"All over the world, we're witnessing these creatures, deemed demons, infesting our cities, our communities, and our loved ones. These crudely formed beasts have been rampaging through our homes and slaughtering thousands. It seems their attack has paused for now, but military forces are preparing, suspecting the worst is yet to come."
The TV drummed on in the background as the small collection of humans huddled around it. It was difficult to watch, but nearly impossible to look away. It was all the people in that room had to cling to aside from one another. Miko and Taro had been keeping watch over them all, but the devilmen could feel a rift of tension between themselves and the others. Trust so far was conditional, and it was something Miko especially was hyper-aware of. She could feel Kukun squeezing her hand in comradery. He really was the only one she knew had her back for sure.
After so long, suddenly Wamu got up from his seat in a huff.
"What is it, dude?" Gabi questioned his friend.
"I'm getting tired of listening to that shit, and I'm tired of sitting around here doing nothing. I want some real answers, what are we going to do? What is you guys' real plan if there is one?" he directed his frustration toward Miko.
"Come on now Wamu, they're all trying their best. I'm sure we'll have it all figured out soon," Kukun tried to ease his friend.
"That's what they've been saying, but I haven't heard a thing on it all night. We can't just sit here forever," the gang leader countered.
"Akira will know what to do, he's working on it now! He came back to protect us all!" Taro spoke up. Miko placed her hand on his shoulder, signaling for him to calm down.
The devillady made eye contact with Wamu. It was a stern but understanding stare. She knew how much they were asking of the humans, and how antsy they would most likely become.
"I know you're all worried, and I know this is a lot. I have worries just the same as any of you, but I have faith that Akira will know what to do. I'm sure both he and Miki know what they're doing," Miko explained. She looked out over the people, the gang members, and parents alike. They seemed receptive but still not all were convinced.
"Well, if Akira is the guy that seems to know everything, then I want to talk to him," Wamu continued.
"I'm sure he'll be more than willing to talk to you, but right now he's attending to important matters," Miko replied. "I want to know what's going on just as much as you."
After a small standoff, the gang leader released a heavy breath and relaxed his figure, "Alright, I just hope ya'll know what you're doing." The teen returned to his seat on the couch, surrounded by his closest friends.
The adults murmured amongst themselves, deliberating the situation with the kids. Not even they seemed completely trusting, but their hope for the time being outweighed their concerns.
"I'm sure all will be well, we must have faith and patience in times such as these," Noel spoke out comfortingly. The rest of the group appeared to take it, some more touched than others, but overall a welcome acknowledgment.
Miko stepped out of the doorway leading to the living room. She couldn't bear to keep facing the humans, not at this time. Taro followed her as did Kukun, all of them walking into the darkened hallway. Miko looked up the stairs thoughtfully before letting out a deep sigh.
"It'll be okay Miki, Wamu's always been a bit skeptical. He does that to look out for us, but he'll understand," Kukun tried to reason.
"It's not that," Miko responded. "I just, really hope this all works out…"
She didn't hear a response but feeling the young rapper take her around the shoulder was all the reassurance she needed. Taro leaning up against her side aided in the easing feeling. She knew the experience of hope and fret rang through them all, and she could only await what her commander would plan next.
"Okay Akira, the summoning circle is almost finished," Miki stated as she finished up her work. Laid out on a tarp over the floor, she painted an ancient circular symbol. Akira watched over her as he collected any miscellaneous supplies they might possibly need. Tako assisted the devilman and Miki both, running back and forth and inspecting their techniques.
"It seems we have everything set now. What do you want us to do next?" the small furry creature asked his leader.
Akira appeared distracted, but enough of his attention found its way to the two, "Well, I think we should be good to go."
He took a deep breath as he stepped into the painted mark. It was clear his thoughts were bustling, and his nerves were shot. Miki could see on his expression the determination, but also the unease. She felt it within herself too, but her position posed far less of a risk than her partners.
"Akira, are you sure about this? It could be risky," she reminded. Her eyes looked over him with sympathy and dear compassion. At that moment Akira knew his poker face had been lacking. The last thing he wanted was to make her feel unsafe, even if he himself didn't possess the most confidence. Even still, he pulled up his lips and reached his hands out to touch hers.
"It'll all be okay Miki. We can't keep the rest of the devilmen waiting any longer, it's my duty to free them," he assured. Her features rose ever so timidly. She accepted his answer, but he knew in her heart she still fretted for him.
"Akira?" his attention was pulled away from the girl and now instead fell to the cat below him. "I think it is best you know before we start. When you open this portal, the demons will be able to sense it. It's possible they might come and try to ambush us."
The commandeered face tightened, "Let them, they'll have me to contend with."
"If you finish in time. But if they come in the midst of the ceremony, you cannot abandon your position, since you will be the one holding open the threshold," Tako explained. Upon hearing that, it seemed the cat's final statement settled uncomfortably in the devilman's brain. His eyes appeared to dim and become musing. Miki could see the shift and she herself was unnerved by the danger.
"Akira, are you sure this is a good time? What if the demons come here and want to hurt everybody? We would hardly have a chance to defend ourselves," Miki said.
The young man's hand came to cradle the bottom half of his face as he released a deep breath.
"I know it's not good odds. I don't like them myself, Miki. But we're just as in danger without the others. We'll never be able to defend ourselves without all the devilmen. Before we start make sure to tell Miko and Taro they need to be extra vigilant, but do not startle the other humans," he instructed.
Miki's large, enchanting eyes peered up to him uncertainly. She didn't need to speak another word, as Akira knew what he needed to do. Lightly, he placed his forehead against hers before leaving a gentle kiss on her lips.
"We'll all be okay Miki; I'd give my own life before I'd let anything happen to you or the others."
"Then we're not all okay then, are we?" she responded in fragile jest. Akira could hear the seriousness of her tone and sense it in her body. He understood her feelings, but his own life was never a guarantee, not even to him. It's not like he paid much mind to it though, his own life was never much of a priority to himself. However, it was to her, and he'd hate to disappoint her.
"Miki, you know I'll always come back for you. Even if I'm not physically beside you," he finished as he took her hand and kissed it. He retook his place, knowing if he were to stand beside her any longer only the harder it would be to separate from her. She wasn't thrilled in the slightest, but she knew support is what he needed, what they all needed. She nodded her head to him displaying her reluctant alliance with his choice.
"Please be careful Akira," was all she could manage. He appreciated her efforts showing his approval on his face. At last with that the leader shot the devilcat a look, letting him know it was time. Tako wasted no time as he headed down to the main floor, preparing to warn the other devilmen.
"We can probably start, he'll be back in time for when the real show begins," Akira said. Miki began as she was told. She started by burning a peculiar incense that somewhat burned the hybrid's nose. After that, her chant began and suddenly the atmosphere of the room felt heavy and restrained. Akira wasn't sure what to expect exactly, but he braced himself for anything.
Flying around and down the stairs was the feline familiar. Seeing him at last approach once again brought great delight to the devillady as well as the boy.
"Tako, what is it?" she asked knowing there must be something afoot.
"Akira requested that I inform you both to be on high guard. We are resurrecting the devilman army and for a moment we may very well be vulnerable to demon attacks. Akira himself will be powerless to engage as he will be preoccupied holding open the portal. Do you think you guys will be able to manage?"
Miko gasped slightly. She could feel the discomfort building up in the two males on either side of her. She couldn't blame them the prospect was daunting to her as well. Even still, she knew this was important, and there was no way she'd let everyone down now.
"Yes, we'll be ready," she affirmed. "Isn't that right, Taro?"
He recoiled slightly and seemed surprised by her acknowledgment. After a second or two passed though, his face toughed up as he tipped his head.
"Yeah, we'll be ready," he responded with a balled fist.
It went without notice to most at first, but Kukun's face seemed stressed, and soon his face lifted to face the cat as well.
"I will too, anything you guys might need from me," the young man insisted.
"Mayuta no, it's too dangerous for a human," Miko immediately spoke up.
"It doesn't matter. I'm part of this just as much as you guys, it's not right for me to sit back while you're all in harm's way, there has to be something I can do!"
Miko was prepared to reply, dismissing his worries, but just then Tako cut in.
"Actually there is something you can do."
Everyone paused awaiting his elaboration in shock.
"You can help keep the rest of the humans calm while the devilmen do what they have to. It's not best for all the others to become panicked. Perhaps you could keep them all at ease. What do you say?" the devilcat questioned.
Without an ounce of hesitance Kukun instantly spoke back, "Of course, you can count on me."
"Perfect. I have to head back now, they'll need me. If you guys need any help down here though, just let me know."
Miko, followed by the others nodded as they watched the small mammal return back up the stairs. The devillady's restlessness of the circumstances was clear as day, but none of the others would hold it against her. The coming events were unknown, and the potential dangers were great. All of them stayed close together, relying on one another as they sat and awaited the demonic assault.
The devilman commander felt a burning sensation slither under his skin. The heat of it was becoming ever more intense as the embers began to ignite in the engraving Miki had created beneath his very feet. The sheer fiery force of the sensation felt as though it was traveling deeper within him. At this rate, Akira feared it might just seep into his very soul. Regardless of the unpleasantness, the young man held his ground, letting the incantation take him.
He could hear Miki meticulously speaking her chant with her eyes shut and her hands clasped together. She had to pay attention to her task, fretting if she was to look up and see what was happening, she would stop on instinct. Akira knew it was nothing easy for either of them, he begged for it all to be finished soon.
Reentering the room, Tako quickly took his place next to the witch. His presence boosted the girl's abilities considerably. What was an annoying burn now turned to a scorching fire within the devilman. He released a short howl of pain before biting it back. He knew if Miki knew the pain, he was undergoing she wouldn't continue. Tako made strict eye contact with Akira, seeming to understand his decisions and silently supporting him in them. The demonic being broke away from the feline's gaze as his eyes squeezed shut and his fangs bit down.
Far off in the distance, a hulking behemoth of a king stirred feeling a dissonance in the world's energy. His winged arms were crossed, and his brow furrowed. He knew exactly what this was.
Zennon's face wrinkled into a disapproving scowl. He was nowhere near surprised, only irritated. With a low and deep sigh, he rose his finger signaling to the generals beside him the time was now upon them. Just as had been practiced, a general stepped forward from the bunch and bowed to his king.
"Do not fret your majesty, my armies and I will make quick work of these devilmen," he promised.
Many moments passed in silence as Zennon kept his vision allied somewhere far off. When at last he did speak, it was certain and grave.
"See to it."
The atmosphere was beginning to change. Miki's once calm and welcoming room had grown dark and ominous as the gateway to the world of the damned formed. Tako knew Miki herself would be fine as long as she did not break focus. Akira, however, did not appear all too well.
"Akira, the making of the portal is ready. You must direct the strength you draw from Amon to split open the barrier and you must hurry! The demons are surely aware of our activity by now!" Tako explained hurriedly.
The young male could hardly take back as his jaw clenched. The hurt had spread to every inch of his body and thinking of anything else was nearly impossible.
All of a sudden, the longer he stayed put the more he could nearly hear something. It wasn't strong, but it was present. It sounded like the roars of monsters and the moans of misery. Akira instinctively recognized it, creating a piercing sense of hopelessness and desperation within him. It was Hell; he could hear it. For a split second, he almost abandoned his position, the horrendous memory almost proving to be more than he could bear. He managed to stay, though. He had told himself too many times how important this was, and there was no way he'd let his men suffer anymore.
He held on further, straining every muscle and every bit of his will in doing so. He wanted to keep this up, to keep driving forward, but he wasn't for sure how long this would hold out. He needed to do something to turn the tide while he still could, but how so he had no idea.
"T-Tako, Wh-what do I-I-"
Right in that instant, Akira stopped himself. He wasn't even sure if Tako had heard him correctly or not, but now it didn't matter. He heard something, something that whispered in his ears alone.
"Let me help you…"
The sound made his veins turn icy, as his body tensed for a single moment. The devilman knew immediately what this was. He knew this is what he had been awaiting but even still the reality of it, deep down, scared him. He lingered as if buying every second, he possibly could when he heard it once more.
"You cannot keep this up forever. If you fail now, all is lost…"
Akira's eyes squeezed shut, preparing himself for what he knew he must. Taking a deep breath, Akira took one last look at Miki. He hated to risk so much but he had to; for her, for them all. At long last he gave in, allowing the beast within him to take over.
As quick as a snap everything changed. The glow of the illuminated portal changed to a bloody red. Miki's eyes popped open as she could feel the powerful change. It was more than she could have guessed. The energy was without a doubt great and otherworldly, even for a demon. The witch held on to her end of the ritual, but she too let up enough to give Amon the lead.
Seeing Akira, with those bright yellow eyes peering through the hazy red, Miki could almost begin to make out the frame of another. She knew it and did not fear it, but even still viewing the person she loved appear so different jarred her. She faced back down and kept up what she knew she had to, hoping and praying all would turn out well.
The devillady was stiff as stone staring out the window. She and the young devilboy were practically shaking with anticipation and woe. They could both sense the demons were approaching, many of them in fact. Kukun held back as he waited for any instruction, knowing the worst was to come.
"Mayuta, whatever you do make sure you stay out of sight. If you have to take the humans and lead them somewhere else, please be careful and don't stop for anything. Will you do that for me?" she faced around to see him. She seemed reasonably anxious, doing all she could to put on false confidence.
"Of course, I will. Do you guys think you'll be okay?"
Miko didn't reply all she could do was give the teen a long stare that ultimately drooped into uncertainty.
"I really don't know, but I'll do whatever it takes to make it okay," she firmly spoke. When her eyes met up with his they were shot with adrenaline. "They're almost here, you have to go Mayuta, take the rest of them with you!"
The male knew of the severity, and he would heed her words diligently, but first, he came close to her. Steadily he took her hand in his and allowed the other to mold around her cheek. She was stunned feeling his warmth. Before she knew it, she felt his face just above hers. From deep within she knew exactly what this was, even if on the outside she had not the foggiest idea of what to do. Still, she didn't retreat from it as she could have. She felt his lips touch her own. It was spontaneous and her pounding heart nearly stopped cold in its tracks. It took many moments before her thoughts caught up to what was happening, and when at last she did, her happiness swelled. It was her first kiss.
When the swarm of sudden bliss came to an end, the devillady felt a longing she had never known she possessed. She watched him confusedly as he tipped his head to her.
"The first sign of trouble I promise I help everyone out of here, you can count on me Miki," he smiled.
Miko wanted to reciprocate that same acknowledgment, but she was not allotted the chance. The next thing she knew he was hurrying around the corner to wait with the others just in case anything was to take a turn for the worse.
The woman's feet were planted firmly, it was like she was stuck in a trance. It was becoming harder for her to convince herself this was all real. That any of this was actually happening. Regardless of her feelings, it was here, and it was upon them all now.
"Miko, I can sense them!" the young boy alerted. "They're coming!"
The devillady took a gasp as she darted next to the child, observing his warning. Out the window she could see a storm approaching, a storm of many figures was coming across the landscape. She felt as though her entire form had been hallowed out. Her insides tangled up and her gut felt as though it had been turned upside down. There was nothing she could do to remedy it she knew this had been what they were waiting for, the reason they had come this far. She gulped, and placed herself in front of Taro protectively.
"Stay close Taro, we'll see if we can buy some time," she said with a harsh face. The young one nodded his head affirmingly as he walked just behind her, ready to face the hoard.
The horrific shrieks of the underworld were all-consuming in the devil's ears. Plowing so far through such a dense spiritual boundary was as hurtful as it was tiresome. He could feel his forces dwindle the further he went but that only inclined him to push harder, never allowing himself to weaken. Soon from this, he found himself peering into an all too familiar world. The air was searing to the skin and uncomforting to the eyes. He had made it the portal had reached through to Hell itself, but even with all Amon's strength, this couldn't last. He searched for his men sensing them the further into the ever-cooling cavern of misery.
When at last he came upon the first of the army he plucked them out individually, releasing them from this existence. Their souls returning to the land of the living to repossess their bodies. Amon carried on moving swiftly and efficiently. Most never even noticed him coming, but he knew they would be grateful, and return to their commander.
One after another were taken up, and soon Amon could barely sense any more warriors in the dreaded hellscape. When he was for certain all the devilmen's souls had been collected he pulled back feeling his spirit flow upwards. It was much faster this time, as no resistance was given. The portal sealed itself again as he traveled, and soon he found himself once again back on Earth, amongst the witch that aided him.
He could hear her diligently reciting the same incantation over and over. Her determination was something to admire, even if it did come from a human. His eyes glanced over her a time or two, as she started to notice the situation had changed. The energy had fizzled out almost completely. Miki's eyes blinked open to view the body of Akira before her, but his eyes were not the same. They were the yellow glow she had recognized from the demon that lived inside him. She couldn't help but gasp slightly, hoping to have seen Akira's eyes there by now instead.
He moved slowly, as if inspecting her. The eyes of the demon were not fierce as she would have thought, though as it would seem his gazes were never ferocious towards her.
"Be ready, for they are upon us. Our army will come, but first, their spirits must find their bodies. It shouldn't be long now…" his low voice warned.
Miki sat gapping up to him. Every time he appeared, his presence demanded the attention of all, and with such little effort on his own part. The girl shook herself from the shock as she nodded her head. The moment she did so the great demon's eyes closed, and Akira's body collapsed in a heap.
"Akira!" Miki lifted herself from the floor. She rushed to his side and began looking him over, but just as she had done so, a loud crash broke her concentration. Tako's stare tapered as his fur rose, he changed form in an instant taking on his demonic appearance. Miki didn't need to be told where he was flying off too, and the screams from the first floor were enough to confirm it. She held tightly to her boyfriend as she predicted the worst.
"Akira, Akira please wake up! We need you!" she started shaking him lightly.
His face crinkled in response as he started to come around. In that very next instant his eyes peeled open revealing a demonic look in his eye. His own demonic whites stared back at the girl as his body shifted, and the look of perseverance bled through his expression.