The Dark Elite

Ritsuka and Shirona arrived at the top of the skyscraper together, immediately being surrounded by everyone else who started to question who the boy was

Shirona put her hand up in the air, getting everyone's attention before starting to speak.

"Dear friends and visitors, I'm glad to have everyone here tonight, as I'd like to introduce someone very special" - as she said that, she slightly pushed Ritsuka in front of her - "His name is Fujimaru Ritsuka, and he is my son. Give an applause for Arcana's Prince" -

The revelation was met with excitement from everyone, which made Ritsuka uncomfortable, which was worsened when he looked everyone in the eyes, noticing how they all had either red, green or purple eyes, and all looked somewhat dead in their looks.

"I don't like being here..." - Ritsuka said while he tried to leave, but Shirona stopped him.

"Where are you going, my son? You're the man of the hour, everyone wants to hear a word from you" -

"Then I'll tell them you kidnapped me, that I don't belong in this place" -

"What do you mean? This is your home, and deep down you know it" - she kneeled down, getting to his ear level - "After all, you're never going back" -

"You don't know that" -

"Oh, but I do, and I can make sure of that. The faster you accept it, the faster you and I can become a happy family" -

Ritsuka decided to get away from her to have some time to think. She knew he had no way to escape the place, so she didn't try to keep him together with her.

He got close to the edge and overlooked Russia. The city looked so peaceful yet at the same time, it gave off a creepy air, and it was obvious that something bad was going on.

"Pardon, are you Lady Shirona's child?" - a female voice spoke from behind me. He looked behind him, seeing a girl of his age with long purple hair and red eyes, dressed in a black dress - "My name is Luna, I'm delighted to meet someone like you" -

"Hi... Luna" - he said, a bit creeped out by her red eyes. They weren't natural, not by any means.

"You have no idea how it feels to be talking with Shirona's child, I feel like I'm dreaming" -

"Really? I feel like I'm having a nightmare..." -

"Please, may I request something from you?" -

"What is it?" -

"I would like to test myself against Lady Shirona's child in a fight. I, like the members of the 5 Highest, have received the Iridescent Viper and I wish to see how it fares against someone like you" -

Ritsuka got nervous, as he didn't know if he could fight someone in that world. After all, he could barely do anything against Shirona.

"You wish to challenge my son? Very well, I'll allow the encounter, you two give everyone an interesting show" -

"But I..." -

"The Viper you drank shall give you the power you need to face her. Trust in me, and you'll see what you can do" -

Ritsuka, while still not sure, had to follow her orders. Everyone made space for them to fight, and the first to make a move was Luna.

A powerful punch came out of her, hitting Ritsuka in the chest, pushing him back a bit, although he was mostly fine.

"Is this because of her...?" -

"Indeed it is, my child. The Viper has made you into something more than human. Now, make your mother proud, and win this fight" - Shirona's voice sounded inside Ritsuka's head. He wasn't happy to find out about it.

Luna launched herself against Ritsuka, but the boy decided to not give Shirona the satisfaction, so he simply took the repeated barrage of punches without trying to fight back, only protecting himself.

Shirona noticed this, that despite the constant attacks, her son wasn't trying to counter, and she wasn't amused by that.

"What are you doing exactly?" -

"I'm not going to fight, I'm not going to obey your orders" -

"I'll give you one chance to reconsider your actions before I take matters into my own hands" -

"What do you...?" -

"Do you think that the only thing I can do is communicate telepathically with you? Want me to use your body to kill that girl?" -

"You're...You're the worst" -

"Fight and defeat her, or I'll take over and kill her, then punish you after we're back at home" -

"Are you seriously going to kill someone in front of so many people?" -

"Want me to show you?" -

Ritsuka knew that she was serious, he knew that voice tone and he didn't want to risk someone else's life. Begrudgingly, he attacked Luna, throwing her to the ground and trying to knock her out.

The girl got up, charging her fist with green energy and trying to punch Ritsuka in the face, but the boy stopped it with his hand before being pushed away from Luna.

"Not bad, as expected from Lady Shirona's son" -

"Just let me finish this quick" -

Ritsuka didn't allow Luna even a moment from rest, he attacked with the intent to knock her out as fast as he could, but the girl wasn't letting herself go down without a fight.

Green aura surrounded her, and turned into the form of a giant snake which enveloped her as she shouted in pain, worrying the boy.

"Observe, my child. That is the true power of the Viper, a power beyond the mind of any mortal. Use it, and win this fight" -

He wanted to refuse, but he knew that Shirona would simply use his body to kill Luna if he did. Even if he didn't know the girl, he wasn't going to risk the life of an innocent person like that.

The aura of a serpent appeared behind him as well, the same green color enveloping him. As he started to concentrate further, he started to feel every muscle in his body tear, but being kept together, the pain was almost too much for him, but he managed to keep consciousness. Using the power of the Viper, he attacked Luna with as much strength as he could, hitting her in the chest while she was stunned from her pain. With such strength, Luna was knocked out with such a blow.

Shirona looked at him as the emerald aura left his body and he fell to his knees. She slowly approached him and carried him princess style.

"How do you feel, my child?" -

"I feel like every muscle in my body is falling apart..." -

"Fufufu, worry not, it's simply your mind playing tricks on you. The power of the Viper heals you from whatever wound you'd suffer" -

"I need... To rest. I'm tired..." -

"As you wish, I'll take you to the plane so you can sleep and heal fully. You did great my child, I'm proud of you" -

Shirona carried Ritsuka to the plane where they arrived, all while the boy felt a weird yet gentle warmth from being held like that by Shirona.

"Thanks... For this..." -

"No need to thank me, I'm your mother after all, I'll always take care of you" -

Ritsuka slowly closed his eyes as one last thought crossed his mind.

"Maybe... This isn't so bad..." -