"All of my life, I wondered to myself, what if all of them were real? By them, I mean the supernatural. I was always captivated by them. I always read stories about the heroic Cu Chulainn of Ireland, Odyssey, or the Book of Revelation.
It was always a joy to read one. And when I was free, I even attempted to make some illustrations for them. But, on that faithful day, all of that change; when I made contact with the blade of the devils. A Maken. My name is Yuji Sato, and this is my story."
Everything began when my family won a trip to Europe. It was part of some deals with the bank that I didn't even know. It was amazing for us as we had never had the chance for a trip outside Japan before.
It began like every other ordinary trip would be. My mom and dad cleared their schedule from their sushi shop, and we packed our bags for the two-week vacation. I remembered taking time researching about where we were going, noting down the famous historical sites, museums, and restaurants there.
"Yuji, are your bags ready?" My mom asked.
"Yes, mom," I said, giving her the bag that I painstakingly packed yesterday. It was full of stuff, and I even brought my sketching tools as I wanted to draw the beautiful scenery of the famous Vatican City.
"Oh, the taxi's almost here. Sweetie, can you call your Dad? He is fashionably late. And yesterday, he can't even sleep because of his excitement…." Mom chuckled
"That's a dad for you! Mom, do you remember the time when you were gone for a business trip, and I had a test the day after? He tried his hardest to help me, but I ended up having to review myself…."
We burst out in laughter, but someone didn't appreciate the joke as a fake cough was heard from behind us.
"If you're both done joking about me, I'd appreciate it if we go now." It was dad, and he was not amused at all by the look of it. So my mom tried to get off a reaction from him again.
"Oh, come on, Jiro, it isn't that bad. You were always known for your lack of uh…. What should I say…. Oh yeah, counting skills, that's why I had to do most of the tax accounting for you."
"Hah…. After eighteen years of marrying you, you still joke about it." Dad sighed exasperatedly at mom's joke. It became something akin to a running gag in our house that dad is horrifically bad at math.
"Now-now, we all should thank the gods that Yuji here doesn't inherit that trait of yours."
"Oi-" and before he finished it, the taxi was there.
"Yuji, you help your mother while I check if all parts of the shops are locked." With another heavy sigh, he went to the back to check the shop's doors and windows.
"Yessir!" With that, mom and I were in charge of the luggage.
"Why is this so heavy? What did you even bring?" my mom commented.
"Oh, I packed in some of my drawing tools so that I can draw. Also, I brought my PlayStation Portable with me, so I don't get bored."
"Can't you use a photo to take a picture, then draw it at home,"
"As an artist, I feel inclined to."
"Yes-yes, don't spout your usual artistic nonsense."
'That's rude, mom!' Pouting slightly at her dismissal, I opened the taxi's door and promptly got in.
With that, we're now set. Dad, too, was finished re-checking the store.
"Come on, dad, let's go," I said, waving at him from inside the cab.
He finally entered the taxi, and we've officially started the trip! It'll be fun, no doubt; I can't wait to see all of the things Europe has to offer.
…
Bad news, the plane got delayed for an hour, so… it's not that bad, I suppose. When the lady at the check-in counter said the plane was going to be delayed, I was devastated, sort of, as I had assumed the delay was going to be for like six hours or so.
Thankfully there were no problems beyond the initial hiccup.
After the long wait – it was boring as heck - and adding the queuing time; we're finally aboard the airplane. I'm so excited! I can't wait to see the world!.
…
Bad news again, it turns out being cramped in a plane is not the best feeling in the world. Couple that with barely any entertainment. The only way to entertain me was either sleeping or watching the American shows.
It was then I remembered; I brought my Playstation Portable with me. Jackpot! I had also brought my copy of Persona 3: Portable - I can finally finish the female main character route. I had been dying to see the end!
Turning on my game console, I took a more relaxed stance and started to game away.
And before I knew it, I had finished the game, and then we were almost there. I can't believe I spent ten hours ending that game. I was a little disappointed with the ending, but it was not my place to judge a game in the middle of my vacation. I should just take it slow for a while then and not think about anything else.
Our plane landed safely. And that was when my vacation truly began; I am really looking forward to this!
…
Europe was excellent, and the people were great too! I took a look and drew some sketches of famous European Monuments like the Eifel Tower, Mont-Saint-Michel, the Colosseum, and the leaning tower of Pisa.
Dad was also impressed. He was a sushi chef, yet he knew about world history; it was amusing when he rambled on about trivial things about the place we were in.
Mom, however, was not impressed at all. She had half-expected this to happen but not this bad. Two of his most treasured men in her life were acting like a buffoon in a public place. Best to see, dad would likely draw the short straw and will be heavily punished by mom.
…
Ah… our last day here, and the final destination: Vatican City or the so-called 'the smallest country in the world.'
Our destination today was the Saint Peter's Basilica. I had readied my sketchbook so I could make sketches of the scenery there.
When we got there, I was impressed by how tiny the nation was. It was really small, and there were only old people working as priests there. When taking a walk around the general area, I saw a kind-hearted blond nun on the way; she had done what many Christians would call a miracle. There was an old lady that got injured because her walking stick broke and she fell on her back. I saw the blonde nun's hand glowed bright emerald before the old lady was healed. Truly a magnificent sight or a gift from God!
It was now in the afternoon, and our tour was over. Mom and dad were busy buying souvenirs for their employee, and I had the whole day to myself. What to do. What to do, what to do…
Alright then… I think I'll talk a walk around the neighborhood. It was going to be fine, right?
Oh… how wrong I was.
On my way out, I felt a chill running down my spine; it wasn't anything that I've ever felt before; it felt... evil… tainted… tempting…
I tried to ignore it, but curiosity got the better of me. So I went to check it out. And that was my first mistake, not listening to my instinct.
What I saw was unexpected. It was a simple one-handed sword, but the aura that it gave felt… demonic to me. It felt wrong like no living beings should have that feeling to them.
It had a snake-like pattern on the blade, and it was glowing red, ominously even, in the darkening sky.
There was some sort of stamp with a hexagram pattern, and the five words were written on it. "Te Tra Gram Ma Ton." What is a Te Tra Gram Ma ton? I had never heard of it in my life. As curiosity killed the cat, I grabbed the sword with interest in my mind.
And there I felt it; it was the worst decision I could have ever made in my life. A decision that would haunt me for the future to come. But at the time, I had no idea about that. All I knew was that I couldn't move away from the sword at all… and then the torture began.
Pain wracked my brain, my body felt like it had been electrocuted, and my soul felt like it was being split in half and then folded into each other. Dying was a better alternative than what I was experiencing. Sadly, my mind couldn't handle the stress, and I passed out from the sheer pain the sword had given me.
An unknown amount of time passed before I woke up. I tried standing up, but it was no use; my body felt like it was made of lead. I took a look at where I was at. It was dark, darker than night. I couldn't see anything for the life of me. Screaming for help sounds like a good option, but when I opened my mouth, nothing came out but raspy breaths, not even a whisper.
Then I heard it; it was some sort of a demonic scream. With my body being immobile and my mouth is shut, I couldn't do anything at all. The sound came closer. And as fear began overtaking my mind, I tried one last time to stand, but it was sadly futile.
Imagine my surprise when instead of the demonic character that I expected, I saw a man. His face was what many people would call handsome. With a face that many girls would want. With short jet-black hair. He had a very pronounced face and face, and his facial hair was called stubble. He was smiling at me, and fear was the most apparent to me instead of feeling joy.
"Hey, uh, can you help me out? I'm kinda stuck here." I said, forcing a smile. I didn't realize at this point why I suddenly was able to talk, but thinking back about it; it was probably his doings.
"So, it is you then." the man replied; his tone made me feel like a knife pressing down on my throat.
"What-"
"I had been expecting someone to arrive; it has taken about five millennia, but hey, we're finally making progress, right?" His optimistic tone of his did nothing to calm me down; I was still scared shitless by him. "Hey, what's with your face? You looked like you've just seen a ghost."
I was confused didn't know what to answer. Earlier I was just enjoying vacation like everyone else, and now I'm in a dark room with a stranger, and he looked at me like I am his next prey or something.
I tried pleading to him again, "I don't know anything here, but can you please help me out? I've been trying to move my body for quite a while now…."
"I suppose… but you're questioning your soul here."
"Yes…?"
"You're in my soul, I guess. Meaning that you're holding one 0f the remaining pieces of my soul. What you're currently seeing right now is nothing but a memory that I made before my untimely death… Yeah, I think that's what I am. I am not sure so myself."
Wait, so this guy is dead? And I am in some sort of soul container that houses his memory? Fuck this, I was right! Never touch a random cursed-looking object, or this will happen.
"So you are dead?"
"Technically, yes, but I am His favorite son, after all, so He wouldn't let me die for long." He said, forming a smile from ear to ear—the cheeky bastard.
"Father? Uh… is your father some type of magician or a priest? Oh… an undead priest! The one that can summon zombies and all of the cool stuff!"
"Well, no. Not even close, my boy."
"No? Then if he's not some vengeful undead priest, why am I still here?"
"You still don't know? Well, just remember, if you return to your world then you should seek a man called…. Fuck, what was his name again…. Rizevim! That's his name – and tell him the Big D has returned!"
"The Big D? Is that some sort of big title? And no! I am not doing the errand for you!"
"For someone like you, you ask a little bit too much for my liking. Can you tape your mouth shut? Preferably glue your mouth, so you don't talk anymore. You have no choice; you have to follow my instruction, I told you, and you will go to Rizevim; I told him the Big D has returned!"
Did he imply that I was annoying? Oi… I am usually very quiet! Just ask my teacher; I am one of the quietest students in school and never mess up myself. I had no intention of talking to this Rizevim too.
"So when can I go back?" I ask
"Right about… now."
With that, my eyes closed; it was the feeling of heavy fatigue. But how could it happen? No one can just fall asleep in an instant. Whatever… I'll deal with it later.
As I woke up, I got the feeling of familiarity. It was the hotel room! Somehow I got here from the pitch dark place I was in. Was it all a dream? I didn't know it myself. As I was thinking, someone entered the hotel room; it was mom and dad.
"Hey Yuji, we're back… why are you looking at us like you've just seen a ghost? Hey, are you okay?"
What I didn't realize was my face looked paler than a corpse. I mean, why wouldn't it be? After all, I've just seen what's even worse than a ghost.
"Yeah… I am fine. I was just frightened a bit, no big deal. Don't worry about it, mom, dad."
"Hmm… sure, honey."
I think mom knew me as lying, but thankfully she didn't press it.
"Hey Yuji, do you want to stay here? Your dad proposed the last night outing before we go back to Japan tomorrow. He said he would take us to that trendy restaurant everyone was raving about on the Internet."
Hoh… who would turn down free food? Not me, so whatever this stupid ghost guy planned will have to wait.
"Yeah, let's go!" I said excitedly.
…
Dinner was great, the food was hands down one of the best I've ever tasted, and the vibe was pretty unique. It was a bit disappointing that we couldn't stay longer. But whatever, I am pretty happy, all things considered.
After we went back to our hotel room, I couldn't get a bit of sleep at night. Worried about what the ghostly man was talking about. I hoped to the gods that it wasn't some type of prophecy shounen anime throw at you to move the plot.
The next day went by pretty well; we had nothing planned, and we were set to return. Thankfully before I fell asleep, I had to pack my bags so I didn't have to scramble around like an idiot finding if I left anything behind. The plane back home wasn't as eventful, luckily.
But the ghostly man still left me uneasy. Who was he? What did he mean by Big D? Was it all just an elaborate dream? I don't know. But, I will indeed find out once when I get back.
…
The plane arrived, and I was finally back home in Japan. Finally! I can sleep in my comfy bed and forget about everything.
Oh shit, tomorrow is the start of the second year! How could I forget? Whatever, not like anything will happen tomorrow, right? The first day usually contains fun and games before we get back to studying the day after.
I decided to tuck in a bit earlier than usual since the jetlag did a number on me. It was time for me to go to sleep! I changed into my pajamas and turned the air conditioner on. Ah, it felt like I was in heaven. Well, time for me to sleep then.
….
"Ah, it's you again,"
"Huh? You're the ghost! The one I saw in my dreams yesterday? What? What are you doing here?
"Relax, kid, I don't bite, see? I'm just here to give you a piece of advice."
"Advice? From a ghost-like you?!" Upon seeing my doubtful face, he just continued as nothing had happened.
"There are exorcists in front of your house right now. There would be six of them if I sensed correctly. And I want you to kill them. Just like that, with no hesitation."
"Kill them?! I'm no murderer! And why are they in front of my house anyway? It's the middle of the night, and people don't go to someone's house at this time. Go back to sleep, I beg you."
"Oh my… how stupid are you? They are here to kill you." At this point, the man just looked tired at the dumbfounded expression on the teen's face, no longer bothering to elaborate any further.
"Wait, what?!"
"Yes! Exorcists are trying to get you, and you're better to be prepared when they come into your house and kill you."
"What did I even do? I have never done anything wrong in all of my life! I swear!"
"Must I spell everything out for you?! The moment you touched a piece of my soul, we were bounded, and my scent will spread everywhere!"
"Your scent?"
"My scent or aura is the most hated in the presence of anything even remotely holy, and you, dear boy, are in the heart of it. You were also in the heart of Christendom, and it didn't help one bit. Guess what, you didn't know any better, and now, this is your fault."
"How could this be my fault?"
"You didn't follow my instruction, and this happened? Oh, kid, how I wish I could punch your face right no-"
With that, my room was now blown up by the exorcist, and instinctively I woke up and instinctively took a fighting stance. How could I do it? I never had prior knowledge of combat.
"Yuji!" it was dad screaming, trying his best to get into my room.
"Dad?"
But then, it was too late. A few men in black robes had already pinned him down, and one of them stabbed my father in cold blood. I couldn't do anything to save my father as he was stabbed there. My mind numbed at the scene; I felt my body freeze up as I took in my father's desperate face as if trying to tell me to run…
"I-I-…"
"Hatred, Fear, Agony, use it well… and let them be the foundation of your strength." it was the voice of the ghostly man again.
Before I knew it, a sword appeared on my right arm. The same sword that I had touched during my trip. Now it was glowing red, hatred running in its vein. My right arm was now something akin to what a monster had. It was a terrifying sight! And my arm moved on its own. I didn't know how to wield a sword myself, and I stabbed one of the cloaked men. Then another, and another.
I screamed in agony; the scream must've been heard by people there as the cloaked men, they were feeling afraid. My body was on autopilot mode, and I threw the corpse of their comrade to another. I took all of them down with no remorse, and I was feeling good about it? Who would feel great when they kill someone?
"It seems that you have passed the test with flying colors. Great job! It seems that my job here is done…" the ghostly man said again. But now, he was gone for good.
"I-…"
"Y-Yuji? Are you okay? How's your-" she gasped, seeing father dead on the ground; it was something someone shouldn't see, especially when it was your own husband.
"I-I killed them; I killed them all. The men in the black robes, they are now dead mom, they…they…they… they couldn't hurt us anymore! We're-" I cried. I cried like a little baby. Why did this have to happen? Why me?
"J-Jiro! Dear!" My mom broke down in tears, seeing my father's corpse on the ground, lying in his own blood.
"M-Mom… you-… you're still alive?"
"Your dad… told me to hide inside the closet. He knew something bad was going to happen, but not like this… Oh god…"
"Mom, please calm down. Everything will be alright," I tried to tell her.
"Why would anyone do this to us?" she tried to ask, but her voice was muffled by the cry that she made.
I didn't answer, and we both wept. It was a moment I would never forget in my whole life. This was what changed my life for the worse and what started a chain of reactions that reached far wider than I could ever imagine at the time.
I was angry, angry at everyone. I was mad at the Gods that would let this happen; I hate that god-cursed sword. Why did this happen? All because I touched it? Is this just an elaborate joke? I-I didn't know.
…
A few months had passed after the whole incident, and we're now living in a town called Kuoh Town, nothing of note just yet. Mom decided to go here as she couldn't bear living in Tokyo anymore, as she was now a single mother. I was also enrolled at Kuoh Academy without pay. Some rich bastard decided to take pity on us and let me get into the academy for free.
The authorities were a joke, too; they decided it was nothing but a freak accident. A freak accident? It was anything but a freak accident! No one would deliberately attack an innocent home in the dead of night! And they tried to play it off as a freak accident?! What a bunch of losers they are.
Mom was livid when the authorities told her like it was nothing. She desperately wanted justice, but justice was not there to serve her.
Mom, she was not what she used to be anymore; she was not the once cheerful cheeky woman I used to know as my mother. She's now somewhat distant from me. Not that I could blame her; losing a husband is already hard enough, and she also has to take care of me.
Now, she took off her mind by working herself to death. She sold the old sushi shop back in Tokyo, and she opened a new one here. I barely see her anymore now. It was painful; I couldn't do anything to save her from a grueling fate. I am sorry, mother. Sorry for being the embarrassment you have to burden for my entire life. I am sorry.
I… I was not the same person after the incident. It was hard for me to lose someone I had held dear in my entire life. I stopped being the cheerful boy I used to be, replaced by the bitter and hateful soul. I always blamed myself for what happened to dad. I wish death upon myself many times. Yet, I was too cowardly.
I wish I could trade my life for his. He didn't deserve this; I did. I did. I was the one supposed to die, not him. But I know, I could never heal… if I keep running from my own fate.
11
