Anime Avenue
Episode 5: Arsene
During their walk to the subway station, Ren started with how he met Ryuji and how things took a MAJOR turn. In the story, Ren explains that he was walking to school, when he and another student (now revealed as "Sakamoto") came across a large castle. And the strangest part...it was where the school was located.
Sakamoto: We didn't...come the wrong way though. Yeah, this should be right.
Both Ren and Sakamoto looked at the sign and it stated that the sign said "Shujin Academy."
Sakamoto: What's going on here? I guess we'll just have to go and ask.
Together, Ren and Sakamoto walked towards the castle. Inside, the scenery was changed. Instead of a school building, there was a huge castle throne room.
Sakamoto: Th-That's weird...Where's the school...?
Ren: Is this our school?
Sakamoto: It should be...It said "Shujin" on the gate...What's going on here?
Sakamoto then pulled out his phone...but he didn't have any bars.
Sakamoto: Out of service? Where'd we end up? The sign was for the school, right?
Ren: What's going on here?
Sakamoto: I-I dunno! I wanna know!
Suddenly, someone came walking into the throne room. His appearance was that of a knight in armor. he carried a large shield and sword.
Sakamoto: Geez, you freaked me out...Who're you? You a student?
The knight said nothing, as he stood there.
Sakamoto: Man, your costume's impressive...Is that armor real?
Once again, the knight remained creepily silent.
Sakamoto: C'mon, don't just stand there. Say somethin'.
Out of nowhere, others in the knight armor came walking in.
Sakamoto: ...H-Hey, what's goin' on?
Ren: This must be a prank.
Sakamoto: You really think so...?
One of the knights in armor stepped up to Sakamoto, almost like he was growing impatient.
Sakamoto: C-Calm down! Time out, man! We gotta run!
Ren: Got it.
Sakamoto: Stop standin' around and run!
But they didn't get far, as more knights appeared, one of them knocking Sakamoto to the ground.
Sakamoto: Gah! Oww...Y-You're gonna break my bones, dammit! The hell you think you're-Aagh!
Take them away!
The knights began to surround Ren and Sakamoto, taking them to another location. Back in the present day, Ren and Kazuki had finally arrived at Leblanc.
Kazuki: Oh boy...you ready?
Ren nodded, as the two brother walked through the cafe door. Sojiro was standing behind the counter and he made a pretty upset look on his face.
Sojiro: Hey, I got an interesting call from your school today. It's only the first day and you're already showing up hours late?
Ren: It was an accident...
Kazuki: yeah, take it easy, old man.
Sojiro: Yeah, that's what everyone says. Look, just behave yourself. Your life's forfeit if anything happens. You understand the meaning of probation, right?
Kazuki: Enough, old man! It was a one-time thing. It won't happen again. So can you do us a favor and just LAY OFF?!
Before Sojiro could argue back, his phone started to ring. He grabbed it out of his pocket and answered it.
Sojiro: Hey, what's up? ...Yeah, I just closed up shop. I'll be there in half an hour.
Kazuki: Pretty funny how his mood changed, when he's on the phone.
Ren nodded. Their whispering was interrupted, when Sojiro glanced back at the Amamiya brothers.
Sojiro: Hey, what're you standing around for? Go hurry on up to bed.
The boys said nothing, as they walked up the stairs to the attic.
Sojiro: ...No, I just hired a part-timer.
Up in the attic, the boys dressed into something they could sleep in and Ren continued on with the story. He explained when he woke up, he found himself and Sakamoto in a dungon cell.
Sakamoto: ...Hey. Hey! Wake up! You all right?
Ren: Yup, you?
Sakamoto: Yeah, more or less.
Sakamoto looked all around the dungon cell and nothing looked faked.
Sakamoto: Looks like this ain't no dream...Ugh, what's goin' on!?
He then ran to the cell door, calling out to someone.
Sakamoto: Hey, let us outta here! I know there's someone out there! Dammit, where are we!? Is this some kind of TV set...?
Suddenly, there was sudden screaming, coming from outside of the cell.
Sakamoto: Th-The hell was that just now...?
The screams happened again...but they sounded more aganizing.
Sakamoto: Whoa...Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa...
The screams stopped, as the knights from before had shown up, walking towards the cell door.
Be glad that your punishment has been decided upon. Your charge is "unlawful entry." Thus, you will be sentenced to death.
Sakamoto: Say what!?
No one's allowed to do as they please in my castle.
Someone from behind the knights began walking towards the dungon cell door. It...appeared to be that older man...Kamoshida. But...something was different about him. He was wearing a gold crown, red heart printed cape and pink underwear, leaving his torso and hairy legs exposed. And his eyes were a yellow color.
Sakamoto: Huh? Wait...Is that you Kamoshia?
Ren: Kamoshida?
Kamoshida(...?): I thought it was some petty thief, but to think it'd be you, Sakamoto...Are you trying to disobey me again? It looks like you haven't learned your lesson at all, huh? And you brought a friend this time...because you can't do anything for yourself.
Sakamoto: This ain't funny, you asshole!
Kamoshia(...?): Is that how you speak to a king? It seems you don't understand the position you're in at all. Not only did you sneak into my castle, you committed the crime of insulting me-the king. The punishment for that is death.
Both Ren and Sakamoto were shocked by what Kamoshida said.
Kamoshida(...?): It's time for an execution! Take him out!
The knights began opening the doors and they all walked inside the cell, even Kamoshida. In front of Ren's eyes, the knights held both of Sakamoto's arms, as Kamoshida started throwing punches on him, seriously injuring him. The vulgar boy was now on the ground...with no strength to get back up.
Kamoshia(...?): ...Hmph. Where'd your energy from earlier go? A peasant like you isn't worth beating. I'll have you killed right now.
Ren: Have you lost your mind!?
Kamoshida(...?): Hm? What...? Don't you dare tell me you don't know who I am.
With a sinister smirk, Kamoshida walked up to Ren, having a look of satisfaction. As for Ren, he glared at Kamoshida, with disgust.
Kamoshida(...?): That look in your eyes irritates me!
With a powerful kick, Kamoshida made Ren fly back, hitting the wall.
Kamoshida(...?): Hold him there...After the peasant, it's his turn to die.
Ren got back on his feet and charged at Kamoshida but two of the knights held the boy back, pinning him against the wall. It seemed like there was nothing Ren could do. He wanted to help Sakamoto...but what could he possibly do? Suddenly, he hears a voice, call out to him, as a mysterious butterfly flitters by him.
This is truly an unjust game...Your chances of winning are almost none. But if my voice is reaching you, there may yet be a possibility open to you...
Ren wasn't sure what to make of it. But then, another voice calls out to him...
What's the matter...? Are you simply going to watch? Are you forsaking him to save yourself? Death awaits him if you do nothing. Was your previous decision a mistake then?
Ren recalled the incident that led to his arrest, coming to the conclusion that he did not make the wrong choice to save the woman.
Ren: It wasn't!
In response to his determination, the voice called out to him again.
Very well...I have heeded your resolve. Vow to me. I am thou, thou art I...Thou who art willing to perform all sacrilegious acts for thine own justice! Call upon my name, and release thy rage! Show the strength of thy will to ascertain all on thine own, though thou be chained to Hell itself!
Kamoshida(...?): Execute him!
Ren: That's enough!
Ren's outburst managed to stop the execution, as both the knight and Kamoshida turned around to Ren.
Kamoshida(...?): What was that...? You desire to be killed that much...? Fine!
With a simple nod, the knight took his shiled and slammed it against Ren's head, causing his glasses to fall off. He was once again pinned against the wall, ready to be cut down. But before the sword could fall, Ren opened his eyes and a burst of air filled the room. Once it stopped, Ren found himself to be wearing something on his face. It was a black and white, birdlike domino mask. It seemed to be attached quite well. Ren grabbed it and struggled to remove the mask. But...by doing so, blood squirted from his face, as he fully removed the mask. Looking up to Kamoshia, Ren's eyes were now a crimson yellow, as his entire body was engulfed in blue flames, with a mysterious laugh, being heard. It was something unlike anyone had ever seen. The flames rose to the sky, revealing that Ren was now wearing something completely different.
He was now wearing a black ankle-length tailcoat, a high-necked waistcoat with gold accents, black pants, brown-black winklepickers and a pair of red gloves. But that wasn't all. Something had formed, from behind Ren. It appeared to be some type of monster. It had a very tall top hat, a long-horned mask for its face, a cropped red eighteenth century-esque suit worn open with the collar popped, stitched heart designs on the shoulders, a white ruffle tie, a black, tailed corset running down its torso; large, black, feathery wings starting at around the small of its back; very long and pointy fingernails; and red coverings on its legs resmbling pants that would go with the cropped coat and heeled shoes with blade-like heels.
With a powerful thrust of its wings, the monster blew everything away, hitting against the wall. It was truly a sight to behold. Whatever happened, Ren gained mysterious powers...and he seemed to like it.
I am the pillager of twilight-"Arsene"!
Sakamoto: What the...?
Arsene: I am the rebel's soul that resides within you. If you so desire, I shall consider granting you the power to break through this crisis.
WIth no hesitation, Ren looked up to his rebellious soul and have a satisfying smirk on his face.
Ren: Give me your power.
Arsene: Hmph, very well...
Kamoshida(...?): Who the hell are you...!? Guards! Start by killing that one! You'll learn the true strength of my men!
TO BE CONTINUED...