Chapter 2: The Demon's Challenger
{Shibuya Hospital: January 12th, 2016, 10:37am}
A tired sigh left a black-haired, brown-purple-eyed man who sat beside a hospital bed, awaiting the arrival of his assistant. His tired gaze landed upon the two figures curled up in the bed beside each other, hands intertwined in a manner that he almost deemed worrisome. The two people he was watching, were children that he and his team had plucked from the snow, half-dead just outside of Sanguneim near Kyoto, and had rushed to the hospital one week prior. It had been touch and go for the blonde-haired boy who had been found with an abdominal wound and a severed arm, and it had been touch and go for the hospital staff and himself and his team who had to contend with the wild black-haired boy that they had found with the blonde.
That week had already begun to feel like centuries ago to the man sitting there watching the two children sleep peacefully. Thankfully, the blonde boy would make a full recovery, and thanks to the snow, and their quick work, the blonde would get to keep his arm and would regain full control over it after a while. However, as he watched the two boys, he questioned what would ultimately happen to the black-haired boy with them now. It would take some time, and serious rehabilitation to keep the boy from being locked up.
"This is going to be one serious pain in the ass," Lieutenant Colonel, Ichinose Guren stated to himself as he looked at the two boys.
He had known that if given the chance, Kureto Hiragi would attempt to use both of them, and he didn't desire to see these two children, innocent and having been through so much pain already, endure even more suffering. Knowing that, he had let the children recover for the last week in the hospital, not asking questions, nor interrogating either of them as they healed away from the prying eyes of the Hiragi family while he plotted a means to protect them and had finally found his answer only twenty-four hours before. Knowing what he had to do, he now sat in his hospital room, awaiting the arrival of his assistant who had been sent to fetch some documents from some people he had set up the situation with who he knew he could trust. Taking in another deep breath, Guren heard the door softly open and looked towards the brunette woman who entered.
"Lieutenant Colonel? Are they still asleep?" she asked as she shut the door.
"Yea, they've been out for hours. Doing well though, Doc said they could leave soon, but we'd have to watch them." The woman smiled.
"That's good, when we found them I was so worried for their lives… they looked terrible and…" she stopped speaking as Guren looked to her.
"Well, it's alright now… at least… for the most part. Do you have those documents, Sayuri?" he inquired.
"I do sir, I had the woman highlight what you needed to sign." She handed him the papers and he pulled a pen from his pocket and clicked it before starting to work on filling them out while Sayuri watched the two children.
"They seem so small…" she muttered.
"Well, they're only twelve… the doctor had to do a dental examination on them to determine their actual ages… but yea, they're not even teenagers yet… the Doc also wanted to let me and you know that the blonde one may not have full use of that arm even though he could gain control over it, full use may not be possible…" the brunette looked down.
"Oh… I see…" the black-haired man smiled.
"However, a little miracle seems to have been worked… take a look at them," he stated as she looked at the two boys and frowned for a moment before she noticed how the blonde had his fingers curled around the other boy's and felt her eyes widen when she saw him move them a bit, tightening his grasp as he did so.
"He can move his fingers… does that mean?" the Lieutenant Colonel smirked.
"Only time will tell, but… the minute the blonde reached for him when he came out of surgery, the black-haired one laid down next to him and instantly went to calming him, muttering in what I think is Latin or something… and I watched him as the time passed begin to move his arm around… the wound also seems to be healing fairly quick for someone to have just had it reattached," he stated in an off-handed manner.
"Lieutenant Colonel?" Guren looked to her.
"That black-haired boy… and the blonde… they're different from anyone we've ever rescued. Because of that, I have no intention of the Hiragi family getting their grubby hands on them. Shinya promised to help me keep them safe… so here you are, the papers are completely filled out, make sure it's sent through immediately," he stated as he pulled off his glove and slowly moved forward.
"Sir? What are you doing?" she asked him as he smirked while placing a gentle hand into the black-haired boy's hair.
"This is the first time since I grabbed him up in the hallway when we brought them into the hospital that I've been able to touch him without getting bitten. I have scars all over my arms and hands now from his teeth sinking in to deep." Sayuri watched them for a moment.
"They're innocent… so I see why you want to protect them, but you're never this eager to take care of weaker people. Why these two boys? Why adopt them?" Guren smirked.
"Because, they need someone who actually gives a damn about them. They're just children… they have some amazing gifts that need genuine nurturing and I intend to see to it. I refuse to let them get torn up and taken away from humanity when they're still too young to understand who they even are… that is why I'm adopting them," he answered.
"I see then… the only thing we need is their names, once I have those, I can fill out that portion and submit them. The adoptions work quick within the Army, so, you should have confirmation by tonight." The man smiled.
"Good, now… let's see if they'll wake up any time soon."
They waited, for hours and hours, and just as the sun began to settle into the horizon, a stirring came from the bed, causing the two adults to look up from their coffee and towards the source of the noise as the blonde-haired boy started to awaken. His bright-blue eyes slowly gaining some life to them as he started to look around, seeming highly confused before he turned his sapphire gaze towards the boy sleeping next to him. As this went on, Guren and Sayuri watched him as he placed his other arm around the boy, being careful of his injuries as he did so before looking towards their location.
Instantly, the boy froze, fearful eyes locking onto them and not moving as he pulled the still slumbering black-haired boy closer to him, his mind rushing as he tried to figure out what had happened and where they were. Sayuri felt sorrow well up in her chest as she watched and looked towards Guren who sighed and started to move closer as the blonde let out a panicked noise and moved to cover the other, curling around him as if to shield him from any danger. It was in that moment that Guren took a good look at the children before him, so innocent, yet so completely destroyed by the lives they had existed in, and he knew that he had a lot of work ahead of him to restore the foundations of their existences and their lives.
"Well, about time you wake up," Guren stated as he watched the blonde glance up to him.
"Who are you?!" the boy's sharp tone told him not to come closer, and he obliged for the time being.
"I am Lieutenant Colonel Ichinose Guren, this is my assistant, Lieutenant Hanayori Sayuri. We're members of the Japanese Imperial Demon Army, and I am the leader of the Moon Demon Company," Guren responded as the blonde eyed them.
"Where are we?" Sayuri stepped forward at this.
"You're both in the hospital here in Shibuya. We brought you here for treatment, both of you were very hurt," she explained as the blonde slowly eased himself.
"Why? We were… in the Vampire City… how did…wait… is he okay?" the blonde moved just a bit, looking towards the black-haired boy.
"He's fine, a few broken ribs and a spranged ankle and his arm was a bit pulled, had some muscle problems… but he'll be fine. You were the one everyone was worried about, coming in with an abdominal wound and a severed arm, how did that happen?" Guren asked as he took a seat across from the boy.
"We were trying to escape Sanguneim… we got to the atrium area when…" the boy went white.
"You gonna be okay, kid?" Guren inquired.
"I'm not a kid! That's not my name!" Sayuri smiled.
"Just tell us what happened, okay sweetheart?" she asked soothingly. Sapphire eyes looked towards her.
"A Noble tracked us. and he was… killing us off… playing a game… he killed everyone… except… us… I charged him, and… he severed my arm and ran me through… my brother… he shot him in the head… then we escaped…"
It was a core-rattling statement, though choppy and missing some details, it was enough for the two adults to gather what had happened, and it terrified them to no end. The fact that these two twelve-year-old boys had witnessed the death of their family members was a painful notion; however, Guren and Sayuri kept themselves composed and looked towards the boy as he watched them, teary-eyed and tired looking.
"I see… then, I have a question: do you want to get back at the fangs?" Guren inquired as the blonde looked to him.
"Get… back at them? You mean we can actually fight them?" the man smirked.
"Yep, with the kind of training I'll put the two of you through, you'll be some of the finest Cursers alive," he stated proudly.
"Cursers?" the blonde looked confused.
"They're people who wield specialized weapons with curses on them designed to kill Vampires," Sayuri told him.
"O-Oh… so… we could…" the boy was interrupted by a rustle of sheets and looked to see the black-haired boy moving about a bit, rubbing his eyes with the sleeve of his pajamas before looking around the room.
"Hmm? Mika? What are… you… YOUR OKAY!" the blonde was promptly enveloped in a teary-eyed embrace from the other boy as the blonde smiled, laughing a bit as he returned the embrace.
"Yea, I'm okay… but you're hurting me…" the boy jolted as he let go.
"S-Sorry! But where are… who are you?!" the man chuckled.
"Well, hello there, I am Lieutenant Colonel Ichinose Guren; myself and my team brought the two of you back to human civilization when you came barreling out of the hole in the ground like a bat out of hell and nearly broke those scrawny necks of yours when you cartwheeled down that snowy hill just outside of Sanguneim," he answered calmly.
"I can tell you're a jerk." Emerald eyes narrowed as the blonde frowned at him. Guren smirked as he watched him, he could tell instantly that this boy had a lot of fire in him, more so than he already assumed he had.
"Yuu! Be nice! They've helped us!" the blonde hissed as Sayuri frowned and Guren hummed in thought.
"Yuu? That wouldn't be short for Yuuichiro, would it?" the boy's rich eyes sharpened into a menacing glower.
"Yes, why do you want to know?" the blonde glared.
"Yuu! Don't be so rude, they've saved our lives!" he stated snappishly.
"Oh, hush, Mika! You're still in the hospital! You can't boss me around right now!" the blonde frowned.
"I'm almost a year older than you!" he said in outrage.
"Hey, kiddos, we're in a hospital!" the two froze looking at the adults.
"Nice to see you have a good bit of energy, mind telling us your names?" Sayuri asked as the two glanced to one another.
"If you tell us where we are exactly…" Guren smiled.
"You're in Shibuya… obviously… and from now on, I'll be your legal guardian," he stated bluntly as the two children gawked.
"W-What?!" Guren nodded.
"Yep, so get used to seeing me kids. Now, what are your names? I need them for the paper work," he said as they looked to one another once again, looking tired but prepared to remain steadfast.
"I'm… Hyakuya Mikaela…" Sayuri jotted down the name and looked to the black-haired boy.
"And who are you?" she asked.
"Hyakuya… Yuuichiro." She wrote down the name and Guren looked to them.
"I got one more question for the two of you: do you want to get revenge on the vampires and reclaim this world for mankind?" he asked as the two boys took in steady breaths, thinking over the statement.
"Yes…" Guren held out his hand.
"Then, take my hand, and I'll give you the power that you need to get revenge and change the course of this world's fate…"
{Present Day: Shibuya High School Roof: June 3rd 2020, 2:45pm}
Shinoa sat at a bench on the rooftop of the High School watching the two Hyakuya brothers go through their daily sparring session. The weapons they were currently using were still the Enchanted Gear that were issued to the Imperial Demon Army's general numbers. As she watched the two of them though, she noticed something that she honestly hadn't before: the sword styles were different. Naturally, each person had a different skill or technique with a sword; however, both the boys were quite different from having been taught by the same person. Mika was the one she focused on, taking note that the Katana didn't quite suit his physical build.
He was a bit bigger than his brother and definitely showed that the slighter blade restrained him when it came to his motions and how he could move when using it. When she looked to Yuu though, he seemed to be having no trouble at all. Yuuichiro was small for his age; shorter, and much more slender, but still quite agile and powerful in his attacks and fighting ability. The Katana suited him all too well, fitting alongside him like another limb. The blades locked momentarily before the two boys jumped away from one another causing her to huff.
"You two are utterly exhausting," she said as they stopped their movements. Mika fumbled a bit with the katana, not feeling quite comfortable with it while his brother slid it into the sheath and held it at his side. The blonde-haired sixteen-year-old frowned before finally sheathing the sword. He was starting to find the weapon exasperating only because he could never quite get it to work right for him and he knew very well why. Mikaela was just as skilled a fighter as Yuuichiro, but his slightly taller and larger frame cost him the fluidity that the emerald-eyed boy had.
"Then don't watch! We're already assigned to the Moon Demon Company; so why are you sticking around? Surely Guren's already taken you off being our observer." Shinoa shrugged as she stood.
"Oh he did, but I stayed around because you're both interesting, and besides…..your training has already begun," she stated.
"What are you talking about? We're still here at the school." She nodded with a smile.
"Because our unorthodox methods are exactly what's needed to get what you two desire," she told them.
"And how do you know what we desire?" she looked to the two boys.
"Simple, you desire power; and we can give that to you." She spun a small black object in her fingers and it lit up with fire and blackened ash. The two stared as a figured made of the same colors sprang out of the weapon that formed from the thin pen-like object as she presented the blade of a gothic black and sharp green scythe to them.
"This is the demon I made a contract with: Shikama-Doji," she stated with a smirk.
"Cursed Gear? Why would you have one?" the periwinkle-haired girl laughed a bit.
"Why wouldn't I? I am a member of the Moon Demon Company after all. I stood in for Hiragi Shinya on occasion in Guren's Squad once I got the contract," Shinoa explained with a smug smile.
"That's incredible; if I had that, I could kill any fang I wanted to." The girl frowned.
"Not on your own! Cursers for the Moon Demon Company never work alone! That's why Guren has been trying to drill teamwork into that thick skull of yours, Hyakuya Yuuichiro!" she said sternly. The boy rolled his eyes.
"Something tells me you should brace yourself…." Shino glanced to Mika before she heard the sound of a sword unsheathing and turned to see the black-haired boy with his sword out.
"Shinoa, I'm taking your Cursed Gear. Just hand it over," he stated with a calmness in his tone that made something within her tremble in discomfort.
"And there's that attitude that's in his file…." Mika couldn't quite help the sarcasm. He knew that his brother would do this, but he supposed if Shinoa had read the files on them like she had stated then she would know precisely why he wanted to do this.
"You can't just take someone else's Cursed Gear, that's why there's a contract….the only way you can take it is if the contract holders have a deep seated trust in one another," she stated factually.
"Fine, then let's see how good you are with it." The blade was flipped to where its blunt side was set on her.
"Okay," she said with a smile.
Mikaela watched the two begin their fight with a wiry smile: somethings truly never changed. However, Shinoa was keeping an eye on the black-haired boy's movements because despite the fact that she was wielding a Cursed Gear, she was having a bit of trouble blocking his hits. The Enchanted Gear used by the regular numbers of the Imperial Demon Army was made to handle a Horseman of John, but it was not designed to withstand a Cursed Gear or the attacks of First Class weapons from the Vampires or the blood-suckers themselves – needless to say she was getting a little spooked. Yuuichiro turned and managed to nearly land a hit on the girl as she spun out and swung, which he dodged with ease. The boy cut a flip and smile smiled a bit: not only was this kid light on his feet, but also very agile. She was decidedly impressed.
The fight continued until she swung the blade and sent Shikama-Doji after him. Yuuichiro took this surprisingly well as he was flung backwards and smiled as he looked to her with an impressed expression his face. Mika clapped, rather amazed with the Cursed Gear himself. Yuu had been correct – if they had that kind of weaponry, they would stand a much better chance at killing off the Vampires that took their family from them. They owed them a nice sucker punch that would come flying in from somewhere in the back: where they would never see it. Shinoa smiled as Yuu came up to her and he looked the two over.
"That was pretty bad-ass," he admitted.
"You did pretty well, but conventional weaponry won't hold up against a Cursed Gear. I'm impressed by both of your skills, but Mika…" the blonde looked to her.
"What?" he asked.
"I honestly think you need a different type of sword. The katana doesn't suit your build and it isn't well made for your range." Mika nodded at her statement.
"I agree….it's better for a short stack like Yuu here!" he said, laughing as he put his brother in a headlock that caused him to drop his sword as he mused his already messy black hair. The boy growled as the other laughed.
"I am not short! You're just tall because you're half-foreigner, Mika!" Shinoa looked him over.
"That reminds me. Where were you two from, again?" she asked.
"Kanto region; right, Yuu?" he shrugged as he was let go.
"I don't think about anything that happened before I came to the orphanage….and I rarely think about what happened after I arrived….there's no middle ground for me or for Mika. After the Vampires came and took us in….there's nothing before these last four years that matter other than what happened to our family…" Shinoa frowned as she took in the words knowing that what she had said hurt some part of the black-haired boy dearly even though he chose not show it.
"I didn't want to bring up something that…." Mika changed the subject before she could apologize.
"So, what was with that letter that girl gave you earlier today, huh?" he asked with a smirk.
"I-I…um…." Shinoa turned to him.
"Oh? A girl has a crush on you? Well, I guess that makes sense, seeing as you were a hero yesterday and did save her life – even if Mika was the one who got her to safety," she said. Mika felt her statement was a little bruising to his brother's ego.
"Well, she wasn't conscious, so…." Shinoa walked up to Yuu.
"I gotta ask, are you gonna accept it?" she questioned.
"I don't think so…." She frowned as he looked away.
"Pity, I guess we'll have a trail of broken hearts soon with you two being the newest hot topics in the school," Shinoa mentioned.
"I'm not a heart-breaker." She hummed and Mika mentally smacked himself upside the head.
"Oh? So, you're a virgin then?" she couldn't help but smile in satisfaction when the normally serious black-haired boy before her flushed pink in the face.
"Hey! Keep that to yourself!" she shrugged at that.
"These days, virginity might as well be a mortal sin. That's why the Imperial Demon Army supports people hooking up. Our entire intention is to grow stronger, collect all the remnants of humanity and unite them under one banner – in order to do that, we'll have to breed our way to the top."
"Uhuh…..fascinating," he said as Mika sighed.
"Do you have to call it breeding? We're not dogs." Shinoa turned to look at them.
"The Army does look at people's genetic background, and from what I saw, the two of you have some pretty good genes. Anyone can tell if they look at you both. Handsome, good health, intelligent, beautiful eyes, and impressive skills in fighting. You're both a prime example of good breeding, as my family so wonderfully puts it," she stated simply.
"Are you trying to flatter us?" she looked at the two of them.
"Nope, just stating a fact. Besides, look at the world we live in….ninety-percent of the world's population was decimated in a single night, and the rest that were fortunate to enough to survive wound up in the bellies of wandering monsters. Honestly, if we don't procreate, we'll vanish. Humanity is strong, but only just….and you know I'm right Yuuichiro, and Mikaela knows it too," she said as she turned her attention to the wasteland surrounding them.
"Yea…I get it…"
{School Halls: 4:20pm}
"So, remind me again….why are you chasing Yoichi?" Yuu and Mika looked at Yamanaka and his lackey. Both of them were out of breath and looking between him and Yoichi as if they were the answer to their prayers.
"Since when did I become a shrine caretaker? Hell…since when did we become deities? Last I checked we were still human…." Mika thought in disdain.
"I….heard Saotome got accepted into the Moon Demon Company….so I thought that….he could make us his disciples," he explained while Yuu frowned.
"Huh, bullies seem to be lacking in the pride department these days. Did you ever think that if you stopped acting so sure of yourselves and stopped trying to handle everything on your own people would like you more?" Shinoa smirked.
"Hello, pot….meet my dear friend kettle," she said.
"Can we not have an interjection from munchkin land right now?" Mika muttered. The girl giggled before turning her attention back to the conversation.
"Hey….you're Hyakuya Yuuichiro and Hyakuya Mikaela right? The two of you helped that girl! Thanks for saving me from that Vampire bitch yesterday, you guys are total boss men!" he stated. Yuu glanced Mika who shrugged.
"Boss men?" Mika shrugged once again, not really sure what to make of them.
"You're both popular with the male students, too. I'm starting to feel a little neglected," Shinoa said in a pouting tone.
"Little pest…." She rolled her eyes at Yuuichiro's statement and looked to the boys.
"Please, make us your disciples Saotome!" the two bullies asked as the brunette winced.
"No! I don't deserve any disciples! I'm not worthy of that!" Yoichi said sorrowfully.
"Alright….what's the real reason for this little chase?" the two former bullies looked into two pairs of eyes: one a rich sapphire and the other a sharp emerald.
"It's our friend, Yuji….he…went into the forbidden chamber, and…" Shinoa sighed.
"I should have known that something like the forbidden chamber would be a magnet for idiots like the two of you. Did you honestly think you could get away with it and brag?" she asked.
"What? No! We just heard about it and wanted to check it out, but…Yuji went inside, so…." Shinoa waved her hand as she went to stand next to Yuuichiro.
"I honestly don't care about what you fools did: I only care about the punishment," she stated dully.
"Punishment? Are we talking hard time?" she looked to Yamanaka.
"I'm sure the Imperial Demon Army already has him in custody." The two brothers glanced to one another while Yoichi bit the inside of his cheek in discontent.
"What? How long will he be in there?" Shinoa looked to the three boys with her and then at the two delinquents before them.
"Until the army decides to execute him for trespassing. I think you should give up on him," she said.
"No! He's our friend…isn't there anything one of you can do? What about you Hyakuya? I saw you with Lieutenant Colonel Ichinose yesterday, you're his son aren't you? Isn't there some way to stop him from…" Shinoa was going to speak up, but she didn't have to.
"The two of you are complete morons! What in the hell were you thinking you'd accomplish by going somewhere the Army has sealed off?! Making people fear you means nothing! You dumbasses, anything that the Imperial Demon Army has sealed off has got to be dangerous! And you two just walked in like it was nothing! Wow, and here I thought stupidity could make someone sink no lower – the two of you have got a lot to learn and on top of that, you two are far too stuck in your own pride." Mika looked at his brother.
"Yuu, I don't think you need to…" Shinoa shook her head at him, and both he and Yoichi gave her an odd look.
"Please, stop them. I know you could…." Mika shook his head.
"You've got the wrong idea. Yamanaka, Guren raised us: we're not his biological children….he does care for us, but we're not a family in the traditional sense. You have to do something about your lives…we can't help you there," he explained.
"I can't save Yuji though! I don't know what to do….I have no power….I…." Yuuichiro looked to him.
"Yamanaka?" the boy turned his eyes on him.
"I-I'm sorry, I…" he nearly bowed to him and begged when the black-haired boy kicked him in the face and sent him back.
"Don't grovel to me, you aren't livestock….but if you want to be a leader of some sorts, make better decisions that won't get your comrades killed. Take it from someone whose lost people they love and had to watch…." Yamanaka looked down, thinking about what the boy said.
Shinoa left the two boys to think as she followed the three others away from him. She was surprisingly proud of Yuuichiro – he had given Yamanaka advice that was priceless when it came to reality. The boy walking just an arms-reach from her was slowly becoming quite impressive as a person that she quite honestly couldn't wait to be on the field working alongside with Mikaela and Yoichi. She hummed a bit as she skipped ahead of them and went to explain about the forbidden chamber, how it was one of the school's great mysteries, akin to the piano that played by itself and a moving anatomical doll. Shinoa smiled as Yuu made a snappy comment about her not remembering the others as she led them down the stairwells and to a basement.
Rusted and old as it was, the stairwell held up surprisingly well as they walked down it to the area where a mess of old and new seals were plastered across the walls, ceiling, the floor, and the door. Mika felt a knot form in his stomach – he decidedly did not like the vibe of the place, and judging by his expression, neither did Yoichi – his gaze fell to Shinoa, who was calm and collected while Yuu was tense, but not frightened. He sighed, here he was, six months older than him, and the black-haired boy was the one to be brave. Mika assumed it was their personalities because Yuuichiro had always been the calmer of the two and much tamer when it came to his temper in the past and present.
"Not that I can't raise hell when I want to though….." Mika thought slightly.
"So, what's the point of this?" his attention turned to Yuu and Shinoa.
"I just wanted to show you where this demon is located. It may be hard to hear, but this entire school is a testing facility to see who would be suited for the Imperial Demon Army's extermination units. The main way we do this is to see who's drawn in by the demon and who resists. All of you have come here for nearly a year without any indication that you're around a demon – all three of you are stronger in will than those who are called by it and not by the Moon Demon Company," Shinoa explained.
"So, the whole point is to beat it?" the girl felt a wiry smile come to her face.
"Yes, but…" the black-haired boy smirked.
"Then all I have to do is beat it." He walked into the room and the others followed.
"I only wanted to show you what happens when your will is too weak," she said.
"Yuu, I know what you're thinking! Don't!" Shinoa looked to Mika and then to Yuu, who was straight-faced but had a fire burning in his eyes.
"I can handle it," he said as Mika looked to him.
"Are you insane?! That's a demon! It's completely different from any monster or Vampire!" emerald eyes flashed and a wicked smile came to his face.
"Then, I'm insane. But you can lock me up after I make that demon cry for mercy," Yuu stated as he jumped over the banister and nearly flipped over the other one as he ran down the staircase.
"Yoichi! Call the Moon Demon Company! Their barracks are located at the back of this room!" Shinoa said quickly.
"Got it!" he ran, and Mika jumped down after his brother with Shinoa hot on his tail.
The two managed to snag the boy by the back of his uniform as he was knocked back by the blade of the axe that the possessed Yuji was wielding. Taking in a deep breath, Shinoa summoned her weapon and curved it around Yuu's waist to keep him from moving. She sighed as she saw the stern expression he wore. Shinoa had been warned for quite some time that the two boys were known for being headstrong, but she was positive that this took first place in the times that they two of them – or more specifically the youngest – acted out.
"Yuuichiro! Not another move," Shinoa stated.
"Would you just get out of my way?" the girl frowned.
"I know you're a capable fighter, but if you touch that blade, you'll be taken over by the demon as well," she said.
"I can handle it!" Mika frowned at his brother's statement.
"You may think you can, but what happens if you can't? I know you're strong Yuu, but you're putting yourself at risk! You're all the family I have left! Don't do something that can…" Yuu shook his head.
"It's because we're family that I'm doing these things, Mika…so I can be strong in case you need me to back you up when we face those damn fangs," he said softly.
Shinoa barely had time to move as he slid away from her and dove under the possessed student's attack and cut a flip again by gripping the handle of the axe and kicking the other student in the face. Mika heard his nose break, but supposed that was better than possession. He stared at his brother as he realized he'd gotten it loose from the other, who was slung to the wayside. Shinoa tensed before Yuu looked to them and his eyes became void of light and grew dark before his body collapsed.
"Yuu!" Mika managed to get to him just in time before he hit the ground.
"Idiot! He'll be killed!" Shinoa snapped. The two of them heard a set of footsteps rush to them and turned to see Yoichi as he came skidding to a halt and crouched upon the ground to see how his friend was doing.
"Is he okay?" they looked to the boy and then glanced down.
"We'll have to wait and see…."
{…}
"Ha! Take that, you….hmmm?" he looked at his hand, noting that it was smaller again.
"What are you doing, Yuu?" he turned at the voice of Akane.
"Oh, I, um….nothing…" he sat down.
"Isn't it wonderful?! Yuu is with us today, everyone!" her cheerful smile made him feel calm as a small bowl of broth with carrots and potatoes was placed in front of him.
"Um…..how are…." She smiled again.
"Aren't you going to eat? There's plenty, and I know your hungry – you're helping in that revolution against the vampires, right?" she asked.
"I….yea…." he started to eat and then looked to them again.
"Is something wrong, Yuu?" he frowned.
"One question….are all of you….alive, or…" she smiled.
"Silly, we're dead. You and Mika left us after Lord Ferid ripped our bodies' limb from limb," said one of the children.
"That's not true! All of you were dead; we tried to save you, but…." He felt someone place a hand on his shoulder and looked to see Akane.
"But it's okay, you want power? I can give that to you…..Yuu," her voice had a temperament to it that he didn't remember.
"Yea, I want power…" she hummed in his ear before pressing her lips to his throat.
"Then let me give it to you so you can avenge us with Mika," she whispered.
"I do want to make sure you get avenged, Akane; we're trying so hard to do something about it so we have the power to make them pay." He felt a shiver come across him as her arm wrapped around his waist, and she hugged him tighter and pressed surprisingly cold lips to his ear.
"Then let me give you my power….all you have to do is say yes," Akane told him.
"I would like that, but…..why are you lying?" she stilled.
"I'm not….don't you trust me, Yuu?" he stood, and she gripped onto him tighter.
"I trusted Akane, and you are not her!" he pushed her away and the girl stared, hurt.
"You said you loved me, Yuu, so why would you…." he stepped back when the girl reached for him and grabbed her wrist.
"You are not Akane! The Akane I knew would never lie, she wouldn't ask for vengeance! She would be sweet and gentle and kind – so much so that it would make me feel safe and at peace. What the hell do you think you're doing? You're not Akane!" his voice changed, he felt like himself again as the girl stared at him.
"But Yuu….I..." he locked eyes with her.
"HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MY FAMILY? TELL ME NOW, YOU BITCH!"
"Damn…." He was enveloped in shadows.
{….}
"No freaking way!" Yuu looked to Shinoa who stared at him in shock as he started to regain consciousness. Mika came into his line of vision alongside Yoichi who both looked equally flabbergasted.
"Ouch…" he slowly sat himself up as he felt his head begin to pound a bit as he stared dazed at the trio before him.
"You….broke free from the demon's spell with your own will alone….that's practically unheard of," she said in astonishment.
"I'm not sure what you're talking about….but….okay…." Mika smiled.
"I figured you'd be too stubborn to go down like that, just don't scare me like that again," he said as Yuu looked at the axe.
"So, I defeated the demon….does that mean this axe is mine now?" Shinoa shook her head.
"It's not that simple. But because of this, the three of you are cleared to move onto the classes in spell craft and preparation for the Cursed Gear trial in a couple of weeks," she said.
"Alright!" the trio of boys gave her an excited expression at the statement.
"Not that I have that kind of authority to make that choice…Guren's going to be pissed when he hears about this mess…."
{Sanguneim: The Third Vampire Capital: 5:20pm}
The evident taps of boot soles across pristine marble rang out in a large, white chamber room as the person walked with the billowing of fabric behind them. Their pace was steady, poised and unworried as they continued towards a figure in a white cloak while humming a tune with a smile upon their face. Silver hair flowed gently behind the figure of a rather emotionally upsetting, but no less seductive Vampire known as Lord Ferid Bathory, the Seventh Progenitor.
"My sweet little princess! There you are, I figured you'd be here…." Ferid received no reply as he stood there.
"In case you're wondering about why I came to seek you personally: we found your dearest knight and your precious angel. I did tell you that no one can stay in hiding forever, and just as I feared….they're being manipulated by those treacherous humans….especially that sweet angel of yours….what was his name again?" a sword was turned on him as the hood of the cloak flew back. Ferid smirked as the blade was pointed at him and he sighed.
"Ah yes, Yuuichiro…." The sharp point of the sword pressed into his sternum.
"No need to get testy. I wonder though…..how will you weave this sweet little romance of yours into the story now….princess." brown eyes narrowed.
"Hmmm…" Ferid moved a bit, walking around the person.
"You know, I have been wondering about something. Myself and Queen Krul Tepes also caught the scent of that boy on you when she chose you…..it was so adorable, you were clinging to life and refusing to tell us where they had fled to…." The Vampire Noble traipsed his dark, and sharp finger nails across the girl's shoulder as she tensed, irritation apparent in her expression.
"I noticed you were….healing where that boy's scent was the strongest….he has such a sweet scent too; such a shame Mika never let me get a little taste of him. That valiant boy always acted as a shield, you know, for your precious angel." The girl tensed again, a tisk leaving her.
"Hmmm…..I bet he's even sweeter now that he's gotten a little older….like a fine wine. And even better….if he kept his love for you and hasn't found another to occupy him…" the Noble licked his lips and another jab came from the sword.
"Don't touch him!" Ferid smirked.
"You inherited your adoptive mother's attitude….so tell me, little princess….can you not wait to claim a kiss from your angel?" the girl snarled.
"You're disgusting!" he laughed at her statements.
"Oh, so innocent and still excited to see him and your knight…..the angel is the one you want…..and I eagerly await your long-awaited reunion….Akane…."
{…}
Every night from the same darkness….
{…..}
Author's Note: I believe this makes it a bit more clearly about some details but the main one is the entire thing about the Curser. Well, in this world a Curser is a person who wields a Cursed or Blessed Gear. It is the title their known as once they obtain a contract with the Demon or in the case of the remarkably uncommon Blessed Gear: the Angel within. Yuuichiro, Mikaela, Shinoa, Yoichi, Mitsuba, Kimizuki, and anyone whose wields Cursed Gear are known as Cursers. I hope that helps, and if you have any more questions, feel free to PM me.
Chapter 3: The Ones Who Walk Forward