The silver sheen of an expensive white car sped down the highway haphazardly. It dove through traffic with little care. Time is what mattered, and it seemed to have little of it. The sun was already beginning to set, and Ryo was hardly out of the city. He had been tracking that girl's phone and was suspicious to see how far out it appeared to be. His expression was troubled and the aggravation he felt could be determined by his driving alone.

Along his travels he found himself forced to stop, regardless of the annoyance it brought. A large group of pedestriansmoseyed along the crosswalk, as Ryo could only sit tapping away at his steering wheel. His eyes scanned for any opening, any opportunity to slip through and return to what was important. It seemed his observance went rewarded, a gap between the people formed just large enough to squeeze himself through. With little regard and no patience the blond teen revved his car and sped straight through the space. He moved so fast it seemed he could make it through without a hitch, but then something alerted him.

His heart felt like it could burst as he thrusted the wheel to the side narrowly missing a person standing right before him. At least it looked like a person, as a matter of fact it looked just like himself. It was only a glance, but it was enough to halt the teen in his tracks, sending an unnerving quiver up his spine and a nauseating twist in his stomach. His head whipped around to get another look at this mysterious doppelganger, but to his sinking dismay, there was no one there. He couldn't understand it, his gaze narrowed, and his eyes darted about the area. He wasn't there before Ryo drove through, and he was no longer there now. Like a bright phantom the figure had come and gone, leaving the professor to reel in the aftermath.

The accumulating sounds of honking and a disapproving crowd shook Ryo out of his bewildered trance. First double checking to make sure his way was clear this time, he slammed his foot down on the gas pedal, hurrying himself away from the situation.

Ryo's mind was still stuck to that one incident, even as he was at last beginning to approach his destination. He couldn't ignore the strange events just suddenly piling up before him. It was like something more had happened at that Sabbath he never intended. His world was on its head in only two days and here he was scrabbling to make sense of it. He huffed to ease himself, closing his eyes as he turned off the car's ignition. When he rustled up the patience to open them again, he scowled at what he saw. He was out in the middle of nowhere surrounded by nothing but forest and the closest patch of civilization was miles down the road.

"Why would that girl's phone be all the way out here?" he wondered. He stepped out of his car in a hurry, remaining cautious of his healing leg, and followed the location displayed on his phone. Ryo trekked through the forestland that only ever got more and more soggy the further he went. The teen's brow creased in confusion looking upwards to the sky. It was nightfall but the stars were perfectly clear overhead, so why did it look like a tsunami had just leveled the place. The clues were becoming increasingly more confounding and when he finally made it to the destination on his device, he was at a loss. There wasn't a person around and yet this was supposedly the place. Ryo grumbled in frustration skimming over the ground, it took a minute or two but finally an out of place object caught his eye.

Walking forward he picked up the plastic rectangle and he didn't even need to give it more than a glimpse to know what it was. It was the phone but not a soul around to claim it. He could have chucked the piece of worthless technology then and there, but he refrained. His lead had been a bust and now he had to completely rethink his plans.

Ryo's hand came to hold his head attempting to diminish his stress and clear his mind for new options. He hadn't been there for more than a few seconds before he began to notice the presence of something. His face rose from his fingers and his eyes narrowed into the distance. He couldn't place it, but it didn't seem like it was an animal, but it also didn't feel human. Immediately he assumed the worst believing it to be some kind of devil. His fingers steadily twined around the gun handle inside his coat.

"Who's there!" he ordered. The rustle of leaves and the whistle of the breeze was all he got in response. His pupils flicked alertly, still sensing something wasn't quite right. He drew his gun fully now and turned about in a circle, checking his whole perimeter. This was all becoming far too unnerving, he started stepping back slowly as he placed the girl's phone within his coat. He was preparing to flip about and dash away back to his car when he could have sworn he heard faint singing. It was distant, muffled and eerily familiar. Instantly a shiver rattled up the blonde's spine, feeling the hair on the back of his neck stand on end and his eyes spread wide open.

Ryo felt the Earth give to his feet as he pushed himself fiercely through the woods despite the discomfort in his casted leg. His thoughts were still far behind his body as he ran heedlessly on. The panic radiated off him, through hysteric breaths. It was like there was something scratching at the back of his brain, something he truly didn't want to recall but was forced to acknowledge. It was the same feeling he had before, with the vision of the person that looked just like him, only then it was merely a moment but now it felt inescapable.

"What are you running from? All you ever do is run and go nowhere…"

The sounds of whispers engrossed him, frightening his trembling body ever more. He tried to search around for whatever it was, any hint or trace at all but he could see nothing around him. Suddenly he fell and rolled ahead of himself. The sharp pain manifested from his already wounded ankle and up his leg. He grit his teeth, he had tripped over a root, but it didn't matter now, all that mattered was escape. He struggled back to his feet and kept on, much slower than before but still going.

"Oh, look how far you've fallen…"

Ryo flinched, wishing to block out the disembodied voice, trying with all his might to go faster. Finally he whipped his pistol around and fired two rounds into the open greenery, hoping it would spook whatever this was away from him.

"Who are you! Leave me alone!" Ryo shouted.

"You're so scared, and so far from home…" suddenly the tone of this being became softer. Regardless Ryo did not let down his guard, pressing onward.

"Some of us miss you, you know…" the voice had grown louder and yet gentler. Ryo was almost to his car now but felt as if someone was right at his heels.

"And it makes me wonder…"

Ryo was at his wits end, feeling as if both his body and mind were caught in a vice. Not an answer in sight and fighting through a sea of petrifying uncertainty.

"Do you ever regret it?" the voice spoke as clear as day, right at Ryo's back. The sense of pure unbridled fear welled up in his chest, and with a crazed stare he faced back. He saw no one there.

Unconsciously he rushed back inside the car slamming the door and locking it, as he did everything to reclaim his sense of rationale. There was just no explanation he could come to, none of this could happen. It must have been some kind of demon, surely, they were playing a trick on him, he thought to himself.

Ryo brought the car to life and tore out kicking up a wave of mud, as the car screamed out its departure. His heart was still hammering within his ribs as he drove, and his trembling hands clung to the wheel. He knew he needed to save Akira, but now it seemed that task might prove greater than him, if Amon really had been behind these disturbing occurrences. For the first time Ryo was genuinely hesitant, he craved answers but only ever seemed to receive more questions, and unsettling questions at that. How could he fight Amon alone, and when Amon seemed to already have an army to rely on. Ryo didn't know what he could do, he was just as terrified as he was when he had to watch Professor Fikira burn himself alive, but now he was completely alone.

He exhaled with an emptying feeling as he constructed his new plan. He knew his final option was to just approach the Makimura's house himself. He wasn't even sure if Amon would be there but what other choice would he have, he figured. Ryo decided to stop at home first, clearly, he needed all the preparation he could get, but even that was a gamble now. He would have to keep alert even in his own home. If the world insisted on making an enemy out of him, then he'd be ready for a fight.

Akira stared over a scorched and blazing landscape. The skies were blackened, and the Earth grew no life, everything was desolate and reduced to dust and ash.

He could sense the support of those behind him, he didn't even have to glance back to know his devilmen were near and awaiting his command. Out on that distant horizon he could see the pinpoint of light, that despised shimmering figure, the one who caused all this destruction. He felt his lip curl and with a single order the flashes of color and demonic silhouettes clashed on either side, fighting perilously for their victory. His legs lifted him off and he aimed right for the one he hated the most. That anger and wrath that boiled inside him turned to bubbling glee as he came upon him only seconds away from tearing his once best friend into pieces.

"Akira! Akira! Can you hear me!" the sound of Miki's worried voice filled his ears. He halted in his actions trying to find her. However, everything moved like it was in slow motion, and yet there was no time at all, Satan was becoming further away. In a huff Akira pursued the heinous angel. Up and down, left, and right he chased after him, becoming further and further away from his men and those he cared for.

"Akira! You're going so far! Run back to us!" the voices were different now and much more distant. It sounded like his own parents. He couldn't identify where it was coming from, and no matter how much he wanted to know, he couldn't stop now, not with how far he'd come.

Satan was now moving much faster; it seemed no matter how hard Akira pressed he wasn't gaining any ground. He growled in aggravation and began to struggle frantically, just to get close enough for a single swipe on his foe. It was then Satan himself seemed to turn to him with sadness.

"Akira, don't follow me, go back…" the sound of Satan's warning became fainter. Akira watched with cheated and seething eyes as he began to escape. He couldn't let this happen, after everything he'd been through, he wouldn't let him get away, not again.

"Devilman, Devilman, Devilman!" he could hear the sound of his men's chant urging him on. He had to do this they expected him to, it was what he was meant to do. It was his destiny to liberate his people. Combined with his rage and the hope his devilman placed in him he compelled his wings forward. Soon enough he was at last met with his destination but when he looked upon it, he was awestruck. A humongous all-encompassing light took up his vision. The threatening light was mightier than anything he had ever seen, and he knew Satan had hidden himself away in it. He could still hear the cheers of his kind, the heat in his blood and the pressure to take action nip at him. He put on a ferocious face and went rocketing for it, against all odds.

"Devilman, Devilman, Devilman," the war cry continued to hum in his ears. He felt the wind cut to his strength and his body morph in ire. He tapped into the power he needed feeling himself become larger and his mind grow ever more fixated to his one target.

"Come back! Come back please! I can hardly see you anymore!" he heard Miki yell, but it was so far away. It hurt him to ignore her plea, but he had to, this was for her. He must protect her; he must avenge her.

The chanting had now grown dimmer and sounded off from before. It no longer sounded like the same name, but somehow it was still for him. He dismissed it, none of it mattered, nothing mattered except this. He stared up at the mass of light and could have sworn it stared back at him too.

"Please come back to me, come back to me, Amon!"

Akira lurched upwards out of bed and fell back into a puddle of cold sweat. His breathing was shaky and abrupt as he looked up to his window seeing the bright morning sky. He exhaled as he slumped himself back into the position he was in, massaging his eyes with his palms. The dream he had was so vivid and so nerve-racking his body was still getting accustomed to his reality.

"Akira!" he heard Miki's muffled call come from the opposite side of the door. It startled him a little to hear her as quickly he pulled himself together. In doing so he realized that dream he had affected him enough to change his body mid-way in his sleep. He quickly retracted his demonic features and made himself as presentable as he could muster, given the short notice.

"Yes Miki?" he walked towards the door to open it. Seeing her standing there in all her giddy excitement helped with all that had been weighing on his mind. He managed to smile back at her, even if a bit sleepy looking.

"Well I just came to tell you Miko's here now, like you told her from last night. We were wondering if you were ever going to get up, you look like you were sleeping pretty hard, are you okay?" she asked cheerfully.

"Oh, right yeah, sorry I was just having a really weird dream. Let me get dressed then I'll have you all come in here, okay?"

"Will do!" she tipped her head assuredly.

The early day's light seeped in through Akira's sunroof as he gazed over that small group he had gathered. The attendants only included, Miki, Miko, Taro, Tako and himself, but that's what would do for now. Last night had been so tiring on him and Miki that he couldn't bear to hold this meeting the night before, but it couldn't be put off further, the urgency was simply too great. He breathed attempting to relive any left-over grogginess he had before he began.

"Alright, you're all probably wondering why I had you come here, so I'll just make this quick. Yesterday evening Miki and I were attacked by a demon I've fought many times before, except this time both he and I remembered fighting each other. This time was different, he came prepared and was stronger than before. It's just what I was worried about, the demons have caught on too, and we have to be more cautious than ever," Akira finished heavy-heartedly.

A unanimous hush fell over the group members, as the same unnerving buzz ran its course through each of them.

"You've fought that demon before?" Miki finally asked.

"I think he means in his past lives, Miki," Miko corrected. Miki's head tilted to the side, seeming more confused than before.

"Past lives?" she glanced between Miko and Akira awaiting an elaboration. Miko noticed her dissonance and she herself appeared mildly perplexed eyeing the devilman.

"Wait, I thought you told her?" Miko pressed, noticing Akira become more sheepish.

"Well, I told her about demons and devilman, this discussion was meant to fill in the rest. All she needs to know anyway is that there is an emanate threat to all of us and we have to keep our guard up."

Miko slumped slightly in the desk chair she had been sitting backwards on. She was a tad disapproving as she spoke again, "I think she deserves to know still."

"Know what?" Miki was becoming more frazzled.

Akira sighed gazing at Miki as her eyes entreated him, "Look, it's not a pleasant story and I don't want you to have to worry about it. I'm doing everything in my power to ensure it never happens again anyway, but the Earth has been caught in some kind of time loop for a long time. In that timeline humans and demons go to war with each other and everything is destroyed. Every time I tried to save humanity with an army of devilmen and I fought Satan myself, but...it just never has worked out. Until now, I came back, and I finally broke the loop. In this timeline we don't know what will happen next, but I know I will do anything to protect you, Miki, and everyone else."

The sincerity in his voice brought a glow to the girl's face, even despite her apprehensions now knowing reality's cruel fate. She at last eased her troubled figure, resting back once more on the edge of his bed. She looked at him with absolute trust and felt moved by his heroic sentiment. He appeared to catch on to her relaxation, bringing a smile to his lips.

"And that's also why we really need to start looking into ways to resurrect our devilmen. We'll never get by with just the four of us alone," Akira added.

"Well, five technically," Miko commented, being less than enthused. Akira appeared curious of her meaning before it dawned on him fully.

He grimaced with a roll of his eyes, "Moyuru Koda? That guy's as good as a devil, but we need to be keeping an eye on him too. Miko see if you can track him down, no telling what he might want."

"I'll look into it," Miko affirmed.

"Moyuru Koda? You mean the super high schooler?" Miki questioned.

"Oh, yeah he's, well he's supposed to be a devilman, but he sided with the demons," Akira informed.

"Him too!?" the brunette spoke in shock. Her reactions did warrant an amused chuckle throughout the surrounding devilmen.

"We're all around you," Miko playfully twirled her fingers and spoke in a spooky voice. Miki laughed along allowing the information to settle on her mind.

"And there's still more to come, we need a lot more. I was thinking maybe we can make our own Sabbath somehow?" Akira suggested.

"How are you going to do that?" Taro piped up, sitting next to Miki on the bed with his face dropping into his hands.

"I'm really not sure yet. Unless anyone else has a better suggestion?" he offered. Akira scanned over the group who all seemed to be silent for any other solutions.

"Maybe you don't need a Sabbath?" a high pitch voice broke through the quiet. Suddenly Miki looked as if a shiver had snaked up her spine and her eyes were stunned open. Carefully she looked down to the cat she had been petting in her lap.

"What do you mean?" Akira asked casually. Miki acted surprised Akira had replied and before she knew it Tako started up again, just as she had thought.

"Well, what I mean is-"

Miki jumped, interrupting the cat. Her face screamed with puzzlement, "I'm sorry, but you can talk!?"

"Oh yeah, sorry that's my fault, I forgot to tell you. Tako's one of us too, he's a devilcat!" Akira said in a calming manner.

"Ah," Miki laughed nervously, allowing herself to become more tranquil. "I guess I really shouldn't be surprised anymore."

Akira sent her a smirk before nodding his head for the cat to go on, "What were you saying Tako?"

"Well maybe you don't need a Sabbath, maybe all you need is a good witch," he finished with a gleam in his eye. That comment seemed to rouse the group's interest, particularly Akira's.

"A witch? What could a witch do?" he quarried.

Tako now sat up on Miki's lap, "Well, not just any witch will do. If you could find a skilled witch with natural talent, they might be able to summon the devilmen for you."

Akira seemed to stew on that possibility. The light could be seen coming through his eyes as he tallied it up in his head.

"Alright, where do we find a witch?" Akira asked.

"Hmm, that's a bit tougher. You'd need a really good one to summon back that many devilmen, and good witches can be hard to come by."

Akira's frame deflated some, as his gaze narrowed thoughtfully, "I understand, I'll still have to find one though. Do you think you can help me track one down?"

"I'm sure I could," Tako replied.

"Good, then in that case-" Akira stopped himself.

Just then every devilman in the group became alert, much to Miki's confusion, but soon that was drowned out by the sound of a soft knock.

"Hey kids, what are you all up to?" Miki's mom kindly opened the door. It seemed like everyone was caught in place, all glancing to the other for how to react. Akira's mouth parted to speak but his thoughts hadn't yet arrived.

"Oh, we were just, uh…" he faded off as he glanced about for an answer.

"We're having a track meeting!" Miki cut in with a bubbly voice. "They've been talking about having a relay event soon, and we were talking about it," she made eye contact with Akira. "Isn't that right?"

Her quick thinking created a simper on the devilman's lips, he nodded back to Akiko, "Yeah, that's about it."

"Aww I see, and is Taro and Tako you guys' little cheerleaders?" she sweetly spoke.

"Cheerleaders? Hey I'm helping too!" Taro gripped, but was quickly shot down, feeling Miki's elbow gently jab him.

A soft laugh could be heard coming from the motherly figure as she spoke again, "Well of course Taro. You're a very big help." Her eyes addressed the room once more, "I guess I'll leave you kids to it then, there's some snacks downstairs if any of you get hungry."

A united murmur of departure took over the gathering as Akiko made her way out. Akira turned to refer to everyone again with a relieved sigh.

"Good thinking Miki, we'll have to keep this all under wraps for the time being. We don't want to risk anybody else possibly getting hurt or becoming a target."

Finishing that statement Akira appeared to become musing. He had to keep everyone he could safe, and Miki's mother entering the room reminded him of his parents. He glanced over at his desk reviewing all the old pictures and memories of his family. He knew tonight was the night his mother would call, tomorrow they were supposed to visit. He felt a burning intensity in his chest, he was determined to see them this time.

"Akira? Is everything okay?" Miki asked worriedly.

Just like that Akira came tumbling back to the moment, looking at her as if he had been just woken from a deep sleep. Everyone seemed to notice his moment of distance, he cleared his throat and readjusted to the present.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine. I was just thinking," he eased the tension. "I think we're done here for now; we all already have a lot on our plates. Just stay alert and stay safe out there," he ended it as he leaned back against his wall, staring a hole through the floor. The group began to make their way out, but not without a few words on the way.

"Hey what about me what am I supposed to be doing?" Taro questioned. His probing had yanked Akira from his thinking.

"Well Taro you have one of the most important jobs. You and Tako are going to help keep an eye on the house while I'm not around."

The boy's face fell, "That's it!?"

Akira almost laughed at his little pouting, "Taro, making sure everyone's alright at home will help us out a lot. You can keep your parents safe and guard the house, and Tako will help you." He came down to kneel at his level, "I'm trusting you with this."

Listening to that Akira could see the eagerness come back to Taro's expression even if mildly, "You're trusting me with it?"

"That's right," he tipped his head to him.

The excitement struck him like lighting, "Woah! So like I could do patrols, oh and maybe we could even have like a secret phrase or password to get into the house! This could be like our fort!" The childlike exhilaration touched Akira, smiling at him with a playful roll of his eyes.

"Alright, but above all you just gotta make sure you keep everyone safe, okay?"

"Don't worry you can count on me! And Tako too!" Taro said scooping up the feline.

"Good, now get going, that's an order!'' Akira teased with a quirk of his brow. Taro giggled along, giving Akira a salute as he made his way off with Tako in toe. Akira shook his head lightly with a charmed look as he came back to stand upright. He noticed everyone had now left all except Miki, who seemed to be waiting on him. He didn't really mind though; her company was one he always welcomed.

"Hey Miki, did you have a question?" he asked kindly.

She seemed to pause a moment before answering, "Yeah, actually. This might sound silly, but is there anything I can help with?"

Akira's heart melted hearing that as his head fell to the side, "Aww, Miki, I already told you. You being here at all is enough help for me."

"I know, I know, I just feel like I should be doing more. I mean you guys are doing so much, I want to do what I can too."

Akira's hand came down on her shoulder tenderly, looking her right in the eyes, "Miki, you keeping yourself safe is more than enough for me. As a matter of fact I'd rather you be safe than risk yourself with the demons any day. We can handle it for now, don't worry about a thing."

Miki seemed moved hearing him but no less concerned, "Yeah, it's just you saved me, and I have to repay you somehow."

In a quick motion Miki felt her balance shift being pushed back by Akira's weight. She was secure though, she found herself being dipped back and cradled in his protective arms. It took a moment for her to understand exactly what was going on, but her initial shock wore off. Looking up there was a light-hearted nature to him as he warmly smiled down at her.

"Of course I saved you, you don't have to repay me. Unless you really want to," he joked leaning down closer with a mischievous look in his eye.

Her face scrunched up in a fit of titters as she slightly shook her head to him, "Oh you dork!"

He backed off from her dealing with his own round of laughter. He expected her to stop him much like before, however what happened next surprised him. He felt her arms lasso around his neck, as if to pull him closer and she looked at him with an ornery but shining smile. It seemed like she was actually really enjoyed his fooling gesture. Akira couldn't help but wonder if something inside her had ignited even just a tiny bit. He brought her back up with him, he didn't let go of her immediately and neither did she. Bashfully they came apart as Akira found the words to speak again.

"It's okay Miki, just don't worry about it. Everything will be okay," he spoke softly. Her eyes gazed at the ground, but she beamed anyway bringing her view back to him.

"I know, so what are you going to be doing now?" she quarried.

Akira seemed a little less thrilled lingering on that question, "I got a lot to do. For now I really need to call my dad, but I'm nervous."

"Why's that?"

Akira's face became stern yet downcast, "Because I'm afraid to call him and find out I'm already too late..."

"What do you mean?" her features became more anxious.

Akira took a long breath, "My dad, usually always gets possessed by a demon, and he's never been able to beat it. Thing is I don't know when he gets possessed."

Understanding came over the girl's expression. A tiny smile took root on her lip as she touched his elbow.

"I'll be right here with you if you want Akira," she provided.

He got lost in the green of her earnest eyes, and from it he genuinely felt a soothing sensation come over him.

"Thank you, Miki," he said as he reached into his pocket. He stalled on the contact's name, but finally with a clement nudge from Miki, Akira dialed.