Kuroi no Mahou

Demon Fire

Hamburg is Germany's second largest city and one of the four places hidden with the Fujutsu Objects. Even as distraught filled the world, Hamburg has luckily recovered for some mysterious cause. The country only suffered a disorder within the economy's raise and the conflicts with the other countries.

Before everything happened, this is also where Genzo trained to become what he always dreamed—a true goalkeeper. Yet much to disdain, he was nowhere near being one at first. But as the days passed like seconds, he has evidently gotten better. His attitude heaved a sense of calmness in him. Instead of getting angrier, he got nimble enough to the point his body reflexes were able to catch nearly anything that came by. But… It got more superhuman when he trained in his magic.

Deep in Hamburg in a ramshackle hotel, there rested Heaven's Fujutsu five. They were fortunate enough that Genzo has a reassured bank account with wealth like no limits. In the last section of doors in the second floor were their rooms. Hyuga and Ken shared one and so did the three Nankatsu players.

Taro uneasily yawns " I'll take a bath for a while. Is anybody using the bathroom?"

" I'll go after you, Taro" reluctantly speaks Genzo " If you aren't out before dusk I'll march in there and burn your whiney aqua ass."

" Y-yeah, sure!" jokily replies Taro, inwardly taking the statement too seriously.

Tsubasa stretches upwards, jolting a bit at the reaction of his right shoulder. He looks poignantly at it and infuriatingly groans, " I can't believe this! My shoulder can't heal with magic!"

" I also noticed it with my leg." Voiced Genzo seriously " I guess wounds that don't deal with magic can't be healed… Graah— f-fuck!" Genzo cringes at the slight totter of his leg. Damn it. With this wound, I can't walk out easily with my Fujutsu Object!

Tsubasa caresses his shoulder as the pain gradually soothes. A slight jolt puts his shoulder's pressure up and it makes the pain increase in two folds of an unsympathetic agony. " Fighting with an excruciating shoulder, how can it get so shamefully ill-fated?"

"—Not to mention with a very, very bad leg." Adds Genzo as his anger calmly rises.

The ominous silence sliced across the room in one foul swoop. They never thought such silence and serenity would fall before them only after one fight. It only a few seconds before Genzo gave in.

" Grr—DAMNIT, TSUBASA! Taro's taking too long!" He finally yelled in exasperation and ultimately ignoring shrills of pain his leg is sending to his brain.

Tsubasa just slowly looked away, shooting glances to the window. He knew he wouldn't be able to get a single word through his friend's hard head if his temper weren't that thick. But, he knew he would calm down soon. Because it's his instinct talking, that's why. Mused Tsubasa jokingly.

Outside the street, the rain lightly drizzles in an unending hum of sadness. It's very odd, that a city that has partly recovered from the terrible calamities is still very quiet. When suddenly, a streak of lightning appeared before the teen's eyes—only to be followed by a threatening boom of thunder.

Groaning, Tsubasa faced the inner chambers of the room. The first thing he saw was the walls color's crumbling at the sides, fading in an eerie shade and even peeling off. Then his eyes moved to the grating door. The wood looked cheaply shredded on the sides. And then he turned to the furniture, which was palpably disordered that he didn't care to emphasize a bit more.

" Hey Tsubasa." Softly called Genzo, which deftly penetrated through Tsubasa's thoughts.

The teen looked back at Genzo with wonder, when Genzo spoke " Does Taro still need a few adjustments to his uniform?" his voice was wily without a doubt.

" Um, yeah!" answered Tsubasa, still wondering what Genzo meant, " Are you planning something?"

Genzo grinned slyly " I just called my private tailor to make lots of alterations for our uniforms."

" You're kidding!" Tsubasa's eyes were wide with surprise " You can fix Taro's uniform?"

Genzo nodded " He can also come today! It's just plain lucky that's he's residing in Amsterdam. It's just one train ride away from here!"

" No way!" Tsubasa nearly jumped on his feet. But the happy air was short-lived when Taro entered the room donned in a maroon shirt and khaki shorts.

" You don't need to. Really." He spoke; his voice laced with concern " Something bad might happen, Genzo! You clearly know Schneider and his companions are on our tail and you're going to endanger someone out of our circle!"

Genzo sneered slightly " You don't know my tailor, Taro. He's the best there is, and I know God will never be hard on someone like him."

" Your tailor is a devotee?" questions Tsubasa curiously.

The floorboards suddenly creaked and shuddered deviously hinting that a visitor is near. Genzo only smirked when the door's head made a rapping sound. When suddenly, the door gave in too late and fell backwards, scaring half of Taro's mind.

" Herr Thule." Genzo edged a look at the tall visitor. A pair of crisp blue eyes brightened at the sight of Genzo.

" Bless my soul, lad! What Christian clothes! Has Vatican been brewing new clothes for juvenile delinquents?" his voice was very well thick laden British.

Genzo just rolled his eyes " Thule, no shit. Just sew."

" That's clearly Wakabayashi!" Thule bowed sardonically and grabbed his black leather duffel bag lying right beside him as he strode inside the room. " I'm Robin Thule. And this lad 'ere called me for altering your uniforms."

" Thank you very much, Mr. Thule" Tsubasa gratifyingly smiles and looks at Genzo " I'll be calling Ken and Hyuga." The teen walked up the fallen door. Giving a slight nod to Thule, he quickly went out.

Thule smiled and took a seat on the dilapidated divan. Grabbing Taro's uniform, he carefully examined the cloth. While inspecting it thoroughly, he slowly spoke " This is… odd. I've never seen any type of this clothing before. But leather would be fine for a replacement."

" Water proof, Thule." Inquired Genzo almost immediately as he turned to face the brusque walls of the room. " Taro needs his uniform waterproof. Even if it sounds weird, he needs something that doesn't easily fade and is waterproofed."

" Water…" Thule was startled "—Proof, You say?"

" Genzo!" exclaimed Taro, his composure melting into embarrassment " Please, it's alright."

" Dear lad." Smiled Thule as he moved towards the disconcerted Taro. " If it's anything you need, I'll gladly do it."

" Ah, err—o-okay." Taro bashfully smiled in return.


" I'm so sorry, Schneider…"

The room filled in a bloodcurdling silence as Schneider slowly took a seat next to Elsa. " Since when did your—infatuation—come about?"

Elsa hesitated a bit before she answered " Within June…"

The smug expression on Schneider faded " Elsa, your goal, your fame, your wealth—all of these will be in grave danger if you got dragged too low because of that aggravating feeling. It's gnawing at your back, and if you get it in through your head, you will never be able to avenge your father, you will never get back the praise you need, You will never succeed. And now, I'm telling you to stop yourself."

Elsa didn't know what to say. Speechless as she is, she just nodded lightly. She didn't know loving enemies was dangerous. It just started in a boiling hatred, and then an interest started to grow. Remembering that calm and completely innocent smile of his was engulfing her and probing her mind into thoughts she never saw coming. This love seemed very real and torturous in her very young age. Her heart advanced a few steps ahead of those who never witnessed what love can do. Was it all a fake? Was it just she? She was never immature. She knew it wasn't a crush. All her proof was hidden inside.

It was Schneider she loves. A family tied love between cousins was no harm done, since Schneider was the only person backing her up. She only trusted Schneider because he was her only family left. Even if the term cousin sounded profoundly distant, she needn't care.

She only cared for Taro. Taro—that great individual who always stood side by side with his friend of great importance. He none like any person because of his buoyant smile of originality and his light gracefulness and dexterity. Taro could simply catch a woman with a flick of his charming smile. He must've had someone! It was impossible that he was still alone! But… Why would she care if Taro were with a different person? It's not that she couldn't rival her love…

It because she couldn't risk it… A love garnered by truth is never to be gambled. Because it can be shattered…with one strike of death… or… a death defying confession that will end up destroying her lifetime chance of avenging her father…

Why does it seem real? Was it real? Or are her hormones just operating against her? Evil has nothing to do with love. It was utter lunacy letting Schester know. She should have dropped it. She shouldn't have picked it up with her. Hell, she shouldn't have fallen for him! Let alone head-over-heels!

" I insist, Elsa." Schneider suddenly cut her thoughts.

Elsa just forges a smirk " I know you would insist."

" But will you?"

Just when Elsa was about to answer a lie, a demon barged in the room with a triumphant yell " My lord! Heaven's Fujutsu five is in Hamburg!"

" Good!" maniacally grins Schneider He quickly turns to Elsa " I want a positive answer later. Today, I must go alone to confront that Wakabayashi."

Elsa tried to read his mind" Y-You mean, you have a plan?"

" Yes." Schneider's eyes glinted that hint of maliciousness " I exactly know what will drag that uptight, wannabe goalkeeper…to his grave."

He quickly strodes down the hall leaving a stunned Elsa back in the drawing room.


Taro inspected himself in front of the mirror. And then, the color gradually drained from his face at his own sight. Thule frankly told the boy that his clothing had to be narrowed to a thin and stretchable cloth—thus waterproofed. Truthfully, it was like Taro going deep sea diving in a neo-priest-like student uniform. His body structure was nearly palpable against the cloth.

" Isn't Taro so adorable?" teased Thule as he began to inspect the flushing boy. " Pardon me dear boy, but you certainly stick out of the crowd."

Tsubasa had to stop laughing, so as to not make the boy blow in embarrassment. Behind Tsubasa was Genzo, snickering out loud.

" Well, well, Taro. You need to be a man and stick it up!" grinned Hyuga as he tolerably slapped Taro's back.

Taro raised his hands in defense " N-No thank you, Hyuga. I'm manly enough as it is!"

" Hyuga, lay down the silly jokes." Scolded Ken softly, then he turned a head to Thule " Mr. Thule, do you have enough time to make all of us pairs?"

Thule smiled " Of course, Ken. Everything will be done around three days."

" Three? You can do all our uniforms that soon?" asked a bewildered Tsubasa.

" Don't underestimate, Mr. Thule." Spoke Genzo, handing a golden credit card to Thule " You can have all the money you want—just make it soon."

Thule smiled warmly, but he shook his head and humbly didn't accept the card " For once, I thank you for summoning me with importance, Genzo. If all this is going to help save the world, I'm going to do this for free."

The five froze in a staggering shock. Unaware to their minds, they concoct one thought: How could he have known? This made Thule feel a bit suspicious, as their faces paled like he's said something awful.

" N-NO—WAY! WHAT T-THE FUCK—GAVE YOU-T-THAT IDEA!" screeched Genzo all to suddenly, as he staggered forward to hand the golden credit card to Thule.

" Sir, it's j-just— that we're—" Tsubasa stopped a bit to strain his head for ideas.

" Silence all of you! You're all making it obvious!" scowled Ken once more, in a hushed alert tone.

A long silence engulfed the five, all heads hanging. A strained amount of time passed when Thule presumed a hollow chuckle " Okay, how about tell me what kind of alterations would be dealt to your uniforms."

" I suggest mine would be sewn on a light type of cloth." Spoke Tsubasa with utter anticipation.

Hyuga spoke next " I want mine sewn in a tough kind of cloth—just so as not to be torn easily."

"…Normal kind of cloth, please." Inquired Ken meekly.

" Fireproof!" grinned Genzo with finality " Super fireproofed!"

" Then it's done!" huffed Thule excitedly " I'll just have to take measurements! Taro, you first!"

Taro uneasily steps forwards as Thule takes out a measuring tape, a notepad and a pencil. And while Taro was being measured, the others talk in hush breaths.

" Genzo, I suggest you'd better go out when it's already night." Hushes Tsubasa near Genzo's ear. " So that we can get a sooner head start for the Tiara of Glory."

Ken nodded affirmatively " Schneider might appear any time, you should be sharp."

" But why do I have a feeling that we're being eavesdropped?" asked Hyuga to everyone.

" Dunno, maybe it's just in your thick brick head." Answered Genzo with slight sarcasm.

" Take it seriously, Genzo." Spoke Tsubasa as he lowly glances behind him, then he snapped his head back " We're already hunted by Black Magic and Schneider could be anywhere! Remember guys; this is Hell's Fujutsu five we're talking about. Lucifer is our main enemy. He is death and evil combined! Never falter, never trust those you don't know, never fall back and surrender, and never ever be some arrogant fool, thinking you can finish them off with a wave of your finger!"

" Tsubasa's right." Spoke Hyuga with a glance of determination " Ever since we're picked, our life became a battlefield. They never falter and they will always come at us with brute force—and I say we fight back! If we think we can handle professional soccer and superbly inhuman tricks, we can do this!"

As the four disband their circle, they already saw Taro and Thule finishing the final measurements. Tsubasa was offered to go next.

While waiting, Hyuga suddenly tapped Genzo's shoulder. The goalkeeper turned his head in question when the Tohou Captain whispered, " Go now, Genzo. I have a bad feeling that things will get ugly later."

Genzo didn't reply and just nodded. It was soon that he quietly exited the decaying door, and swiftly runs down the creaking hallways, offering only little noise. Back in the room, Thule wisely stayed silent—knowing that Genzo has to do an awfully significant errand for God. But surprise as he is, he never knew the boy even trusted Him, knowing of his brutally heavy leaded pride and complete hatred of being manipulated like a marionette on all strings. Well, Surprise, surprise, Robin Thule. Mused Thule whimsically. The boy IS a pure Wakabayashi inheritor, and he MUST have some reason for following God. What an intriguing offspring his parents made him into. Pride from the father, Short-temperedness from the mother, and cunning intellectuality from both.

Turning his head side to side, Genzo surveyed what was left of Hamburg. To be honest with himself, he didn't know where to start or where to get information. The mere thought of asking Muller was utter nonsense, knowing that he'll just aim a blade at his throat. So what? Genzo smirked. He can take him down easy.

Rushing down the streets in Hamburg, every civilian he encountered palpably fought back an angry glare at him. Were his clothes too much of something to be cursed? Or were his looks too much of a problem? He gasped inwardly. Did—Muller overdid it? Did he actually call the judicial police? Was Genzo a wanted man? Growling, he uneasily runs down, ignoring the burning gazes of the people he passes.

Oh I see. You are ready are you? Well, Satan, you're in deep shit—because Wakabayashi Genzo's going to kick your ass with fire! I'm seriously going to get you, you asswipe! For getting me into trouble, making me suffer under a woman's tutelage, and making my leg such a pain!

Now, he was angrily running down the street. His temper blazed fiery memories in the past. The times when he was suffering the pain, his inner soul can't simply handle the agony. As a child, his soul has been impaired with the labor of academics and sports. Even if he was wealthy, he wasn't blessed with all the things he could want. Before, he wanted his parents to attend his graduation, but they didn't because they were busy at work in London. Before, he wanted friends by his side, but all he can afford were animal friends of his. Before, he wanted to go outside, but because of the strictness of the mansion's security, he wasn't able to go out.

And after his parents went to London, it was then he could do all the things he wasn't able to have done before. He was able to join on the private school of Shutetsu where he became captain. All he ever did fun was soccer, hence, his life's dream and craving obsession. Soccer gave him friends, soccer gave him the most fun ever sport he has played, soccer gave life inside him. Even in times of solitude inside his mansion, he was always with his soccer ball. It was made livelier when he played with real friends…

It was only a few years of playing in Shutetsu when he saw his face in the newspapers, dubbing him the most intense and incredible name he has ever heard.

Super Great Goal Keeper

SGGK

That was the greatest time he has experienced. Soccer became his whole life and soul. But there was a throbbing and uninspiring feeling that grew on his back. He seemed farfetched to know, but his pride and temper grew. He almost had it when he mentioned that ambitious statement his mind has spawned. To become a professional goalkeeper…

All too suddenly… His whole surrounding darkened in a hazy color of violet and black. Genzo's head snapped back up in alert. " Who's there?"

A bloodcurdling silence only answered. Grimacing, Genzo waved his hand symbolically around him until bursts of flames danced across his body, embodying him in fiery control. His eyes sharpened as a figure started to emerge in the darkness. Genzo's eyebrow suddenly furrowed with confusion.

The demon had no face. Its color is pure black from top to bottom. " give…me…your…face…" it inarticulately demanded.

" Not a chance—" Genzo snarled with disgust "… You Doppelganger!"

" give…me…your…face…" it repeatedly spoke. "…Wakabayashi…"

" FUCKING DOPPELGANGER!" Genzo raised his palm, which combusted into flames of hatred. "DIE!"

"…give…me—"

Before it could finish its sentence, Genzo fumingly dived his hand to its face… But…

" Huh—what the—"

The face metamorphosed into a gaping darkness of muck. And it started swallowing Genzo's hand… then his arm… And Genzo couldn't move. " DAMNIT, LET GO!"

He aimlessly kicked the demon's shin, but it got his leg too. It was in a matter of minutes when half of Genzo was already morphed into the Doppelganger…

" NO, NO! LET GO OF ME YOU—"

Genzo disappeared before he even got to his last words…

The doppelganger's body started to morph indifferently. Into Genzo's present structure, into the priestly robes that Genzo wore… into Genzo's current face… With disheveled hair, black dimmed eyes plummeted like the night sky, and skin like fine alabaster. But its smile was different. It was much more sinister, and the glint in its eyes were roused with undefined evil. This wasn't Genzo at all…

This is Genzo's overpowering ego

His smirk broadened maniacally. " I finally have Genzo down…" the area started to colorize into the real earthen colors of Hamburg. " Now… to kill the others…"

He slowly walked towards the hotel where Tsubasa and his friends resided…

Ever so slowly, Genzo started to open his eyes. And the first thing he saw was the ceiling, ashen and vaguely vivid. He stifled a hurt groan and tried to sit up, but he only managed to budge. Where… am I?

Looking to his right, he saw the windows wide open. The satin midnight blue curtains waved gracefully against the zephyr winds. And outside the high arch windows is a glorious cliff, standing proudly against the sun. The earthen scent was lushly fused with rosemary—an enticing scent that he can vaguely recall in his past.

His head was nestled above a puffy white pillow that seemed to have been fluffed recently. The two overlapping layers of bed covers were heavy, but felt very feathery. He seemed to have been doused with unfortunate slumber for hours and hours, for his eyes were heavy with pain.

He couldn't stand it—lying still as the minutes pass by. Soon, he slowly rises up and glances outside the window. " Is this some sort of Déjà vu?"

He grasped the blankets and found himself half naked, with his sweat pants still on. He looked to the side of the bed and found his favorite red cap hanging on the tip of the lamp. Beside the lamp were his gloves. What the hell happened to me?

Now, Genzo felt uptight and shocked. He was supposed to do something, but he forgot. He forgot! The cold sweat was trailing down his face as he stood by the bed and slowly moved across the cold red rugged floors.

But, he stopped short when he saw the bathroom door ajar. Grabbing the knob, he pushed the door aside, but found no one inside. He quickly dashed towards the hanging mirror obliquely facing the medicine cabinet and took a look at himself. " What the hell happened to me?"

His face was deeply pallid white with death, and his expression was youthful, like a young fifteen year old. He found it all hard to believe. Why was he here? Where is here? Why is he here? Who dragged him here?

" Damn it…!" He snarled as he pounded his fists on the black marbled counter hotly.

He growled and ran down the elevated stairs and basked around the room. He turned his intense gaze around and found no one residing inside the house. He looked around once more until he found the front door. He quickly grasped the knob and turned it…

But it didn't open… Even a small budge was never made…

Now, Genzo couldn't do anything but yell maddeningly. " WHERE AM I!"

The cold fear strained his whole body intensely. He vehemently grabbed the notch of the window and angrily tried to pull it up—but it didn't nudge a bit. He couldn't stay calm that very moment, even if he tried to.

After doing all the things he had in mind, (plus breaking the window open) he uneasily slumped at the tangy maple colored divan and heaved erratic breaths to attain his good sense of level-headedness back.

Can it, Wakabayashi! You are going to be stuck in this place for all eternity if you don't think too quickly!

Grabbing the nearest throw pillow, he agitatedly tried to rip off its lace, trying to retain his temper. It took him considerable minutes to have arranged his thoughts.

Okay, this place in Hamburg darkened and this Doppelganger bastard arrived to the scene in hopes of stealing my ingenious individuality! I tried to hit him but he swallowed me in weird black muck. It surrounded me and then I wake up only to find myself trapped in this unknown place… But where is here?

He vaguely remembered this place, but it was only indistinct, nothing more. But how could he have arrived at such a random place wherein he was the only one who only knew of this place's existence? The stench of suspicion amazed him when he finally concluded one thought…

I'm trapped in my own head—I can't believe it— But if I'M trapped in my own head, who the fuck's is moving my body outside? It couldn't be my conscience for such a thing never existed! Never could it become an alter ego!

He paused… Being swallowed into a pool of black nothingness equaled him to reappear inside the zone of his torturous memories. The demon… must've… awakened my ego…

CONFOUND IT ALL, WAKABAYASHI YOU IGNORANT FOOL! YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN TOO THICK HEADED TO NOTICE SUCH A DISTINCT WELCOME! DAMN YOUR SHORT SIGHTEDNESS! DAMN IT ALL!

He buried his head on the throw pillow and cursed every profanity he ever knew. He had to get out or else he would see the end of Tsubasa. Not only Tsubasa… But the destruction of the world caused by the recently inexplicable faced Wakabayashi Genzo… The thought of treachery tingled his back in fear. What if Tsubasa and the three think that he's betrayed them? What if he was accused of turning his back on God?

I need to stop all this nonsensical mess… soon…

To be continued…

A/N: finally continued after a weeklong writer's block! Curse the wretched blocks! I really need to hasten this fic, though I'll guarantee that it'll be done very late.

Don't ignore the A/Ns because it'll avoid arising questions.

-Okay, the place mentioned by Genzo is something you will find out at the next chapter!

-Thule is another character next to Marques and the Mikos and Elsa.

-Neo-Wakabayashi is the name I dubbed the doppelganger. Neo means new or recent.

-Genzo's now the one trapped in his head, similar to Ken's situation (previous chapters). And this is no difference.

-And LASTLY, for those who gnawed at me, questioning what the heck Ken told Tsubasa and Hyuga in the "Psychosis" chapter, you will all know of it in the next chapter to come.

Please Review! It'll gladly boost my energy and inspiration!