"Yes, I was born in the year of 1621, in the country of Spain", Kuro responds to his contractor's shocked expression. "I was born a human, as like most Devils. Yet I wasn't resurrected as a Devil at first..."
...
"Where are we going", the younger Kuro asks an elder man with a long, white beard and white cloak. Kuro's hair was shorter, hanging just over his eye brows. His clothes were tattered and old, just as his shoes and gloves.
"We're going to my home", the elder man replies, his voice a little muffled. "I think it is time for a close friend to at least live with me for a while. Don't you agree?"
Kuro nods in agreement. "My birthday is soon too."
"Yes, I know. You'll be turning fourteen, right?"
"Yes. How do you know?"
"I guess you can say that I've already known you for quite a while."
"Yes, you have I guess."
The two turns down towards a thin trail in some woods, where a good looking Spanish house rests ahead. As they finally made it, Kuro got a good view on the old man's home. It was made of cement like the other houses, the ceiling designed with dark shingles.
The elder man held the door open for Kuro, then finally says, "Since your birthday is soon, I have a gift for you."
"Really", Kuro asks, a bit surprised as he enters the house. "What is it? When will I get it?"
"You'll get it in just a few moments, Kuro. The gift, though... How would you like to hold responsibility and be looked up to? To live for a long time and do what you want?"
Kuro's eyes widens at the old man as he enters. "I would love it!"
"And do you most certainly wish for this gift truly?"
"Yes, I want it!"
The elder man chuckles lightly at his answer. "Good. Now follow me."
Kuro follows the old man down some stairs, the light setting not changing at all as they got deeper and deeper. Finally, when they made it, there was a smooth, white table in the center of the room and a bowl resting next to it with what appears to be sparkling, crystal-clear water.
"Please, lay on the table, Kuro", the old man asks, which Kuro obeys. "Now, close your eyes and relax."
Again, Kuro silently obeys. "How long will this take?"
"Not long."
Kuro heard water whooshing and dripping lightly on his forehead, both shoulders, and chest. Then, through his eyelids, a light shone over him. Yet, he kept his eyes closed.
"Now, drift lightly into sleep, Kuro."
He was already growing tired, so this command was no trouble at all as well. As he grew sleepier and sleepier, he began to hear the old man talk. Or chant. Something familiar. What was it to him that made it so familiar?
"... Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me..."
Deeper and deeper, to the peek of sleep Kuro drifts to."
"... You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows..."
Kuro now fell deep into sleep as the man continued his chanting.
Then, Kuro awoke on the same table alone, the old man gone and a different feeling. He sits up on the table, rubbing his head tiredly. But, as he touched his hair, it felt longer. He looked down and noticed that he grew bigger.
"How long was I asleep?!"
Even his voice was deeper. He got up but was pushed forward with the sound of a single heavy flap. He turns and looks over his shoulder, where he notices bright white, large, fluffy wings spread from his back. He panics, running upstairs recklessly. His wings brushed against the walls as he ran upstairs, then into the hall of the old man's house. But everything was destroyed. The whole house was a complete mess with debris everywhere.
"What the hell happened?"
"Ah, you must be the newly made Angel your friend mentioned", a peaceful voice spoke from behind.
As Kuro turns to see who it was, he saw the man with a golden, red, and white robe on, a halo over his head and large angelic wings, larger than Kuro's. "Who are you?"
"My apologies. My name is Michael, and I serve the Lord and his father, God."
Kuro only stood there, shocked. "W-What? Why are you here then?"
"To take you to Heaven and train you with whatever is needed, especially the teachings from God."
"Well, I am Christian after all." He thought for a moment, looking down. "Alright, I agree."
"That readily?"
"I have lived my whole life in the belief of the Lord, even when going through the hardest of times. Whatever needs to be done, I'll do it for Heaven."
"Even to fight as the head of the Angel Army?"
"What? Why so sudden at that?"
"Well, there was something in you in which interests all of Heaven. So, we just want to see it for ourselves." Michael wore a warming and friendly smile, bringing Kuro to calm immediately.
"Okay, I fully agree."
"Then, let us go."
...
"Just like that, you went", Kuro's contractor asks, laying fully on her couch.
"Yes. I had a strong belief in God and the Lord, plus I was homeless. Later on, I learned that the old man died during my three year sleep. He died of age, of course. I kinda expected that."
"So, what did you do after that?"
"I volunteered after my training", Kuro answers, turning glum.
"Volunteered?"
"Yes..."
...
"Ah bloody hell", a man shouts from beside Kuro, both in blue and white uniform with rifles in hand.
Ahead of them were a line of soldiers dressed in mainly red and blue, all rifles raised at the charging group of Patriots. Kuro was in the middle of the charging group. Balls of bullets whizzed past him into his allies, all falling down dead. The rest still charged ahead, then took cover by a creek.
"Oh, you actually made it", one of his allies spoke to Kuro.
"Yeah, surprised you made it too", he replies with a nervous chuckle. He then raises from his cover where they both fire off their rifles at the line of British.
"Not bad, you actually got one", another shouts from the other side of Kuro.
"What makes you say that?"
Before he replies, a voice shouted behind them to charge forward. So, everyone got up from the creek and ran ahead, this time cannon balls from the British artillery slamming into some of the Patriots. Screams and yelling were heard throughout the charging group, yet they were getting closer and closer.
"Ah, fuck!"
Kuro turns to see what the familiar voice was, to see that it was his friend from before on the ground and holding onto his shoulder. So, Kuro hurries to him and picks him up over his shoulder.
"There's another round of cover ahead! We could make it", Kuro shouts reassuringly.
"Good", his friend tiredly replies, "I guess this means I owe ya a round of drinks, eh?"
"Sure does."
But, another musket ball catches his friend in his neck.
"Henry", Kuro shouts.
But his friend did not reply. So, Kuro drops the corpse and charges ahead where there were only a few more Patriots ahead.
"Kuro, hurry your ass over here", his other friend shouted from behind a large rock.
But, before Kuro decided to even go to him, a cannon ball slams into the rock, making it to fall over the comrade.
"Dammit!"
Now, there were only a few Patriots ahead, not enough to even call a squad. Yet, they were all falling dead and musket rounds tore into their flesh.
Finally, what may seem to be what Kuro has been praying for, a musket ball zipped into his shoulder, then another in his chest, then another in his leg. So, he falls down, gushing blood from his wounds. But, the rounds slowly exits from his wounds, then closes up brand new. He plays dead as the British goes over and checks the bodies. As one of them goes over Kuro, he gets kicked in the shin where he falls over. Right when he fell, Kuro positioned his rifle where the blade pointed at his chin, which he fell upon.
Kuro shot the rifle into his face, then grabs his sidearm, where he shot at another British soldier. He hurries to the soldier, grabbing his rifle and body, which he used as a shield. He backs away as the British fires upon Kuro. Then, a cannon ball slams all around him. Luckily, he catches a glimpse of their weakness. So, he raises the captured rifle and shot at the barrel of gunpowder, where it explodes all around the line of artillery. The British then drew their main attention to the explosion, making Kuro to easily escape with grief
...
"That must have been terrible for you to experience", Kuro's contractor says.
"It was, yes", Kuro replies. "It was like that for me almost everyday. I usually report to the commanding quarters alone, having the mission to be completed with everyone left behind, dead."
She sat up slightly, looking over at Kuro, whose eyes are aimed down at the floor sadly. "I'm sorry to hear that."
"It's fine, really. I was taught how not to grieve so easily afterwards."
"What made you become a Devil?"
"Ah yes, the 'Why' question that always follow me." He managed to bring a slight smirk on his lips. "It was during a battle during the beginning of World War I. The very beginning, as in the first bloody battle, yet secretive. It was the Germans versus us, the rebels..."
...
"Jorge, where to now", a man shouts over the gunfire over the trenches.
Jorge, A buff man with only boots, pants, and a coat with a rifle in hand was peeking over the trench at the horde of German soldiers with gas masks advancing towards them. In the trench was only a few people, a little more than two dozen armed people with civilian clothing.
"We got no choice but to fall back for now", Jorge replies over the few automatic and rifle shots.
"If we do, then they'll run their bloody aircraft right over the city, laying hell with automatic fire!"
Another man hurries towards the two, a young man, looking to barely graduate from high school. "They've cut off reinforcements on the rear! We have no route to fall back to!"
Jorge sighs, then sits back against the trench wall. "Good job, Kuro. Hobbes, bring me my bag over there." He pointed at a satchel bag ahead of him.
The man that asked Jorge where to go before grabbed the satchel bag and hands it to him. Jorge takes out a bottle of what looks to be Scotch.
"I'll draw their attention to me, and you two go set out with the others to get out. You'll have a slim chance, so you better do it quick."
Hobbes, even Kuro, are silenced by his suggestion. The three were friends when they met in a train cart. Hobbes was the first to occupy it, then Kuro found it to be unoccupied. But when Hobbes made it back, the two were arguing on who kept the train cart. Then, Jorge came in and pretty muched summed it up quickly to share, mainly because of his appearance.
"You've gotta be bloody kidding me, are you actually planning to do this", Hobbes asks.
"Yes, I'm sure. You two guide the others out of here or we all die."
Kuro looks over the trench wall, where the masked Germans advances quicker, canisters in hand. "Hobbes, we don't have any time to argue. We gotta leave now!"
Hobbes looks over the trench wall to see why, then hisses at the sight. "Ah, hell. Jorge, they have gas ready to throw at us, you won't-"
He was interrupted as the sight changed. A large dog-like beast leaps through the thick smoke, attacking the Germans. Then another, then another. Screaming was heard throughout the trenches, where another similar beast attacks their comrade at the end of the trench.
"Everyone run", Kuro shouts.
The beast tears two of his allies to shreds, the rest hurrying out of the trench and out into the field to fall back. Most were caught by the same beast after a few seconds.
"Jorge, the machine gun", Hobbes shouts, shooting at the beast in the trench, followed by Kuro.
Jorge rips open a thin sheet of metal from the ground, where a large gun lays in. He picks it up, which seems to be the perfect weight for him. He lays it over the trench's wall and fires at the beasts and surviving Germans. The automatic fire jolts Jorge's arms, and sends empty, hot bullet casings over Kuro and Hobbes.
"That bloody hurts", Hobbes shouts, brushing off the hot casings.
"Yeah? Then move", Jorge replies, still raining fire. But, his head is caught in one of the beast's mouth, his screams muffled as he's pulled out.
"Jorge", Both Kuro and Hobbes shouts.
Hobbes hurriedly climbs over the trench's wall and fires as the fleeing beast with Jorge's head in his mouth. But, another beast chomps down at the side of his chest, pulling him into the thick fog of gas and gun powder.
"Hobbes", Kuro shouts. "Damn those hell hounds!"
He drew a designed sword from his back. The blade was perfectly line and sharp, the handle black and rubber-made for extra grip. The blade shone with silver. Another beast leaps through the smoke into the trench atop of Kuro. But, didn't complete his attack because of Kuro's blade through his neck. He pushes him off and exit the trench.
"Hobbes! Jorge!"
Another hell hound charges towards Kuro. He side steps from the line of attack and cleanly slices off his head from the center of his thick neck.
"Come on, damned monsters!"
Now, a horde of beasts charges for Kuro. Kuro side steps again to the other, quickly cutting one perfectly in half. He sends his blade down the throat of another, but his arm is caught in the teeth of another hell hound. Kuro shouts in pain, retracting his blade. Another pair of teeth sinks into his neck and another on his legs. But, they soon run away as a man dressed in all red clothing with a black cape over his shoulder.
"Hello, my name Lord Gremory", the man spoke as he stopped at the nearly dead Kuro. "I have heard of your existence. And because of that, I wish to bring you back alive."
Kuro only breathes roughly and difficultly.
"Do you agree?"
He slightly nods, blood running down the corner of his lips as he looks up at him. His hair was crimson red, long enough to fall over just over his shoulders. He had a thin, red goatee and was a little middle aged looking, yet young.
"Now, you will become a Devil. But a Devil of the Gremory clan. Yes, you will become a nephilim."
...
"And like that, I became a Devil", Kuro finalizes.
"That was rough..." His contractor's voice was low, and saddened a little.
"Not to worry. They're in Heaven and at peace. I made sure of it."
"Glad to hear." She cheers up a bit, looking up at Kuro, who is wearing a small warm grin to her.
"Later, Lord Gremory introduced me to Sirzechs, his son. The two trained me as a Devil, then managed to allow Azazel to train me as a Fallen Angel. I remember faintly that a few succubus there managed to get the best of me and have an intercourse with them due to my power. So, I have a little blood of the Fallen Angels in me."
"Wow", she replies, astonished. "Angel, Devil, and Fallen Angel."
"And human. I tend to keep my humanity as long as possible."
"And those succubus..."
"Hm?"
"N-Nothing", she shouts, snapping out of it.
A knock is heard at the door.
"I'll get it, Mistress."
He stood and went to the door, opening it to see Rias and Akeno.
"Oh, yes?"
"We're holding a meeting soon", Rias spoke, wearing her usual smile. "We came to see if you have time to make it."
"Of course", Kuro answers. "When will it be, exactly?"
"In thirty minutes", Akeno answers.
"Then I'll be there by then."
"Good, it's very important for everyone", Rias adds.
"Alright,see you soon."
"See you soon", both Rias and Akeno replies simultaneously before leaving.
He closes the door after them then went back in the living room. "Well, I have a meeting in about thirty minutes, so I'll be leaving soon."
"Okay, that's fine", Kuro's contractors replies.
"Oh, apologies for not asking you this before, but what's your name?"
"Oh? My name is Mika", she answers warmly.
"Your name reminds me of a friend. She's crazy and the complete opposite of you." He chuckles lightly at his own comment, followed by her.
"Well, before you leave, I suppose I could tell you. I'm planning on changing up some furniture and maybe a hair cut. So maybe you'd help then?"
"Glad to, Mistress."
"Well, I'll be seeing you tomorrow then."
"Of course, Mistress."
Then, he left out into the midnight setting, his hands stuffed in his pockets and eyes lowered to the ground.
So many lost friends. Hopefully no more. I'll keep these guys safe.
There, the longest chapter made so far. Hope you guys enjoyed it and got the image of what Kuro is and what he's done in the past. In some other series (yes, other series), it'll explain more on depth of Kuro. So, next chapter will kick things off towards the rising conflict then the climax. More to come, give me some time, drops down those reviews, and do whatever you'd like. If you have anything you'd want me to add or anything, private message (PM) me about it. Thank you guys, more to come, definitely :) Oh, I almost forgot! PM me some anime series you'd like me to do, and I'll see what I can do in the future. Anyways, thanks again :)
-The Red Merc