(SHIRO'S POV)
After the stupidly long and boring meeting, the Aesma-Daeva branch was sitting in the huge living room talking about stuff. Asking me questions or just joking around. That part was mostly due to Gracia.
"What exactly is my job again? I asked the black haired girl in front of me.
"Your job as my personal bodyguard is to stay by my side at all times and watch over me. I, as the next in line to become Lucifer have a pretty large set of enemies that would revel in the fact that I was dead." She said.
"Oh, yeah…" I muttered. "I'm still kinda confused with why you picked me though."
"I do believe that you're one of the few people that can fix this imbalance between the Aether and the Nether Realms. I knew the moment I saw you in your dream that we'd meet." She said. So she pretty much knew that I was gonna die…
"Wow...That's pretty fucked up. Still though. Why aren't any of them your bodyguards?" I asked while pointing to the group behind me.
"Hmm...I suppose now is as good a time as any to introduce you to my branch. As you know I am Kyra Aesma-Daeva. The next full blooded demon to be Lucifer." She said.
The orange haired guy stepped up and glared at me. "Vauz Clemont. I'm Lady Kyra's personal chef."
"You're swole ass is a cook?!"
"Damn right! You got a problem with a tough guy like me cooking some good ass food?!" He yelled in my face.
"N...no! Do you man…" I said defensively.
"Tch...Little bitch." He grumbled.
"I...I'm Olivia Frazier…" The smaller, brown haired girl said shyly. "I'm Lady K...Kyra's personal...assassin." That took me by surprise. She looked so sweet and innocent.
"My turn!" Yelled the curvy white haired, brown skinned woman. "My names Gracia Kingsley. It's so nice to meet you!" She said happily.
"Heheh...It's nice to meet you too." It was REAL nice.
"I'm Lady Kyra's personal tinkerer. I can make and break a ton of stuff! It's kinda like my specialty!" She said with a wide, bubbly smile.
"Gracia is extremely talented when it comes to crafting just about anything in the underworld. I trust her to make all of my needed equipment." Kyra said.
"I suppose that I am next." Said the blue haired girl with a serious expression. "Nyne Keirie. Lady Kyra's personal researcher."
"Nyne is like, SUPER smart. She knows just about anything." Gracia praised.
"Neat." I spoke with a grin.
Kyra pointed to the red haired guy and smiled. "Jyro Cesura is his name. He's my very special blacksmith."
"Me and Jyro can make some of the coolest gear EVER!" Gracia shouted.
The short, dark blonde girl walked over to me and stared with her indifferent expression. "...Uh...Hi…" I muttered.
"I can tell that you're a pervert." She said bluntly.
"W...what?!"
"Your eyes are more fixated on the breasts of Lady Kyra, Gracia, Naomi, and Nyne. You've also snuck a couple glances at their rear ends as well." The short blonde said.
"I am highly offended that you'd accuse me of such unspeakable acts!" I said knowing damn well that she wasn't wrong.
"You're pathetic." She spat at me.
I hung my head in shame. "Women are my ultimate weakness…" I then felt something super soft on my back as two arms wrapped around my neck.
"Aww, don't worry about Helena. I don't mind if you look at me~" Said the girl with platinum blonde hair and the amazing chest. I almost fainted.
"Honestly Naomi! Please control yourself!" Kyra said as she facepalmed.
Naomi let out a small giggle before letting me go. "Anyway, my name is Naomi Tsujihara. I'm Kyra's lovely advisor. The small one is Helena Katharina. She's the messenger." Naomi said with a wink.
That's when the last one of the group walked up to me. "That sword on your back is so cool!"
I lifted up the sword and grinned. "Sure is! This baby saved all of Wudai!"
Naomi's eyes perked up. "That's the Hanzuname Dragon Blade! How did you get that?!"
"Oh this? Haruka just gave it to me. A few hours ago." I said. Everyone stared at me like I was insane. "...What?"
"Haruka Blade?! You know THE Haruka Blade?! How the hell does some shitbird like you know the all time greatest ninja?!" Vauz yelled at me.
"Me and my old crew helped him save Wudai. He didn't really need all that much help. He kinda kidnapped our healer though so I thought he was a bit of a dick." I said with a shrug.
"Shiro, Haruka is the man that was practically worshipped for his role in protecting Wudai and defending it himself. That sword on your back has saved my home multiple times." Naomi said.
"Wait, you're from Wudai? I thought you were a demon."
"I used to be alive. I wasn't born a demon like Kyra. I used to be the daughter of Wudai's general Xiang Tsujihara. He and my mother raised me to respect and worship our savior Haruka. To meet someone that actual knows him is just so...so amazing!" Naomi smiled.
I tried not to let the praise go to my head but that was becoming a very difficult task. "Heh, me and Haruka were pretty cool. Hell, him and my mentor Eliza were drinking buddies."
"Whoa! You gotta tell us more about your old life!" The little boy said happily. I really need to figure out his name.
"Well, not to brag or anything, but I was the strongest in my group. There was this guy named Clyde, right. He used to look up to me and everything. He wanted to be me so badly. Guy was pretty lame. Hmm...Oh and then there's my future self, Tatsu. He's cool as hell!"
"Is he strong?" Jyro asked with a deep, serious voice.
"Hmm? Oh yeah. Dude is the strongest guy in the universe. Then again, he is me. Guy can control time, lift like a million pounds, teleport and clone himself. Best of all, is his dope ass weapons. He gave me two of them to start out with."
"Show us!" Gracia yelled with excitement in her green eyes.
"Feast your eyes on Fanny Pack style!" I reached my hand through the portal and yanked out my Gilgamesh Grips. I put the gauntlets and the boots on and grinned. "These babies give me the right to tell physics to kiss my ass! Couple these with my other badass sword, Black Inertia, and I'm practically unstoppable!" I said as I pulled out the huge, black, greatsword.
"Holy shit!" Vauz yelled as I effortlessly swung it around.
"I guess I made the right choice, picking you for the role of my bodyguard then." Kyra said with a smile.
"You bet your sweet ass you did! I can kick hella ass now!" I said.
"Well good. I think that I wanna see your potential on display. We'll all go to the field out back of the castle and see what you can do." Kyra said.
"Alright! Let's do it!"
We all walked towards the back end of the castle and towards the large field. Kyra and I walked over to the middle as everyone else sat at the patio tables and watched.
"Ok Shiro...You are familiar with the term 'sparring' right?" She asked with a light smirk as she slowly unbuttoned her white shirt.
"Uh, yeah...why?" I asked.
"Good. I want you to do a very small amount of sparring against me." She said.
"What?! I can't spar you! What if I hit a titty or something? I can't ruin something so beautiful like that!" I yelled.
She blushed for a moment before shaking it off. "D...don't worry about that. I'm just gonna see what you can really do. Now, even though you're my bodyguard, don't take me lightly. I'm still a very powerful devil."
"Right. I gotcha." I said before getting into a stance.
She dropped her white button up shirt to the ground and faced me with just her black bra on. I could feel my face heating up and I tried not to look.
She smiled at me and lifted a hand up. "Come on Shiro! Don't just stand there. This is your chance to actually get a feel...if you can."
She was just gonna tempt me like that?! I had to grab at least one dammit! I just had to! "Fine! You asked for all of this!" I channeled my soul energy into my legs, and jumped at her with intense ferocity. I outstretched my arms as I got in close. "Finally! Some grope action!" I yelled with drool coming down my mouth.
"That's the spirit."
-Back on Earth Realm-
(CLYDE'S POV)
"Enough!" Said a figure in the distance.
Zero and I looked back and stared at a man dressed in a blood red, hooded ninja gi as he approached us.
"Who the hell is that?" Zero asked out loud.
"Is that Haruka Blade?" I asked.
"Who?"
"He's one of the strongest men on the planet. He's a legend." I said.
"What's he doing here then?" Zero asked.
Haruka stopped in front of us with a cold look. "It's time for this to end. You BOTH need to ready yourselves." He grabbed both of us and moved us over to the bleachers with everyone else.
"What the hell?! What are you doing here Haruka?!" Eliza asked.
"Two years…" He said.
"What?" Gabby asked with confusion.
"You have two years to prepare yourselves for the war on both the Aether and Nether Realms." He said.
"But this is Earth Realm. That has nothing to do with us." Xena said.
"Wrong! Earth Realm is where the battle will take place. You're going to have to get ready for a fight, regardless."
"What?! Why?" Isabel asked.
"Simple. This is neutral ground. Neither would dare to invade the other's land. That'd be suicide. They are going to fight here and you're going to be caught in the crossfire."
"Wait, Haruka." Tatsu spoke.
"Yes...Person who I've never seen before."
"Have you seen Shiro is Hell yet?" He asked. This made everyone go silent.
"H...He's in Hell?!" Isabel said with a sad tone.
"Yes and he's fine. He with Lady Kyra now. He'll be able to hone his skills with her help." He said.
"So he's still gonna be getting stronger…" I muttered. That means that I couldn't slack off either. He did more damage to Zero than I did. I need to improve!
"Wait! Who the hell is Kyra?" Gabby asked with an annoyed grunt.
"She's the girl that's next in line to be Lucifer. She's very powerful and requested that Shiro be her bodyguard."
"Tch...Yep. Makes sense." Gabby grumbled. I wasn't sure why she was upset given what happened between the two but I decided that it wasn't important.
"Listen to me when I tell you all that there's not much time left for you all to be slacking off. Shiro will be fighting for the devils while also fighting for the angels. He's got a special part to play in this war. If he succeeds, then he'll have both sides as allies."
"...And if he fails?" Eliza asked.
"Then the devils, angels or both will be destroyed along with Earth Realm." Haruka said.
"Oh shit…" Gabby muttered.
"Yeah...It sucks doesn't it?" Haruka said back.
"Well...You heard the man." Eliza yelled. "We got two years to prepare for that day! Since my apprentice kind of died…" She glared at Zero. "...I'll be training you instead, Gabby."
"That's fine by me."
"Clyde, you'll be resuming your cryomancy training. Your fight showed me some of your flaws first hand. It's time to shift your mindset and build up your ice." Xeto said.
I bowed to him. "Yes master Xeto."
"Isabel. I have a new form of training for you. Your healing capabilities are most admirable and your hand to hand combat is flawless. However, it's your judgment that must be improved." Amora said to her.
"Y...yes ma'am!"
"Well, with that being said, I think that I'm gonna take off for a bit." Tatsu said.
"Where you headed to?" Eliza asked.
"I gotta go talk to someone very important. God level, importance. Don't worry. I'll be back in a few hours." He said before teleporting away.
"...Ok, who is that guy?" Haruka asked.
"That's Shiro from the future." I said.
"Seriously?! That's what he grows up to look like?! How'd he learn Hex's Trickster Technique? Hex died before Shiro was even born." He asked.
"He can travel through time with chronomancy. I can only assume that he met this Hex person that way." I said.
"Wow...Older Shiro isn't messing around. What's he doing in this timeline?"
"His timeline was destroyed by his other, more evil self." Eliza said.
"Damn...That's nuts…" Haruka muttered. He sighed. "Must've been strong if I didn't stop him."
"Tch...This is a waste of time." Zero said before stepping over to the regenerating Koriju. He turned around and waved to Gabby. "I'll see you around."
"Yeah...Take it easy ok." She said with a small smile.
He nodded before his frost hydra flew off into the sky. Gabby stared up at his leaving form. I looked back with narrowed eyes. I guess I was the only one that still felt bad that Shiro just died.
"Well...I'm off. Remember to get stronger. All of you. I'll see you all again in two years. Be safe." He said before poofing away, leaving only a small log with a middle finger carved into it.
It wouldn't be long now. War was actually coming and our little group was getting more and more separated by the day.
-Back in Hell-
(SHIRO'S POV)
I laid face down in the grass with a bruised body. I struggled back up to my feet and looked at Kyra with an exasperated stare while she put her shirt back on.
"What the hell do you need a bodyguard for?! You just whooped my ass! Worst of all, I didn't even get one singular squeeze in!" I yelled at her.
"Oh relax you big baby. I didn't mean to hurt you that bad. You were so focused on my breasts that I couldn't help but make you pay for it."
"That's pretty freaking cruel if you ask me…" I mumbled with annoyance.
"Are you really that upset that you couldn't get one singular touch." She asked.
"...Yes." I said shamelessly.
"Fine." She simply said before she hugging me tightly. My eyes snapped open as I felt her chest up against mine. This was just out right insane. I almost had a heart attack. "Please don't let simple distractions get you hurt in a real battle. You're apart of MY branch now. That means that your precious to me. You may be my bodyguard, but I still don't want to see you hurt." She said softly as she eased herself off of me. "Got it?"
"Y...yeah…" I said, still in absolute shock. Even though we just met, I never knew how much a girl could mess with my head. Gabby was one thing and while I can say I liked her a lot, Kyra was just unexplainable. A simple hug plus her sweet words made me feeling something that I rarely ever felt in my life. Needed. To be reliable to someone. I failed a lot, but now, I was being told that I was precious to someone that I just met. Such simplicity made my heart race. The hug wasn't JUST a hug. It was a warm welcome to a new family. A place that I could feel relevant.
"Good. Now come with me. I've gotta show you your living arrangements here." She said.
"I'm actually staying here?!" I asked.
"Well of course you are. Everyone in my branch lives with me. You are no exception. You're the one that needs to protect me when the situation calls for it." She said. I couldn't take it anymore. I brought my arm to my eyes and tried to wipe away the wetness. "Oh no. Did I say something wrong?"
"...N...no! It's just...thank you Kyra…"
"For what?" She asked me.
I sniffled and looked at her with a determined look. "For putting your faith in me. I swear, I won't let anything happen to you!"
They all die...
"S...Shiro." She muttered.
They're all executed...
I could feel my eyes flash purple as I remembered Tatsu's words when he told me about them. This was it. These were the people I had to protect. Kyra...All of them...They needed to be safe. I couldn't lose them all. I want them to be alive! They won't die! I swear, I won't let that happen.
"Don't worry Kyra. I'm fine. I'll take care of you. I'll take care of you all. I promise." I said.
"I'm glad to hear it. Now let's go already!" She said as she tugged me back over to the rest of the group. "I'm going to go show Shiro to his room. You all may do as you please for the rest of the day. Enjoy it. Tomorrow, we have to go back to school."
"W...wait. School?! Demons have to go to school?! For what?" I asked.
"It's important for the higher class demons to stay educated. It's what separates us from the slave demons. The upper level demons are the ones that handle diplomatic, political and economical issues. As the next in line to be Lucifer, I need to learn the most about my future job. Those in my branch are expected to comply with similar standards in terms of education." She said.
"Damn…" I haven't ever been to an actual school. In all of my years of learning, it took place within the palace. I never went to a public or even a private school. Back when I was little, I only ever had a personal teacher. I don't know how the fuck school works! God this sucked!
"It'll be fine! It's not much different from a high school in Earth Realm." She said.
"...Yay me…" I grumbled.
She walked me all over the castle and showed me around. It had been so long since I had lived in such a large place. It was a little overwhelming.
Once we got to my room, I stared at it with my jaw hung open. A king sized red and black bed, a soft looking red couch that sat by a fireplace, a large desk, a black chandelier hanging from the ceiling in the center of the room, a black bookshelf that I'm never gonna use, a walk in closet stocked with clothes, a personal bathroom and a large painting of my face that was apparently done thirty minutes ago.
"So what do you think?" She asked me with a smile.
"This place is awesome!" I shouted happily.
"I'm glad it's to your liking. I know that you used to be a prince so I tried to make it feel a little bit close to your standards." Little did she know that my standards were pretty low after breaking my back from sleeping on multiple different floors for damn near two years.
"Seriously Kyra. This is great. Thank you." I said with a grin.
Her face reddened and she nodded. "I'll let you make yourself at home then." She walked out and shut the door behind herself.
The first thing I did was take off my new sword along with most of my clothes leaving me in just my pants. The second thing I did was flopped down on my fresh ass bed. I pulled Vizeron's contract out of my pocket and laid it down softly on a pillow.
I stared up at the ceiling, still in thought. Kyra was so cool. She's strong both physically and mentally. Then there's her obvious beauty. She looks amazing. She wasn't the only one though. Gracia...goddamn did she look good. Plus she seemed fun as hell! Then there was Naomi...Man she seems willing to get down. That's that good shit!
"We made it Viz. Let's do our best, okay?" I said before passing out.
-In the Future-
(NO POV)
"...You got some fucking bullshit nerve, showing your coward ass face to me. To much of a bitch to send the real one back where he belongs?" Said a white haired man with glowing purple tattoos on his upper body. He sat atop a throne that was located in what used to be Asgard. Twenty bare women locked up in chains and shackles resting at his feet.
"Look at you...You're still as cocky as ever. How you been Shiro?" Asked the brown haired man in the black and green reaper like outfit.
"Tch...Don't call me that ever again!" The white haired man growled.
"Relax. I'm here to talk to you. Shiro to Shiro. That good with you?" The man in green said.
"Don't test me Tatsugami! I will kill you one way or another and take back all of my powers. Including chronomancy!"
"Right...anyway, I just wanted to let you know that your gonna be the only Metagenesis in existence. Congratulations buddy." Tatsu said.
"What are you talking about?" Metagenesis asked.
"I can already assure that this one will not be forming an evil bastard like yourself. Therefore, I'm just about ready to erase your ass."
"You bitch...Don't think that this is over! I'll find you. Either you'll come back, or I'LL find you myself." Metagenesis said maliciously.
"Whatever you say Shiro…"
That's when Metagenesis shot a blast of destruction at Tatsu's clone, causing him to fade away.
"One fucking day…" He hissed.
(TATSU'S POV)
"Thanks Rolix. I owe you one." I said to him.
"You need not thank me Shiro. I dread the day of my death and I'm willing to aid you in any way I can prior to that."
"So how much longer do you have left?"
"I fear that my final days will in fact be quite soon. The sands of time are slowing down." He said.
"Let me help you! I'm here now! I can fix your condition!" I said to him.
"No my friend. I've been put on this world by God to watch over time. I can no longer fulfill my duties as the chronomancer. In your timeline, you took over for me. Your younger self may have to do so in this one as well."
"Yeah, I know. This timeline doesn't seem all that different from mine, minus a few tweaks here and there." I said.
"Make sure that young Shiro gets my abilities if he's too late to find me Tatsu. The cycle must continue." Rolix sighed. "I fear for the near future."
"He'll be ready. I know he will."
(SHIRO'S POV)
After about a good hour long nap, I decided to wake myself up and go greet the others. If this was gonna be my new life then I'd have to make the best of it. They all seemed pretty okay at first glance. Especially the ladies. I just had to play it cool. Hell, I might even be able to get some after all of this!
I glanced at Viz's contract and sighed. I left it on the pillow and grabbed my previously discarded clothes. I threw them on and headed outside. Apparently it was still, 'daytime' in Hell so dinner wasn't exactly ready yet. I walked around the large castle with a confused expression on my face. Needless to say I was lost. I kept walking until I bumped into someone.
WHAT THE HELL?!" Yelled an angry Vauz. He was pissed.
"My bad dude. I'm just looking for everyone."
"Well Kyra is in her room, some of the others are in the living room and I think Nyne is in the study." He huffed.
"Where are you about to go?" I asked.
"WHERE THE HELL DO YOU THINK?! I'M A GODDAMN COOK!" He snapped.
"So...the kitchen…"
"No shit, smartass! Dinner ain't gonna cook itself." He said with a glare.
He stomped of with his hands in his pocket and I decided to go to the living room where I found Naomi, Gracia, Jyro, Olivia and Helena. All were sitting amongst themselves chatting away about something. I heard my name come up so I decided to hide on the side and eavesdrop.
"I...guess S...Shiro's okay. He seems...pretty nice." Olivia stuttered. I grinned at that.
"Seriously? The guy's just some sick pervert with nothing better to do with his time but stalk girls." Helena said coldly. I lost my grin instantly.
"Aw c'mon Helena. Lighten up! I bet he's super fun!" Gracia said with her usual happy smile.
"Yeah. It's only natural that he'd be attracted to such beautiful woman such as ourselves. I honestly don't blame him." Naomi said. It was true...
"No way! I can't stand guys like him! He's only thinking with his freaking dick! Guys like that are absolutely revolting!" Helena hissed.
"But you gotta admit, he's really good looking. I mean, I bet he's all chiseled and shit." Naomi said with a small laugh. I couldn't fight off stupidly wide grin on my face. "You think he has a six or an eight pack?" She asked Gracia.
The white haired girl put a hand to her chin and looked up in thought. "Hmm, I dunno. It could be an eight but I can't tell."
"What do you think Olivia?" Naomi asked the shorter brown haired girl.
"I...I DON'T KNOW?!" She said with a super red face. She reminded me a lot of Izzy when we first met. She was so shy.
"I'll just have to see for myself then…" Naomi muttered.
"...I wish to see if he's as strong as he says he is…" Jyro grunted.
"Yeah, good point. I bet he's real strong if Kyra chose him specifically." Gracia said to him.
"Yeah, he's gotta be. I mean, Kyra rarely trusts anyone to guard her. Why she felt the need for one now, let alone a perverted mormon like him, kinda baffles me." Helena said. She wasn't pulling any punches.
"It might have something to do with Terrance Espada…" Naomi said. I wish I knew who the hell that was.
"You don't think that she wants Shiro to-" Gracia started.
"No." Naomi stopped her. "It might not be that drastic...At least I hope not."
Deciding that I had heard enough, I walked back upstairs and towards my room that so happened to be conveniently next to Kyra's. I stepped inside and my room and sat on my couch. I had to think about a few things. Right now, my mind kept drifting towards the Terrance guy. I already felt like he was going to be a problem and I didn't even know what he looked like.
"Damn it Viz. I need someone to talk to right about now…"