DISCLAIMER

I do NOT own any characters from the anime, books, and games. Characters I do own is Rose, Malshano, Zikomo, Ryu, Cosmos, and few others.

Chapter IV: Dark Gathering

Malshano's P.O.V.

" Me, going to this meeting where other Demons are going to gather… If it wasn't for the powers, I wouldn't have even bothered meeting Cosmos." Malshano was heading towards to the Yorgon Temple. As it turns out, there are actually two nothing-other-than-Demons realms. One ruled by Yorgon. The other ruled by his brother, Yami. You would think that there would be a small war between the brothers. But there isn't, and that is surprising to Malshano, who does have a brother and fights and competes with him all the time.

" Glad to see you made it Malshano," Cosmos said as he stood in front of him.

" …"

" Come. The meeting will soon begin. And after that, the Ceremony."

" Oh joy. The meeting," Malshano said to himself as he followed Cosmos into the temple. Inside, there were doors all around the room. These doors lead to other realms of the Universe. And the room also has a long, black marble table and reverse-golden chairs surrounding it. In carved in the table was a Black Lion, outlined in gold. He circles the planet that has been shrouded in darkness. The moon of the planet, meanwhile, was being devoured by the Black Dragon. The Lion represents him, Malshano, while the Dragon represents his brother. The chairs each resembles the phases of the moon. New moon, waxing crescent , and so forth. The ceiling itself has carvings of demons, including himself and his brother. But the most hated ones of all is the White Cheetah and the White Tiger. Along side the White Cheetah is the White Jaguar, who is the second to be hated and despised by all Demons.

When Malshano heard that his brother was able to be set free from the realm he has been trapped in, Malshano seeked out for the person who helped his brother. Instead, he found help from this Demon, Cosmos. He knows the person who helped his brother, and his name is Chaoxen. Chaoxen is known for his fearful powers, and the same goes for Cosmos. But they hate each other, that's no mystery there.

" So where is everyone? Taking a nap?"

" Patience Malshano. They will be coming through those doors right about… now."

" How can you be-" Malshano was cut short by the doors that shot open. Seven out of twelve doors each had a colored orb come out. A black orb drifted towards Cosmos.

" Greetings Cosmos. And how are you, my good friend?"

" Very nicely. And to you?"

" Same. My brother Yami has actually stopped pestering me over the past few weeks."

" Interesting. He had made it his interests to bother you ever since your father died and you became the ruler of this Realm. I wonder what he is up to… Oh. Yorgon," He said to the orb. "This is Malshano. Malshano, this is Yorgon."

" This orb is the ruler of the Realm? The great and mighty Yorgon?"

" Now don't judge anything just yet Malshano. They can't travel to other realms in their real forms. It has been like this to this and the other Demon Realm since the beginning of the age of Demons."

" But sti-" Before he could finish, Yorgon has began to glow, and then a burst of black light surrounded the orb. When the light disappeared, instead of the orb, a figure stood in its place.

Malshano gasped at the figure. Yorgon floated off the ground an inch or two, and wrapped in a cloak that is red, which is so dark, you would have thought it to be black. Nothing human is recognized of his body or face. His head looks more insect than anything else. Without a mouth, it's a wonder how he could talk. His face is covered in tattoos and scars, though you can't tell at first, since he wears a hood on his head. And to complete with this, he carries a spear with a black handle in his hand.

Yorgon smiles. " So you are Malshano. You look extraordinarily like your brother."

" So everyone keeps reminding." Malshano hissed. " Just get that I'm nothing like my brother."

" Quite." Soon, the other orbs have transformed into their original forms. Ultimacia, Garland, Narako, Lynx, Hojo, and Giovanni were the people who came besides Yorgon.

" Now that everyone who could join us is here, let us be seated." As everybody went to the seats, each person nodded at Malshano, except for Hojo.

" So you are his brother. I figured that he would end up with a brother since-"

" Shut-up. I'm not here to be lectured by you. I know all you did in the past." Hojo smirked, then he seated himself at the table. Malshano remand standing, hoping to do the ceremony thing that would grant him powers again.

" Everyone, I welcome you here," Cosmos started. " For those who couldn't, are either dead," he frowned heavily as he reached this point, " or has turned their back on the Demons. But! We aren't here to discuss about that." He turns to Malshano. " We are here to witness as Malshano is to become what he and his brother are." He smiles. " Hell-born Angels! Now," he looks towards to the crystal platform that stands in the back of the room. " Malshano, the sword and stone is on the platform. Go on to the platform and be ready for the process."

Malshano, though confused, went to the top of the platform. There on a small table was the iron sword and the stone. The stone is half black and half gold, with a black lion outlined in silver in the middle.

" Malshano. Do you know the price for the powers you are to receive?" Malshano shook his head slightly. " Your heart."

" My… heart?" Malshano puts one of his hands on his chest. " This heart… is too weak and pitiful to keep."

" So will you give up your heart for the powers?"

Malshano thought for about two seconds. " Yes."

" Pick up the sword." Malshano did and raised it to where he could plunge it into his chest. Before he has time to hesitate, he struck the sword into his heart! He gasped in unbearable pain. With sweat and blood going into his eyes, he pulled the sword out quickly. He grabbed the stone from the table. He slowly placed it in his chest. And just as soon as he pulled his hand out, his chest started closing, healing itself. And just as soon it fully healed, the platform glowed very brightly. Looking down, all of his blood has disappeared as the light subsided. Very surprised, he wiped his face with his sleeve and stepped off the platform. Everyone looked impressed at that he survived long enough to do that.

" You survived. Excellent." Yorgon said.

" Malshano. Show us your power."

Malshano stood very still, feeling his new powers. Then, he shot his right arm out, and a golden dragon wing sprout out of his right side of his back. Then, with his left and a black angel wing shot out of his left side. A black lions tail grew out and a black unicorn like horn grew on his forehead. He was amazed at what just happened. He tested his wings to see if they are real, then the tail.

" Amazing…"

" Impressive…"

" Man, I want wings…" That came from Hojo. Malshano walked to the table and seated himself out of exhaustion of ridden his heart. And for the fact that he would have to get used to the extra weight of the wings.

" Now that is taken care of, let's get down to business." Everyone sifted their attention to Cosmos. " We have to rid the threats that stands in our way. Like the Ultima Mages," He paused as everyone's face turned angry. " And the Mages of Life." He stopped here too. Malshano's anger started to bubble, for he can still taste the bitterness of defeat. " Luckily for us, neither of them has as much people than they did in the past. As we know, his brother," he turns for a second at Malshano, then back to everyone. " he is already hunting down Coalar Lee Drake VII, the White Tiger, the last of the Ultima Mages. All Malshano has to do, is track down, and kill, the last of the Mages of Life, Rose L. Master V. The White Cheetah."