Traveling high above the destruction below, the angel and demoness looked down at the suffering of those under them. The world had become a place of smoke and horror. People ran about in panics, and law enforcement arrested any they deemed a potential demon.
Jenny's gaze was distant, she had encountered this world far too many times, and this one was no different. The same could be said for her traveling partner, only his expression seemed to be far more exhausted.
"Why must things always turn up like this? Why can't the humans for once think reasonably?" he questioned.
"They're scared. When they're scared, they rely on their baser instincts," she explained with a solemness in her voice. Looking over she could see the utter desolation on the golden being's expression. He could barely view the terrifying situation under him but also simply could not peel his eyes away.
"I've come so far, risked so much. I simply fear it'll all be for nothing. I fear brother will remain in his eternal torment, and now I fear I might join him. I've never felt this emotion in such a way, I do not understand it," Gabriel admitted.
Jenny's large eyes sat sympathetically on the young divine being. It was such an odd sight. Now more than once her assumptions of their kind had been debunked, and now ever her own. She was a demoness that always knew everything, could see the bend of fate. Now she felt blind. There was no sure path anymore, or any definite advice she could give, even though she may have wished to.
"I cannot predict what will happen next. There are so many different ways this all could go. All I know is that we must trust in Ryo, trust that he will do the right thing."
The brother's gaze became downcast, "I understand, I just hope he knows what he's doing. What could he possibly be searching for up there? It must be something of great importance. Why else would he send us all the way here, just to look after that house without him? I feel he intends something unpleasant will be coming for those closest to the devilman."
"I do not blame him. Nothing ends well for any of us down here on the Earth," Jenny replied.
For a moment the angel looked over to the demoness, "Believe me, nothing good happens above it either…"
Suddenly, an ear-splitting scream rang out over the others forcing the two's interest. On the ground, the screaming woman was now in sight, and she was being held back against a wall by two deranged-looking men. However, her panic didn't even seem to come from those two, she seemed to be crying out for something ahead of her. Following her eyes, Gabriel could see she was screaming for a little boy, one who was being dragged away.
"It's him! That boy is a demon, I saw it!" another older woman declared.
"No, please! Let him go! He's just a child!" the mother yelled in reply.
"I've seen that child before, he's a menace I tell ya! He bullies and steals from my granddaughter!" the matured woman declared louder. The crowd heeded those shallow claims, continuing in their blood sport, ripping the two further apart.
The wings atop the angel's head pulled back as his face twisted up. The demoness could see the war raging inside him. The two sides that wanted to bring all the humans their freedom and mercy, and yet another side, that began to question if it was truly deserved.
"How could they allow such cruelty? And too their own kind, a child, without merely a shred of evidence! Will no one stand against this!?" he finished abruptly.
The female gazed at him weakly. There was nothing she could say or any comfort she could give, and he already knew it. They both did.
"No, please! Please I'm sorry, I didn't mean to! Mommy, mom-" his plea was cut off by a silencing slap to the face. One of the apprehenders had struck him leaving a nasty red mark across his cheek. The shock didn't seem to sit with the rest of the people as it had with the watching divine. He witnessed a few passersby turn away, ignoring what they knew was absorbent. In truth, it only outraged Gabriel all the more. He could see the aggressors had become cozy in their violence and one was rearing up to hit the young one again.
The angel's face narrowed and like a bolt of lightning, he descended down. Not even seconds passed before he had shifted to take on a human form and grasped the vile adult by his wrist.
Each and every person in the vicinity felt their heart squeeze to a stop. One moment there was no one there, and now suddenly an imposing man stood between them and their helpless target.
A hushed gasp came over the crowd as Gabriel looked the man dead in the eyes, "That is enough."
The man was completely taken off guard and couldn't sound a word. Suddenly his whole demeanor had shifted as he rose his palms, begging for the kindness he never returned.
Gabriel was repulsed. His line of sight looked across all the people standing by, "How could you all? After all the blessings heaven has granted you, you still would rather tear each other apart rather than make peace. These demons are not your worst enemy!"
Jenny remained at her stoop atop a large skyscraper. She listened intensely as her worry bled through her features.
The crowd appeared taken by the new being, knowing surely it was not human. An unsettled buzz roamed through the onlookers. One, in particular, felt the most terrified.
"This is but a mere child! You all should be ashamed!" Gabriel gestured to the whimpering boy below him.
The people drew back slightly. He could see a few turn away, as if in shame, hiding their faces and thinking about their actions.
"Well, how do we know we can trust you!?" a voice barked. The angel's attention immediately flipped to where it had come from. He could sense the fear in this individual, it was spiked much more than everyone else. "You're not like us either! You could be a demon too for all we know!"
"Yeah, how can we trust you!?"
"These demons are too cunning, don't believe them!"
The angel could hear the crowd's murmurs. They were falling prey to their frets once again, even when he stood there and called out the horrid behavior they wouldn't see. He suddenly felt something zoom right past his head. He didn't concern himself over it, knowing there was nothing any of them could do to hurt him, but still, the act was surprising. He felt another rock fly right past him, and another landed on the child's back. The projectiles became more and more frequent, and the few people Gabriel had won over were now suffering from it. Jenny gripped the building's siding. She wished to do something, anything, but Gabriel was too far involved now, and her presence would only worsen everything. Gabriel finally felt his teeth clench as his outraged gaze fell upon the people.
"You all are creating this fate for yourselves! Destruction and ruin will always lead to more harm. You must stop this now!" he shouted.
"We don't listen to demons!"
"We'll destroy all of you, that's for sure!"
Gabriel could sense the immense fright leaking from the young boy as he ducked closer beside him. The handful of people he had gained to his side, crouched low and covered their heads. They were just as worked up as the kid now, and the divine being could only sit with his guilt now.
He shook his head. He didn't want to have to reveal himself, knowing if he did so, the humans would only beg forgiveness for his status. There had to be something good in these people, something worth all his risk, there had to be something worth saving.
"I won't stand for this anymore. I will not let this continue, even if you will!" he barked back at them. He pulled the child completely behind him now and held his arms out trying to shield the others. As much as he hated to do so, he was beginning to conclude the only option he had left was to shift his form; he had to force them to understand the importance of compassion and reason. He would make them see something greater, something worth their seemingly nonexistent good nature.
In the distance, however, something was changing, something none of them would have foreseen. Slowly from the crowd, a figure began to emerge. They walked in no hurry and went by almost completely unnoticed. It wasn't until he and the angel were face to face did any of the others pay any attention to him.
There was an odd silence between the two and a rising sense of unease. At last with a quick motion, the man held a gun to the bright being's face. He held it out extending his arm and never removing his line of sight from the blond. Gabriel didn't even flinch, nor did he blink. Tension flared in both their eyes, as the heavenly guardian stayed right where he was, and the mortal stayed just as still testing his limits.
Not a single person from the surrounding chaos spoke a word, not for several passing moments. Until at last, one person felt their fear compel them.
"Shoot it! Shoot it now while you can! Before it destroys us all!"
That one outburst was enough to encourage others. A tiny amount started to shout out and egg on the gun-wielding man.
"Shoot him!"
"Just get it over with!"
"Kill them all!"
Gabriel ignored all their chants, knowing the real battle was before him. No words passed his lips, but a plethora seeped from his stare. He could see the deep and weighted contemplation that was placed on this human. He could see the shaking of his hand and the trembling of his view.
At long last, the male slowly shook his head, still gazing into those piercing blue eyes. His hand steadily loosened as the weapon dropped right to his feet.
"Screw this shit, it just ain't right…"
This act choked the breath from every person in the vicinity. Even Gabriel himself felt his form loosen in surprise. He kept his expression just as strong, however, knowing he couldn't show any weakness in the heat of the moment. Even still he displayed his gratitude for the man's decision, as he respectfully tipped his head to him.
The flow of high nerves was pulsing through the whole of the people. However, the next thing Gabriel heard was not of aggression but of compassion. He heard the clank of metal hit the ground, and another after that, and so on.
Looking out he could see more and more people had been dropping their arms. It was spreading, this show of care and fellowship. It was starting to reach even the edges of the mob. It cooled their tempers and their worries just long enough for them to see, and that was more than Gabriel could ever ask for.
Those who were unsure steadily felt the pull of the group, as their mortification festered within them. It was undeniable, their horrendous endeavors, and now they couldn't even mask it in self-preservation. These last few had no other choice than to drop their stance and succumb to the change.
Without further need for coaxing, a new small group formed on their own. They came to the mother and child gently, apologizing profusely for their actions. One after another they repented their sins and begged for forgiveness. The tiny family found themselves safely back in each other's arms, being more than grateful for the shift in mood.
Gabriel began to back away. An expression of astonishment settled on the angel's face as he watched the scene play out before him. It took great labor and entailed far more disheartenment and disgust than he had wished, but now he knew he had done the right thing. This was it, at long last he found what he was looking for, and it was far more beautiful than he could have ever imagined.
"I'm so sorry for what we had done to you and your son. We should not be harming each other in these times. We have so much to thank for that man," a woman spoke.
"It's okay, I'm just so glad he's alright," the mother responded, patting her son's back. "I really should thank him; I owe him so much."
A smile formed on her face as she turned to face Gabriel, however just as she had her grin disappeared. No matter which way she looked, she could no longer find a trace of the man that had saved her, and her son's lives.
"Why did you do that?" Jenny asked in a flat voice. She and the angel stood far above the now tamed crowd from a building ledge. Their eyes remained downward, fixed in thoughtfulness.
"I did what I had to. I didn't come all this way to watch the humans tear themselves apart again," he said straightforwardly.
"You know that could have been dangerous. Your presence could have made them act out worse," she suggested.
"Yes, I know…" finally his gaze broke away from the people and turned to the demoness instead. "But it didn't."
Jenny and he shared a look. His crystal blue eyes were full of life and wonder, something Jenny had very rarely witnessed on an angel before.
"I now know there truly is something worth fighting for here, and we cannot wait a moment longer, come Jenny. We must watch over the Makimura house, just as brother had wanted us to," he finished surely.
With that, the two flew off into the sky, with a newfound spark of hope guiding their way.
The faint screams and whispers of horror bled in through the thick concrete walls of the basement warehouse. Hardly any light poured in aside from a tiny crate that illuminated the devilman's eyes. He stared out his small peephole vigilantly with a frown across his lips. Not far from him, his companion sat curled up in a dim corner seeming just as lost in some kind of musing. After what felt like ages of motionlessness, Junichi's head began to rise and glare over at his boyfriend. A nearly repulsed expression came to his face before finally he got up to his feet.
"What are you waiting for?" the concerned athlete at last questioned. A response wasn't immediate as Koda hardly blinked. He had heard him, but there was no way he knew how to reply, no way he knew how to explain without upsetting him. This only soured his lover further.
"All you've done this whole time is stare out that crack watching for what!? The world's falling apart, and we're just supposed to sit here and do nothing! I'm so tired of being stuck here! I'm so tired of you not telling me anything! Who were those people that came down here, really? Ever since they showed up, the world has turned to shit! I want to know what you know, and if you won't tell me then I'm leaving!"
Upon hearing that Koda's head whirled around with great concern coating his features, "No, you can't leave! It's too dangerous out there!"
"Oh, so what, I just stay down here forever and slowly rot away! The world's never going back to how it was, at least not any time soon! I can't keep doing this, please Moyuru, let's go!"
"Where do you want to go? It's Hell on Earth out there! You think anywhere else is better? I did all this to keep you safe! There is nowhere better!" Koda argued back.
Junichi's expression began to dim as a thought came to his mind, "Wait did you know this would happen? Is that why you've been acting so weird lately? Ever since we went to that party you've been paranoid, is this why? How did you know?"
Koda's hands balled up. He felt the strain of all his secrets pressing on him. Everything he had fought to hold back was now pushing him full force and there was nothing more he could do to stop it. He released a weighty breath through clenched teeth. It pained him to think back on the past, all the lives he had to torture through. He had been running from it for so long, and now he was faced with confronting it head-on.
"Yes, yes I did…" he at long last confessed.
"How could you have known all this?" his boyfriend asked earnestly.
Hesitantly, and mustering a great amount of courage, Moyuru reflected on the events of his previous lives. He swore he'd never speak of it again, he simply didn't want to, but he couldn't ignore it now. Seeing the fear and worry in Junichi's eyes, and all he had endured so far, he just couldn't hide the truth from him any longer. He deserved to know.
"Junichi, it's hard for me to explain, hell it's hard for me to even talk about, but I can't keep this from you anymore. You're right, you should know, and it's wrong of me to keep avoiding it. You're just as much a victim of this fate as I am…"
The opposing male appeared lost but for the first time in what seemed weeks, a shine came over him. It was one of the first signals of hope he'd seen in him since everything began to cave in. Witnessing that look, gave Koda the little bit of extra grit to continue.
"The world has been stuck in a time loop for hundreds of years, Junichi. The same things keep happening over and over. This isn't the first time I've lived through the world falling apart, I've been here every time, only this time I actually remember. I remember, and that's how I know this time's different, we have a real chance this time to survive, and I don't want to screw it all up now."
Junichi started to fumble backward slightly. The weight of the confession was almost more than he could handle even hearing. It was pushing the boundaries of his very belief, but how could he dismiss any of it. All the proof anyone could need was right outside. He felt the color drain from his skin as he dared to question further.
"How do you know it's different? And how come you can remember and no one else can?"
Moyuru took in another breath as he firmly but weakly replied, "I'm not the only one who remembers. Those other two that came here, they're the same as me, and they remember too…"
"The same as you?" he nearly murmured. "How are they the same as you, how do you guys know all this?"
The whole time Koda could hear his questions and with each one he felt his spirit crumble. He knew he wouldn't have another choice. There was no other way to make him understand.
Junichi hadn't even noticed his boyfriend in the mists of all his confusion until his eyes, at last, landed squarely on him and stayed fixed there. He felt his body tense and the adrenaline shoot through his veins as he struggled to make sense of the horror he was viewing. Right before him, he could see Moyuru but he was starkly different. His body appeared to be fitted in an unfinished transformation. His skin became red, his teeth became fangs and the presence of small forming horns protruded from his head.
The human couldn't even bring himself to speak. As much as he wanted to scream, run say something or do anything he just couldn't.
Koda lifted his head sluggishly. He seemed ashamed to even face the one he loved as he was, but there was nothing left to hide.
"Junichi, please don't be afraid, it's still me. I know all these things because I'm no longer human, I-I…" he stammered. "I'm not really sure what I am honestly, I used to think I was a demon, but I couldn't be. I think we call ourselves devilmen, we're a mix between human and demon. Those other two that came threw are also devilmen, as a matter of fact, that guy was actually the self-proclaimed leader of all devilmen."
Moyuru stalled in his explanation to sadly scoff to himself, "I guess he couldn't even turn things around. But maybe he will this time…I don't know. All I know is I want to keep you safe, that's all I care about. I'm sorry if I've been scaring you in doing so."
Koda couldn't go on anymore. The struggle of the explanation had finally taken its toll, becoming more than he could bear. He knew he needed to get all this out, but now feeling the fright radiating off his lover, it was harder than he had ever imagined. He sighed and allowed his head to tilt down, he didn't want to face Junichi. How could he after such a confession?
The devilman waited, anticipating his companion to turn and leave, to run away. He expected to hear the heavy footfalls of his familiar stride knowing he'd never return. Moyuru took hold of his forearms anxiously as he waited on bated breath for the enviable.
After what seemed like several grueling moments, he did in fact hear Junichi's footsteps, only it wasn't how he expected. Koda was curious but mostly worried, he wanted to look up and see the one he loved but was petrified in the thought of doing so. He could hear him coming closer. It was strangely calm and even stranger than that, they were coming closer.
At last, his inkling got the better of him as his eyes crept open, peaking out to see this unusual reaction. What he saw nearly took his breath away. Junichi was much closer than he had expected, and while he looked like this too. Koda just couldn't understand why he wasn't running why he wasn't trying to get away. All these thoughts tried to get the best of him but no matter how hard they persisted, what happened next brought everything to a standstill.
Junichi's arms gently wrapped around him, bringing him into an embrace. The devilman was already stuck motionless in place. Before he knew it, he felt his lover's lips touch his own. The kiss was so sweet and welcoming, it was nothing as Moyuru could have ever expected, but everything he could have hoped for. He felt the emotions that had accumulated over all this time, all his lifetimes, resurface in this one moment. He took in them all as he shut his eyes again, allowing his tears to flow.
After several therapeutic seconds, Junichi pulled away from him again with a pleasant smile. The devilman stood baffled just staring at his boyfriend.
"I-I don't under-"
"It's okay, I'm glad you finally told me," Junichi said.
His disbelief didn't waver immediately, but the relief and joy that brimmed in his chest became noticeable almost instantly. He chuckled with tears still staining his cheeks.
"It doesn't bother you?" Moyuru questioned.
His partner released a sweet laugh as he shook his head, "No. I mean I was a little shocked, but I'm so much happier to know the truth. I wish you had told me all along, I'll always love you, you know."
The statement struck a heartfelt chord within the devilman, one strong enough it nearly sent him to his knees. A grateful expression settled atop an uncontrollable smile as Koda could only shake his head. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt like this, or even the last time he had even smiled. However, he was sure now, he would not soon forget it.
"I love you too," Moyuru managed to sputter out as he came to Junichi once more, taking him into a comforting embrace. The hug was returned eagerly as they stood together in that dusty and drab corridor. After some countless seconds, he began to feel Junichi tug at his wrist. Koda was a bit confused on the purpose of such an action, but upon seeing the direction he wanted to go, the devilman pulled back.
"Wait, where are you wanting to go?" Koda asked.
The other teen seemed somewhat uncertain of his questioning, "Well, aren't we going to go? We can't just stay here and rot. We should find those others you were talking about; we'll be safer altogether."
Moyuru felt his blood run icy for a split-second hearing the suggestion, "Y-you want us to go to them? Junichi, that's not a good idea."
"How come?" he tilted his head.
"Well because, argh," Koda stumbled. He knew what he had to say but getting it out challenged him. "Look, they don't really like me all that much. And looking back I really didn't make the best decisions, so I suppose they have their reasons. It's just after you were gone, I felt so lost, I didn't know what else to do. I didn't have anything to lose like they did."
Junichi's stare dipped in understanding, "I see, but maybe things could be different this time? You said yourself this is the first time in forever things are actually changing. If we all want to survive, and it gets as bad as you say, then shouldn't we get as much help as we can?"
The devilman felt the sincere hope of his boyfriend rattle within his own damaged heart. It hit him there just how much willpower the mere existence of this man granted him. Every time he had ever lost him, he was always the worse off for it, so bitter and misguided. He couldn't think of a single time he had owned this power, these abilities, and ever used them to do any kind of good. He squirmed within himself, feeling dirty by his reminiscing.
Ever so slightly Koda peered back into his lover's eyes. The look Junichi gave to him was so soft and tender. He extended his arm out to him, taking Moyuru's hand once more and guiding him towards the door. This time he actually made some progress.
With a sigh the devilman started, "Okay, we can try. But I can't promise they'll take me in, I've done some pretty bad things."
Junichi sent him a warm expression as he squeezed his hand caringly, "It's okay, I'm sure they're much like us. Everybody needs each other, especially right now. I'll be there with you the whole time Moyuru."
Koda didn't need to add anything else. His face relaxed as he willingly walked alongside Junichi, hand in hand, as they stepped out into the light of day.