The sunset painted the sky a beautiful crimson as the few clouds that dangled above Sagakin during the day finally dispersed. Hajime stared outside the window, trying to both admire the pretty sight while listening to the professor's course, although the latter proved more difficult than expected. As much as he was passionate about Criminology, he lacked the patience for learning theories discovered by other researchers. He already had to focus and learn about criminal profiles for his Psychology course, there was no need for more information dump, especially when he was a man of action. 'Practice makes perfect' was one of his credos after all. Considering the amount of time, effort and resources he poured into tracking down the Spawns of Shishima, he should have passed said courses with the highest grades. Alas, written and spoken exams were mandatory at Sagakin University and there was no way even he could get around this system. Thus he had to make time and attend the courses if he wished to gain his master's degree diploma as well.
Before he knew it, the clock indicated 8 PM and the course ended once their professor formally dismissed them. Relieved that it was all over, Hajime started packing his papers and shut down his laptop, nodding and waving goodbye at his peers out of courtesy, as he did not take a liking to many of them. It was only after Jack and Lori had moved back to the United States that he realized how small his social circles actually were. And then he saw her - Audra got up from her seat and walked straight to him once most of their peers had left. She wore the same clothes she had on their last date and even her lemon-scented perfume was similar.
"Hajime, we need to talk," she spoke, a serious look on her face. Her ex simply nodded - a sign for her to go on while he kept packing his things. "Did you really mean it when you said we were breaking up?"
The tired Hajime sighed and turned to face her. "Audra, listen, I'm not in the mood for this discussion."
"Look at me in the eye when we're talking!" she demanded and he complied, noticing she was almost on the brink of tears. "After three years of dating, do I really deserve to be pushed aside like I'm just another inconvenience to you?"
"You know as well as I do that my work is becoming all the more consuming. I wanted to break up because I don't want to end up being a burden and making you suffer."
"I don't care if I suffer because of that! Don't you get it, Hajime? I love you for who you are, I want to be by your side when you're going through hard times as well. Why won't you let me be there for you?"
"The path I walk is paved by nightmares and filled with dangers. I don't want you to go through what I'm suffering specifically because I also love you," he concluded and quickly answered his ringing phone. "Hello? Already? Alright, I'll come meet you straight away!" He jolted from his seat, giving Audra a 'see you later' nod, and rushed out the door.
"Keep safe, you lonely soul..." she whispered while watching him disappear into the corridor.
Hajime ran through the crowded corridors and tried to make his way without bumping into someone. In a matter of minutes he found himself outside in the campus yard. Scanning the area, he tried to ignore the few couples hugging and kissing on benches and the small groups of friends who wandered around aimlessly and laughed. Then he noticed him - he was standing by a tree, waiting. His English partner's civilian clothes included a long gray trench coat covering his formal navy blue suit, with a collar large enough to shield half of his face as well. They both wore the same black leather shoes, although his were a smaller size, and of course his hands were covered by gloves. Ever-secretive and professional, always making sure none of his fingerprints remained outside. Hajime was quick to notice that even in public, his ally wore glasses over his icy blue eyes. Did he truly have vision problems, or were they part of his faux disguise? Even his black hair oddly stood out, as it had been barely combed. It was more than obvious that he also had a busy day.
"Did you get it?" Hajime asked in a lower voice once they were both face to face.
In response, his partner pulled out a small bag and offered it to him, speaking in a similar tone, "Yes, it just arrived this afternoon. I made sure its proportions fit your face, it can be easily molded."
"Really? It arrived this quickly..."
"Never underestimate the secret services, mate. Here, you'll also need this." He passed Hajime a small piece of paper. "This contains the address of the meeting and the fake name I chose for you. I've already answered the online test, the Spawns accepted you straight away into their circle. If I were you, I'd hide my gun somewhere safe and make sure not to bring any other weapons. New members are always thoroughly searched."
"That's all fine and dandy, but what should I do when my initiation comes? The only times I ever killed someone was in pure self-defense when the Spawns attacked me. I don't think I'll be able to actually torture and murder someone..."
"All I can say is be brave, go ahead and don't indulge the adrenaline rush." Hajime was also offered a small headphone. "Keep this in your ear. Don't worry, the mask will be fully covering your head, so there's no way it will be detected. This will enable me to hear what's going on and I can try to be your voice of reason."
"Thank you." Hajime nodded and accepted the small gift. "I'll try to mentally prepare myself for tonight."
"Good luck. Don't worry, I'll be behind the monitor, ready to help you if needed!"
And with those parting words said, Hajime's partner walked off, disappearing into the crowd of students.
A chilling wind blew through the emptied streets of Sagakin's historic center. Since the hours were late, all citizens were already tucked into their beds in the comfort and safety of their homes. Only the occasional police vehicle passed by on a night patrol once every hour.
Having hidden the bag containing his gun and gray Italian suit between two trash bins, Hajime dressed up into a pair of casual blue jeans and a long-sleeved black polo shirt. Next he put on a pair of contacts to change his eye color. Lastly, he pulled the latex mask over his head and started adjusting it. When he looked into the selfie camera of his cell phone, he was met with the face of a shaven skinhead with Grecian features such as a hooked nose and a slightly tanned skin tone. Those dark brown eyes were almost as cold as Shishima's. He cleared his voice until it was a deep baritone, a stark contrast to the more suave tone which he developed over the years after taking a good number of French lessons. From his point of view, the disguise was a success. He slid the phone in the back pocket of his jeans and leapt out of the alleyway, heading towards the abandoned theater which was only a block away.
Eventually he stopped in front of the building. Its front windows had been broken and replaced by wooden planks which seemed to be worn off by the passage of time. The beige paint on the walls was in a similar state, as chunks of it looked like they were about to fall off. Taking a deep breath, he reached and knocked on the front door four times. A single voice spoke from behind, "Worship?"
"For power," he replied, well aware of the cult's password.
The door opened and he was soon greeted by the familiar face of a dark-haired young man of his age. Keiichi Satoshi, former Computer Sciences student at Sagakin University and a constant suck up to Shinobu Matsuda.
"Ah, a foreigner, it's a pleasure having you among us, mister..." the cultist paused for a moment, having already forgotten the recruit's name.
"Achilles," Hajime responded in his new voice.
"We are looking forward to your initiation among our ranks. Do come in!"
Following his lead, Achilles stepped in. As expected, he was paused by two muscular men who seemed to be in their mid-thirties, and at Keiichi's prompting he was thoroughly searched. All they found was his cell phone and deck, nothing to be deemed suspicious. Thus he followed his guide down a dimly lit corridor which he presumed was where spectators once came to purchase tickets back when the theater was still in business. Eventually they walked into an auditorium with a large number of its seats occupied. Everyone gathered there donned black robes with hoods over their faces and whispered among themselves. Achilles was led to an empty seat in the front row and was offered a plastic cup with a straw.
"No thank you, I'm not thirsty," he politely declined, knowing full well from years of investigating the cult that newcomers were always offered drugged drinks in the hopes of boosting their confidence for the mandatory torture in which they had to partake.
Keiichi shrugged and calmly spoke back, "As you wish. Pay attention, you will be called on stage soon enough." Then he took his leave.
In a matter of minutes a bright light shone upon the stage, revealing a beaten up gagged beggar tied up in a circle of red and black candles. High heels were heard and soon enough Shinobu appeared on stage. Having not seen her in five years, Hajime was taken aback to see that she missed an eye. She leaned down and used a lighter to light all candles. Once done, she pulled out a dagger and turned to face her public.
"Our newest member Achilles is hereby invited onstage," she formally stated, her tone strict and demanding.
Not wasting any time, he got up and complied to her demand. His partner whispered in the headphone, "Brace yourself and block out your fears." Achilles ended up face to face with Shinobu and was surprised to see she was slightly shorter than him. She offered the dagger to him and he immediately accepted it, turning to the unsuspecting victim. In that solemn moment while regarding the beggar, he made a great effort to block out any feelings of guilt. He mentally tried to justify the crime he was about to commit as being a sacrifice for the greater good. Better for one to die if hundreds will be spared. Making no hesitation as to not raise any suspicions, he lifted the blade in the air and immediately sank it into the homeless person's flesh. The victim tried to scream, but the gag in their mouth blocked all attempts. Achilles kept on stabbing in a rhythmical and mechanical fashion. The crowd cheered him on, shouting phrases such as 'Gut the pig!' or 'Praise Shishima!', but he paid them no attention as he solely focused on the vile act.
"It's all for the greater good, it's all for the greater good," Hajime desperately repeated the mantra in his mind as a last ditch attempt to not break down.
"Your heart rate is faster than normal. Whatever you do, don't give in to the blood lust!" his partner sternly spoke in the headphone.
"That's enough." Shinobu placed a hand on his shoulder and he finally stopped, pulling the bloodied dagger out of the gutted victim's body. "Congratulations for passing the test, not many are as efficient on their first sacrifice." She reached and took the weapon from his hand. "Now stand back, I will take it from here!"
Relieved that he did not lose his mind in the process and disgusted that he had sunk so low, Achilles nodded and backed off. He was more than certain that a new chain of nightmares awaited him once he got home and went to sleep.
Shinobu fell on her knees with her hands clasped tight on the blade's handle, whispering a prayer to her master. As soon as she was done, she rammed the weapon straight into the victim's neck, taking its life and completing the sacrifice. In the very next moment, the lights began to flicker and the entire stage and auditorium was shaken by a light earthquake. From the fresh blood which had been shed, a purple smoke arose in the air and began taking the form of a horned lion's head. Everyone gathered gasped in awe as soon as they recognized the face that was staring down upon them. At last, Shishima had returned!
Count Kage relaxed on the couch in his mansion's living room. His reading session had been interrupted as soon as he was assaulted by the large wave of prayers and negative emotions which the ritual provided. So great was his satisfaction with the recent offering of the Spawns that he decided to finally reveal himself as a sign of gratitude. But his surprise was even greater when he sensed the presence of Hajime Shirayama among them. The fact that his human rival had infiltrated them was indeed an interesting twist, one he intended to exploit right away for his own entertainment, even if it meant breaking his game's rules. He reached his gloved hand and picked up a coin off the table. Mentally deciding that heads meant exposing Hajime to the cultists and tails meant he kept the secret to himself, he tossed it in the air and eagerly awaited the result. Much to the mortal's luck, it landed on tails - the rules would not be broken after all. Still, the count would make those mortals entertain him one way or another.
"Shinobu, it's a pleasure seeing you again after all these years," the Shishima head spoke to the gathering. "However, this newcomer's offering is not sufficient. I demand that you duel him so that I can personally see if his strength deems him worthy enough of serving me!"
Shinobu turned to her newest subject and took out her deck, plainly saying, "You heard the master."
"Loud and clear," Achilles replied and walked with her to the dueling tables in the corner of the stage.
The lights ceased flickering and the earthquake calmed down as they set their cards, five blue rectangular shields materializing above each duelist. Grinning expectantly, Shishima watched their match unfold, knowing full well that regardless of the winner he would receive the entertainment he sought.
"I expand DG Parthenon ~Where Dragons are Created~ and draw a card," Achilles said and their surroundings changed to those of a temple resting on marble pillars, the faceless head of a dragon made of purple crystals floating in the middle. "DG Parthenon is not a D2 Field, but a DG Field, so you cannot get rid of it by playing any kind of Field! While it's out, we can only play three creatures and three spells per turn, nothing more."
"Your lockdowns fail to impress me. I cast Wozurek's Inquisition, show me your hand!" Shinobu said and her opponent revealed Lightning Sword Paladin, Absolute Shield Knight, Emeral Trickster and Jyuu Ni Shin Ki, the latter of which was discarded.
"I charge mana and end my turn."
"I gutted your options, didn't I? Don't worry, there's more where that came from - I cast Brain Touch, draw a card and you must discard a card at random."
Lightning Sword Paladin landed in her opponent's graveyard. Still, he did not show any signs of worry despite losing important cards from his hand. He simply drew, charged mana and said:
"I summon Emeral Trickster and set Absolute Shield Knight face up on my shields, then I return another shield to my hand without using shield trigger. With Absolute Shield Knight's effect, I check the top two cards of my deck, add one to my hand and the other becomes a new face up shield!" He immediately checked the two cards. "This goes to my hand and I set another Absolute Shield Knight to my shield zone. I'll repeat the effect once more." Again he checked two cards. "I'll draw this and set I Am Justice If You Want to my shields. Now all my shields gain shield trigger while I Am Justice If You Want is face up in my shield zone!"
"Your little shield play won't get you too far - I cast Demon's Light, draw two cards and give -5000 to Emeral Trickster, destroying him!" A blue light fell upon the small Cyber Lord donning white robes and a metallic headgear with two antennas, zapping him into nothingness.
"At the start of my turn, since they're face up on my shields, I summon I Am Justice If You Want and both Absolute Shield Knights as if their costs were paid!" A small blue robotic humanoid sitting in front of a giant golden golem appeared alongside two round robotic knights donning pale golden armor and sitting in the lotus position. "While I Am Justice If You Want is in the battle zone, all of my creatures can't be attacked or blocked. Now Absolute Shield Knight's effect again!" Achilles checked the top two cards of his deck, adding one in his hand and setting Mage of Cursebreaker as a face up shield. He repeated the process again, drawing another and setting Goten! Ginga MAX as another face up shield. "Then Galaxyshield 3, I set Azure Rising General as a face up shield and draw a card. Turn end."
"I expand Cyberdice Vegas, Gambling Expert of D." The temple's surroundings got replaced with those of a futuristic casino with slot machines and roulette tables, a blue cybernetic dice floating in its middle. However, a few marble pillars and the crystal dragon's head remained, indicating that DG Parthenon did not disappear from the battle zone. "I end my turn and draw a card from Cyberdice Vegas," Shinobu announced.
"Since he's face up on my shields, I summon Azure Rising General as if his cost was paid and draw a card." A blue robotic warrior wielding a glowing lance joined the small army of creatures that Achilles was building. "Galaxyshield 2, I set Jyuu Ni Shin Ki face up as a new shield. Then I expand the D2 Field Joe Star of Hope!" The casino's sights were fully replaced with those of the cosmos, a small planet resembling Earth floating in the middle. "While Joe Star of Hope is out, all cards lose their civilizations. Now that Cyberdice Vegas is gone, it's time to attack - I Am Justice If You Want, triple break her shields!" The robotic duo dashed headfirst and tore through three opposing shields.
"Don't be so sure about that - shield trigger, I expand another Cyberdice Vegas!" The casino reappeared once again, fully replacing the cosmic sights and the small planet.
"This won't stop me! I attack with Absolute Shield Knight and use his effect again!" Achilles checked his top two cards once more. "I'll draw this and set Lightning Sword Paladin as a face up shield."
"Denjara Switch - I turn Cyberdice Vegas upside down and cast Team Tech's Wave Go to destroy your untapped Absolute Shield Knight!"
"My other Absolute Shield Knight's attack still goes through, break her final shields!" The robotic knight created a prismatic orb in its hands and tossed it at the two remaining opposing shields, shattering them in a matter of moments.
"Shield trigger, I expand a new Cyberdice Vegas! And now I suppose it's my turn," Shinobu smugly stated, her opponent making a hand gesture for her to begin. "I cast Hyperspatial Gallows Hole to send Absolute Shield Knight back to your hand and bring out Black Ganveet, Temporal Soldier who destroys your tapped I Am Justice If You Want!" A demonic knight riding a skeletal horse emerged from a hole in the ceiling and used its blue scythes to slice the small robot and its golem to pieces. "I end my turn and draw from Cyberdice Vegas."
"At the start of my turn, since they're face up on my shields, I summon Lightning Sword Paladin and cast Jyuu Ni Shin Ki as if their costs were paid. Lightning Sword Paladin sends Black Ganveet back to your hyperspatial zone!" A golden-armored knight wearing a helmet shaped after a cone and wielding a sword made of blue lightning appeared and rushed towards the demonic knight, hacking him and his skeletal horse, both disappearing as soon as they came. "Then with Jyuu Ni Shin Ki's effect, I check the top four cards of my deck, add one to my hand and the rest go to the bottom of my deck. Now, I summon Kirazeus Savark." The next creature which appeared was a slender serpentine dragon made of gold and dark purple crystal, its wings made of sharp golden spears, a red eye glowing on its chest and a brilliant sword of light in its sharp claws. "Azure Rising General, todomeda!"
"Denjara Switch - I turn Cyberdice Vegas upside down and cast Miraculous Plague! With its effect, I choose Azure Rising General and Kirazeus Savark from your battle zone, as well as two Mage of Cursebreaker from your mana zone. You must choose among them to send one of each to your hand and destroy the others!"
Achilles smirked, taking his opponent by surprise. "Kirazeus Savark's effect, I send the face up shields of Goten! Ginga MAX and Mage of Cursebreaker to my graveyard to save both my creatures in the battle zone. As for the two Mage of Cursebreaker from my mana zone, I'll take one to my hand and send the other to my graveyard. Now, my attack continues, todomeda!"
"Grr, Ninja Strike 4, I summon Hayabusamaru, Lightfang Ninja and block the attack!" A small golden plane descended and collided with the blue robot's glowing spear, exploding in the process. "My turn, I cast Hyperspatial Guard Hole and send Kirazeus Savark to your shields face down. Then I bring out Diabolos Zeta, Temporal Ruler!" A dark blue skeletal serpentine demon wielding two spears and with two large cannons resting on its shoulders descended from a hole in the ceiling. "I end my turn and draw from Cyberdice Vegas."
"Galaxyshield 6, I set I Am Justice If You Want as a face up shield. Azure Rising General, todomeda!"
"Ninja Strike 7, I summon Hanzou, Menacing Phantom and give -6000 to your creature!" A demonic frog jumped out of nowhere and opened its mouth, extending its purple tongue with its mace-like top which crushed the blue robot, destroying him.
"Your Diabolos Zeta has blocker and is stronger than my Lightning Sword Paladin. I won't attack."
"A wise move. But now it's time for you to witness true power - I shuffle Cyberdice Vegas from my battle zone and both Hyperspatial Gallows Hole and Cyber K Wozurek / Wozurek's Inquisition from my mana zone into my deck to awaken Diabolos Zeta into Devil Diabolos Zeta, Evil Awakened!" The demon got enveloped in a bright multicolored aura and grew in size, transforming into a humanoid donning blue armor and wielding two purple swords, two large copper dragons, each with three blue wings sticking out of its body floating behind him. "Then Super Infinite Evolution, I evolve Devil Diabolos Zeta into Storm Genji Double Cross, the Super Temporal!" The psychic creature grew even more in size and transformed into a giant red dragon with a long flowing blonde mane, donning a metallic red armor and wielding two sharp orange swords with blue X marks. "I also cast Miraculous Snare and send Lightning Sword Paladin to your shield zone face down. Now I'll end here, next turn once I awaken Last Storm Double Cross, you are finished!"
"Sure I will," Achilles sarcastically said as he began his turn. "Since he's face up on my shields, I summon I Am Justice If You Want as if his cost was paid." The small blue robot with the giant golden golem reappeared. "Then I summon Mage of Cursebreaker and set Cromwell, Iron Cannon face up as a new shield. While Cromwell is face up in my shield zone, all of my creatures gain speed attacker! And since I Am Justice If You Want makes my creatures unblockable, your Ninja Strikes are useless!" He declared, delighting in the shocked expression on his opponent's face. "I Am Justice If You Want, todomeda!" The robotic duo rushed ahead and punched Shinobu, knocking her back and sealing their owner's victory.
While the theater crowd was rendered speechless by the outcome, Shishima burst into mirthful laughter as he witnessed his High Priestess get back on her feet.
"Shinobu, I am highly pleased with both of your performances tonight. This Achilles will surely make a most worthy Spawn of Shishima! Congratulations on tonight's offering; make sure to keep the faith alive and instruct the Spawns all around the world to increase the number of sacrifices. Never forget, my return is imminent!" Shishima concluded ominously, his smoke illusion then vanishing.
Shinobu walked over to Achilles and, in a rare display of humanity, gave him a proud smile. "If the master is pleased, so am I. Congratulations for appeasing the great Lord Shishima! I have no doubt you will be a great asset to our organization!"
"It was an honor." Achilles bowed to his waist as a sign of respect.
"Everyone, tonight's meeting is over!" Shinobu loudly announced. "You may all go home."
It was past midnight when Hajime finally arrived at his mansion. In a matter of minutes he walked into his partner's bedroom and took off the mask, allowing himself to properly breathe. Both men stood silent for a few moments, unsure of what to say to each other.
"Was the visit worth it?" was the question posed to Hajime which ultimately broke the silence between them.
"I finally got the answers I was seeking. I'm sure that the upcoming nightmares I'll experience will be worth it," he flatly replied.
"Thank you for the great effort you made tonight. I assure you it won't be in vain, we now have plenty of incriminating evidence to deal with the Spawns once and for all. All we need to do now is prepare ourselves for Shishima's return."
"We'll worry about this tomorrow. I'm headed to bed."
"I'd suggest you go wash the blood off your hands first," Hajime's partner spoke with a surprisingly sympathetic voice. "Go get some rest, you've more than earned it."
Hajime regarded him and broke the serious attitude for a moment, giving him a warm smile and saying, "Thanks... for everything. Good night!"