"They stand before the gates of Sanctuary. What lies within?..."

A vast wooden gateway barred the progress of Zero, Hanzo and Li as they approach the high stone walls of Sanctuary. A lone robed man awaits the trio as they crest the final hail before the gates and raises a hand in greeting. "Doctor Li, Hanzo. It's been a long time since you passed into Sanctuary…"

Li shakes the man's hand firmly, smiling. "Thank you Sentinel. It's been a journey fraught with… danger. But here we are". The Sentinel now turns to Hanzo and treats him a warm embrace. "Brother. I admit I thought I would never see you again…" Hanzo sighs and let's his younger brother embrace him, then he pushes him back and looks the man up and down.

"You look like you've gotten taller, Tashii. I appreciate your concern but-" He's cut off as the Sentinel Tashii looks at him sternly. "Hanzo… I want to know how you escaped those investigators… We saw the carnage. You couldn't have done anything like that…" Hanzo sneers. "And who says I'm not strong enough to kill a few investigators…" Tashii notices Zero standing behind Li and Hanzo, so he steps forward to bow towards the startled ghoul.

"You must be the one who saved these men. Thank you…" Li interjects. "He doesn't remember what his name is, or anything else for that matter, but he's the one". Tashii's eyes narrow. "That's the reason you went on a dangerous expedition to Japan? That's why you risked your life countless times? For just another ghoul?" Li cuts him off. "Look, Sentinel. This is my business and as one of the Sanctuary elders I authorize this man entry into our place. Now move aside before I inform the Sentinel Commander of this insubordinance".

Tashii stops talking and nods, silently stepping to the side to let the group pass through the now open gateway. Li motions for Zero to follow them and he looks around in awed wonder at the high stone buildings practically leaping out at them from the sheer rock on all sides of the crater. Ghouls looked out from windows, bikes, workhouses and park benches. Zero shakes his head disbelievingly.

"I never thought something like this could exist… Sanctuary…" Doctor Li smiles at the younger ghoul's wonder. "The Ghoul Sanctuary. We've been working towards this goal for the entirety of my lifetime and since we opened our gates for the first time, ghouls from all over the world have flocked to our protection. Today, the Sanctuary is run entirely by ghouls who live in harmony".

Hanzo sneers, the bad mood brought on by his argument with his brother lingering. "Harmony… Yeah right. That's all going to change now that he's here isn't it?" Li glances quickly at Zero from the corner of his eye, frowning. "You know it's an offense to spread rumours Hanzo. Zero here is our esteemed guest and you will treat him as such. Now, get yourself back to your wife and begin preparing for the Games. I'll see you soon".

Hanzo shrugs and peels off onto a side street to the left, raising a hand in farewell. Li pulls Zero forward by the hand as the two of them continue towards a tall building at the cities centre. In no time, a set of immense stone steps lie before them terminating at two great wooden doors as impressive as the ones at the Sanctuary's entrance.

As he steps through the entryway to the tower, four ghouls armed with Quinque step in front of Zero, cutting him off from the doctor. Li raises his hand to call the guards off but he is ignored. One ghoul gets in his face. "You there. I haven't seen you before. What's your business in Sanctuary? Huh? Answer me you asshole!"

He raises his weapon along with his peers to strike but Zero ducks under the first blow and takes the second barrage with expert force. He catches the slim blade of the ghoul who had spoken and again another Quinque in his left hand. The final two are grasped by his Kagune, splintering all 4 Quinque at once. Doctor Li pulls Zero away from the dumbstruck guards as he punches the One Eye in the shoulder.

"Quit that! You aren't actually allowed to be in here yet so stop drawing attention to us…. Hell, you've already gotten the Doves on our tail already. Come with me, we need to go see the Council".

Leaving a score of shaking guards at the lobby, the two ghouls continue inside through several security checks, Doctor Li waving some ID and skipping all of them until they reach a set of engraved silver doors. He looks at Zero who nods at him, indicating that he was ready. Li pushes the doors inwards and they step into a large hall flanked by rows of wooden pews.

6 large chairs sat around a table upon a raised platform at the end of this hall. Li and Zero walk forwards, the hall empty but for 5 people sitting upon those chairs. Li stops and bows fractionally towards the Council of the Sanctuary. "My comrades. I present myself before you upon my return to Sanctuary".

One wrinkled man wearing a deep blue robe sits upon the centremost chair rises along with his fellow Elders. "Welcome back Damien. Some of us thought the Doves would get you before too long… and from the reports given by our long range scouts, you did…"

Li shrugs. "The nature of my work forced me to take conspicuous actions on my long journey. The fruits of my labour stand here with us, Lord Ebara". Ebara, the head councillor of Sanctuary cracks a smile at Li's crisp tone. "Conspicuous? Such as going right up to the CCG's doorstep perhaps? I told you not to go to Japan…. And yet I hear you were in Tokyo itself last year. Explain yourself before you are banished from the Council Damien Li…"

Li sighs. "Well, Ebara, as I told you back then information had come to my attention regarding a possible game changer for our… current situation. I travelled to Tokyo in order to retrieve this man, Zero". There are concerned looks around the high table between the Elders, apart from one man as Zero notices. A younger man to the left of Ebara simply raises an eyebrow at the mention of his name.

"Hanzo and I travelled from the Sanctuary facility in Beijing once the CCG found out about our movements and pursued us all the way across China. This ghoul saved us and allowed us to return safely. All I ask today is that he be granted rights as a Sanctuary citizen…" Lord Ebara turns to the elder on his right. "Lady Fyria, what do you think of this proposal? You are the head of initiates after all".

The woman in question, Lady Fyria looked Zero up and down with interest. "This one defeated some investigators hmm? He looks very fit and from the Sentinels report earlier, he broke 4 Quinque wielded by our guards in a matter of seconds… I'll take him, if he competes in the Games". Ebara nods, turning back to Li and Zero.

"Very well Damien. Your irresponsible actions have been forgiven, though this…. compensation you've brought us will have to join the City Guard in order to prepare for more Doves in the area. This Council is now dismissed! See you all at tomorrow's Games". As the Elders rise to leave, Zero continues staring intently at Ebara who frowns. "What is it, no name?"

Zero stays silent for a moment before speaking. "My name is Zero. It's all I have left. So use it". Li walks forward to converse with the High Elder. "He remembers nothing from before he was locked in that box I found him in. Perhaps after the Games you can talk with him?" Ebara pauses before nodding. "Very well, sleep well.. Zero. You'll need your energy if you want to last one round in the Games…" With that the old ghoul turns on his heel and leaves the hall with the rest of the Elders…

Erashi presses the button for the Quinque Labs on the elevator panel and leans on the steel railing as she descends through the CCG Headquarters. The Special Class Conference had sapped her energy and all she wanted to do now was practice her Quinque skills with her best friend. The Elevator grinds to a halt and the young investigator steps out into the Armoury. Walking along the long isles of Quinques, she comes to the end of the long room where a heavy black door bars further entry into the S level of the Armoury.

She looks at her watch, sighing as a light padding of footsteps approaches from behind. Erashi turns to see a young male investigator smiling at her, taking her in an embrace. "Erashi… I was so worried about you when I heard about your Squad. Are you ok?" Erashi smiles and nods, stepping away from him. "Thanks, but I think I'll be fine, Kuzo".

Kuzo Alexander was a Rank One Investigator and had been friends with Erashi ever since they were both paired with Special Class Katsume for the first time. Kuzo had been a Rank 3 while Erashi had just left the Academy as a Rank 2. Kuzo's admirable skill with Quinque's and investigative skills had earned him a place in Special Class Noro's Squad, fast tracking him for promotion until they had both attained Rank 1 two years earlier.

Kuzo grins while he flashes a piece of grey plastic in front of her face. Erashi gasps. "How did you get that?" He laughs. "Special Class Noro gave me a key last month when I accidently broke one of his S rated Quinque in a sparring match… Wanna come see?" She nods and Kuzo inserts the key card into a reader beside the heavy black door behind them and the two Junior Investigators enter the Special Quinque Armoury.

Rows of Quinque ranging from S to SS lined the walls, with a lone pedestal holding a large ghastly looking broadsword in the rooms centre. Kuzo's fingers slide across the glass casing. "Owl… The only SSS rated Quinque in the CCG's possession. It was used by the Reaper Kishou Arima before he died over 25 years ago…"

Erashi refrains from giggling. "Every time you see a Quinque you act like a spoilt kid you know that?" Kuzo shrugs, pacing around the room. "I just love Quinque's. They've never let me down before now". Erashi sighs as she looks at the many Special Investigator Quinque as Kuzo walks with her around the Circumference of the room until they stop at one of the weapons. This Quinque was a longsword with an intricately designed hilt. Its black blade seemed to reflect its ominous beginnings.

Erashi takes a breath and reaches out to brush her fingers over the fabricated hilt as Kuzo nods in appreciation. "You've certainly got an eye for a good weapon Erashi-san. That's Ginkui, an SS class Quinque once used by Director Urie himself".

Erashi turns to him, cocking an eyebrow. "We're getting promoted in less than two weeks okay? So don't do anything rash that'll get you punished". Kuzo raises his arms in mock surrender and smiles. "It's not like I'm going to steal it Erashi. I was only looking you see". As the two friends chat some more, they exit the Vault, closing the door behind them and entering the Training Room. Several pairs of investigators were already at work despite the early hour.

Kuzo grabs Erashi's hand and pulls her forwards, pointing to a lone investigator in the corner using a huge Quinque to slice practice dummies to pieces. "It's Special Class Suzuya! Look at him go!" Erashi is forced to admit that Juuzou Suzuya was certainly the epitome of investigators. Even in his advancing age of 48 the distinguished Special Class Investigator was one of the CCG's most skilled and powerful.

Juuzou lowers his Quinque, Jason, after a particularly ferocious barrage and turns to see the two Rank Ones coming over. He raises a hand in greeting and waves. "Kuzo, Erashi. It's good to see you both". He flicks a glance to Erashi's face, his eyes crinkling slightly. "I heard about what happened to your squad in China. I'm sorry… I trained Katsume myself and he was my partner for many years…"

Erashi was getting tired of everyone giving their condolences and reminding her of a scene she'd rather forget, but instead she simply smiles and shakes his outstretched hand. As Kuzo and Suzuya converse over Quinque usage, Erashi notices some of the other trainers bow towards two men who had just entered the room. She gasps and both Kuzo and Juuzou bow along with her as the men come to a halt before them. Suzuya rises and smiles.

"Director Urie, Special Class Noro, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Urie shakes Juuzou's hand and turns to the rest. "Noro and I just came back from a meeting with Chairman Kotarou and I thought we could spar with some of our aspiring rookies". He smiles his charismatic smile, staring Kuzo directly in the eye as the young man agrees profusely. "Yes sir please! I've had my eye on this certain Quinque for a while and-" He's cut off by Noro who steps forward with a stern look on his face.

"Rank One Alexander" he begins before clearing his throat. "While we know that your skill with a Quinque is…. Extensive, I personally also know that that "certain" Quinque you mean is Owl. I cannot allow you to wield this weapon, as only Kishou Arima himself was able to control its massive power. For now, Director Urie has given me permission as the head of the Armoury to let you use another one of Arima's old Quinque that we were able to reconstruct".

Erashi sighs as Kuzo's hopeful face crumples, then returns to its previous enthusiasm as he realises he'll still get to use a SS class Quinque. An Armoury attendant comes out a small side door behind them with two Quinque in his arms. Noro picks one up and passes it to Kuzo's trembling hands. "This is Nazukami, an Ukkaku type Quinque. Use it wisely, as its Lightning based attacks can be hard to control.

The Special Class takes the other Quinque and hands it to Erashi. "I saw you admiring this weapon over the CCTV. Ginkui is the Directors own Quinque so try not to be reckless with it". Urie nods as he draws his newer Quinque, SS rated "V-Ghoul", a huge broadsword that was able to split into three smaller blades joined in the middle. Noro releases his own Quinque, SS class "Centipede" and raises it as the two grizzled investigators back away onto the other side of the training room.

Kuzo and Erashi look at two of the most senior members of the CCG in disbelief as Suzuya retreats to the side and watches. "Wait, you want to spar with us?" Erashi splutters. Urie nods. "Let's begin. Show me your skill!" Urie leaps forward with expert speed and swings his huge Quinque at Erashi's legs, but the young woman plants Ginkui in its path, stopping the blade completely. Noro thrusts at Kuzo with Centipede while the grey haired Rank 1 dodges each attack with ease and counters by firing a Tri-bolt of lightning at the Special Class from Nazukami.

Urie and Noro grin as they pant, recovering from the ferocious opening attacks. Kuzo motions for Erashi to follow his lead and the two of them sprint forwards, hoping to catch the older investigators off guard. Kuzo fires Nazukami from less than 5 metres away from Noro, instead of three bolts condensing the Quinque's power into one huge blast. Noro grunts and is forced to use Centipede's transformed mode to wrap four large scaly tentacles around the barrel of Kuzo's weapon, nullifying the blast. Erashi manages to get Ginkui in close enough to lock blades with Urie, but V-Ghoul suddenly splits and the woman finds herself trapped on either side by three smaller but equally deadly blades.

She sighs, and Urie smiles, thinking that the match was over. But Kuzo wasn't finished just yet. He snarls angrily at the position he had put himself in and his face contorts in concentration. Noro's eyes widen as Nazukami suddenly transforms in a blast of electricity, the tentacles of Centipede sliced open like butter. He jumps back, Kuzo raising Nazukami's blade form glinting in the artificial light of the training room.

Urie laughs at the face Noro wears as he takes a halting step backwards. The Special Class whistles lowly. "Rank One Alexander… You were able to activate Nazukami's transformation. Even I can't do that… Very good, now let's step things up a notch. I won't go easy on you now". Kuzo grins, Adrenaline surging through his veins. "Sure thing sir!"

The two investigators lock blades, every time Noro attempting to encircle the young man with Centipede's tentacles and every time Kuzo slicing them to bits before leaping in and forcing Noro to reverse the Quinque's transformation to counter with his blade. Erashi suddenly tightens her grip on Ginkui's hilt. I can do this! I may not be as good as Kuzo but I won't be left behind ever again!

She suddenly roars in defiance and grinds Ginkui down to the axis point of Urie's triple bladed Broadsword. As she feels a deep throbbing from her Quinque, a monstrous essence flows from the blade, pushing apart the deadlock and forcing Urie to jump back to avoid being eaten up. He sweats, wiping his brow and laughing hard.

"Wow… You, young lady are good. I never suspected that you had the level of skill required to use Ginkui properly… However, despite your skill, you left yourself open…" Ginkui is suddenly ripped from Erashi's grasp as V-Ghoul splits in half again, one of the six blades catching Ginkui against the guard and flinging it into a far corner of the room. Erashi pants, dropping to one knee to let the Director know she had forfeited. Urie holds out his hand and Erashi takes it, the older investigator heaving her up off the floor. The two of them shake, Urie commending her abilities and giving her instruction on how to sharpen her battle defences.

They look over to the other battle, watching as Noro suddenly pushes forward with all his strength, forcing Kuzo to raise Nazukami to defend. The Special Class uses Centipede's tentacles to thrust up just underneath Kuzo's blade, striking the young man hard in the legs. Kuzo falls to his knees, planting Nazukami into the floor and using it to hold himself up. Noro walks forward to help him up but Kuzo merely stares off into the distance, not seeing the training room, but something else entirely…

Kuzo looks up to see a beautiful woman standing before him instead of Noro Schneider. The woman smiles at him as he struggles to his feet. "Who are you?" He asks in wonder. "I am called Nazukami. I once had another name, but I don't know if you even want to know me…" She begins crying, and Kuzo feels a painful longing in his gut. "Wait! I…. I want to know you. Are you this Quinque?"

Nazukami looks down at her hands which have now become soaked in blood. Shaking her head, tears trickle down her face. "So this is what happened to me… I became a Quinque… All these years I've been trapped in this form by the side of Kishou Arima… The man who killed me… My husband, my brother, my children… What happened to them?"

Kuzo blinks. This woman was the embodiment of the weapon in his hand. He pauses. No. This woman was the ghoul that was slain to make this Quinque… He suddenly steps forward and pulls Nazukami into an embrace. She gasps, but Kuzo shushes her. "It's alright. I'm sorry for everything that has happened to you, but… I need your help". Nazukami rubs her eyes and stares at him. "That's up to you. If you really need me, then all you need to do is call me by my own name, not the name given to me…"

Her spectral image slowly fades away into the darkness, Kuzo tripping over his own feet to chase her. "Wait up! Come back"… His vision throbs, the blurry scene of the training room materialising before him. He is overcome by a fierce anger, and a pain strikes behind both of his eyes. As he rises to his feet shakily, a word comes to him. Kuzo raises his head and shouts out in all his fury and sadness. "Hikari!"

Noro holds out his hand to Kuzo as the investigator rises shakily to his feet. He raises his head to the ceiling and suddenly shouts out a name. "Hikari!" A huge blast of electricity radiates out from Nazukami, knocking Noro backwards. The lightning intensifies as Kuzo stands in the centre of the blinding vortex. He gasps as he sees the same woman from his vision standing next to him. She turns to him, a fierce light in her eyes. "You called me, so here I am. Use me wisely young man".

As the vortex whips towards its apex at the ground beneath Kuzo's feet, the other investigators in the room see the young man grasping his Quinque, a Quinque vastly different from earlier. Nazukami glows bright yellow, lighting constantly spiralling from the hilt to the tip of the blade. As he stares fiercely at Noro, he raises the Quinque and it flares in brilliant light, the lighting growing steadily until the blade is twice its original size. He centres it on Noro and the huge glowing blade splits down the middle, blue lighting dancing in the centre.

A wave of electricity flies towards Noro and the investigator blocks the attack with Centipede, the force of the blast forcing him back two steps. Kuzo swings the Quinque to his right and Noro brings his blade up to parry as Nazukami turns into pure lightning and passes through Centipede, the blade reforming and stopping an inch from Noro's face. He could feel the static crackling of the other Quinque and drops Centipede and falls to the knee, awarding the match to Kuzo.

Kuzo flicks his Quinque outwards, the lightning suddenly dissipating and the Quinque returning to its normal Rifle form. Erashi rushes u to him as Urie stands before Noro, shaking his head numbly. "Oh my god Kuzo are you ok?" Kuzo blinks, and smiles at everyone staring at him in awe. "I told you I was good with a Quinque". Noro raises his shaking prosthetic arm and pats his forehead. "Rank One Alexander… What did I just witness? Did you just use an undiscovered form of Nazukami?"

Kuzo shakes his head earnestly. "You'll never be able to use this form if you call her Nazukami. Her name's Hikari" Noro blinks in surprise. "It's a… she? And you made your own name for it?... Very well. You can keep that Quinque Kuzo. Well done, you beat me". Urie folds his arms as Erashi takes Noro away to recover from the intense match. "Rank One. How would you like to join Special Class Schneider and Special Class Arima on a high level mission to China as a part of the S3 Division?" Kuzo's eyes widen and he snaps to attention. "It would be an honour, Director Urie sir!" Urie laughs, patting Kuzo on the shoulder and turning to leave. "That was amazing kid. You unlocked the hidden qualities of the Quinque. We're all taught of it at the Academy, but no Investigator has ever managed to pull it off. I'll see you later, Kuzo".

Kuzo sits down on a side bench as the spectral Hikari Kirishima sits next to him. "That was impressive. You are skilled, Kuzo Kaneki…" Kuzo ignores her as he covers his faces in his hands, to prevent any witnesses from seeing the two Kakugan that showed behind his slightly parted fingers….

All was silent in the rotting corpse of Cochlea… Aside from the chirping of crickets, only a faint padding of footsteps could be heard. Uta stops in the middle of the SS level of the prison and holds up a hand. At this signal, 3 masked ghouls step out from the darkness. Roma, Nico and Itori join hands with Uta and the Clowns dance under the moonlight. "It's almost time, things are about to get interesting, mark my words". Uta laughs. Itori leans into the center of the circle and whispers conspirationaly. "Did you all hear about what's going on in China? Someone killed a whole squad of investigators and now the CCG is looking for the Ghoul Sanctuary…" She pauses, the rest of her comrades turning to address the echoing footsteps approaching through the darkness.

Akhira Kanou steps into the moonlight, the shuffling form of Kishou Arima by his side. The Clowns tense in wariness. Even they didn't know much about the elusive doctor. Kanou spreads his hands. "Good Evening my dear Clowns. I'm not sure your boss would appreciate you all being here tonight would he?"…

"Kanou appears! What does the doctor want with the mysterious Clown Troupe?!"

End Tokyo Ghoul: Crimson 02

Next Time: Trial and Error