Kuroi no Mahou

Dark Trance

Unknowing days have passed since Tsubasa and his companions have started to train within the grounds of the Tower of Babel. And unexpected as it has been, the days turned into weeks, and the week has passed into a full month. The Mikos have substantially trained Heaven's Fujutsu five hard and in immediate precision. And at the end of the month, Maria has only proved to them that Matsuyama and his godfather have been staying inside the Tower of Babel under their noses. The five only guffawed at the explanation so much that it has forced Maria to summon both of them.

At the very hall where they first met the other four Mikos, were greeted with full décor and magnificent lights. At the end of the room were both Matsuyama and Marques in wide grins.

" I have no doubts about you, Tsubasa. You really are something else than a soccer player." Laughed Matsuyama with mild sarcasm etched on his solid voice.

Marques raced across the room in a brisk fashion and extended a hand to Tsubasa " I'm so happy to see Heaven's Fujutsu five in one place! I am Matsuyama's godfather, Louquère Marques."

Tsubasa's jaw dropped and he blushingly extended his hand to shake Marques' " Well, I'm happy to see the famed symbologist I read about!"

Taro choked in shock and repeated Tsubasa in surprise " Marques! That famed symbologist! I saw your name in the books too!"

Genzo only chuckled " Your books are really something worth learning, sir."

Marques politely smiled at Genzo and replied " That's what makes time traveling significant and not troubling."

Ken raised his eyebrow and asked in interest " You time-traveled?"

" Isn't time traveling a forbidden magic, banned to be released in the books let alone to be used?" added Hyuga with a wild intellect for remembering a small part within a book he once read.

Marques nodded " Yes. Actually, I was the one who banned time traveling. But not for personal gain or evil plots. I only did it to make time safe and inaccessible."

Yeah. It would be something if you knew how to time travel. Thought Matsuyama as he indulged himself by looking at the rather strained art that filled the wall. " Maria, I didn't know you have a thing for Agnus Dei…"

Maria flushed as she turned her head towards the side. Tsubasa rushed next to Matsuyama to take a glance at the portrait of an Agnus Dei.

" Isn't Agnus Dei an image of a lamb with a halo?" asked Genzo, putting the knowledge to work.

Taro too went to look at the portrait. " Agnus Dei." He stated, " Is a liturgical prayer addressing Christ as Savior. It represents a lamb often with a halo and a banner and cross."

" Ahem…" Maria cleared her voice loud enough to catch everyone's attention. " I do hope you refrain from the rather crude art and listen to me."

Ken and Hyuga looked at each other before shooting a confused look at Maria. " Err, what's up?" asked a puzzled Hyuga.

" Me and the other Mikos are going to give you some few announcements. Let's go to the dome immediately." She ordered blandly before turning around and walking away.

As the others looked at Tsubasa, the teen only shrugged his shoulders and started walking in her direction. Taro followed, then Ken, then Hyuga, and Genzo who reluctantly dragged his feet.

Marques only grabbed Matsuyama's shoulder when he nearly followed them. The boy shot a look of question, when Marques answered it with a shake of a head.

" It's their business, Matsuyama. Let's just wait for them here."

As the six walk down the darkened corridors, Genzo instantaneously made his hand spark a golden glint of fire as they walked down.

" It's cold down here." Remarks a shivering Hyuga, who was suspecting they were going in a dome inside the tower.

Maria only replied, " It's really cold here."

" Want me to lower it down?" grinned Tsubasa, plotting to make the air hotter like walking down in the middle of the desert.

Genzo only sneered in oddity" Don't think about it, Tsubasa. I know what you're planning."

After a few minutes of tireless walking, they arrived at two white paneled doors. Grabbing the two golden knobs, Maria swung the door open and walked inside. Tsubasa, who followed, gaped at the surrounding area.

The high ceilings bore wondrous paintings of angels with wings and holy crosses. The area was wide like a soccer field and the array of pillars rose high up. At the front of the area, an elevated part was protruding from the ground in successive steps. The four Mikos were seen there and they somehow beckoned the five to come nearer. Maria, who just came, stood alongside the four.

Without further hesitation, Tsubasa and the others ran towards the front—hoping for some miracle or happening to befall.

" Tsubasa, Taro, Genzo, Hyuga and Ken." Announced Adelle once they were already at the knees of the elevated portion. " You are hereby announced by God to protect the world from its infamous enemy, Lucifer, and Hell's Fujutsu five."

Yuuki wavered before speaking " We now will announce that you are given the missions to verify and pursue the other four Fujutsu Objects before Hell will destroy them."

" These objects are, the Tears of the Holy, the Tiara of Glory, the Cuffs of Strength, and the Eyes of the Wise." Stated Sophie wryly.

Rose then, spoke after Sophie " To confirm of your arrival to the real world, you will be given your official uniforms."

And as the Mikos expected, Tsubasa gasped in surprise " We have uniforms?"

" For what exactly?" spoke Genzo in utter disbelief. " I mean, how would the people react seeing priest wannabe's in robes?"

Maria spoke through gritted teeth " You will wear them whether you like it or not! It is similar to recognizing a priest in the middle of a large crowd."

Ken gaped a bit before stating what he exactly heard " So we're going to wear priest robes?"

Rose shot a look of amusement before she answered, " Not exactly priest robes. Yuuki, will you gladly give it to them?"

Yuuki nodded and stepped forth. She closed her eyes and quickly snapped her finger. And then the area was flooded in a luminous blue aura…

The five were being surrounded in a wondrous sense of peace and serenity. And before they knew what was happening, their old clothes were unknowingly switched into new ones. And then, the light dimmed.

The silence of surprise overcame the five as their bespoke uniforms stood out with pride.

It was in fact, a black leather turtleneck inside a priest like robe. It's similar to a zipped up blue coat that reached down to the ankles. Hidden inside the coat's draping tails were well-pressed navy blue pants, nearly the color of a state general. Highly fine clothed white gloves covered their firm hands. Even the shoes were made with originality, for the pressed fact that the holy cross was emblazoned on its head.

Maria smiled at their baffled expressions " You all look handsome in those, frankly."

" Handsome?" chortled Genzo with sarcasm " I—We look like some religious priests going to war!"

Tsubasa only bit his lip as his face tinted pink with gratification. " It's a very wonderful uniform, Maria."

Hyuga chuckled at Ken who also turned into an impressive color of red. " Holy, Ken! You look—"

" Cute." Laughed Taro in a frank tone marked with sense. As much as Ken denied the thought, it felt too true.

Sophie spoke in a hush tone, almost to nobody "… I guess they'll be off after this."

But, Rose heard her. Instead of laughing, she nodded " But they'll be learning more of magic once they're out there, facing the real danger."

Sophie nodded. As much as she hated to admit, she felt sad, seeing them off too soon. Only a single month has passed and there was too much to learn. But so little time was approved because of the impending danger that will befall the world. The boys need to get out there soon, before all hell breaks loose. And hell itself, will be much more evil and diabolic than the earlier release of events… The holy war…

After being handed the clothes, the five left off without Maria or the other four Mikos. And Tsubasa can't help but feel a weird feeling drench within him. Like they weren't going to see the Mikos after this meeting… Their faces were sad… Thought Tsubasa as he slowly closed the doors behind him. Why do I feel like this is final?

As the doors closed behind Tsubasa, the five looked despondent with glory…

Maria smiled grimly… " Ladies, our work is finally done."

" So soon?" spoke a worried Yuuki, who trembled beneath the cold.

But Adelle nodded, also feeling the tinge of concern within her. " Yes, Yuuki. This is the only mission God gave to us…"

Rose felt the grave tears fighting their way out. " Dear God, just bless those guys… please…"

The devastated Sophie dowsed herself in her sadness as she felt the last thing she's going to feel… After fifteen years of being alive, they are going back to the place they once savored… The place where God summoned them…

" Farewell… Tsubasa Oozora." Smiled Maria…

And then, the five Mikos gradually faded into the ethereal light… The Gateways to Heaven…

Across the hall, Tsubasa felt heavy without reason. His heart began to beat heavily as he took a fast glance back at the door.

" What's wrong, Tsubasa?" asked the concerned Taro, who also turned his head to the door.

" I thought." Tsubasa pressed, " I thought I just heard Maria…"

" I think it's just your head hallucinating." Spoke Hyuga as he shot a glance at the cringing Tsubasa.

The kneeling teen shrugged as he slowly stood up. And then, they headed for the hallways, where Matsuyama and Marques awaits their arrival…

Matsuyama fought the urge to laugh. Biting his lip, he instead coughed up a phrase " Good clothes."

Genzo peered at the Furano Captain and sneered " Yeah right… Religious and military combined."

Marques leaned in and cleared his throat " Maria told me of your situation, and I'll be shipping all of you back to Japan to start your journey. I'll have Matsuyama stay with me in the meantime."

"And what? Drone on magic you never taught me over the years?" Matsuyama inquired in a rather excited voice. But, his joy fell " No… I have to see if Yoshiko is still okay…"

" Miss Yoshiko Fujisawa?" asked the amazed Marques, which made a few heads turn. " I am right! The two of you really are sweet hearts!"

Matsuyama pressed hotly " UNCLE! Jeez, not in front of my friends!"

" Too, too true." Stated Genzo sardonically, that made Matsuyama glared bitterly.

" I see you're willing to have another eye patch! DON'T WORRY, WAKABAYASHI…" grimly sneered Matsuyama "… I'll have one implanted on that smug face of yours!"

" Matsuyama!" scolded Marques in an angry voice. " Don't deny what is true!"

But the boy only rolled his eyes, as the others stifled laughs of humor. " Anyways, let's go, Mr. Marques." Stated Tsubasa with excitement as Marques prepares to do a chant.

"Thee dimension against evil, bow before my will—Rise!"

A luminous circle started forming under them. It flickered with power and intensity and then with one swoop of aerial power and a few irregular strikes of sparks… they disappeared.


Florence, Capital city of the Region Tuscany, Italy.

It was a bizarre night in the city streets of Florence. The government has still not cleared the trials of the passed day's happenings. The streets were filled with noiseless anger and melancholy of the passed events. Even if a month has passed, the thought was still clear like it was yesterday. Empty streets were doused with silence, and some were even beyond repair. Rows of houses were down on the ground and were clearly damped with rain. Water was everywhere, flooding half of Florence.

The blond haired soccer player frowned at what lay before him. Once the soccer field for the Italians was now a morgue for the dead carcasses. His frown worsened when he tried to visualize what happened to his other teammates who he tried to find over the weeks that passed.

The world is in total chaos. Mused Gino Hernandez, as his frown became an emotional stress for a certain craving to play soccer. But, whom was he going to play with if his teammates were now missing? Worse… dead.

Turning around, he headed once more to the hospital, trying to forget the sordid smell of the dead bodies and horrible sight of it decomposing. Flailing his feet against the rubble, he ignored the upcoming rallies about the government, being stingy as always. But, as he headed down the intersection, he noticed an odd and familiar blur in the distance…

Magic…? Here in Florence? Gino inwardly gasped and quickly hid beneath upturned asphalt cement to his left. Quietly, he leaned above to take separate peeks.

" Thanks, Sir Marques!" smiled Tsubasa as he and the four leaped out of the beaming circle.

Marques smiled back at Tsubasa and waved " This is where your journey will start, Tsubasa. I've heard a lot of rumors about the Tears of the Holy hidden in Florence, Tuscany."

Tsubasa nodded and replied back " Thanks for the information, Sir."

" Good luck, guys…" said Matsuyama as he arrived to the edge of the circle to see them one last time. " I'll be waiting for you guys when the journey's over!"

All of them nodded to Matsuyama who kept smiling triumphantly, as the circle beneath the rubble started to fade along with Matsuyama and Marques.

It was no surprise that before them, the two disappeared in a magnificent whiff of air.

The silence of the night rung against the streets as the five gaped at their surroundings. The crumbling streets bore large cracks and overturned cars, while the houses appeared either burned or lay crumbled beneath the ground. But what caught their senses was a figure's aura, emanating behind them… Powerful, but not evil.

Instantaneously, the five leap in a stark somersault before facing the figure delved within the shadows, which stood before them, immobile, but surely basking within their reach. The figure chastely smiled to himself and with a roll of a pebble on the front of his shoe, he kicked the pebble towards Tsubasa, who caught it deftly with his right hand.

" Who are you!" called Tsubasa, and then threw the pebble aside.

The figure moved out of the shadows and spoke " Someone worth none of your concern…"

Genzo growled as a whirl of fire grew on his hand " WHO ARE YOU!"

" Your future enemy in soccer, Gino Hernandez of the broken down Italian Team…" scowled Gino as he further moved in front of them.

Ken gasped " Gino? The Gino Hernandez?"

Hyuga irately pointed at Gino and harshly yelled " You… What did you hear? What did you see!"

" Nothing more or less." Gino shrugged and glanced at them " Just the five of you speaking of Italy's spiritual treasure… That you will never lay your hands on."

" Why—you!" growled Genzo as he nearly prepared to leap an aggressive attack on Gino, which is stopped by both Ken and Hyuga vying with the strength of the driven goalkeeper.

" We will get the Tears of the Holy, Gino." protested Taro who moved up front with eyes full of faith. Gino only replied a look of uncertainty.

" The treasure has not been discovered ever since the last time it was used!"

" And we will get it back! Because we are Heaven's Fujutsu five!" insisted Tsubasa who moved next to Taro to easily support his friend.

Gino only glanced down and spoke " I see. Good luck then."

Ken tapped Tsubasa's shoulder and impassively advised " I think we should start searching, Tsubasa."

The boy nodded at Ken and uneasily spoke to Gino " We've better go."

" So soon?" edged Gino with a hollow smile " Do you even know where to go from here?"

Hyuga gritted his teeth and seethed " You're wasting our time." Heaving a breath, he continued " Well, Tsubasa? You're leading this time."

Tsubasa smiled thoughtfully " Umm, sure. You can start by telling us what happened?"

Gino's breath caught. " You mean—" he sounded incredulous " You didn't know what on earth's happening? Have you been in another dimension or something!"

The five shot looks, but Ken simply answered " More or less."

Gino gave them a flabbergasted look before he spoke.


" Schneider…"

Schneider bowed low before looking up to him proudly " Yes, my Lord?"

Lucifer shot deathly dull looks around him. Long black mane fell down across his shoulders until his waist, with a cuff clamping at the end. His eyes stood in a blood red trance. With skin white like a ghost, this is one of Lucifer's many forms… A fallen angel of God. His black wings emerged healthily behind him that was extremely bigger looking than of Tsubasa's gloriously white wings.

Before speaking, Lucifer's hailed glance was greeted by the others, who so immediately bowed with loyalty. He spoke " The enemies… are out, Schneider. Hunt them down…"

" And kill them all…"

Schneider bowed low once more, as he proudly spoke back " You will be followed, my Lord."

Lucifer's lustrous bloodshot eyes gazed at Schneider's ambitious blue ones. Suddenly, he turned around and started to walk silently towards the door. "… One last favor…."

Schneider rose to his feet and looked intently at Lucifer, wondering what it could be.

" Give Heaven's Fujutsu Objects to me…" spoke Lucifer in a bloodcurdling voice " I trust that you won't fail…"

Schneider's eyes rose " My Lord—Oozora Tsubasa's Object's already—"

" Isn't it obvious that I want the remaining!" scowled Lucifer, as his devilish demeanor rose.

Without warning, Lucifer departed from the doors in a whiff of his terrible and engulfing aura. Schneider inwardly twitched, as he gave looks to his mates. " Let's go, now. The five are probably in Italy by now…"

Schester admittedly responded, " Kill them? They're meaningless by now, because Tsubasa's the only one who holds his Fujutsu Object!"

" Schester's right, Schneider." Spoke Baphomet as he gave a glance at the blonde haired player " Wait until they finally found the object, then we strike. It's a big possibility that the object will be found by the one who is destined to have it."

" You mean destined to die…" scowled Elsa who gripped her flute tightly "… Italy's Fujutsu… The Tears of the Holy…"

Schester manifested a terribly angered face " Are you implying to something, Elsa?"

The eight-year-old startlingly shook her head " No." she straightly answered.

Schneider arched an eyebrow at their conversation, but he shrugged it off, seeing how Schester immediately ended it with a foreboding glare. " Let's move out. I'm afraid Lord Lucifer is still picking up the strength for his arrival to the world."

The three nodded and replied instantly " Yes!"

And with a headstrong and ruthless face, Schneider briskly walked out with the three tagging behind him…

The time has arrived… Schneider smirked devilishly while licking his lips greedily.

The world will bow before Hell's Fujutsu five!

To be continued…

A/N: Gino-san is familiar with magic (I do hope you noticed!). And well, Lucifer speaks in full Italics! The Mikos are well—something else, I do hope you forgive deaths! And, I dearly hope you can familiarize yourself with their uniforms! And then, that's all!

Last reminder, please read my notes tagging at the end of the chapters (you know why!)! And, please review!