Kuroi no Mahou

Tiger Triumph

Briskly walking down the freezing street, Kojiro Hyuga grumbles under his breath. Barely audible words came tumbling down such as ' Late', 'Coach Kitazume', and 'bastard'. And behind him was a rather familiar person. With long black mane gleaming against the moon and a stance of self-control, he was a very well known figure and excellent individual in Japan.

" Captain—err, Hyuga. Do you think we're going the right detour?" asks Wakashimazu Ken in a deadpanned manner while struggling to keep up with Hyuga.

Hyuga walked briskly still and replied " There's no way I'd be going the wrong way, Ken. I mean, I know this is the right block to the hospital."

Ken appears baffled but it disappeared as he replied in a smooth yet obvious way " Then where's the hospital, Hyuga?"

Hyuga blinks in surprise as he turns his head from both ways. He has actually forgot where they were since Hyuga was indistinctly complaining about their coach. An awkward feeling started to reel in the Tohou Captain to what he was going to reply to Ken.

" Sorry—I was dazing off a bit." Murmurs Hyuga without thinking. Ken makes a tacit expression of ambiguity as he steps ahead of his captain, perceptibly trying to think of a way. Then, while he all the more steps ahead—the street lamps started flashing…on and off

Hyuga peers a demoralized look and quickly grabs Ken's arm and pulls him near. " Wait. Something's wrong…"

Ken looks back at Hyuga in a rather puzzled face. " What do you mean, Hyuga?"

" I know I'm at the right way… Look." spoke Hyuga as he points to a sign that Ken apparently ignored a while ago.

Ken's eyes widened with alarm at the sign…

NANKATSU HOSPITAL, LEFT

But as he moved his eyes to where it was pointing—there was no hospital at plain sight... there were just waning buildings that seemed to look desolate and transverse against the nocturnal darkness. He knew very well Hyuga was on to something bizarre…

Their feet were unable to move due to their astonishment. But, as the seconds passed, the pavement around them grew darker and darker. Soon, the only light that was seen was behind them. They both looked back and was shocked to find a run down pawn shop—and within the thick glass they were both staring at, was a statue of Jesus… Blinking on…and off…

Then, Ken realized all the emotions reverberating inside him. Shock and fear… Hyuga too was intimidated by this—supernatural occurrence. Soon, the light dimmed…

And it was gone.

A growling noise echoed the desolate streets and above them was a loud thunderclap of dozens—no—hundreds of wings around them.

Ken was trying to keep himself calm but was completely unable as he found himself nearly cringing behind Hyuga like a cat. Hyuga was slowly backing against the glass while staring at the blackness before him. Blackness—like hell…

Before they knew it, they were being swallowed by the darkness… And before them, was a mysterious blue haired fellow… With pale skin and a wave of bangs covering his right eye. He smirks evilly as he watches the two being wallowed.

" It seems you two aren't shouting enough."

Hyuga struggles violently with the goo-like blackness as he yells " Who ARE you? Let Ken go!"

The figure slowly descends in a wave of navy blue aura and he replies in a gentle manner " Well, if I tell you my identity, you would never believe me. And if I let your friend go, it would be like betraying my master, Lord Lucifer."

Ken gasps " L-Lucifer? You're his servant! How could you sell your soul to him!"

The blue haired figure laughs at him " I didn't sell my soul. You see—my soul belongs to him."

As Hyuga roars with anger, Ken scowls rebelliously " You—you must be a— Black Magic user…"

" My, my. It seems you do have certain knowledge, err, Wakashimazu."

Hyuga gives a bewildered look at his determined friend, who is evidently scavenging his mind for information. He shortly replies angrily " I study it ever since I knew what I was… You must be one of them… You are one of Hell's Fujutsu Holders—Baphomet…"

" Tsk—I guess you know what I'm trying to do now, Wakashimazu" sneers Baphomet as he approaches Ken menacingly.

Hyuga became more baffled by the minute—but he was wise enough to remain silent as Ken was hurriedly trying to concoct a satisfactory idea to get Hyuga and him out of this mess. Closing his eyes—he murmurs an inaudible chant…

White vessel of God, bless thy enemies. Clear them from thee sins bathed in blood of others! Lend thyself of sins and purge thou unto them!

A white incandescent light radiates behind Ken as the Jesus statue from the pawnshop illuminates in a large cross symbol. Baphomet growls as he hotly tried to shield himself from the protruding light. A hissing sound gurgled against Baphomet's arm; it somehow warns him that he was burning.

While Baphomet was fighting the light, Ken takes his time to gaze avidly at Hyuga, who was gaping exaggeratingly at him. He shouts with alertness " Hyuga—go… NOW! Find Tsubasa!"

When the captain was about to reply with protest, Ken backfires a firm hand symbol to release Hyuga from the dark binds and leaving Ken back with Baphomet.

" NO, KEN!"

In a turbulent swing of wind and a big flash of light, Hyuga reluctantly fell on the cement ground. He can barely see for his ebony eyes still throb because of the light. He slowly stands up and turns around—trying to find where Ken was. But there was no sign of him or the bastard who captured him.

But, as he turned around once more, he now visibly saw the hospital… " Tsubasa—knows…" he murmurs in an explicably perceptive tone.

A blazing urge within him forced him to believe the unbelievable and survive the endurance of death… And with a quick dash—he went for the hospital…

While running down the street, his mind purposely raced across memories of the past. He remembered Ken once telling him long ago about this… All this Magic. And it had already been three years when Ken last spoke to him about it.

" Captain, I can't help but feel so distracted from the training…" groans a twelve year-old Ken while wiping the dripping sweat on his forehead. His locks of hair were in a messy bundle in his cap and his yellow jersey wet from the mineral bottled water he poured over him.

Hyuga looks mildly appalled at Ken and replies " Sorry—but I didn't get what you're saying."

Ken glances seriously at Hyuga and speaks " I see—err—I feel like I'm having a vision…umm, Captain." Ken's tone of voice was shaking and most likely petrified. " It's about us—and Tsubasa. And Misaki Taro and Wakabayashi Genzo… It's very terrible, Captain…"

" Vision? You believe those kinds of uncanny things, Ken?"

" Err, I guess I do. But it's very serious, Captain. I kind of sense a disaster, up and about…" Ken murmurs loud enough for only Hyuga to hear. " The devil will come back and haunt this earth—and we're going to be captured…"

But the Meiwa Captain rolls his eyes and gives a hardened glance at Ken " You'd better leave that namby-pamby out of training, because I don't want your head over the clouds when we're against Nankatsu, understood, Ken?"

Ken wasn't satisfied with Hyuga's reply—but he knew that Hyuga would tell him that from the start… He simply just had to justify what his inner mind was saying…

" Very well, Captain." Ken replied in an extremely stoned voice. Once Hyuga left for the field, Ken disappointedly sits on the bench. His mind apparently sickened from the visions. He didn't want this gift because he knew it'd just terrify him. But, of all the persons God would give someone a third eye it had to be him. He didn't know. He didn't want it to intensify. He regretted it.

And Hyuga never understood that from Ken for three whole years of being together and playing in the same team and studying under the same school. And now it was all too late. Hyuga was late in understanding what Ken was telling him. And it may have cost Ken his life…

Hyuga now wanted to rescue Ken for his own misunderstanding. If he only knew three years earlier, the outcome wouldn't have been the same. Ken would be safe. But he would be carrying a different attitude.

Before him now was the hospital doors. He bursts in shocking patients and nurses alike. Dashing for the nearest counter, he hastily asks the nurse who in return was completely shocked of Hyuga.

" Tell me where Tsubasa's room is—right now!" his voice was laced with terror and nagging annoyance.

The nurse gasps at Hyuga and flips across a big slab of record book which holds all the patient's names confined in the hospital… And there was no Tsubasa. Actually, it only read that he checked out days before.

Hyuga's blood was boiling… He clutches the nurse over the shoulders and asks her in a very dangerous voice " Well—then… You'd probably know why the hell I am here! Are there any guests holding the name Oozora Tsubasa then?"

The nurse shudders under Hyuga's brawny hands and replies ineptly " R-room o-one—f-four-th-three! In Mr. Wakabayashi's room!"

Hyuga grimaces inwardly at the sound of Genzo's name, and rushes to the nearest elevator… That Wakabayashi must be in deep shit if Tsubasa's with him. Then, he paused that next second—Wait. Why is Wakabayashi in Japan!


After a few minutes of finding the room, Hyuga's ends up on the fourth and second to the last floor. These two floors hold the most expensive and probably rich confined people who can afford very classy service from beautiful nurses. Hyuga should've known that Genzo was in one of these very rooms judging by how he even acts.

Before he knew it, he was racing against the continuous doors, apparently following the numbers.

137…138…139…140…141…142…

Then, he shrewdly halts at the next door. His eyes peered at the gold numbers 143 inscribed on the head of the mahogany door. He was about to clutch it when voices were heard inside… All four voices were very familiar…

He pressed his ear against the door, and began to listen. He can vaguely hear some words like " Yielding" and "timid" from an arrogant voice—he then knew it was Genzo speaking.

Then, he had to strain himself to follow the discussion… but beneath the door, he notices a big flash of light… Hyuga gasps as he recognizes it from what Ken's light was… It only dimmed after a few seconds then he listens impatiently.

"Thanks a lot for saving me, Tsubasa."

" I recall fragments from my dream. It was—near… The powerful feeling was so near…"

" Then, the next one must be within Japan. But to be honest, it must be within the city."

Hyuga's feeling twitched. He can hear them, but he didn't understand what they were talking about… Next one? Weird feeling? And why the hell is Genzo in Japan when he's officially located in Germany?

"…Then… I remember one sort of thing…"

Hyuga oddly saw that coming. He had to strain himself to clearly hear Tsubasa's next words…

" A tiger prowls beneath the battlefield with its fellow acquaintance…"

Hyuga's breath was caught immediately. He knew Tsubasa was associating the tiger to him… In a dream? Tsubasa saw a tiger in his dream… And Tsubasa never saw it coming. Now, Hyuga was utterly confused. How did Ken know Tsubasa is also seeing things? How is all this linked to him? And why were they against God's adversary when it should be God battling him, not his—servants. Hyuga knew he was talking blasphemy at the last one so he left that out.

Slowly, ever so slowly, Hyuga didn't hesitate to stand up and knock… Because he was just a door away to the secrets that will lie ahead…


Ken doesn't struggle under the darkness' grip. It was very strong—but he never shown a frail feeling of insecurity or fear… It'll only just increase Baphomet's arousal for flesh. Moreover, a blood of one of the chosen ones…

Baphomet's peeved expression worsened. Ken wasn't showing him enough fear unlike a while ago. If it weren't for the certain discovery of who he is—Ken would still be cowering under him. Now, he was brave just like the martyrs before him.

Wait. So he'll just kill Ken like that? He knew the Dark Lord wouldn't be pleased if he killed the pretty boy solely out of annoyance and unfathomable lust. But—he nearly lost his patience just seeing the pressured look. Torturing was out of his mind. The darkness will only absorb his blood without him knowing… It'll be a risk he wasn't willing to take.

So what shall he do to the teen? Immerse him in a trance? Why not!

All of a sudden, Baphomet cups Ken's chin and tilts it until they were both locked in a deep and decadent glare. On Baphomet's free hand, was a large black leather bound book… Opening it, a flow of blood dripped intentionally on the black ground. And that certain pool of blood slowly formed a blood red sphere. Drawing the sphere nearer at the wave of Baphomet's hand, he edges it nearer Ken's face.

Out of shock, Ken turns his face away and closes his eyes. Baphomet purrs wittily near Ken's ear " Listen to my voice… Turn your face to me…"

In a flash of his eyes, it turned enigmatically violet and hazy. He slowly turns his head towards Baphomet. It was Baphomet's Fujutsu Object—Shattered Necromancy… In a form of a big book he holds on his left hand, it contained everything about Black Magic… The knowledge of the book exceeds all that was known and it was one of the most powerful. And Baphomet being a Necromancer himself can conjure spirits of the dead and take control of people's will. A single sound of his voice strangles the stimulus of the person and engulfs him in a trance where evil spirits take over and obey. Simply saying, his Fujutsu Object merely doubled his power and knowledge until it knew no bounds… Baphomet knew his limits though.

Once Ken came face to face with the blood sphere, it popped. And the specks of blood were spilled all over Ken's face and it dripped before him. Soon, the blood was being absorbed by Ken's skin.

And then, the trance purposely wore off and gave Ken back his will. Seeing the expression laced on Baphomet, the goalie knew he did something…

" You… What did you do?" Ken growled irately as his eyes were suddenly filled with rage. " You soiled me, didn't you…?"

Baphomet's grin was spread broadly on his pale face " Bingo."

And then—Ken wanted to ever so kill him… He was horribly tempted… He wanted to slaughter everyone… And the terrible wrath engulfed him in a burning heat… He wanted to kill Baphomet for dirtying him with the blood of those he killed before… He wanted to kill Hyuga for leaving him there with this monster… He wanted to kill himself for being born on this incomprehensibly atrocious world… He wanted to let go… His eyes were now burning with pure hatred and loathing for everyone he knew… All his hard work was a complete waste… All of the people he trusted turned him down… He didn't want to trust anyone anymore… He knew he was alone… And he knew he would be for the rest of his life…

Baphomet only smirked seeing the hatred now laced on Ken's face… Because it always worked every time he used it…

Suddenly, Ken's light dimmed… A black aura spurned all around him. And now, Baphomet knew Lucifer would be very proud of what he did.

He ruined the last of the Fujutsu holders…
The sound of the door broke the silence surrounding the room. All of the four's heads were turned on their next guest…

" Hyuga!" yelped Genzo while startling back on his pillow. " What the hell are you doing here!"

The Tohou Captain only threw disturbed glances to the others and focused on Tsubasa. " I over heard your discussion."

Tsubasa glanced painfully at Hyuga and his voice was rasped " I—err—want to hear the whole story?"

Hyuga grimaced at Tsubasa and only responds " Rescue Ken first, Tsubasa!"

" Wh-What? What happened to Ken!" gasps Taro, his knees were suddenly crawling with numbness.

" He was KIDNAPPED! And by LUCIFER'S GOON too!" screams Hyuga in immense twinge that sent the others aback.

Matsuyama's eyes sharpened two folds as he stands up against Hyuga, hastily speaking back " You got to do this first…"

Then, with one surprise push, he jabs Hyuga with his shoulder that sends him colliding with Tsubasa. That mere instant where their skins were met, a blast of light set the impact nearly radiant and dazzling as the sun.

And in a rearward bloom of light—it sucked back on Tsubasa and Hyuga. Hyuga didn't want to point out that he was lying on top of Tsubasa. And as soon as he was fairly unconscious, he immediately removed his body over the crushed Tsubasa. Tsubasa was too fazed to know that Hyuga was already off him.

" Ugh… I should get used to the blinding light now." Mumbles Tsubasa while rubbing his eyes poignantly.

Hyuga bites his lip and said " Let's go find Ken."

But—Taro suddenly gasps… His finger, pointed past Genzo. Matsuyama instantly glances but a stunned look overcame his stark expression. Genzo knowingly startles back on the foot of his bed as his unpleasant condition numbs with pain.

Hyuga and Tsubasa's glance followed… And they couldn't do anything but stare at what's before them.

And a pair of blazing red ones met all of their eyes…

Without warning, the windows before them shattered. And darkness began to spill in the room. This gave Tsubasa a big chance to prove that he was serious about his magic.

He countered the dark with an immense blast of light behind him. A pair of fluffed wings grew on Tsubasa's back, shocking both Genzo and Hyuga. Taro's eyes simply widened with awe, seeing it once more and Matsuyama smiled proudly at Tsubasa.

" Get away, NOW!" shouts a calm Tsubasa, his body, now, glowing and his large feathery wings stretched upwards, scaring the darkness from its hellish feet.

But, beneath the darkness stood two individuals. One with a pair of cold red eyes and one as darkly as its form and with a rather hazy color of violet… Hyuga seemed to know those eyes anywhere… And with an overwhelmed gasp, " KEN!"

" What? No way!" screams Genzo, dodging looks at Hyuga and Ken.

The figure casually walks out and revealed a leisurely looking Ken. Nothing seems to have changed—except his hazy violet eyes. It almost dared Hyuga to walk towards him… Ken grimaces wistfully and his curved mouth was blatantly upset.

" That's not Ken, Hyuga!" protests Matsuyama, as he felt desperately provoked to use his Magic.

Tsubasa flaps his wings with turbulence, and then a gust of violet aura wisps around Ken. Gasping, Tsubasa eyes sharpened and he angrily shouts " Give back the real Ken, you fake!"

" The real Ken? I am the real Ken, Tsubasa." Laughs Ken calmly, slowly diving out of the darkness to enter the light filled room.

Tsubasa expected him to melt or crumble in ashes or disappear—but he didn't react one bit. The winged teen gasps " No way—Ken?"

Ken laughs again; this time the loudness intensified " I realized what was real Tsubasa. I realized the deep cruelties of this world… He has shown me the truth of what I never understood."

Another creature walks out of the dark but he never stepped too far from its darkly haze. It revealed the blue haired creature…

" Demon?" stutters Taro, his body nearly cringing when he remembered him tortured…

Genzo growls under his breath and scowls furiously" Damn you bastards! What gives you the right to torture us!"

" Baphomet! What the fuck did you do to Ken! Give the real him back!" shouts Hyuga once more as he dangerously steps forward.

At the very sound of his name—the others gasp and turn their heads toward the person. " B-But I thought—I thought Baphomet is a goat!" stammers Taro calmly when Baphomet gives him a pained look.

" Gosh, what does looks matter to you people!" Baphomet responds in scorn. " I'm simply stunning as it is!"

A groan escaped Genzo's throat and he sneers " Geez, why the fuck are you even here?"

Baphomet snorts a laugh " I'm here to kill all of you. And so does Ken—right Ken?" He peers at Ken and sees that victorious and out-of-character smirk. At that mere sight made Hyuga wince with hate.

And without hesitating, Tsubasa quickly lunges to touch Ken—but as swifter as he was before, he knew Tsubasa would go for him. And then, the possessed goalie grabbed Tsubasa by the base of his left wing and gripped it tightly as if it would crack under his pressure…

With widened eyes—Tsubasa felt the bone bend a bit. It was fragile since it was new. And then he yelled in gruesome pain… Ken's evil grin grew manic and that glint in his eye worsened.

" DAMNIT KEN! STOP THAT!" yelled the enraged Genzo as he threw a strong punch on Ken's stomach, yet he didn't falter—a bit.

When Genzo tried again, it was held up by Ken's white fist. " You have no right to order me…" He then, gripped his hand strongly until a few bones were heard crackling.

Baphomet grinned widely and then in a sensible voice, he spoke " Okay, then. I think were done, Ken. Our mission today is to show how loyal you will become… Because at the stroke of dawn—you will be Lucifer's!"

And in a gust of dim smoke, they dissolved in a flash.

" Ken…" groaned Hyuga as he unknowingly kneeled before a crucifix… " Save Ken… please."

Tsubasa hesitated to stand and in a groan, he asked Matsuyama to heal his wing. And with a shortened chant and a flash of ingenuous light, the wing was back in place and movable. He clutched Hyuga by the shoulder and smiled at him.

" Don't worry Hyuga. Let's rescue him."

All Hyuga did was nod as a tear fell down his tan cheek. Genzo didn't feel like laughing but only feared for Ken's sake. Taro choked a small groan of compassion and Matsuyama peered through the devastated wrought windowsill where the two disappeared. And oddly, the moon was turning outrageously red, much to everyone's shock.

In a voice of courage, Tsubasa spoke " We'll get back Ken before dawn!"

To be continued...

A/N: Finally done! He, he, he. I never thought I could finish this with a rather tragic ending like that! And finally—even if I AM a YAOI fan (confession…), I didn't plan to HAVE a mere HyugaKen in this fic! YES! There will be no YAOI in this fic! I promise! It was only friendship that binds Hyuga and Ken, and not utter love or (sadly) lust!

And-- Of course you are right, Krizzie-dono! I know FMA and Roy aren't mine. I simply am obsessed with Roy and it's an excuse because I'm not the only person wanting him. Hee. Anyways, you're correct with that!

REVIEW ONE AND ALL!