The devilman laid flat and still on his back. He stared up to a darkened ceiling, the only light-emitting was from the shallow glow of some candles that surrounded him. He could smell the thick scent of incense in the air, and he could hear Miki and Tako shuffling around with papers next to him. He kept his eyes closed and attempted to remain calm. Every heartbeat that came from his chest felt like it could rattle his entire skeleton and every breath was partially documented in his brain. He wanted to take his mind off his nerves and focus on something else, but that would prove impossible as Miki spoke again.

"Alright Akira, I think we're ready now, are you?" she asked in a feathery voice. Her sound was soothing to him, but the subject wasn't so much.

He swallowed before replying, "I suppose I'm ready as I'll ever be."

Miki's cheeks plumped as her hand found his and gave it a compassionate squeeze, reminding him of her vow. He gained the strength to smile back at her, and once he did, she knew that was her signal to begin.

"To start, using the oil we mixed up, you're going to place it on his third eye and heart chakra," Tako began his instruction. She tipped her head as she dipped her fingers into a small jar. After doing so she leaned over to look her volunteer in the eyes. There was an unspoken acceptance between them and right before she applied the substance to his head, she left him a soft kiss. Right after her gesture of affection, he felt the cool oil take its place. Moving down she rubbed it into his bare chest as well. The oil created an odd tingling sensation but nothing too out of the ordinary otherwise.

"Very good, next we can begin the incantation," the cat carried on. "Akira, we're going to need you to close your eyes and relax your body and mind. Take deep rhythmic breaths and only focus on your breathing."

With only a tiny bit of anxiousness, the devilman did as he was told. He could hear Miki begin to chant something, but he did his best to only give attention to his breaths. At first, nothing about this felt the least bit effective, but it seemed eventually all at once something changed. He knew he was staying right where he was and yet he had this strange feeling as if he were floating downwards. It was like his soul was detaching from his body and beginning to drift off somewhere else. Admittedly, the realization nearly spooked him out of it, but he held firm, trusting that Miki and Tako knew what they were doing.

It was like he could physically feel himself being pulled into a dream, a lucid dream. He was completely weightless and felt absolutely malleable. It was a frightening and unnatural feeling but never had he been so intrigued. It was all so new and unpredictable, he wasn't sure what would happen next, but he had braced himself for anything.

It was a drowned-out voice, he could have sworn it was Miki's, but he could hear her say something to him.

"Akira, it's time to open your eyes, you need to look around, we're right here with you," she sounded like a phantom.

His nerves embraced him; he knew he should do as she said but a part of him feared what he might encounter. Now more than ever he could not deny what he was, what lived inside him. He would have to face it full-on, reach out to it even. He could only hope he had the strength to do so. With all his courage and will he opened his eyes. The world he viewed was unlike any he had ever seen before. It clearly wasn't at all from his real life, it was the world of his dreams. Everything was darkened, yet the colors that were present were exaggerated and unnatural. Looking out before him was a pitch-black sky with a red hue hugging the horizon. He was standing in a tall grassy plain, and the grass itself had a blood-red tint to it matching the glow of the landscape. Akira himself, felt as though he were drifting in an immense sea as he tried to lift his own hand. The devilman noticed he wasn't wearing any clothes in this scape; he was completely bare and exposed. This fact didn't aid in his concerns but did prove to be the least of them. Staring out further he could begin to make out shapes sticking up from this field. He wasn't sure what they were, but looking back as far as his sensitive eyes could see, he made out a large decrepit structure in the distance.

It was faint, but the young male could almost hear a voice calling out to him, beckoning him to approach the building. He felt some hesitance but soon his feet lifted, and he started off, getting closer to whatever that site was.

As he walked, he could hear the rolling thunder above him. Like the growls of a beast, they followed after him from above. Strikes of lighting within the sky lit it up for short periodic moments, displaying visions within the clouds. They were all too much to make out in such a brief second, but something deep within Akira told him that these images high above were events from long ago. That inkling was only solidified as the objects he had seen poking up from the field from afar were now in his arm's reach. He could see many of these were the handles of weapons, old and decaying swords stuck to the ground, and plates of armored metal littered the floor. All of these war tools were far larger than Akira had ever seen. The young man could only speculate on the enormous size their handlers must have once been.

It was all so much to take in, far more than the hybrid could ever hope to comprehend. It seemed his tumbling mind wouldn't be catching a break any time soon either. He felt like he had only been walking a short distance and yet now he found himself standing at the steps of the very building that requested him. He stopped there as his eyes traced over the structure. It looked like it used to be some kind of palace, but it had been aged and underkept. Pieces of it were falling apart, and even whole sections of wall were missing.

The young devilman didn't like the feeling this gave off, but was forced to abandon that thought when he heard his name again.

"Akira."

It sounded much closer this time, but it was like the echo of a ghost still. Akira felt as though the words had gone right through him, causing him to stand still in place while he worked up the courage to continue. He gulped, and with all the bravery he could muster, entered the ancient castle. There wasn't much inside, only the same decaying stone walls and the thick scent of mold. However, the room Akira soon entered did look distinguishable in its own way and even allotted a slight gasp from him.

He now found himself in a throne room and sitting in the throne was a hunched-over suit of black armor. Viewing it alone made the hero feel uneasy. It didn't seem like anyone was inhabiting it, but at the same time, there was an eeriness to its presence at all. Now being as far in as Akira could see he wasn't exactly sure what to do next. He looked to his left and right, hoping to see maybe something else there that might give him a clue, or at the very least find who was talking to him. Still, he found nothing.

This was all becoming a bit much for the teen, and he wasn't enjoying waiting around in such a creepy place for something to happen.

"Alright, I'm here, what more do you want from me!" he hollered. "Amon!?"

The wind whispering through the cracks of the castle was the only response he had received. The devilman was becoming irritated by the whole situation, releasing a stern huff.

"This is ridiculous…" he muttered as he flipped around, starting to leave. The young man was preparing to call the whole thing quits and have Miki awaken him once more, but it was then something finally changed. The winds that had been picking up and whistling now suddenly began to sound different somehow. It almost sounded like a deep, yet quiet voice.

"Akira, turn around and face me."

Hearing the request the hybrid nearly felt his heart jump into his throat. For a moment he was completely motionless. Even if he did want to do as he was told he couldn't, his feet were stuck in place. He hated to admit it, but in truth, he was afraid of what he would see. He couldn't succumb to that fretting though. He had a job to do, and he wasn't intending on failing it.

He straightened up his face, becoming almost like a statue as he, at last, came around and headed back inside. He was greeted by the same room and all the same scenery, much to his disappointment. His brow furrowed as a look of utter confusion came over him.

"I don't understand, where are you?" the troubled male asked. The room was quiet, and a response seemed it would never come, at least not verbally. Out of the corner of Akira's eye, he could have sworn he saw something move. His head jerked to a line with whatever it was and when he saw everything else fell into place.

Dangling from the rafters was a long, fuzzy, and flicking tail that attached to a much larger presence. Staring up the bleeding pale light of the strobing sky above, shown down and silhouetted this magnificent being. He was huge, much larger than the teen could have ever anticipated. The figure was mostly cloaked in shadow, but Akira could tell by its frame it held a high chin and the wing's adorning its head were raised with a mighty appearance.

The devilman felt belittled just standing in its sights alone, but he wouldn't let that feeling sink in. He choked down that impulse and bravely stared back at the being he knew was the one he was here for.

"Amon?" Akira questioned, now making eye contact. The beast didn't talk immediately, but with the limited light, Akira could tell he smirked down at him. He could see him lying on top of the beams much like a large cat, as he lazily stooped there, wearing his pride on his sleeve.

The demon nodded his head once, confirming everything the hybrid had suspected.

Taking a shaky breath, Akira planted himself firmly and spoke loud and clear to the devil, "Alright Amon, I came here for a reason. What are the demons planning, and what do you know?"

For the following moments that passed, it was as if the boy had been talking to a statute. Amon hadn't moved nor had he said a word. Akira was about to lose all faith in this endeavor at all when finally the castle began to rumble with laughter. It began as a chuckle that evolved into a chortle. Amon continued to crack up as the young man watched on completely confused.

"What!? What is it!?" Akira finally barked.

"What do I know?" he snickered again. "Oh, boy, I know far more than you could even begin to imagine. You have problems that you aren't even the least bit aware of."

Akira felt a shiver shoot up his spine as the hairs on the back of his neck rose. His heart rate was racking up as he wrapped his head around what had just come to his attention.

"More problems? What other problems are there?" the devilman shot back in a haste.

"The sins that had been planted in the past are now, at last, coming to fruition. Now that I exist with you, the phantoms of the life I once lived will return to us," Amon answered. His voice was loud, yet he did not shout. He was an intimidating devil, and his presence alone commanded attention and respect. Even Akira couldn't deny the sheer power this devil had, even while being perfectly calm. It was so strange, in all of the young man's speculations, this possible incarnation of the demon never once came to him.

The devilman shook his head in perplexion, "Wait, wait what have you done? What other things should I know about?"

Amon sighed almost in amusement as his gaze fell to the floor for merely a moment. It was like he was reliving every laugh, every glory, and every heartache all at once. Akira wasn't exactly sure what it was, but as the devil flipped through these emotions a mirrored yet duller version of the same came through himself.

At last, his counterpart glanced back up to him, "That is an incredibly long tale and unfortunately we have little time. I need you to understand that listening to me is crucial. I'm aware your opinion of myself is unflattering, but that is of no matter. If you wish for success the only way you will achieve that is if you hear me. The fulfillment of this mission is the sole reason we exist as we do."

Akira scrunched up his face. He wasn't incredibly thrilled by that answer, but he supposed he'd take it if it proved beneficial.

"Well, what exactly is your plan then? What is it you need to tell me?"

"You are correct in your aspiration to resurrect your army. You have a strong and brave enough heart to unite the devilman. But what you lack has always plagued you in your downfall," Amon spoke calmly in a manner of fact.

"And what's that been?" the devilman questioned briskly.

The demon paused for a moment as he flicked his tail and seemed to take in another good look at his host. He hummed in his throat for a moment as the imposing wings on his head twitched.

"You lack command. You have plenty of spirit, a fighting spirit, one of honor born from unspeakable suffering. However, that is not enough. You must have leadership; you must know how to dictate your men and guide them to success. Your side of the merge has no concept or experience of this, and you reject my impulses."

Akira's face was souring the more he listened. He despised the fact that he could not deny these claims, and yet he simultaneously hated how he couldn't bring himself to trust this being either. Everything he had ever known of demons or Amon had been nothing good. They are vile and conniving. How could he tell that this wasn't just another trick, a struggle for control?

"I have led many armies before and conquered countless tribes. Even God's own army, I have experienced a taste of their power. I can assure you; no war will be won against them without my aid."

The young man's face seemed puzzled. He took in the information but something within him just wasn't allowing it to add up. Something was off.

"Alright, that all makes sense I suppose. But tell me this, why are you doing any of this? What do you gain from helping me? I want to wipe out the demons, your own kind, were you not their greatest hero? Why would you help me?"

A toothy grin gleamed from the darkness, exposing the demon's large fangs. He could hardly contain the laughter that then erupted from his mouth. Akira was more bewildered than before, and his frustration was beginning to climb.

"What!? What is it I don't understand?" he yelled up at the devil.

Slowly Amon's howls started to diminish, and his muscles repositioned themselves. He balanced on the beam like a house cat before leaping off from it. With a crash, he made contact with the ground leaving a rippling crater under his feet. The impact was so immense Akira was nearly knocked off his feet, but he managed to stay upright.

The Devil's body rose up as he stood high and tall over the devilman. He began to step forward, becoming closer to the boy as he spoke.

"Oh my soldier, do you really think your actions will ever truly extinguish the demons?"

Akira's mouth twitched, as if wanting to respond but nothing came to it soon enough.

"You believed for such a long time that you had deafened me, erased me, and yet here I stand. Yes, I exist within you, but Akira, you in I have far more in common than we do not…"

Something about hearing that made Akira's spine tingle and feel frozen as ice. He was stunned, as much as inside he wanted to shake his head and deny every bit of the possibility, his form just wouldn't comply.

"You don't believe me, do you?" Amon asked knowingly.

At last, the young man was able to at the very least shake his head.

"Hmph," the demon responded bemused. "I would expect such an answer from you. But I have no time of explaining fully, you'll understand soon enough after all. Just know this, I am a strong and foreboding force to be reckoned with. I have immense abilities and powers that make even the very heaven's shutter… And even still, I am a failure."

Akira's head perked as his jaw began to slack in complete amazement. His brain could hardly even process what he had just been told. He could see the demon's head dip ever so slightly as if to show the tiniest amount of shame, he always carried with him.

"Much like you, I want nothing more than to right my wrongs…"

The devilman's brow nit as he could only remain where he was, looking at the demon for any foul play or tricks, but could find none. From what he observed Amon was being completely honest, and that left him at more of a loss than he ever was before.

Akira took deep shaky breaths as he took a gulp and prepared himself to actually trust this devil, if only for the time being.

"Okay, so what do we do? What's your plan?" he asked respectfully, something Akira never expected from himself.

The young man wasn't sure what it was, but deep within he felt touched, but he didn't think it was his own emotion. He heard Amon start to chuckle.

The hybrid stood unsure once more, watching his counterpart turn and walk back up the alter.

"Now, there is nothing more for you here. It's time to wake up, Akira."

Akira felt himself jolt in shock, "Wait what? But what am I supposed to do, how am I going to hear you to know what to do?"

Another boisterous laugh resonated within the castle walls. Amon stood in front of the throne looking back at the devilman in such a way one might look at a confused child.

"Oh boy, you will know. You already have in many ways. You feel me in your bones and hear me in our blood. I am the urge that scratches at the back of your mind and I am the inkling you feel in your very soul. I will guide you as I always have, but now, this time, you must trust in me."

Suddenly, before Akira could get out another word, the whole world seemed to convulse. The ground was shaking, and he could see the foundation of the castle was beginning to crack. The hybrid felt his surprise and fret clasp down on his heart as he searched around for some kind of explanation. However, that proved to make matters all the worse, as outside he would see the world begin to distort. It was like watching all the paint from a canvas runoff, as the colors of the sky began to bleed down and ultimately fade away. The patches that were being left were nothing more than black empty null spaces.

Seeing this, Akira flipped around again in a fit of hysteria. When he looked back though, almost everything was gone. All that remained was that lone throne and the suit of black armor.

"I did not choose to merge with you for nothing Akira, now go…go," his voice seemed to whisper in his ear. The devilman tried to find where he had gone but could not find a trace of him in the collapsing world. Soon everything around the young male was almost completely gone, as the darkness began to now creep up at his heels. The last thing Akira had seen before he was swallowed up by the vortex was the yellow glow of Amon's eyes. Only now, for a brief second, they stared out from the suit of armor sitting high in that crumbling throne.

Upon viewing that the hero gasped, and not even a moment later did he feel himself falling into nothingness. The sensation of gravity on his figure was great and when it all ceased at once, he jumped and propped himself up in a cold sweat.

All of a sudden, the world was back to normal. His vision darted around as he took in every detail of the recognizable room. His heart was still pounding as he struggled to catch his breath. He now knew where he was, he was back sitting on Miki's bedroom floor, and he couldn't have been more relieved.

When he caught sight of Miki's worried face, he impulsively opened his arms out to bring her in. She seemed a little caught off guard, but ultimately pleased to be held in his arms.

"Akira, are you okay? You look pale as a sheet," she spoke muffled from his shoulder.

The devilman took in a few more breaths as he shook his head, "N-no, I'm alright. Just a little worked up is all. I'm so glad you're here," he said as he ran his hand through her hair. He directed her to pull back and face him, when she did so he immediately left a greeting kiss on her lips, that she happily returned.

The next thing Akira felt was a warm ball of fur rub up against him. He immediately knew who it was as he looked down to see the overjoyed cat.

"Akira, you did it!" Tako cheered. "What did you learn? Where you able to talk to Amon?"

"Yeah, how did it go?" Miki asked sweetly as she glanced at his face. "Did it work?"

Suddenly Akira became distant as he searched back in his memories. It was all so urgent, it was like a blur. It felt like trying to recall a dream, but soon enough he was able to pick out a few specific details. They came slowly at first and then all at once came flooding back to him. His eyes widened slightly as he rose his body, recollecting on the information he had collected.

"Yeah, yeah it did work," the hybrid began steadily. "As a matter of fact, I think I know what we need to do," his eyes now locked with Miki's. She seemed both thrilled and cautious as she leaned in closer to him.

"What is it?"

"I know how we need to bring back the Devilmen, but I need your help. As soon as you get your full strength back, do you think you could lend me a hand?" he asked crucially.

Miki was a bit taken back, but never one to back down. She took a breath and put on that bright and encouraging smile she wore so well.

She tipped her head to him as she replied, "Absolutely. How are we going to bring them back? Did Amon tell you?"

The devilman's gaze flicked to the ground thoughtfully as a tiny smirk pulled at his lips.

"I suppose you could say that. He reminded me of the strength I possess, and now I'm finally going to put it to good use."