The orb of light stretched beyond the horizon. For miles, its majestic luminosity could be witnessed. On one end of the country huddled within the mountain's mists a traveling pair halted their advances. The attention of both the white-feathered harpy and the green hulking fossil of a demon stopped and looked upon it. The sight sent a chill through each of them. Viewing this they knew their time was shorter than they previously believed. The sight of the occurrence was well enough away, but even then, staying still was nerve-racking. A shared glance was all it took for them both to hurry along, for they knew remaining stationary would spell certain death.

On the other end of the country settled within the metropolis, another couple among many became captivated by the phenomenon. However, one among this particular pair was more terrified than all the others, for he recognized this otherworldly manifestation. On impulse, he grasped his lover's hand who was still very much entranced by what was before him.

"Junichi, come on, we have to go! We have to go now!" Koda persisted. His lover didn't resist allowing himself to be drug along as his vision still fixed itself to the light.

"What is it? Is it an attack!?"

"Can you make any of it out?"

"I-I'm not quite sure, but it seems to be a massive ball of light…" the newscasters spoke in bewilderment. All across the world humans gazed upon the otherworldly circumstance. Whether from screen or in-person, it seemed every person on Earth was looking right at it, and they weren't the only ones.

A harrowing grimace carved the features of the demon king as he watched in disturbance, the annihilation of one of his whole armies. The other demons adhered to the same discomforting feeling, all standing around their ruler waiting to hear some solace. Zennon could feel their eyes and all the pressure that came with it. His figure had been stone-like for many minutes, it was only with the slight bob of his inhale did he noticeably move.

"Fear not my men, for this war is only just beginning," he spoke briskly yet sure. There was nothing more to add as his icy eyes calculated what he was to do next.

"Oh my god! What is that!" Kaori gasped. She and her husband had been traveling at the back of the human's group when the sweeping rays emitted from behind them. Her words created a chain reaction of concerned heads spinning around. None of them knew how to answer her question, much less understand it themselves. The only one there who could define what lay before him narrowed his large eyes.

"We must keep going, this ball of light is buying us some more time. We're nearly to the shelter," Tako insisted. The rest of the people acknowledged what he said and wanted to oblige but knowing and doing proved to be two separate things. It was difficult for any of them to tear away from what was upon them. The first to yank himself away from the trance clenched his fists in determination and faced his friend.

"Wamu, remember we didn't come this far only to get ourselves killed, lets keep moving!" Kukun helped return the group's attention. Wamu was frozen for a fraction of a second before snapping back to his usual personality.

"Yo, you're right, I'm not gonna just wait around here to die, come on boys!" the gang leader directed his own. It didn't take long for him to spread his direction beyond them as well, looking to all his fellow humans. "We all need to be going!"

"Yeah, come on dear. I just got you back, I'm not gonna let you go again that carelessly," Reijiro tagged on as he guided his wife close to him. She blushed with a timid smile.

"Oh, Reijiro you're so sweet, and even at a time like this," she said walking alongside him.

"Especially at a time like this," he replied.

"Come along Akiko," Noel followed suit as he helped along his shuttering wife. Keeping close to the front he encouraged her and the rest with words of faith. "God is watching over us. He sent us this opportunity; we mustn't waste it."

"Thank you, dear, we'll be alright. We'll all be alright," she sweetly contributed.

Tako oversaw the resilience his friends and family took upon themselves and each other with great appreciation. He had a lot of assurance in the safety of the group as well as their morale. The only uncertainty that lingered within the back of his brain was the upkeep of Miki and the devilmen. He could still sense their courageous hearts, but as for their circumstances, he did not know. His thoughts remained with them but in action, he stayed close to the humans. Keeping their peace of mind as well as keeping up their progress.

It was so bright Miki could feel the light's presence like a hand gently placing itself upon her back. She couldn't make out any shapes or colors, it was as if everything had been blotted out by a blanket. She could feel they were moving away from it all and quickly, but somehow it still seemed endless.

When a tunnel of grey came into her sights Miki arose in cautious optimism. Slowly that grey branched out and filled with more color, she could nearly make out a whole scene. This was it, at last the brightness was dimming down and the world was becoming visible again. She could sense Amon coming to a slow as he released the two devilmen from his clutches before landing himself.

Miki watched along with the others as the once enormous ball diminished into nothingness. It kept their interests for some time until Amon first dropped his attention. He no longer appeared to concern himself with whatever the event was, no, now it seemed he was distracted with his own ponderings. His eyes wandered the ground, but it was clear he was not inspecting it. The witch was the main one to notice.

"What is it? Amon, you know what that was don't you?" Miki queried. It was hard to tell if he was even listening to her, he was so still. Eventually, he did respond to her as he lifted his head and turned to look back. He was still a haze of a demon, it seemed he never did take a definitive solid form in moments like these. His eyes, however, shown like headlights through a mist looking at her mildly.

"Yes, but this one's deceiving, for that attack was not from an enemy…" he explained in a low reverbed voice.

"Not an enemy?" Miki mumbled to herself. A puzzling look took hold of her features that soon was replaced by one of awe and joy. "Then it must be the devilmen, right?"

He didn't jump to a response, taking his time and soaking in the sight of the horizon.

"…No. Only a being born amongst the heavens could create a spectacle such as that," he corrected.

The witch and the two devilmen all seemed chilled by the answer. None of them could even muster the guts to speak on it further. Even if they were allotted enough time to take it all in, Amon was noticeably beginning to fade out. Miki first broke out of her stunned silence.

"Amon, wait what do you mean? What was that?" she tried to ask before his departure. It was far too late though he had already been reduced to almost nothing like the familiar form of devilman took his place. Miki replaced herself from his back to instead stand next to him. She took hold of his shoulder and leaned down to better view his face. His breaths were heavy, and his muscles were taut, as ever so easily, he came to. It was as if he were awaking from a dream and the first thing, he laid eyes on was her. A relieved smile followed immediately.

"M-Miki…" he breathily spoke. His head tipped close to her, rubbing up against her tiredly as if he were a snoozing cat. She hugged him around his neck, satisfying her desire to hold him as well as aiding in his stability.

The next thing he caught sight of was his small group of devilmen, his smile, and praises shown on them lavishly.

"You're both alright!" he exclaimed. They sighed through their easing smiles in reply, too tired to say any words but the sentiment was there.

"How's everybody else? Are the humans, okay?" he continued his slew of questions.

"Tako took them, I'm sure they're at the shelter by now," Miko answered. She was much calmer now, but the quiver of adrenaline could still be heard in her voice.

"Good," Akira, at last, seemed to be content with the crucial answers he obtained. However, curiosity did not evade him completely.

"So how did he do it?" the devilman said as his body began to morph into a human shape.

"How did who do what?" Miki replied.

Akira directed a bewildered look to her, "Amon, how did he kill off the demon army? I can't remember too well when these kinds of things happen."

"Amon just got us away. We were saved by a giant ball of light!" Taro chimed in avidly. He still maintained a refreshing childlike excitement Akira had come to appreciate. However, his explanation still left the leader fumbling.

"Ball of light?" his eyes traced the girls for any kind of input. Miki didn't waste a second as she started once more.

"I'm not sure what it was. All Amon said was that it was a being born from the heavens."

The devilman's eyebrows arose as remembrance gleamed in his eyes. He could see it again, from all those times before, even now he could swear from Amon's own visions he recalled it. That great mass of light, it was here again, but it was unusual from how it was before. These vast illuminations were lethal attacks from God and his angels. In a mass slaughter these instances would kill hordes of demons, however, what was odd was who this weapon was used to protect. In the past, God had never shown much kindness or mercy to devilmen. In the lord's eyes, Akira assumed they all looked the same, but then, why now did it seem this holy entity wanted to defend them. The commander's face was puzzled by this question.

"Should we meet up with everyone else?" the child asked innocently. The query seemed to be the catalyst for the rest of the team's wonder. Akira could feel their stares float up to view him, awaiting his say and hoping for what they all longed for.

With a sigh, the young man's shoulders dipped as did his head as his vision roamed over each of them.

"Yeah, we should make sure everyone got to the shelter safely," he confirmed soothingly. He could practically hear the sigh of relief leak from each of them.

Akira approached Miki and lightly he took her around the waist, his tender gaze enveloping her wholly. She was brought in by his benign yet secure hold. The devilman lingered on her for a moment longer before addressing their remaining loved ones.

"You both go ahead; I'll fly above and make sure nothing else will come after us."

The child tipped his head immediately, eager to follow his directions and to return to his mother and father. Miko however, was a little less quick in her reactions. There was nothing she verbally wanted to convey, but she knew deep down, Akira had his ulterior motives. He wanted to be with Miki and speak with her dotingly, and Miko could tell Miki wished the same. The devillady simply smiled as she took to Taro's side, keeping an eye on him as they started off.

"Sounds good we'll see you all back there," she said.

Miko had nearly turned when suddenly she was pulled back, and her curious eyes found their way to the commander once more.

"Then again, where is this shelter you and Tako seem to have set up?"

His body bounced in a spurt of remembrance, realizing he had not yet disclosed their safe haven to his helpers.

"Oh right, the rest of you weren't around for any of that," his neck leaned downwards. It was as if the memory came with its very own anchor, visibly forcing the devilman to shrink inward. "You know the old church that's about two blocks away from the school?"

Miko's face lit up, "Yeah, but will that building really hold up? It's pretty old."

Akira weakly smiled, "It's not the building itself. There's a cellar down there that goes on for what seems like miles. I think it was built like that during World War II to help protect people during air raids, but it's been almost all forgotten since. I stayed there for a while with Tako in the timelines before, after everyone was gone…"

Quiet fell over the group as the severity of his experience set in. It remained for some few moments before Miko knew they couldn't wait any longer.

Softly and respectfully she smiled at him, "I see, I'll make sure we get there, and see you there too."

She didn't need any other confirmation as she placed her hand on the child's back, taking him along with her. Taro's head stayed turned about, looking to his sister and the devilman leader longingly. Ultimately, he faced forward as the two of them eventually found themselves out of sight.

Miki could hear a heavy sigh from next to her. She looked up to see the harrowing sight that was Akira's expression. On impulse, the girl took up his hand, as she attempted to calm him.

"It's alright Akira, we did it. There's nothing to be worried about, at least not at this moment," she said in an upbeat manner.

"Yeah," he answered but even still he just didn't seem all too present. "I need to get you out of here. I don't know what that was, but I can feel whatever created it is still close by."

The witch's brow lifted, "Really? Do you think we could find out who it was, I mean they did save us?"

He lightly shook his head and grimaced, "I don't know. I don't feel like that's a good idea. I've never had good experiences with these sorts of beings before."

Miki looked as though she was set to respond, but the words were stolen from her mouth as her eyes spread. Akira did not know yet what she saw but by the look, she gave his guard was immediately up as he spun around. He shielded her with his arm as his brow plummeted and his fangs greeted the demoness maliciously.

"Perhaps this encounter will prove to be different…" the psychic demoness said placidly. "After all, nothing has been the same this time around, has it?"

"You have some nerve to come to me like this!" Akira spat as he lunged at the demon. His body morphed in a split-second slashing at her as she floated up and darted away from his attacks.

"Listen to me Fudo, I am not your enemy! I have come to assist you!" she spoke rapidly.

Amongst the conversation the devilman managed to grasp Jenny within his talons, plunging his claws in deep and thrashing her to the ground. He pushed all his weight onto her, stepping down with a slight hint of pleasure.

"As if I'd buy any of that. Now you're gonna tell me, where is he?" Akira questioned with a growl looming in his throat.

Jenny's face did not falter as she kept up that same wide smile. The only semblance of change that could be found on her continents, was the creasing of her eyes.

"Fudo, it was I who helped the angel in your rescue. We are not here to fight you," she said flat but instantly.

Devilman's fur rose sharply as his fangs clamped down further. He instilled more force upon her, crumpling her evermore into the Earth's crust.

"He's here?"

"He is not who you think, his appearance would be deceiving. That is why he cannot show himself to you, I warned him of this."

The crushing of his talons increased as even his very sight began to blur in wrath. Miki observed from afar, squirming back in horror.

"Where is he?" his voice was low and grave.

"He isn't here," a voice rang inside the devilman's skull. The effect nearly stunned Akira off his balance as he searched for where the voice had come from. It had no origin that he could specifically pick out. It was as if he had thought it for himself, but that was impossible.

"What is this?" he questioned under his breath.

"The one you're after is not here, but do not fear, for we are here to look after you."

The second time the voice spoke Akira's guard was raised to its limits. His muscles had tensed and bulked up to nearly twice the size as he settled into a readied position. That voice was all too familiar. The sound of it alone could send him into a raging spiral.

"Show yourself!" the commander said in a deathly tone. Hearing him like that, her lover, Miki somehow shrunk back further. She had never felt this type of energy from him, she had never seen his body in this kind of position before. It was all almost surreal, as if that couldn't possibly be Akira. To her dismay, the aura that emitted from him at that moment was irrefutably her loved one.

"Please, release Jenny from your hold, and we will retake our distance" it spoke placidly.

"Show yourself now!" he bellowed. It was like feeling an electric shock as the boom of his roar reached all who were around him. Miki had to admit experiencing that and seeing the demoness there in his claws, being crushed considerably, even she felt bad for her. The odd-looking devil didn't even put up a fight as she endured this torture. The seconds hung in the air, piling up over the girl's shoulders as she slowly came to her feet.

"Stop it…" she muttered sheepishly. It didn't seem her plea was heard; nothing had changed in those following moments. Now upright she forced herself to step forth, coming closer to the sight of confrontation.

"Stop it!" she, at last, caught the breath to yell. Miki knew there was no way Akira could not have heard her. However, even then he persisted, the darkness looming on his features only became that much more intense.

"Akira please stop it! This isn't necessary, don't do this!" she planted herself firmly at his side. She knew he heard her. His eye creased as he fought himself. How badly he wanted to end all this now and unleash the Hell he had endured onto those that initially inflicted him. The thought was so tempting, so intoxicating, he wanted it so bad.

Miki watched as he seemed to slip himself further into this manic state. He was listening to her, but it wasn't enough. She felt her muscles trembling, but in her mind, she knew she had no choice. She had to trust this was the right thing to do, to trust Akira would snap out of it. She grasped his trunk of an arm within her small hands. Physically tugging on him, making him hear her out, making him know she was there.

"Akira, please!" she screamed. It was then his eyes snapped open like a rubber band as a gasp escaped his mouth. Dazed his eyes scrambled as he took in the visual of Miki. He could feel in his lids the tears she held back. In her glossy stare was horror. That fear looking straight at him.

"…Please…" she breathed quietly.

It was like the world flipped upside down as the devilman pulled back letting loose the demoness that was beneath him. Like a balloon, she inched back up into thin air with a thick yellow liquid rushing down her face and sides. Despite all she had endured she appeared unphased by the experience. She only stayed there for some moments further before in a jolt, she darted off out of sight and into the sky. Miki tried to keep track of her as she shuffled through the clouds above, but it was no luck. She could not find a semblance of the psychic demon, however, something else did stick out to her. It was small and she could hardly make it out from so far away. It could have just been a ray of sunlight shimmering on a cloud for all she knew.

"Thank you, we shall be with you in the coming fight. You have the word of Gabriel…"

The figure was so far away but it spoke to her as if it were right there with her. The sound bounced around within her ears as she clutched her hands together. She was so startled she lost sight of it, and when she tried to find it again, there was not even a single trace left. It was as if it had never existed at all.

"I'm sorry Miki…"

The sound of her lover's voice brought her back to her senses as she flipped around to view him. His head sagged as his body slowly morphed back into its human state. He looked as though he could have melted into a puddle of shame, and even more so he looked like he wanted to. Miki's sympathy flourished outwardly, knowing that was something completely unlike Akira.

"It's okay, I know you were just trying to keep us all safe," she rationalized. Even knowing this, however, the image of his face, the hate he radiated, that memory burned at the back of her mind. She stepped up to him and graciously took hold of his arm. Between them, a small knowing smile was shared as she nuzzled against his side.

The sound of his wings unfolding filled her ears, sensing they were about set for takeoff. However, something stopped him and what it was, sparked a reaction from the witch as well. She could not only hear it but sense a new hoard approaching. The pair readied their bodies, but the closer and more identified this oncoming group became, the more that preparedness felt unnecessary.

Rolling over the horizon, was a mighty flock of devilmen, all seeking the same commander.