?, A time not too long ago...

What is this place...?

It's...just...nothing...

An infinite blackness...of which I float among...

Not knowing what it is or where I even am...I just stay here...

I don't want much...

Just to know.

I want to know...

More...

One who thinks all the time has nothing to think about but thoughts...

And that's what I am.

Because that's all I can do.

I've attempted to move, but to no avail, I just wind up getting sick from spinning.

I don't even know how I got here or...

Who I am.

What I am.

No identity...no...home...no life...

No nothing.

Owning only my awareness, my thoughts, and the fact I know I can own things...

Including the reality that I want to know more, again...I can't emphasize that enough.

There has to be more to this place...more to...everything, if anything...

I just...don't know where to begin...

(AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHERE IT BEGAN)

Suddenly...something becomes...

Brighter...closer...

Nothing more than a...thing...of light...

Making some noise that I make when I hum...

It feels...familiar.

Like I've known it for all the unknown length of my existence.

Soon I realize that I have...a form?

As if I was deprived of senses, and they soon all come flooding back.

The light emitting from the being in front of me bounces off of my form into my source of sight...whatever that is...

I seem to be more lightly colored with a fair complexion...with 5...things on my...limbs...f-fingers...I think they're called...

I...I'm something...

I'm something!

YES! I exist!

At least I think...!

But I want to know for sure...

Yes...I want to know more...

Feel this light more...

Using all of my willpower...connecting it with my limbs to reach out...

Touch this light and make contact with it...

As I do...

It slams into me.

My senses get overwhelmed...

A...force...washes over me, making me experience things I've never felt before.

An...energizing...feeling...?

I don't know it for sure...

But I sure feel like it...!

I FEEL ALIVE!

But as it happens...I feel myself get pulled, hard...backwards...

As if I'm falling from grace or...

Rising...towards...?

The light soon permeates through the darkness as I enter it, my senses and my sight being blinded by both as I soon realize...

I don't think I do...

I know...I now exist...

Yet it's not enough...

For now, I might've had my fill ...

But I feel it, still...

The desire...

To know more...

Damian, today

"No way Jose! He...actually defeated 2 vampires...?!" I ask my friend in disbelief.

"Yup! They still have one in lockup in the teachers' lounge. The other had to run away." Addison tells me.

I'm not too experienced in fighting, only ever been taught the basics in self defense and to tap into my power in shapeshifting, pyrokinesis, and teleportation.

I've never really trained a day in my life beyond that, there's never been a need to!

But after what happened with Kai the other day, and how he kicked my ass before those vampires attacked...

I really shouldn't be surprised he won...

He even predicted my teleportation...going so far as to cause me to bleed.

I can heal, so it wasn't too bad...

But the fact that a HUMAN of all things caused it...much less how he survived ME...

Makes me question him overall in terms of he even IS human.

Side note: Was looking for Jack earlier to get back at him, but I'm pretty sure he cashed in that appointment with Cameron.

Just this once, I'll go easy on my cousin. He's had literal bad luck his entire life, and I'll humor him to let him vent.

Back to the topic at hand... Jackie, our teacher, can be human in appearance, but she's a bird in truth...

So, it makes me wonder...

Even his 'presence' so to say...is different than that of humans.

His arrival just so happened to coincide, at least within a week, of some beyond supernatural wave me and my family felt...

Far past anything we've ever experienced before.

Even Hell was shaking at that point...

But I digress.

Regardless, as a demon, or at least being a creature of demonic origins...we exist on a hierarchy of strength, it's how we deliver respect, whether the person is good, bad, or even ugly.

I've seen my fair share.

I thought our armored security guard (didn't even realize he wore any until I hit him...hurt like hell) as less than suspicious dirt when he first arrived but now...

I don't really like him at the moment...but I'd first be damned by my father if I didn't respect Kai for his abilities.

The only thing that also confuses me was those insanely loud sounds that came from outside the school on that day, same for earlier today as well!

Except that one was inside...

We've never been technologically advanced...at least until I've seen Kai ride around on his 'vehicle' as I've heard Cameron Walden mention...

Much less in the weapons department...

According to what I've heard from the teachers...Kai possesses 'firearms', little mechanisms that use high velocity projectiles to pierce through his targets.

Of which HE invented himself.

I think THAT was why he specified as to whether or not we were to use weapons in our duel...

Of which...we never officially finished, was more or less just postponed.

Makes me wonder...

He's an inventor at the least...

What else has he constructed?

Or is currently constructing...?

"Hey! Dame! We're here!" Addison says, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Oh sh-I'm in the marketplace! Dude! I've never been outside the school up on the surface! This place is colorful as shizz!" I exclaim, elated to see this for the first time. "It's...no way...!"

I'm frozen at what I see...

One of my favorite things in the entire world.

"COMIC BOOKS!" I scream as I sprint over to the stand with the unenthusiastic writer, pulling up the first one I see as my friend join me. "Oh man, is this the new issue?!"

"Mhm..." The tan fox dismissively says.

I pull in Addison, hoping he'd like this one.

"Hey Addi! You'd like this one! It's got snakes and stuff! You like that sh*t, right?" I ask him.

But before he can respond...

"SINNERS!"

Ah dammit...

One of those religious fanatics again who have that 'Holier than thou' attitude.

I don't doubt he believes in what he preaches...

But it's the fact that he's trying to capitalize off it and people's beliefs is what ticks me off, and I'm a demon.

As much as I try to ignore him...

He's persistent...

Kai, meanwhile

Where are you...

I've patrolled the school the entire school day for any abnormalities more so than usual, and nothing really 'bad' yet...

That I've seen.

I'm riding around on my bike to keep an eye out for any more disturbances.

I know for a fact I 'felt' something in the school before and around it, I investigated the source inside, and saw Cameron interacting with 2 creatures who seemed to have the same nature as Damian, of whom they seemed to be asking about.

They must've been affiliated, at least in some capacity, with those red creatures who attacked her.

I knew for a fact they wouldn't be any more dangerous than, say a couple wild dogs, but I still wanted to keep an eye on her to see what'd happen because she was armed.

If it came down to it, I was ready to aim for the heads of those creatures.

Call me irresponsible or a 'monster' for not helping her immediately, but I can't always be here to help her, she must know how to operate in a fight or flight situation.

She may have chosen 'flight' initially, but she recuperated and chose 'fight'.

That's how I know she's getting it, not used to it, but starting to.

Which is why, after that first incident, I wanted to make sure there wasn't any other demonic presence around this school.

Including the fact that I have yet to investigate that other emergence that happened as well...

Cameron is in the school, having a session with Jack as of right now, exercising her job as a counselor officially for the first time since coming here.

Knowing what's apparently been happening to him, he needs it.

Zill came to the Club a little bit earlier as well, taught him a little more in parrying.

But I can't teach him any more until he's brought more people into the Club, otherwise we won't get anywhere.

Sooner he does...

Better chance at defense we'd have against...

The outside hunters? No.

The vampires? No.

The demons?

...

...

"Ey! Kai!" I hear my earpiece go off.

It's Carrie.

"Yeah?" I ask.

"Those Hell-Sprites ya indirectly helped Cam dismembah said they were lookin' fer Damian. While yer out and about, ya mind keepin' an eye or two out fer him? Talked to the cute little b-stards a little more and they said his pops was lookin' fer him. Also mentioned his caretakers were up here as well." She says, me resisting the urge to respond to the first part of that.

"What do they look like?" I ask.

"One sec." After a minute, she responds. "Tall, purty lady with pink hair and dress...and a blue and red fuzzy demon with a sour attitude."

Definitely noticed the difference between them and the others.

"Cameron interacted with them right before being attacked by the Hell-Sprites, she told me." I say.

"Well, if ya see them, and if ya don't mahnd, try naht to shoot their limbs off. In fact, ah know yer a little prejudiced against demons, but just humor us in bringing Damian back home. He's the tamest demon we've encountered, relatively speakin', and we're in good terms with his pops. So if anything happens, we're kinda screwed." She explains.

"Copy. Got an idea where he might be?" I ask.

"Well, ah know Gustavo, who ah think is relatively acquainted wit' Damian's friend, Addison. Heard secondhand that little Antichrist maht be near the marketplace. If anything, ya should check there first."

"Alright, heading there now." I say, taking a U-turn and making my way towards it.

I've read up on the maps around this city, and now I know them by heart, especially after riding around them so many times.

"Also, Kai?"

"Yes?"

"Ah know we're not really on the best of terms beyond us just being coworkers, so to say, ah gotta say sorry for actin' creepeh towards Cam."

"Appreciated. Though if anything, you should probably say it to her. Everything I did towards you, ranging from telling you off to standing in between you and her, was to protect her, nothing more, nothing less." I say.

"Ah know."

"Why are you saying this? You're normally unapologetic." I ask.

"Cuz ya earned mah respect fightin' off those vampires. Normally everbahdy ah know beyond the teachers woulda run ta save their skin, but ya didn't even hesitate to put yer life on the line fer the school, and I saw ya even shed yer blood for us. Ah respect bravery like that. Legitimately woulda offered ya some of mah whiskey if Cam hadn't chugged it all down. Also, kinda feel like yer a bit biased against denizens of the underworld. Surprised yah didn't discriminate against meh at all."

"It's alright and thank you." I assure her. "And what's more... is that I'll do it again when it comes to it. Also, I could definitely sense you were different in that sense of you being of a nature similar to Damian. Your content of character certainly proved your past otherwise given you're at least more self-controlled than Damian. You transcended last your nature and became better, that's why, looking at it now, I respect you for it."

"Thank yeh, and ah don't doubt ya in yer promise, Quickdraw King Kai." She says, making me chuckle.

"That's a new one." I say, smiling.

"Nevah seen anythin' like yer weapons. Cam said that's wut ya did, so that's the name ah gave ya."

"Flattering." I chuckle again.

"Aight, I'mma let ya go. Gotta try to see if ah can squeeze some more info outta Simon here..."

"Copy. Later, Carrie."

"See ya."

I hang up the call from my earpiece, earnestly surprised to hear that from Carrie of all people.

Thought she'd always be that rough n' tumble undead-looking cowgirl who'd never soften up or admit fault in any capacity, but I guess I was wrong!

I may have been a little douchey in terms of protecting Cameron, and I should probably apologize to Carrie when I get the chance, but both she and virtually everyone around here was getting up in her personal space. They did the same to me when they mistook me for her.

Regardless, despite all that...we've gotten on better terms...

Life really is strange...

I rev the engine harder, making me go faster to reach my destination sooner.

Especially since I think...

I've been feeling the one thing I didn't want to...

Not now...

?

It seems that a certain somebody got here before us.

A wrench in the gears, I'd say.

Even so, I'm still absolutely blown away at...

THE POTENTIAL THIS PLACE HAS!

I mean, Heaven? Hell? AND EARTH?

We could finally rise again...

After what his little friend did to us...

The one time we took a page out of their book in preeminence...we were nearly wiped out...

Took out all of us in an explosion of epic proportions after his little 'valiant' effort...only a few of us remain, a fraction of our former glory.

We've been busy, so to say rebuilding.

Would've thought him to be a god with what he managed to do.

But the fact that they have a form of an Antichrist here...could be an opportunity...

I've already been given execute authority...and I've been gauging the power of the creatures here...

They are not ready...

Especially you...

Damian Beelzly...

Damian

"Lemme guess, you're just doing all this, putting on this little religious act so people can buy your little self-help book?" I conject.

"Oh no, sinner, I'm just trying to help others be saved from the horrors of hell!" He insists, still smiling in a disturbing manner.

Literally, how does he not know I'm the literal Antichrist?

The son of the devil himself is right in front of him! How does he not notice it!

Not even saying this for an ego inflation, I just find this ironic.

"Trust me, I know a Joel Osteen when I see him. I know you just sell this stuff for profit. If there's one thing I hate, it's people who falsely capitalize off their beliefs just to make a quick buck. I can see past this little façade of yours..." I say, pointing at him.

"Oh? And who are you to say anything, young man?!" He continues smiling, but starts to get visibly frustrated with his eyes twitching.

I think a lesson's in order.

I reach within myself, pulling out one of the many facets of my power...my shapeshifting.

Soon, my limbs begin to stretch as if they were elastic, allowing me to increase my height as my legs carry me upwards. My arms extend as well, making it seem like I have tentacles for arms.

My voice deepens as my eyes glow red.

"Listen here you little hypocrite, I am no young man. I'm the very thing you say will bring about the end of days, the very one people will pray to when the world comes to an end. I got news for you, punk, I don't pray to anyone, nor have I ever been prayed to. But if it came down to it, with what I'd be doing to you, you'll be praying to God for real, if you don't cease this little act of yours. I. Am. The. Antichrist."

When I finish speaking, I'm face-to-face with the guy, who's holding a crucifix close to his chest.

I don't normally get involved in things involving public acts of religion like this guy does, but as I've said, it's hypocrites I can't stand.

At least when I'm being a d*ck, I'm honest about it. I don't preach one thing and act another way.

"GLLK-!"

Suddenly, I feel my neck being spontaneously seized by an unknown force.

No warning, no buildup, no nothing!

I feel myself get yanked upwards into the sky, my arms shrinking back to normal as well as my eyes and voice.

I try to feel where I'm being gripped to make an effort to break free, and I feel...

A hand, secured around my windpipe as the breeze of, whatever it is, and I flying up into the heavens brush past us.

We eventually stop when we're about the height of some of the medium size buildings.

The force seizing my neck rotates me, allowing me to witness...

The 'face'... of my attacker.

Not even a face...

A mask.

A black and white mask, looking archaic, oriental I'd even say.

But what takes me aback is the unusual eye shape the mask has.

As if it were a cyclops, the singular oculus staring into my soul...

It radiates some...malevolent power...

It's cold, but burns like frostbite, as if it were draining all the warmth from my body and leaving behind the marks to prove it.

What...even IS THIS THING?!

Why...is it attacking me?!

It gets closer to my face as it grips my neck harder.

It grunts with a voice I've never heard before...of which seems to be distorted electrically...in the most disturbing way possible...

" ..."

"W-what...w-who...are...you...?!" I barely manage to utter.

"..."

"Y-Yo ..." I try to say, but the grip on my neck tightens, further constricting my speech.

"..."

I look at the rest of this being's form, witnessing that it wears a business suit similar to father's counterpart and his daughter, except this one has a black and white setup and it wears a tie instead of a bowtie.

Randomly, I remember that daughter being uncharacteristically nice in comparison to basically every other demon on that side of hell...she was a peculiar one when we had to meet.

I'm suddenly pulled out of my thoughts when I feel something beginning to drill itself into me.

Not physically...but mentally.

As if strings were coming down from the darkness to start puppeteering me, seizing my form to take away my will, tearing it away from me.

" ..."

Despite its creepy grunting, I continue trying to force out the presence invading my mind, attempting to block it out as it remains drilling into my mental being.

The eye in the mask glows ever so slightly as it does...

I can't lose...not now...

Of all the times I've lost in life...why can't I win now...?

Why is this even happening?

What could this thing want from me?

Leverage? Blackmail against my father? Dominion over hell?

All of it?!

Could it be...

Everything I've done bad in life finally coming back to me...?

I...strangely regret much...

As my life begins to flash before my eyes, something happens that...

Forever changes my perspective on life...

WHEE-BANG!

Suddenly the grip on both my neck and my mind is lifted, and I open my eyes to see...

No...

It can't be...

Why is he...?

K-KAI?!

Our security guard is somehow...up here with us...driving his leg straight into this creature's face, knocking it away and causing me to enter a free fall.

In the moments as I do, I swear by my father's name...

Kai's eyes were glowing red...

WHEE-THWIP!

As I descend back to the earth, I hear the sound of Kai throwing the same rope dart mechanism he used against the Vampires towards me, but instead of impaling me, the string wraps around my form, yanking me closer to him.

He holds me like a kid, and grips me tighter during our fall. Reaching behind him, he pulls out what looks to be a highly mechanical device of sorts, like a spike.

When we reach the altitude where we meet the buildings again, he readies his tool.

Did he build that?

Wait, can't I fly?!

I attempt to harness my power to do so...

But the effect of the...how you say...mind hack is still there...inhibiting my ability...

I still can't understand what's going on...but...

I guess I'm glad Kai is here to...save me...

He drives his device into the closest skyscraper to us, the metal tearing through the concrete and making it fly everywhere while at the same time slowing us down.

I grip him tighter to keep myself from slipping out, and he uses his metal plated boots to slow us even faster.

Eventually when we reach safe altitudes, he launches us away from the structure, using his armored self as a shield to protect me as we hit the ground. We flip backwards, but he catches us with his legs as we slide to a stop, completing the dramatic rescue.

He lets me kneel to the ground after having experienced all this in the past few minutes.

He looks at me.

"You good?" He asks.

"Y-Yeah..." I say, noticing the motorcycle he drives off in the distance, looking as if there was a form of ejector seat he used to get up there.

"Good." He replies, nodding. "Get somewhere safe."

He looks upward from whence we came, and then scans the area, brandishing that industrial-looking metal tool of his he used to help save us.

He pulls on both ends away from each other, and they extend into a longer metal staff.

Does he...know what just attacked me?

Before I ask any more questions...

I feel that...

IT...returns...

The creature that was the bane of my existence not even a minute or so ago charges right at us like a meteorite.

Kai shoves me to the side and swings at the being using his weapon, but it goes limbo and slides right under as it hits the ground.

They exchange a brief series of parries and strikes with him hitting the creature as it throws haymakers at him.

Eventually they lock into a clash of sorts with the creature trying to seize the weapon from him as he holds it off.

"Run, kid! I'll handle this! Get everyone out of here!" He yells at me.

"Uh-wha-but-" I try to say, still shell shocked, but he cuts me off.

"RUN, BOY! RUN!"

As if some long-lost instinct of mine kicks in, I get myself up and use my legs to enter a sprint for the first time in a while since my abilities are basically neutralized.

I want to look back...but I can't.

I fear if I do...I don't know...

But even more so to the lack of my knowledge...

This is only the beginning...

Chapter End