(Based off the very beginning. Read Seraph of the End / Guren Ichinose: Catastrophe At Sixteen.)
-Different P.O.V-
"Ishikawa?"
"Here," I responded calmly.
Hearing whispering and quiet squeals, I ignored them and looked back outside the window.
'I wouldn't attend here if I didn't have business with the false god-like clan,' I thought and quietly sighed.
"Today is the day the new freshman attend here. Also...this year is the final year you will graduate from First Shibuya. You've all grown into nice seventeen, eighteen and nineteen year olds'," the teacher explained.
After she said that, I blocked out her voice and looked back outside the window.
I was neither seventeen, eighteen nor nineteen, I'm actually twenty years old, though no one here knows that.
Apparently, I'm here undercover. Other students thinks I'm the same as them...
'The students and teachers here are so naive. They don't even know what's happening in the shadows of the Imperial Moon. I don't blame them, the Hiragi's were always shady.'
"Alright everyone, line up. We're going to the assembly."
'Damn it...maybe I should've listened more. Eh, not my fault my attention span is short.'
~Tiny Time Skip~
There was a large crowd in the auditorium, even though only one thousand students attended here.
Glancing around, I saw many noble clans, but I stopped once I made eye contact with some girl with short, black hair.
'She seems like a type who won't say anything about me. Then again, she looks informative. Hope her master isn't someone I should worry about.'
Glancing around again, I felt a tap on my right shoulder and looked to my right to see a guy with platinum blond hair.
"Hello," he greeted with a closed eyed smile.
"You got my attention for a reason, now what is it?"
"Hm, I knew you were interesting. What's your name?"
"You should already know that and from the way you look, you're a Hiragi. The girls in my class wouldn't shut up about you."
"I guess I'm popular, after all-...*Smirk* You're good at putting off questions. But still, a introduction would be nice."
I stared at him blankly, "My name is Ryou Ishikawa."
"Oh? The new head of the Ishikawa clan? It's an honor to meet you. I'm Shinya Hiragi. Your clan is just as famous as our clan, but very secretive. Hn, I never knew what you looked like."
"I rather not give away my appearance. I don't like so much attention," I told him and returned my attention to the stage.
A girl spoke on the stage and I only caught a few parts of what she was saying before walking off the stage.
She didn't catch my interest until we made direct eye contact when she walked off the stage into the crowd. Her beauty kinda made my eyes widened.
If I had extra time on my hands, I would find her and talk to her, but sadly, I came here on a undercover mission.
I noticed the audience looked back to a loud yell, so I did, too. The yelling came from a girl with red hair and she apologized.
'Huh...A Jujo.'
Another girl who wore a sailor uniform with ashen colored hair walked onto the stage and the audience immediately became quiet.
'Found her. A little too easily. All I have to do now is to tell her the organization's movements.'
"Hey, do you know who that is?" Shinya asked in a whisper.
"I'm sure you're gonna tell me," I pretended to be sarcastic and sighed.
"*Chuckle* That's Mahiru Hiragi, my fiancee."
When he mentioned fiancee, that made me inwardly frowned, 'This makes my job all the more harder. He may seem all nice and all, but that's just a facade.'
"Oh, congratulations," I congratulated him in a bored tone.
"Huh...You don't find Mahiru interesting?"
"She's a nice looking girl, but she's not my type," I replied boldly, but to no one could hear.
"Well, you're bold in words. I guess Guren doesn't have a love challenge except for me. In his case, that's good for him."
'What the hell is he even talking about? And why is he talking to me? *Sigh* I don't care. I'm only here until the ocurring fight.'
~Next Day~
The next day we gathered for an assembly.
It wasn't exactly an assembly, more like a training ground where we could practice for improvement in our fighting skills.
Staring at different fights between different students, I sighed in boredom.
It's not that I didn't want to fight or didn't have any interest, I just couldn't find a student who could be strong enough against me.
"Hey, you!" A female voice called out to me.
I turned to my right and saw the same female with red pigtails. She approached me intimidatingly, but I wasn't phased by her aura.
"Wanna fight me?"
"If I told you no, you would aggravate me until I agreed."
"Hmph! Do you know who you're talking to?!"
"Mito Jujo, age fifteen, next leader of the Jujo clan. Your personality is straightforward, but if there's a Hiragi around, as kind as you can be and loyal. The Jujo family was cursed with red hair for generations to come for sealing a dangerous demon away."
She stayed quiet and her cheeks turned red from embarrassment, "Just fight me!"
She made an attempt to do a swift kick, but I lifted my right hand and caught her foot with ease.
Lots of attention, which I despise, came towards us as muttering spread across the courtyard.
"What? How did you..." She trailed off, not believing what she saw.
"I wouldn't bother him, Mito. He doesn't really like being bothered," Shinya informed her.
"What makes you think I want to be bothered as well?" A male with black hair, tinted dark purple, with dark purple eyes asked.
I studied him, "You're an Ichinose."
"Is it that obvious?" He asked with an 'innocent' smile.
I didn't respond to that and sighed, "Stay away from me, all of you," I told them and let go of Mito's foot.
"Hey, I'm not done with you yet!" She shouted after me.
"I don't care," I replied carelessly.
Fast footsteps came running my way and I knew exactly who it was. Turning around, I saw Shinya coming at me with a stern face.
His fist was branded with some type of invincible fuda and a whirlwind surrounded it.
Backing up at each punch he threw at me, I saw openings near his stomach and chest, then went for the strike.
Punching him twice in the stomach and chest, I kicked him up and did a circular kick, sending him away.
"If you want to sneak up on me, you're going to have to do better than that," I told him and left.
The students I passed by either glared at me with enmity or muttered how cool or awesome I looked to which I could care less.
~Small Time Skip~
School ended and I headed home.
My home wasn't too much. Just a small apartment high from the ground that's as big as a zen garden.
(Seriously? -_-)
Swinging my bag over my shoulder, I sighed and exited the classroom.
"Um, excuse me..." A female voice called out to me.
I looked over my right shoulder and saw a girl...the beautiful girl from yesterday on the stage.
Her medium long hair is a bright, light brown. Her eyes are like mesmerizing rubies that are shielded by glasses. Her perfect hourglass body shape was nice. Her shy, yet soothing voice is comforting.
Though she was very beautiful, I responded to her like any irrelevant person would.
"Yeah?"
"Are you...Ryou Ishikawa?" she asked shyly.
I nodded and she stayed quiet for awhile, "If you can't say what you want to say, then leave me be," I told her before slightly turning.
"N-no, wait. I just wanted to say...I-I need to speak to you...in private," she mumbled the last part shyly.
'*Sigh* Honestly speaking, she's gorgeous, but this better not be a love confession. I really don't have time for this.'
~Tiny Time Skip~ -Different P.O.V-
We walked under a oak tree in the school entrance area.
As students passed by, I hesitated on how I was going to approach the boy with what I had to say...the boy who I know, but doesn't know me.
'How do I ask him? Well, I shouldn't provoke or scare him...though he looks like a person who wouldn't easily be scared...'
Out of all honesty, I admired the boy who stood next to me.
His slightly ruffled, whitish silver hair was like soft feathers. His golden irises were like the Golden Gates of Heaven. His slim, well built body also intrigued me.
A silver stud was placed in his right ear, the kanji my sharp eyes noticed said 'Swift Viper'. It was engraved in the stud.
"Ishikawa...do you want to become friends?" I asked him.
He looked at me, "...No."
"What? Why?"
"I barely know you and you don't just walk up to a stranger and ask if they want to become friends. What are you trying to gain from this?"
"I...I just wanted to be your friend," I replied sadly.
"I don't need friends. Me, myself, and I is all that I-...Mahiru," he retorted, but stopped, and walked to the known girl.
Staring at him go and talk to my friend I knew for quite some time, I tilted my head in confusion before exiting the school entrance.
'So, Ryou Ishikawa, your ally is Mahiru Hiragi and you have a objective to complete...'
I smirked, "You're very different than before...Ryota."
~Time Skip~ -Different P.O.V-
After coming home, taking a bath, and my maids cooked dinner for me, I decided to do my homework.
I looked at the digital clock, '20:29 PM. I should get started on the letter to the organization.'
Getting a new sheet of paper, I wrote a letter to the organization I belonged to about Mahiru Hiragi.
I found her. I found Mahiru Hiragi. She attends First Shibuya High School. She says that next week is when we make our move. If she convinces the next head of the Ichinose clan to come with us, our plan will be an success.
From, Ryou Ishikawa
Folding the paper and sliding it in a envelope, I turned off my office desks light and sighed.
*Silence*
'That girl...'
Memories of the girl from earlier today flashed through my head. She somehow caught my eye and I felt something strange towards her.
'It's a good feeling and a bad one. No one ever approaches another, saying they want to become friends, not without a reason. She may prove as a threat to us or...she might be useful. I just know something's off about her.'
Attempting to figure out more information about her on my laptop, I searched clans with little information...
She wasn't found anywhere.
This made me narrow my eyes at the screen, 'She's a threat. She must've hacked the system at school and created false records to make her seem she's from a clan. Smart move.'
Turning around to the window in my swivel chair towards the rectangular window behind me, I stared at the white full moon.
My eyes caught a figure on a building that wasn't too far away as the wind blew. Whoever it was...they had long hair and wore a white cloak.
The figure turned to my direction and red hues appeared.
Grabbing my katana that was near me, Chimei-tekina Batsu, I waited for the identified figure to make a move.
'A vampire.'
The vampire didn't move, it only stared at me with its false intimidating eyes.
Though far away, I took a few whiffs of the air, wanting to know if I recognize the scent...and to my surprise, I did, but it was a bit foreign.
The vampire smiled at me while revealing half of its face and gave a slight wave when it noticed my shocked reaction.
She fell backwards on the edge of the building afterwards.
~One week later~
Qualifying examination week came.
These exams were to be graded by evaluation. One class would go up against the other in a fight, but individually to see where you would be placed.
It was like a test to see if you were to be held back or pass on to the next grade. Of course, the Hiragis set this up since they were the Imperial Moon and first elite of this school.
I felt no hatred or friendliness towards the Hiragis. Naturally, they were a threat to the organization I was raised in...
The Brotherhood of One Thousand Nights.
We're the most powerful magic organization throughout Japan, but I could care less about power or fame.
My only objective was to retrieve Mahiru and go back to the Brotherhood of One Thousand Nights.
Coming out of my thoughts, I noticed someone was staring at me longer than needed.
It was Guren Ichinose.
Lifting up an eyebrow towards him, he gave away a false friendly smirk before turning back to his class's opponent.
Returning back to my class's opponent as well, I noticed red eyes again in the rivaling class.
Blinking to make sure it was an illusion, I stopped and saw the girl from one week ago...the last time I saw her.
Her eyes were the reddish pink that was shielded by thin glasses as she stared into my golden eyes with a small, but adoring smile. She gave me a slight wave before I looked away from her.
Her real eye color would prove she's a vampire.
I clenched my hands into my fists, 'I can't have her getting in my way. She's a vampire...Does a vampire pose as a threat to the Brotherhood of One Thousand Nights? Or...is she after-'
"Ryou Ishikawa."
When my name was called, I walked through the students of my class and approached the fighting ground.
Annoying as enough, the girls of my class swooned and fawned over me while wishing me good luck.
"Sayoko Kuribayashi."
With that name being said, the classmates of this 'Kuribayashi' started cheering and the students of my class muttered.
"Lady Kuribayashi? That girl's hell. But Ryou Ishikawa, too? I think the two can both kill anything."
"Yeah, she is just as powerful as all the Hiragi's combined. I've never seen Lord Ryou Ishikawa, but I heard about him and rumour has it that he's deadly."
"I doubt it. The Hiragis can beat her to a pulp. Kuribayashi is lucky she's even friends with Lady Mahiru."
'This Kuribayashi is friends with Mahiru Hiragi? Just as powerful as all the Hiragis? Interesting. I might convince her to join us. She'll be of great use.'
Waiting for my opponent to come, my face showed a little bit of shock at who approached me.
It was the girl with the unmistakably sharp reddish pink eyes.
She bowed, "It's an honor to fight against you," she said, then leaned up and got into a fighting position.
I unnoticeably frowned at her, 'She's not going to use any type of weapon? Not that she doesn't have to, but I would've at least expected this from someone like her.'
"Don't wanna take off your glasses?" I asked her.
She shook her head. When she did that, I noticed her real presence behind me and the girl before me was an illusion.
I swiftly turned around as she was about to strike me in my chest, but I backed up each time she went for a blow.
'She's amazingly fast. Almost as fast as me. I gotta hand it to her, she's good at Ninjitsu and Judo,' I thought and decided to strike.
When I was about to strike at her chin, she caught my arm and swung kamikaze-like on my shoulders. This made my footing unbalanced.
She hugged around my neck with her thighs and flipped me forward. Almost hitting the ground, I twisted my left foot and kicked up three times in her chin.
This sent her up and I was about to kick her twice, but she somehow flipped backwards in midair. Her moves were slick, it was as if her hands were a fox's movements.
Blocking each blade-like thrust, I noticed her feet were open and quickly squatted on the ground before tripping her up.
When her head was about to make contact with the ground, she put her hands behind her head and jumped back on her feet.
Glaring at her, I decided to to go for another blow while using Kung Fu. Grabbing her right hand with my left, I twisted her arm. Then, I pulled her pass me and kicked her in the back of her right leg.
Faltering, she spun around and kicked me in the back of my head, making me cringe and grunt, but I showed no weakness or defeat.
Getting out of my grasp, she back-flipped four times to put some space between us. I turned around, wanting to know her motives.
"Ohimesama-tachi, Tsuki Kitsune..." She mumbled under her breath.
(Moon Fox.)
A type of katana called a nodachi assembled out of her left hand. It looks like a blade that could cut through anything. It's aura was pure, but it was also an intimidating rose color.
Seeing how this was going to go, I unsheathed Chimei-tekina Batsu from my white sheath and aimed it towards her.
The katana I had was much different from hers. It was a Masamura katana. The blade is a piercing silver and it's very sharp. The aura was a relieving, yet tainted gray color.
Kuribayashi came at me, flash stepping on the way. It was a Ninjitsu technique that makes your body seem like a shadow is in one's previous position.
Clashing katanas, both our classes cheered. The cheer was loud enough to draw attention from other rivaling classes to us.
Unexpectedly, she broke the clash.
Kuribayashi spun around me and somehow flipped me on my back by grabbing my neck. She hovered over me while pointing her katana at my throat.
"You're really stro-" She stopped talking as she glanced around.
Taking this chance, I flipped her over and held Chimei-tekina Batsu against her throat.
Though caught by surprise, she still looked focused elsewhere. And to my internal surprise, her glasses didn't fall off once.
"The victory goes to Ryou Ishikawa!" One of the judges said.
Kuribayashi pushed me off of her and ran towards another class.
Looking to the fight she ran after, it was a girl with wheat colored hair, she was beaten badly.
It was Seishiro Hiragi's doing.
"Stop this now, Seishiro!" Kuribayashi yelled as she blocked his path from getting closer.
"Move, woman. You are in no position to stop me," Seishiro told her.
She refused to move as she shook her head and he grinned malevolently. I didn't like that grin on his lips or glint in his eyes.
"Fine, have it your way. Both her and your servant are gonna get hurt," he directed his eyes toward...
Guren Ichinose?
Advancing towards her, something inside me told me to go and help the two, so I ran towards the scene, coming unnoticed.
As if everything went in slow motion, I stepped in front of Kuribayashi and formed my right hand into a blade, positioning it under his neck as a drip of blood spilled.
Glancing over my shoulder, but still keeping an eye on Seishiro, who stopped his advance and was taken by surprise, I didn't see any kind of reaction from Kuribayashi.
'...Is it possible she can resist from the smell?' I thought before a female voice spoke.
"My ears must be deceiving me...I thought I just heard you say you were planning on killing that girl."
"...This is none of your concern, Mahiru. Stay out of my business."
"This is my business. I won't let you dirty the Hiragi name..."
"I told you, stay out of it!"
Mahiru somehow got close in a flash. It seemed as if she was going to grab Seishiro, but I knew she was coming to our direction.
He swung furiously to pry her away, but she spun on her left foot and went to the girls behind me.
"Are you alright, Sayoko?"
"I'm fine, Mahiru, but her...not so much," she responded and looked back at the still, weakly, standing girl.
Bruises, cuts, blood, a now rag sailor uniform...it was horrible looking at this girl. She appeared to be broken, but she still stood her ground.
I blocked out the conversation, 'She's a servant of Guren Ichinose. If she could withstand those punches, then I know her master is even more stronger.'
"I'm sorry for getting you mixed up in this, Ryou Ishikawa," Mahiru apologized as she held the girl by her shoulder and arm.
"It's alright, Mah-..Lady Mahiru."
I quietly sighed, 'I don't need students coming after me just because I didn't use 'lady' at the beginning of her name as a sign of respect.'
Feeling the glares and looks of surprises, I sensed two intense stares on me.
Lazily looking through the crowd, I saw a male with reddish black hair and eyes that were dark.
'Now I'm being watched? The hell?' I thought before slightly turning around to the strawberry eyed girl.
"You okay?"
She nodded and smiled, "Thank you."
My eyes slightly widened when she smiled and thanked me. It was something I wasn't used to.
"Hnn," I replied and walked away from the scene.
"Quite impressive," someone said as I passed by them.
Glancing to the right of my eye, I saw blue ones. It was Shinya Hiragi. I ignored his false compliment and walked back to my class.
~Next Day~
The second day of the qualifying exams came like silk.
The day was sunny and clear, not a single cloud in the sky.
Soon...it will be clouded with smoke, dust, and the metallic smell of blood.
'Everyone looks happy, full of excitement, and very dedicated...What if I could feel all those emotions? Would I not be so cold? But...I have been having an emotion or two...'
"Excuse me," a quiet, yet stern female voice spoke.
Looking down...literally, I saw the girl with short, jet black hair from before. The girl who I noticed from the opening ceremony.
"Yeah?"
"I need to thank you for helping my ally. My master thanks you, too."
"And your master is?"
"Guren Ichinose, next leader of the Ichinose clan. You met him one time."
"Oh, him. Well, you're welcome."
That small conversation ended there and she walked away. It's what I wanted from the beginning.
"Hello, Ryou."
"Don't you have people to impress?"
"*Chuckles* Just like him. In fact, I do not. I already took my qualifying exam and I passed. Like yourself, impressive, isn't it?"
I gave him a poker face, "Does it look like I care?"
"Aww, you're so cold and mean, but...you seem lonely. I pity you."
"I don't want your pity. I just want to be left alone. If you'll pardon me," I retorted and left.
Sneaking away from the training courtyard, I leaned against the school's wall and stared up at the sky.
'Any time now. Before it happens, I need to get my thoughts together. Over the last two weeks, I've met: Shinya Hiragi. Mito Jujo. Guren Ichinose and his two servants. Lastly, Sayoko Kuribayashi. I'm only concerned about three of these students and the student who's watching me. Out of these four, two are a threat. Kuribayashi and the watcher. I'll assume the watcher is a Hiragi and judging from his orderly aura, he's Mahiru's brother, Kuerto Hiragi. Back to Kuribayashi...what would she want? What could she gain out of a...a newborn, like myself? Does she even know that I'm a-'
*BOOM*
'There's me and Saito's que.'
Walking inside the smoke screen that was filled with screams and red liquid, I made a black scarf appear and wrapped it around my head, making half of my face shielded and my eyes were only shown. I also made a black cloak appear and buttoned the buttons at my throat, so the uniform wouldn't be easily shown.
Closing my eyes and focusing on where the two were, I finally sensed a pinpoint and ran to that location.
'Two people are with Saito. The other just left. I better hurry before they run into more problems.'
Skidding to a stop, I tilted my head in belittling amusement as I saw Ichinose having a small battle with Mahiru.
I stepped forward, "Let her handle this on her own," Saito said, blocking my way with his left hand.
She broke the clash they held and jumped back, "Oh, my apprentice is here. No need to interfere."
"Apprentice? I wouldn't be surprised if you did teach a student," Guren remarked as he glanced to me.
I glared at him, "Enough with the small talk. Besides, impressive! You really have become stronger, haven't you? Was it all for my sake?"
I didn't pay no heed to what his response was. Obviously, it was no. Who could blame him?
Mahiru Hiragi is currently possessed by a demon.
Watching the showdown between the two, I felt another presence behind me...it was familiar, yet unfamiliar.
Slowly backing up farther into the smoke screen, I glanced around as the three were no longer in my view.
"Who's out there."
"...You're being used."
"Answer me."
"Please, just let this conflict be and run away from it, with me."
(Sounds familiar?)
"It's an incompetent choice. If I do that, I'll only have to deal with the conflict in the near future. Now, answer me, who are you."
A shadow in the smoke descended, it was cloaked and looked like the figure of a girl do to the long hair...
'Long hair...It's her. She's showing her true self...and unto me? What if I leak this information?'
"It's me, Sayoko."
She was in perfect and clear view. In her true form, she was the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.
"Why are you here."
"I would like to explain when we leave this place. I no longer want to see these humans get killed all because of the organization you're joined with."
"And if I refuse?"
She shadowed her face with her long bangs, "Would you believe if I said that...we met long ago and you're the only one who can help me to accomplish humans and vampires coexisting?"
I gave a disgusted look, "I have no reason to do that. It's not my fight, I'm just doing as told."
"You do, I see it in you. You will help both civilizations greatly."
"How so exactly?"
For some reason, her cheeks turned light pink, "Like I said, let's discuss this elsewhere."
I pondered, "...Fine."
~Two weeks later~ -Different P.O.V-
"All we've been doing is training for the past two weeks and still attending school as if nothing ever happened."
"I know and you've been getting stronger. This is all apart of the coexistence of humans and vampires."
We stood in a grass field that was surrounded by trees and a good sized mansion was nearby, but it didn't give off a lot of attention.
"I want answers."
I sighed before sheathing Ohimesama-tachi in my black sheath, "What do you want to know?"
"Who are you. What rank of a vampire are you," Ryota demanded.
"...My name isn't really Sayoko Kuribayashi. That's just the 'human' name I go by. My real name is Estelle Lucienne Ruby. I...I am the First 'Female' Progenitor of the vampires."
"First 'Female' Progenitor?"
"I don't pose a threat...not unless someone tries to kill me. My people don't know what I am planning and I rather keep it secret. Can you at least trust me?"
"I'm going to need more information in order for you to gain my trust."
I sighed again, "I know what you are. You're a snake chimaera, aren't you, Ryota Kiiro."
He narrowed his eyes, "How do you know what and who I am."
"I've been watching you a week before school began. I find you very interesting and I just knew you were the one."
He seemed taken aback, but covered it, though a pink blush coated his cheeks, "Hmph. What do you see in me exactly?"
This time, it was my turn to get pink in the cheeks, "Uh..not only do I need you to help me, but...I kinda like you."
It was silent before I chuckled, "This is weird for the First 'Female' Progenitor to tell me something like this." He kept chuckling.
My blush turned red, "H-hey! Don't joke around with my feelings!" I lectured him.
Seeing his chuckles turn into laughter and smile like that, it was the first time I ever saw him do that...and in a long time.
'Oh, Ryota...you don't have any idea. Surely, you'll remember when I give you the medicine to help you...'
He made a small smile, "Anyway, I guess I should properly introduce myself, even if you already know me. I'm Ryota Kiiro. Hope we can make a difference for the future."
"W-wait, didn't you say-"
"I trust you. I don't know what this feeling is I get whenever I'm around you, but I like it. Though you practically persuaded me to go against my organization...I can make an exception for a beautiful and peaceful girl."
Somehow, his cold aura disappeared.
My still heart melted, "Ah...thank you, Ryota, b-but I'll tell you my full reasoning."
"And I'll give you my explanation," he responded as he crossed his arms.
"I'm not the original progenitor. The 'First' is just a sub. People sometimes forget to use 'Female' to know which progenitor they're talking about. My brother is the actual one. I haven't seen him in decades...Some say he's dead and others say he's alive. Honestly, I dislike him for his ways, but I did not take or overthrow his reign; I don't know what happened for him to disappear. I want to get my niece away before he tries to..." I explained in detail.
"Tries to...turn her into a demon?"
"I'm guessing you know about the Brotherhood of One Thousand Nights experiments for Cursed Gear and that's why it connected?" I questioned before narrowing my eyes in pity.
"That, too. You forget I was in the organization. I wasn't just someone who followed out rules, I took notes on what they were doing to an orphanage...and I didn't know what to feel. Testing experiments on those innocent children..." He explained.
"It's despicable and evil. You felt disgust and revolt towards it. Since you're a completed experiment, I'm guessing they didn't teach emotions to you," I told him.
Ryota folded his arms, "Partially true. I was taught how to manage my anger, be cold to possible threats and enemies, and kill anyone who tries to kill me."
I smirked at his last sentence, "I like the last one, but I don't generally agree with it. What's the Brotherhood of One Thousands Nights planning?"
"There's a lot happening, so I can't really say, but I do know there is about to be a war between the Thousand Nights and the Hiragis."
"A war? Hm...I want to keep out of it. Do you have a purpose within this war?" I questioned him with a worried look.
"Not really," he responded without a care in his tone.
"Oh, okay. That's good, I don't want you getting killed and...about Mahiru Hiragi-"
"I have small connections with Mahiru Hiragi. She gave me Chimei-tekina Batsu before a demon began to control her and trained me to become strong along with the One Thousand Nights. I thank her for that."
"Oh...well, be very cautious. If I make a mistake in my reign, some of my people might kill me...mainly, two vampires that go by Bathory and Crowley. Anyhow, I was capable of convincing most progenitors to make peace with humans. I attempted to convince my niece, but she said that my nephew was used by the humans' experiments...by my brother. I understand what she means now."
"Eventually, she'll come around and realize that she has to get him back by coexisting. The enemy of her enemy can be her friend. Also, there's one last piece of information."
"What is it?"
"The world as we know it...it'll be ending within eight months, on Christmas day."
I was taken aback for a moment, then I narrowed my eyes, "How did I not see this coming...? How would you know something like that?"
Ryota looked at the swaying trees from the breeze, "Mahiru told me. As you can tell, she's a trader to her clan. All because of her undying love for Guren Ichinose."
"To go to the extent of becoming a demon for the one you love and to become powerful...I don't need anything like that. As Mahiru's friend, I didn't want her to get hurt. I'm afraid it's too late for her to turn back..."
"So, in the meantime, what do we do? It's April 16th, we have enough time to train."
"I suppose so. Let's do our best for the outcome of the future, Ryota!"
(To be continued...)