, but I smile adoringly. I too, blush uncontrollably.