The days following the impossible beasts fall from the sky, although quieter compared to when the Tragedy first broke out, were none the less hectic times for all of Future Foundation. Just as they slowly began to process and accept that dragons had come and died in their world, the ash from their decaying bodies brought a new challenge. Within seven days, everyone in Kyoto who survived the dragons' battle died. Most of them succumbed to a new plague that turned their whole body pale white before devolving into salt, a process they would name white chlorination syndrome. However others were violently attacked and killed by a new anomaly. They appeared to be animals with crimson eyes and a body made of deep shadow, thus they came to be classified shades. It was through these shades and the strong winds that the plague spread through Japan infecting more people. No amount of interference by Future Foundation could prevent the spread. A fact Kyousuke Munakata could not stand to believe.
…
It was approximately one month after the dragons fell from the sky. By that point Makoto's trial was put on hold for the foreseeable future to keep all the branch leaders focused on eradicating white chlorination and the growing shade population. While that decision angered Munakata, he could at least take solace that Makoto would remain imprisoned during that time. The fate of the remnants was also a compromise. For as much as he wanted to completely purge them from the earth, Tengan ordered the future foundation to capture them alive. It was precisely for that reason Munakata was reassigned to work solely at headquarters. Despite Munakata's position as vice chairman, these rules and orders by Tengan seemed to target him specifically as if he were an impulsive child.
With a disgruntled sigh, Munakata walked into the main meeting room. Inside Juzo and Miaya were both sitting on either side of Tengan. As always, Miaya hid her face behind her scarf and massive mobile computer. Juzo seemed fairly on edge. Meanwhile Tengan has a calm smile Munakata always despised. Regardless, Munakata calmed himself and approached.
"For what purpose have you summoned me sir?" Munakata asked, refusing to lower himself by sitting down.
"Recently our team was able to capture four of the remaining remnants that managed to escape our first raid," Tengan said. "However one remnant has still managed to elude us this whole time, most likely because he acted as their leader."
"Izuru Kamakura," Munakata's eyes sharpened.
"Yes, however his appearance has changed dramatically," Tengan said.
Tengan nodded to Miaya prompting her to pull up a photo on the main screen. The photo showed a young man with short dark brown hair and green eyes dressed in a snow jacket as he ran through a city.
"The photo was taken early yesterday morning in Chibe by one of our stationed cameras," Tengan said. "Based on his appearance in other cameras we've deduced he is heading to Tokyo."
"You know what that means right?" Juzo grinned.
"You wish for Sakakura and I to lead a task force in Tokyo to capture him alive," Munakata said.
"No task force, just you two," Tengan said. "Too many men will scare him off. Plus you will need the element of surprise if you are to catch him."
"We can take him," Juzo said.
"It won't be just him," Miaya spoke up and pulled another photo up.
The photo also showed Izuru, but by his side holding his hand was a young child. She looked to be about eleven with long curly pink hair and lavender eyes. Despite being so close to such a notorious monster, the girl was smiling.
"Is this some child he has kidnapped?" Munakata asked.
"We thought so at first, but then we looked for her in the Jabberwock Island registry and found there was no information on her," Tengan explained. "Everyone, including the remnants, go through intense screening and documentation so no one found on the island could be there without it."
"Plus she is too old to have been born in secret," Miaya added.
"Why does one undocumented child matter?" Munakata asked.
"Because soon after the dragons died, we detected an influx of energy coming from Jabberwock island that had a strikingly similar energy signature," Miaya explained. "It's possible the child's sudden appearance is related to this energy surge."
"Therefore, not only will I task you and Juzo with capturing Izuru Kamukura alive, but this child as well," Tengan said. "And in the case where you have to choose one or the other, the child is your main objective."
"It will not come to that," Munakata said. "We shall capture them both alive."
"Good," Tengan nodded. "You will leave in two hours. Use this tame to make your needed preparations."
There really wasn't much he needed to do in that amount of time, aside from one thing.
…
On the fifth floor, Munakata found the fifth branch busy as usual. Countless people were on phones, analyzing data on their computers, and getting faxes. It looked more like a stock market office than an official government branch. At least everyone was doing their job. Everyone that seemed except for the branch leader who was noticeably absent.
"Where is Miss Yukizome?" Munakata asked the person closest to the main desk.
"Oh," the woman said startled by his appearance, "umm I think she went on break just a few minutes. I don't know where-."
"Thank you, continue your work," Munakata cut her off and left.
…
Out on the third balcony there was hardly anyone there most of the time. It was the perfect place to quietly watch the ocean and surrounding island without seeing the docks. He assumed that's why she always came here.
There resting her weight on the railings, auburn hair flowing in the breeze, Chisa stood. She seemed lost in thought, perhaps silently mourning the state of the world. It was no secret the tragedy and now this plague had broken her exposing her frailty. That's why no matter the cost, he longed to fix the world again for her sake.
"Chisa," Munakata said.
"The sea is so lovely today," Chisa turned around and smiled at him. "Don't you agree?"
"Yes," he replied.
"It's a shame we'll never get to go sailing," Chisa said. "You'd look so handsome in a captain's outfit."
"Tengan is sending Juzo and I to Tokyo to retrieve the last remnant," Munakata said bluntly.
"Oh," Chisa's expression changed. "That sounds awfully dangerous."
"I will be fine," Munakata reassured her. "Juzo as well."
"Promise?" Chisa got closer and asked like a child.
"I promise," Munakata almost smiled at her innocent behavior.
"Good," Chisa smiled. "Maybe when you two get back I can prepare a nice lunch for all of us to share, just like old times."
"Very well, but your work comes first," Munakata said.
"I know," Chisa sighed. "Though it's awfully tiring keeping track of all these new things. Like that cult of Lilith and Eve just keeps growing and growing."
"Cults often do in times of turmoil," Munakata said.
"I suspect most of their members are ex despair now converted to worshipping those dragons, but we still have to gather evidence for a full on investigation," Chisa sighed. "Bureaucracy is so tedious."
"Yes, but it maintains order," Munakata said. "Without it, men would act as impulsive as animals."
"You're right," Chisa said
"I should be off," Munakata said.
"So soon?" Chisa whined and pulled his arm. "Stay a little longer and watch the ocean with me."
"I don't have time," Munakata said.
"I get it," Chisa pouted her lip. "You're so excited to finally go out into the field again, you can't settle down for a minute even if it's for me."
"It's not like that-" Munakata tried to argue.
"Just go, have fun with Juzo," Chisa interrupted, still acting dramatic. "You like him more than me."
"Don't be ridiculous," Munakata said, deciding to wrap his arms around her and put an end to her feminine dramatics. "Juzo is my ally, but you are everything to me."
"Aww Kyousuke," Chisa's eyes widened and she happily embraced him. "I love you so much."
"Then you know I will return," Munakata said. "Not only that, but I will fix this world for you and our future children."
"Of course," Chisa nodded and smiled.
"Good girl," Munakata placed a hand on her cheek.
…
After his meeting with Chisa, Munakata headed straight to the fourth launchpad. There he found Juzo along with two cases. Wasting no time, the two opened the cases and began to suit up. Inside were state of the military hazmat suits designed for mobility and communication in areas contaminated by the plague. Both came equipped with built in communicators, flashlights, and weapons. They were surprisingly comfortable and not as claustrophobic as one would think. Once they were fully suited up, the two boarded the helicopter. There they received further instructions, but it was rather simple. All he needed to do was capture Izuru Kamukura, the remaining remnant.
…
The helicopter flew over the large expanse of water for a while before they started to see land. From a distance it looked normal, but flying closer revealed the ruins of the city that once stood there. It was completely abandoned, say for a few shades lurking around. Even from this altitude he could see the vile crimson glow of their eyes. It was the same glow the remnants in their eyes.
The helicopter continued to fly inland. As it did the scenery began to change. Buildings were becoming whole again, yet they were still empty. Then they saw Tokyo off in the distance covered by white despite it being summer. Here countless people lost their lives to white chlorination syndrome, their dissolved bodie joining together to create a hellish snow in summer. Looking down at the lifeless city, Munakata could not stop himself from thinking if Chisa suffered the same fate. The thought of her fading away into nothing made him grit his teeth.
"Hey, we're almost there," Juzo said.
"Right," Munakata said, returning to his usual stoic expression.
The helicopter landed as close as it could before letting the two out. Neither wasted any time taking in the haunting scenery as they rushed to look for tracks in the salt. Considering the city was abandoned two weeks ago, finding a fresh set of human footprints would be easy. However the amount of shade tracks was also concerning.
"Based on the looks of these tracks, the shades appear to be bears," Munakata said.
"Why's it always gotta be bears?" Juzo asked sarcastically.
Munakata did not answer and kept scanning the area for human footprints. Even if it was like searching for a needle in a haystack, he was determined to find the monstrous remnant's tracks. It wasn't long however until they ran into the owner of one of the tracks, a large grizzly bear shade. Upon seeing them, the beast stood on its hind legs and roared.
"What's your call?" Juzo asked, readying his knuckles.
"Attack it from the front and keep it distracted," Munakata said, raising his katana. "I will strike it in the back of the head."
"Got it." Juzo said before charging towards the bear shade.
The foul creature swiped down its paw, only for Juzo to dodge and weave before punching it two times in the stomach. During this, Munakata looked for higher ground behind the bear shade. He found an abandoned car covered in salt and jumped on top of it but it wasn't close enough. When he looked over to Juzo and caught his attention all he needed to do was stare at him to tell him what he was planning. Juzo yelled and provoked the bear shade to swipe more. With each swipe he dodged, Juzo punched the bear sending it a few feet back each time, never lightening his punches to let the beast reclaim some ground. Once the bear shade was within Munakata range, he leapt off from the car and stabbed the beast clean through the head. Upon retracting his blade, blood shot from the front and back of the shade's head dying the surrounding salt crimson before falling over and fading away.
"Good riddance," Juzo said.
"I would have preferred to find the remnant by now," Munakata said, flicking the blood off his blade.
"Why would the bastard even come to this god forsaken place?" Juzo asked.
"Because he thinks we won't follow him into hell," Munakata said as he proceeded to continue his search for the footprints.
That was the end of the conversation. Both continued to search the city. Every other corner they turned they came across a shade. Compared to fighting remnants, the shades proved to be easier given their lack of intelligence. Soon it had been an hour and they still found nothing. In frustration, Munakata gritted his teeth.
"Maybe we should split up and cover more ground," Juzo said. "If either of us finds something we can use the communicator."
"A good idea," Munakata said. "You take the west, I'll head scan the east."
"Got it," Juzo punched his palm confidently. "Good luck."
"Same to you," Munakata said.
Continuing into the east side of the city, Munakata decided to investigate the smaller alleyways. By the eighth alleyway he managed to finally find human footprints. There seemed to be only one pair, but the child was no doubt being carried. It still made no sense why the child would stay so close to a vile remnant of despair. Perhaps brainwashing was at play. Suddenly his thoughts was interrupted by a loud scream.
"Papa!" A young feminine voice cried out ahead. "You can't die! Papa get up!"
Munakata bolted ahead towards the voice.
"Juzo, come to my location immediately!" Munakata said over the communicator.
"Are you in trouble?!" Juzo asked.
"We found them!" Munakata said.
He could see up ahead, the footprints move into an abandoned store. Just as he was close to the shattered doors, another sound erupted from inside the building. At first it sounded like the child's scream before quickly turning distorted. Soon after silver light erupted from the building, sending a wave of it right towards Munakata. Dodging it, he proceeded to run into the building, blade raised to attack. What he found was completely different.
There, surrounded by silver light, was an unholy beast, it's back turned to him. It had six wings, the left half white and feathered with black stripes, the right half black and scaly with white stripes. Atop its head was a crown of six sharp horns, the top two white, the middle silver, and the bottom black. It also had a long reptilian tail with spikes that end in a white spike over the crescent start of the tip. Yet despite these dragon features, the center of the beast was a young girl. The young girl he had been tasked to recover. Sensing his increased heartbeat, she turned around to face him.
Instantly a frigid cold was sent down his spine, upon looking into her eyes. They weren't lavender, let alone human. He saw the right eye was blue as a frozen ocean, the left eye pale pink as a sakura petal. Although each eye was different in coloration they both glowed with all the fierceness and otherworldliness of the two dragons. He understood from just one look, these were not the eyes of a child, but a god. The godly being moved a little closer until it froze. As the silver light dimmed, the glow of its eyes flickered. Suddenly it's large wings, horns, and tail faded away like a mirage, leaving the young girl at the center to fall unconscious. It was then he saw what was underneath her.
Lying under the unconcious girl was the deceased body of the most dangerous man in the world, Izuru Kamakura. The cause of death, three slashes through his neck and torso damaging vital organs
"Damn it," Munakata cursed.
Although his main target was deceased, the girl, if he could even call her that, was still very much alive. It didn't take much energy to bend down and grab her. Yet despite her small size and weight, he found himself trembling when he held her. Then he saw, just few feet away in the corner was-********************
The mission was a success.
...
Upon returning to headquarters everything seemed to be just as he left it. Word of Izuru Kamukura's death circulated fast thanks to the helicopter pilot. Considering the other remnants who deserved death were still kept alive, the death of this one felt euphoric to many. Even if he hadn't been the most active of the remnants, he was no doubt sinful to his core. Yet, Munakata could not take any pleasure in his death. He felt no remorse for the remnant, but his mind was so focused on the girl that was with him.
Her monstrous scream...
Her unholy appendages…
And…
Those eyes.
They were beyond inhuman.
Staring at him with the intensity and force of the sun. With all the apathy of the vast vacuum of space.
Those eyes.
Those damn eyes permeated his mind. The thought of them constantly sending a chill down his spine and making his body tighten. Never since the tragedy began had he felt so pathetic and weak. All because of this unknown child.
Despite those eyes haunting his every waking thought, he persisted to function as normal. Focusing on whatever work he could in his branch and visiting Chisa inbetween. Considering how frail her hope was, he avoided discussing the child with her. If she knew the monster he had seen she would no doubt break down and cry, her womanly emotions taking over and making her unable to perform her duties.
A few days after Munakata returned to headquarters, he received a sumunce by Tengan. No doubt it would be another way the old man devised to sabotage him. He couldn't imagine what else the old man would task him to do that was more pointless and dishonorable as taking him off the front lines when countless people depended on him for strength, guidance, and protection. Taking a deep breath, Munakata entered Tengan's office.
"You wished to see me, sir," Munakata said. "What for?"
"I've decided to move your post from headquarters," Tengan said.
Had the old man finally come to his senses and realized how much Munakata was needed on the front lines?
"I will be assigning you to one of our secret research facilities for security," Tengan said.
Of course he hadn't. Even during this second apocalypse, the old man was more concerned with maintaining power and superiority over him instead of making decisions that would protect people.
"Security is Juzo Sakakura's specialty, why not position him there?" Munakata asked.
"I believe you will be better suited," Tengan said. "This facility is extremely isolated and reports to us less frequently for security purposes. Therefore it requires a guard that can keep the peace inside and serve as a beacon of strength for all the researchers."
"I still don't see how Sakakura can't fill that role," Munakata said, his fist tightening.
"To be blunt then, the object the researchers are studying there is vital to curing white chlorination syndrome," Tengan said. "If you value what remains of humanity, you will accept this position without question or regard for how it benefits you."
"Very well," Munakata said before bowing. "Thank you for the honor, sir."
"You will have a week to prepare," Tengan said. "Do not mention any of the details of your mission to anyone, not even Yukizome and Sakakura."
"Understood, sir," Munakata said.
Munakata left the meeting, his blood boiling and teeth gritted. Yet again the old man had diminished his power, treating him as a lesser pawn. One day he would dearly pay for his selfish actions.
…
Within the week, Munakata quietly packed his things and made the necessary preparations for his move. Of all his preparations, the most important was his meeting with Chisa. As she promised before, she prepared him and Juzo lunch. For privacy's sake she arranged a table on the third balcony. There the three could just relax and talk. When he tasted her homemade curry, he felt like he was back at Hope's Peak.
"How's it taste?" Chisa asked with a knowing smile.
"Great as always," Juzo smiled, still chewing some of the meat.
"Excellent," Munakata said after swallowing some rice.
Chisa giggled with a proud and radiant smile. She looked so angelic, her emerald eyes flickering with the fragments of hope she had before the tragedy. How he wished this was his everyday life, perhaps in a fine house with children on the way.
"Since we're in private," Chisa spoke up, snapping Munakata out of his daydream, "can you tell us where Tengan is sending you?"
"That's highly classified," Munakata said.
"Come on, I'm head of intelligence so I'm going to hear about it eventually," Chisa whined.
"Then you can wait," Munakata said.
"Butthead," Chisa pouted her cheeks like a child.
"How long do you think you'll be away then?" Juzo asked.
"No doubt for a very long time," Munakata said. "But I trust you two will keep an eye on Tengan for me."
"Of course," Juzo said. "If he thinks he can ship you out to god knows where for months just to mess with your influence, he's got another thing coming."
"Yeah, he's the worst," Chisa nodded her head. "You should be the chairman, not him."
"We'll just have to wait and see," Munakata said.
"You're right, let's go back to just enjoy this lovely lunch I put my heart and soul into," Chisa said, picking up a piece of meat with her chopsticks before offering it to Munakata. "Ah?"
"This isn't highschool," Munakata said.
"Come on, you loved it when I fed you," Chisa said. "Plus I'm not going to see you forever so let me have this!"
"Alright," Munakata sighed and accepted the offer.
Chisa giggled like a school girl. It was a reassuring sign to see her acting so sweet and innocent. How he wished she could come with him, then this repositioning wouldn't be so miserable. Yet, he thought, her staying away from the demonic child was for the best. Especially considering how much her heart bled for children. She would no doubt be unable to understand how tainted and dangerous that child truly was. Just thinking of her, the image of the child's eyes flickered in his mind.
"Kyousuke?" Chisa asked. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Munakata lied and forced a smile. "Just overwhelmed by the taste of your cooking."
"That's why I'm the ultimate housekeeper," Chisa smiled.
"Of course," Munakata said.
…
The end of the week came too soon. At three in the morning, Munakata began his journey to the secret research facility. Details of what exactly they researched there were highly classified and withheld from him. Three helicopter rides, he arrived at the facility hidden deep under a forest. Cameras hidden amongst the surrounding nature identified him and a trap door lifted out of the ground. He entered and walked down a long staircase and hallway, eventually reaching a metal door at the end. Knowing the code, he entered it and received a retinal scan before the door opened. Inside was a small room with holes in the ceiling, floor, and walls. The door closed behind him prompting white clouds of some sort of decontaminant to spray out from every hole. Munakata maintained his ground, only letting out a cough. Once it was done the door opposite of the one he came in opened. Waiting for him on the other side was Miaya in her tank like wheel chair.
"It's been a while, Mr. Munakata," Miaya said
"So this is where you work these days," Munakata said, walking in and noticing the small amounts of people in lab coats. "It suits you."
"Miss Kimura is also here," Miaya said, guiding him through the facility. "I think she's on the lowest floor with the resurrection seed."
"Is that what this facility is researching?" Munakata asked.
"Yes," Miaya said. "We are hopeful our research will lead us to a cure for white chlorination syndrome. After all, the subject is deeply connected to the creatures that started it."
"What do you mean?" Munakata asked.
"The girl you captured," Miaya said. "She is genetically linked to the dragons, as if they were her parents, despite both of them being female."
Munakata froze, the image of those unholy eyes once again emerged from his memories. For a moment he was caught off guard, vulnerable. Until Miaya spoke up.
"Mr Munakata?" Miaya asked. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, just a bit jet lagged," Munakata said.
"I saw from the hazmat footage that you saw the girl in her dragon form," Miaya said. "So I understand if you feel fearful of her."
"No, I am not afraid of a child," Munakata said. "Even if she's related to those vile dragons."
"I understand," Miaya dropped the subject, clearly doubting his words. "Then you should have no trouble guarding her comatose body."
"Comatose?" Munakata asked.
"Yes," Miaya said before coming to an elevator and inviting him in. "Considering her immense power and contact with the remnants we thought it was best to put her in a medically induced coma so we could easily study her."
"I see," Munakata said.
"I'd explain more of her condition, but it's better if you see it," Miaya said.
The elevator doors opened revealing a dark room illuminated by monitors and medical equipment. At the end of the room was a glass window to a brightly illuminated room. On the other side, two researchers in surgical equipment obscured who laid in the hospital bed. He stepped closer then noticed a familiar silhouette sitting at one of the computers.
"Seiko?" Munakata asked, causing her to jump.
"Oh, Munakata, you're here," Seiko scurried up from her seat. "Welcome."
"Mrs Kimura is in charge of the drugs we use to keep the subject comatose," Miaya said.
"Speaking of, we had to increase Kana's dosage today," Seiko said.
"I'll add that to the report then," Miaya said.
"By 'Kana' are you referring to the girl?" Munakata asked.
"Yes, we discovered her name when we interrogated the remnants, I administered truth serum to all of them and they all called her 'Kana'," Seiko explained. "It was odd though because they didn't speak like how they did in despair. In fact each one of them expressed great empathy for her as they sacrificed themselves to us just so she had a better chance of escaping with Izuru Kamukura, saying he was her papa."
"I remember," Miaya said. "Their expressions were dramatically changed from when I saw them in despair. My Neo world program might have actually worked on them, but given the virus that infected it, it's very possible they might relapse in time."
"What does it matter if they've temporarily changed, each one of them has committed enough sins to damn their souls countless lifetimes over," Munakata growled.
"Regardless of that moral dilemma, we have more important things to focus on," Miaya redirected the conversation. "Look over to where the subject is lying."
Munakata looked through the glass to see the child strapped and blindfolded in the hospital bed, but that wasn't the significant part. Her torso had been sliced open revealing cracked ribs and her heart, lungs, and other organs still pulsating with life. Seeing this display of anatomy was nothing new in the tragedy infected world so he was unmoved and almost relieved to see the monster so exposed and vulnerable. Then, the ribs began to grow and regenerate. Without any assistance, the flaps of skin they peeled back folded to where it originally was. Swiftly the dissected skin merged back together leaving not a single scar or bruise from the process.
He had no words.
He knew in his mind this child was unholy the moment he saw her true eyes, but after witnessing this ability, any chance he could believe she was still somewhat human was gone.
This thing, this resurrection seed, was a demon manifested in human form to deceive humanity to its true nature.
That nature being the complete annihilation of humanity from the face of the earth.
"H… how… is that possible?" Munakata tried to speak as calmly as he could while he felt a cold sweat run down his face.
"We aren't entirely sure yet, but it no doubt has to do with her genetic connection with the dragons," Miaya explained. "You don't have to worry, she's not awake. It's just her body's unconscious response to any damage."
"I see," Munakata said.
"Anyway, since your primary objective here is to guard the subject, we've prepared a bed for you in her room" Miaya pointed to the door.
"Thank you," Munakata bowed respectfully and entered.
As he laid out his things on the bed, he couldn't help but stare at the demon from the corner of his eye. Despite her restraints and unconsciousness, he knew deep down somehow the demon would awaken again and subject everyone in the facility to the same fate as her supposed 'papa'.
...
Time moved painfully slowly in the research facility. Without the clocks, he would have lost all sense of time. Hours felt like days and days like months. It occurred to him this was due to Chisa's absence. Without her, he had nothing to look forward to each day. His only companions here were Seiko and Miaya, but they were so focused on their research. Then there was the demon.
That accursed demon.
Due to his role as her guardian, he had no choice but to remain by her side nearly 24/7. He slept in the same room as her, he ate all his meals in the same room as her, and practically spent every waking minute in the same room as her. So he saw almost everything they did to her. The IVs they continued to add to keep her unconcious, the blood samples they took, and the dissections they performed everyday.
At first they merely cut open the skin to examine the muscles, bones, and organs for any sign of an anomaly, something that would physically distinguish her as the dragons' child. They found nothing, so Miaya proposed amputation to test the demon's regenerative ability. It began with the toes, then when those grew back perfectly they moved to the fingers, feet, hands, legs, and arms, all grew back in a matter of minutes. Then they began to amputate organs from least to most vital. Everytime, even with her lungs or heart removed, she stayed alive with no reaction of pain or distress. With each organ they amputated he could see the demon's regeneration speed increasing.
Munakata was accustomed to the sights and smells of blood, but regeneration was completely different. Seeing the damaged tissues, veins, and bones rise on their own to materialize new tissues, veins, and bones was something he could never get used to. Still he did his best to hide his fear and revolt of the demon. Even when he saw her completely grow a new heart into one of the researcher's hands like a growing apple, he didn't vomit or change his expression. Witnessing this living abomination was simply his new normal.
…
About two weeks later, Munakata sat down with Seiko and Miaya on the other side of the glass to review their findings.
"I think I have a theory as to what's going on here, but I'll admit it sounds a bit absurd," Miaya said. "Have either of you heard of multiverse theory?"
"I'm familiar," Seiko said. "Isn't that the one where they think there's infinite universes similar but slightly different then ours?"
"Yes," Miaya said. "You see I've been running multiple DNA tests over and over to make sure the match was correct and only four matches ever came up. The first is the dragons of course, but the other two were from our world."
"Who?" Munakata asked.
"The first was a girl named Chiaki Nanami, I think she attended Hope's Peak before disappearing a few months prior to when the tragedy occurred," Miaya said, "but the second and most disturbing one was Junko Enoshima."
Munakata's blood froze.
"Are you sure?!" Seiko asked.
"After over a hundred retests I'm positive," Miaya said. "Now I have no doubt those two dragons were the parallel versions of Chiaki Nanami and Junko Enoshima."
"The black dragon did have the same color eyes as Junko," Seiko said. "But that still doesn't explain how they or even Kana got here."
"I'm still theorizing the first part myself, but I have a hypothesis for the second," Miaya said. "Remember when a monokuma virus infected the neo world program? The AI behind it was Junko Enoshima, but she wasn't the only AI modeled after a deceased person."
"Oh, right there was an AI observer among them," Seiko said.
"Chiaki Nanami," Munakata gritted his teeth, still processing these revelations.
"It's possible when the Neo World Program was in the process of deletion, these two incredibly intelligent AIs merged together for survival," Miaya said. "The parts of their AI that were deleted could be filled in by the other and create a new smaller entity."
"But if Kana was an AI first, how could she have formed a living body?" Seiko asked.
"That I still don't know, but I will try to find out," Miaya said. "Once we start dissecting her brain that should reveal the answer."
"Won't that kill her?" Seiko asked.
"At this point I doubt anything can," Miaya said. "She may have the same features as a human, but this ability to regenerate and form dragon appendages is not human. It's not even like any animal on the planet."
"I just hope it doesn't hurt her," Seiko said.
"I can assure you it doesn't," Miaya said. "Her entire nervous system is dead and has been since she arrived here. No doubt because she has the power over life and death itself. Essentially she is Schrödinger's cat, able to decide which parts of her body can be dead and which parts stay alive."
Schrodinger's cat? That was too kind of a term to describe this unholy beast that twisted the laws of nature. Although he could not say it to his companions, he knew this child was a demon through and through. Knowing the use of such a religious term in contrast to both womens' scientific findings would only make him look like a superstitious fool to them. He could not afford to lose anymore of his influence, even if it meant hiding his true beliefs. Suddenly he remembered he was still listening to the conversation and had to respond.
"If it will help us understand more, then we should proceed with analyzing her brain at once," Munakata said firmly.
"I'll make the preparations then," Miaya said.
"Same here," Seiko sighed.
...
How long had it been? Two months? Three months? Four? However long, it was too long. So much time passed yet there was still so much they didn't know. Even after furrowly dissecting the demon's brain, they barely found anything related to her regenerative or degenerative ability. Somehow it was invisible, like the soul. How could that be if she was a demon? The key to the regeneration and degradation had to lie elsewhere.
Munakata tossed and turned in his bed. Considering how sleep deprived he had become and how dark the room was now, he should have fallen right asleep. But the thought of Chisa being infected by white chlorination syndrome and her beautiful image dissolving into dust kept him awake. Not helping was the damn demon who brought him here sleeping soundly while the rest of the world continued to decay. The amount of IVs she required now reached twenty. Had she not been so invaluable to developing a proto vaccine for white chlorination syndrome, he would have smothered the beast. Of course all those dissections on her body and brain and thoroughly proved to him she was unkillable, just like despair.
Realizing he wasn't going to get any sleep that night, Munakata decided to go talk with Miaya and Seiko. The two of them were always pulling all-nighters monitoring and researching this foul demon along with a handful of other researchers. Tonight was no different as he found them on the other side of the window examining the data for the millionth time trying to find answers. Both of them were so absorbed in it until Munakata stepped closer.
"Oh, Munakata," Seiko said softly. "You're still up?"
"I just wanted to check in with you two," Munakata lied. "Have you made any new discoveries?"
"No," Seiko sighed.
"At this point we might have to turn to pseudoscience to explain things," Miaya said.
"Don't even joke about that," Seiko would have growled if she wasn't so tired.
"I'm sure it won't come to that," Munakata said. "You both are some of the most brilliant minds in the world."
"Maybe even the multiverse?" Miaya joked.
"I like the sound of that," Seiko smiled under her mask.
Suddenly a small alarm went off on Seiko's computer.
"Of course she needs another IV," Seiko groaned.
"Here, I'll get it this time, you should rest," Miaya said.
"Are you sure?" Seiko asked.
"I've seen you do it over ten times now," Miaya said. "It can't be that hard."
"Okay," Seiko said. "Thank you."
Miaya rolled her wheelchair into the other room with ease. As Miaya began to prepare the IV, Munakata looked back over to Seiko.
"How high is the dose now?" Munakata asked.
"We're well over five gallons per hour," Seiko sighed. "I have to make a new batch everyday. Her body is so persistent."
"I've seen," Munakata said, unintentionally gritting his teeth.
Then without warning, the demon's heart monitor began to skyrocket. Miaya desperately tried to put in the IV but the demon was twitching. It was only a few seconds he watched her, but that was more than enough time for all the fears he had pushed down to awaken and consume his mind. Without warning, he pushed Seiko down to the floor with him. The heart monitor broke from the amount of beats it was registering and then it happened.
Munakata didn't see it, but he heard a loud distorted scream like the roar of a god. The accursed sound shook the room so violently, large chunks of the ceiling fell down and crushed some of the researchers. One piece fell directly onto Seiko's right leg, shattering it instantly causing her to scream, but not nearly as loud as the one before her. Swifty after there was another sound, the sound of steel and glass breaking. Covering more of Seiko's body, he shielded her from the shattered glass, several shooting right into his back. He gritted his teeth and stayed his ground, not daring to turn around and risk looking into those unholy eyes. The sound of wings extending and straps being sliced apart was heard behind him. One researcher tried to run to the elevator, only for the spiked tail to stab him clean through the head. The other researchers that hadn't been crushed to death only had a few seconds to act before they met the same fate. For once in a very long time Munakata prayed to God he and Seiko would be spared this gruesome demise. Seiko's eyes widened as the light emanating from the demon drew closer making their shadows diminish. It was right behind him, yet for whatever reason he turned his head to face it.
Those eyes…
They were exactly the same as when he first gazed into them and in all his nightmares.
Staring at him with the intensity and force of the sun. With all the apathy of the vast vacuum of space.
He thought they were the last things he would see in this life, but by some miracle the demon suddenly weakened. In a mere few seconds, her wings, horn, and tail vanished. She fell to the floor as limp as a ragdoll, before closing her dimming eyes. For a while, both Munakata and Seiko stayed silent and frozen, as if the slightest sound her movement would reawaken the beast. Slowly the ice in Munakata's veins began to melt and boil. Taking his katana, he fought the pain in his back and stood up. Seiko remained conscious but paralyzed. With his blade pointed to the floor, Munakata staggered over to the unconscious demon. He glared down at her small unconscious body then thrusted his sword down into her chest. Then again and again and again. Over and over he stabbed her, splattering blood all over himself and her. Yet no matter how many times he stabbed her, her body refused to die and continued to swiftly regenerate faster than he could stab her.
"St…," Seiko tried to speak. "Stop! It's… pointless!"
She was right and he knew it, but he didn't stop. He wouldn't stop until the pain in his back forced him onto the floor. Then and only then would he stop stabbing the hellspawn.
Suddenly the memories began to increase in speed becoming an unrecognizable blur of images. Yet there were three recurring images he could identify.
Juzo Sakakura, his best friend and ally he fought through hell by his side,
Chisa Yukizome, the only source of true warmth and hope in his entire life,
and…
Kana
The demon who annihilated his whole world.
