DATE A LIVE BIG FANFIC COLLECTION Chapter 13: TohkaYatogami - Kurumi Fearful 1-5, a date a live/デート・ア・ライブ fanfic

Kurumi Fearful

Chapter 01 - Chapter 05

By : Tohka_Yatogami

...

Summary

Original version of Kurumi's story for "The Sephira Chronicles"

Chapter 01: Out of the Shadows

~April 9th, Residential Area - 5 pm

Through the shadow of two buildings, a dark red and black shade suddenly opened up and the silhouette of a girl walked through, her body glowing similar colors before she was in a completely different outfit, no one was around to have seen this logic defying act. The girl skips a bit and hums as she finally arrived at her destination, Tenguu City, created from a spot of land once flattened into a crater through a spatial quake.

"I've made it, soon I'll be having my-" The girl gasped as she caught herself. "Easy girl, don't get excited just yet. You need a bit more patience than that. I'll make sure to save the best for last."

As she was walking, she didn't notice the sight of someone and she bumped into him. She looked to see the ruffian like man look at her, two others walking behind him with their hands in their pockets.

"Oh my gosh, I'm sorry. I guess I didn't see you there."

The three guys looked at her, and the leader who the girl had bumped into gave her a dirty look.

"Yeah, what was that for bitch. You've gotta do a lot more than say sorry if you wanna go free."

"Damn, this one looks like she's seen some action before." The second guy added.

"Give us your name before we get down. Don't worry, we don't bite that hard." The third guy said, a perverted look on his face.

In most cases where a girl ran into a group of guys like these, she'd either get scared, try to run or if gutsy give them a nice kick where the sun doesn't shine. This girl however?

"Oh wow, so you want me to make it up to you with a different kind of bumping." The girl smirked. The smile she gave fit her words, serious or not, perfectly.

The three guys suddenly get excited looks at that.

"Hot damn, this one's actually willing. Nice!" The second guy said.

"Then I guess we'll make sure to treat your pretty face real nice." The third guy said, his face not even bothering to hide his excitement as some drool begins to leak out the side.

"Come now, there's plenty to go around. Follow me and see for yourself... if you dare." The three guys all chuckle as they follow, expecting to have the time of their lives with this girl.

However right before they all tried to grab her, suddenly the sight of eerie white hands stretched out from her shadow as it expands, holding them all in place. The girl turns around, her visible eye now glowing.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I should explain this a bit more..."

Soon the girl's outfit glows and changes before a pair of guns, a musket and a flintlock pistol, form in her hands.

"W-what the hell?" The leader of the guys muttered in horror. "HELP!"

Their screams however failed to matter, and right as she held her guns at them, a truck drove nearby with a can of some red liquid that had been rolling on the ground being crushed under it as an eerie sound covers the alley.

Soon the alley was seen without the three guys that had walked in with the girl, and the red liquid that had sprayed had flown across the area so convincingly that with the setting sun, no one could tell that some of it was really the blood of the three she had just killed... and eaten.

"Thanks for the snack boys, it was delicious." The girl said before licking her lips, savoring the taste. "Now, time for me to get back to business."

The girl walked into her shadow, disappearing somewhere else. It was only moments after a bunch of girls wearing some strange suits with armor attached arrived at the scene, well aware that there was indeed blood on the walls.

"My god, this is... this is brutal." The only adult among them said. "There's no doubt about it, she's come here... request for all forces to be on high alert! Tell them that Nightmare's on the loose!"

"ROGER!" All the other soldiers said.

~April 10th, Raizen High School - 8 AM

The next day, many students were seen entering the entrance of Raizen High, the first day of the new year starting today, leaving many students to rush in a hurry while others simply relaxed and took their time since they had nothing to expect just yet. Standing by the entrance, the girl only known as Nightmare currently stood at the entrance gate, now dressed in a Raizen High uniform and carrying her bag and supplies with her.

"So, this is the place. Where I'll find... him." She said, her face giving a small smile before she walked inside.

Once she did, she waited by the door to her classroom, having signed up for school at the last minute she was considered a transfer student and her homeroom teacher had to introduce her since the chances of anyone knowing her were slim to none.

"Now before we begin class, may I have your attention?" Her class' teacher, Tamae Okamine, said with a giggle as she listened from behind the door. "Are you ready for a surprise? We have a transfer student joining our class today!"

Most of the students were surprised at that, true getting a new student would surprise everyone at any point in the school year, but for one to appear on the first day was a rarity among an already uncommon event.

"OK, come on in."

Realizing that was her cue, the girl opened the door and walked in, getting the attention of most of the class' boys who were surprised by her looks which fit those of a rich girl's, they held it in trying not to be rude as she had yet to reveal her name to them. She wrote the kanji for her name on the board and then turned to the class.

"Hello guys, my name is Kurumi Tokisaki." Kurumi said, finally revealing her name to the class.

The smile she gave almost made her sparkle, causing all of the boys to finally release their gasps of excitement while the girls all gave a friendly look... the exception being a white-haired girl by the window seat, though she didn't seem to show her emotions much anyways, and the blue haired by next to her who was surprised by her reaction. Once Kurumi saw him she realized she found who she was searching for, the boy known as Shido Itsuka.

"Just so you know, I'm actually a Spirit."

Most of the class, even the teacher, were confused by this claim, Shido fell slightly as the hand holding him up shifted at that, the white-haired girl silently gasped at that reaction for reasons unknown to anyone but herself and Kurumi. After a moment of silent Tamae finally said something to break the tension.

"Umm... let's move on. Well, that was one of the more unique introductions I've seen. Go ahead and take a seat anywhere." Tamae said, still having a slightly odd look.

"Before I sit, could someone do me a quick favor?" Kurumi began. "Since I'm new, I don't know my way around the school that well. Would anyone be so kind to show me around after class? I'm really sorry to trouble you, but I promise to make it worth your while."

Most of the boys get excited at that.

"Yeah, you betcha! I'll do it!" Hiroto exclaimed while raising his hand, hoping to get the chance of having a real girlfriend other than the one he only had on his phone. Kurumi closed her eyes and smiled, giving him hope she'd say yes until...

"Not you, but thanks." Hiroto gave a disappointed sigh, while most of the boys went quiet as Kurumi just made it clear she wasn't going to be that easy to get. Kurumi soon walked to the empty desk near where Shido was sitting and looked at him. "Would you be interested in helping me, Shido right?"

Shido blinked in surprise while all the boys, minus the moping Hiroto who just stared at his desk gloomily, turned at Shido in shock and surprise at that. Shido on the other hand was extremely nervous, the only two girls he had any experience with in his life were his mother, and his 13-year old younger sister Kotori Itsuka. Despite that, he wasn't one to be rude or not help someone if they honestly needed it.

"Uh... yeah, OK." Shido replied, Kurumi smirked at that as she recalled what led her to find him.

-Flashback Start-

Kurumi stood on the roof of a random city, wearing her Astral Dress as she stared at the lights of all the various buildings while her shadow suddenly expanded as if it was trying to grab something back or devour something.

"It's not nearly enough yet, how long will it take to gather what I need?" Kurumi said to herself, suddenly she felt a presence behind her and turned around. There was no one to see, but she clearly made out the sight of some mosaic of noise. "Oh, didn't expect to see you... Phantom."

"[As courteous to me as ever, Kurumi Tokisaki.]" A distorted voice spoke out, recognizable enough one knew they were speaking to someone, but just like they couldn't make out their gender, one could not properly identify Phantom's voice either.

Phantom... the enigmatic Spirit, it's identity and gender were a complete mystery, and despite her greeting towards it, Kurumi and Phantom weren't friends. Not even something like partners, allies or even simple acquaintances, Kurumi best described her as an unavoidable annoyance. If there was anything Kurumi did know about Phantom, it's that it had a hand in the appearance of other Spirits as Kurumi felt the presence of a new spirit fairly recently.

"[You've been gathering a lot of time for a while now, am I to assume that you're trying to gather power so nothing could match you? Perhaps you want me dead in the future?]" Phantom asked, genuinely curious to what Kurumi was doing. "[Then again, I probably shouldn't expect you to-]"

"You really wanna know? To use Zafkiel's final attack, Yud Bet. I need to gather enough power... and I will gather it, don't doubt me, I will never give up." Kurumi began explaining, holding Zafkiel close before firing it, causing something to be seen briefly before it sunk into her shadow.

"I will travel to the past 30 years ago, and kill the First Spirit, the source for all other Spirits came. I'm going to kill it with my own two hands."

Phantom's unseen mouth curled a bit as she smirked at that.

"[Ooh, to think you'd actually share that with me. Well... it seems you're quite the noble Spirit after all, aren't you?]" Phantom quickly moved as Kurumi with a dark look shot at her, barely moving out of the line of fire in time. "[Oh dear, what did I do now? I was merely trying to compliment you.]"

"...I'd appreciate if you'd watch your mouth, you don't know me after all. I'm anything but a good person. I think the last few years have been proof enough with the choices I've made. Now if you have no more reason here..." Kurumi held out Zafkiel again, Phantom sighed as they were point at it.

"...I'd kindly like you to leave me alone. I only can spare so much time minding you after all."

Phantom shrugged its arms.

"[Fine then, I guess you're not that interested in hearing what I have to say. To think I bothered trying to give you advise about someone who might have the power you need.]" Phantom began to take it's leave, but suddenly felt a hand grab its arm. Phantom turned and smirked as an arm from Kurumi's shadow was seen holding her.

"[It seems you care now, alright then. Would you believe me if I told you there's a boy named Shido Itsuka, a boy who holds the entire power of a single spirit?]"

-End Flashback-

Shido looked out the window after class had ended, trying to calm himself over the fact a girl just asked him to show her around the school. While he did promise to do it... he'd honestly face a hundred other more challenging things than this if he had the option to.

'Kurumi Tokisaki... why did she ask me out of everyone? It's almost like she knew me somehow, could we have met before?' Shido thought, he had lost most of his memories of the past, his classmate Origami had clearly known him despite his inability to recall the white-haired girl himself.

"Shido?"

Shido nearly jumped out of his skin as he turned to see Kurumi behind him, he was able to calm himself however so Kurumi didn't notice anything odd with him. "Are you ready to show me a good time?" She kindly asked him.

"Uh... sure, let's go." Shido said, trying to hide his nervousness.

As the two walked out of the room, his fellow classmate Origami Tobiichi looked at the two, and soon followed. Partially it was because Origami had feelings for Shido and didn't like the idea of a girl stealing him from her, but at the same time the fact this girl had revealed herself as a Spirit caused her to be worried. She wasn't present at the time, but she was a member of the very group who discovered the blood of Kurumi's victims, and it became very likely she had was looking at the so called "Nightmare" that worried most wizards.

Codename: Nightmare, otherwise known as the "Worst Spirit". while most Spirits' levels of destruction were hard to judge aside from their pace quakes, Kurumi was not so grey in her information. It had been confirmed she has killed people, and that total was over 10,000 by non-spatial quake means, and it was very possible in Origami's eyes that she had chosen Shido as het next target.

'I won't let you take him from me... Kurumi Tokisaki' Origami thought, staring fiercely at her possible target. 'And if you are really Nightmare...'

She tightened her fist.

"...I'll kill you myself."

Chapter 02: Color of Fear

"So, what romantic getaway should we head to first?" Kurumi asked playfully, silently giggling to herself over Shido's flustered reaction.

Shido began thinking to himself on what he should say, knowing he needed to be quick or Kurumi may tease him about it, as it was already fairly obvious to the class that Kurumi wasn't afraid to pull someone's leg lightly to get a laugh. The three places he could think of? The school's rooftop, the infirmary, and then the cafeteria. The nurse was definitely in right now, so... bad idea. The rooftop could work, but it was expected and was probably better during the afternoon.

"How about the cafeteria and student store?" Shido finally replied.

"OK." Kurumi said, following him as he led the way. Origami watched from a nearby door, staring directly at Kurumi's backside like a hawk gauging its prey before it made its move.

Once the two turned and left her sight, she quickly followed behind to avoid losing them while not exposing she was tailing them either, any students who noticed her just ignored it due to Origami's usual antics not being too different from this. Soon at the cafeteria stand, both Shido and Kurumi were looking at the various bread options.

"A lot of people like the yakisoba bread, it's a cafeteria classic." Shido said before pointing at a different option. "However, my personal recommendation is the Durian bread. Although you'll need to brush your teeth after eating it."

It took a moment, but Shido noticed Kurumi wasn't saying anything, so he turned to look at her.

"Are you even listen-" Shido gasped in surprise when he saw how close her face was to his.

"Sorry, just zoned out for a second. It's hard to concentrate with such a handsome man in front of me." Kurumi said, giving a somewhat flirty look to Shido.

Shido blushed slightly while Origami who had somehow hidden in the nearby janitor locker without either noticing pushed her face closer through the few air holes, only not being caught by the sound due to Kurumi and Shido being too focused on each other at the moment.

'Oh no, I think I may have walked into something more than a small tour...' Shido thought, facing with a dilemma that all people eventually face. The inevitable event of someone like-liking you. While thinking of what to say, Kurumi noticed the stairs were nearby and seeing how flustered Shido already was decided to go for the second strike.

"Hey Shido." Kurumi quickly spoke, getting Shido's attention as she walked up a few steps of the stairs before turning around, and then grabbing her skirt. "Wanna see my panties?"

Shido let out a loud gasp and blushed at the question, not even able to say not to it from how sudden it was. Kurumi slowly lifted up her skirt, teasing him by only using one hand to slowly inch it up further bit by bit, the moment Shido got a glimpse of the bottom of her black panties however...

"Stop! That's good enough, no more!" Shido exclaimed, holding his hand in front of his eyes as Origami hit the locker, trying to force herself out as she discovered she locked herself in. Kurumi giggled at how shy Shido seemed to be, while also mildly surprised he actually stopped her when he did.

"OK... I have a question now. What did you mean by earlier today, you know... when you said you were a Spirit?"

"You don't have to play dumb with me silly. Besides, I already know you that you know all about the Spirits inside and out." Kurumi replied, however... Shido simply tilted his head to her surprise.

"Spirits? As in plural, what are you talking about? Is this one of those role-playing things?" Shido honestly answered, unsure why Kurumi assumed that if she wasn't just joking. Kurumi slightly blinked at that response, it seemed Shido really didn't know anything about the Spirits. "Uh... Kurumi?"

'That's strange, it doesn't seem like he's lying. How is it he doesn't know about the Spirits if he has the power of one inside him?' Kurumi thought, trying to remember her talk with Phantom, seeing if she had forgot or missed something important during their talk. Soon the scene from the day before flooded back into her mind.

-Flashback Start-

"Shido... Itsuka?" Kurumi said surprised by what Phantom had just told her, a human who held the power of a Spirit?

It was the most ridiculous thing she ever heard, but Phantom was a being who knew much more about Spirits than even she did, if it claimed this idea then it was likely Phantom was telling the truth. Even she could admit despite how much she didn't trust the being for its actions, Phantom didn't seem to be the dishonest type either.

"Explain, how could mere human hold the powers of a Spirit?"

"[Recall 5 years ago when you had been in Tenguu City right as that unnatural fire began? You had to have noticed that a new Spirit had appeared that day, didn't you?]" Phantom inquired, Kurumi nodded having remembered gaining time in that area when a sudden fire had broken out without any warning, but just as she sensed a spirit she sensed the same spirit disappear and never come back.

"[That Spirit didn't actually vanish.]"

"Excuse me?" Kurumi questioned, wondering what Phantom was even implying.

While she knew the truth behind what Spirits truly were, for the power of a spirit to disappear entirely meant they had left to the Spirit dimension until they awoke again or came back of their own choice, or they had been killed. The latter was a rarer result as of current times, but still possible.

"[I was there, and I saw that boy myself. The new Spirit came close to him and gave him a kiss. To my surprise, her Astral Dress vanished along with her powers almost instantly.]" Phantom continued, causing Kurumi's eyes to widen a bit.

"[It was clear she was still a Spirit, but then came the biggest surprise to my eyes. He briefly used one of her powers, he probably never even realized it.]"

Kurumi was still in shock to what she had just heard, there was a human who was some sort of parasite to Spirit powers, draining them and leaving the Spirit nearly as powerless as a human would be to her. If what Phantom said was true... all that power was still in him, to gain the power of a Spirit might just be enough to complete her ultimate goal.

"Shido Itsuka..." Kurumi smirked. "I think I should meet this man."

-End Flashback-

As Kurumi's mind came back to reality.

'Now I get it, he never learned the Spirit that he met was a Spirit. I guess I was a bit hasty in my excitement. Not to worry, this isn't a situation that I can't salvage.'

Kurumi giggled a bit to Shido's surprise. "Oh dear, it seems I tried a bit too hard with my little joke. Forgive me. I guess I should just be direct with you." Kurumi slowly steps back down towards Shido. "Ever since I first found out about you, I've been in love and you'd notice me."

Shido blushes more and nearly falls backwards.

'She actually likes me that way, what do I say now? I am very confused!' Shido could only watch as Kurumi got closer and closer to him.

"I'm so happy the two of us are finally alone, it's exactly how I dreamed it would be." Kurumi smiled as she grabbed Shido's hands. "Hey, are you still listening?"

She seems him nod silently, making her smile a bit.

"Now that I've got your attention, I need you to do a favor for me. Think you can handle it?"

Unfortunately for Kurumi, at that moment the locker door finally opened as Origami managed to unlock it with one of her hair pins, though the sudden opening caused her to fall on her face.

"Origami!?" Shido said surprised, wondering how long she had been in there.

"Students are not allowed to hold hands at school, let go of him right now!" Origami declared while pointing at her, hoping to make Kurumi stand down.

Had this been any other girl, then Origami may have been more successful when she did this, but Kurumi was not a normal girl and formed a plan as she noticed the sound of others nearing the hall they were in.

"Oh my, how cute Tobiichi." Kurumi said, closing her eye with a smile. Shido and Origami were confused by this choice of a reaction at first, and once the people walking into the hall were in hearing range, she finally dropped the bomb.

"The fact you're jealous that I told Shido how I felt first, am I right?" Shido and the people nearby all gave gasps of shock, while Origami stared like a jump scare had successfully gotten her.

The three in question, a trio of girls named Ai, Mai and Mii, soon all huddled as they got closer and saw the seen. The blonde-haired girl with a ponytail, Ai spoke up first.

"Whoa... looks like they're fighting over him."

"This is intense! Is this why the transfer student wanted him to show her around, it's love at first sight come to life!" Mai, the short brown haired girl, replied as a follow up.

Finally, the long blue haired girl in glass, Mii, simply said...

"That's so lame!"

Ironically, it was almost always the only thing she'd ever say most of the time. Shido simply stared, his mind having shut down from the entire situation. Origami's hand twitched, realizing what Kurumi had just done, and to her that was a declaration of war.

"Kurumi, meet me by the door to the rooftop, you and I need to have a talk." Origami glared, quickly fast walking over there and trying to not externally reveal her anger. Kurumi sighed at the action before giving a smile at the opportunity she had just given her.

"You'll have to forgive me Shido, but we'll have to end our tour here today. Maybe we can finish it tomorrow." Kurumi giggles as she heads to Origami's set meeting place.

Shido just stood there as Ai, Mai and Mii all walk off the other way and only once his phone rang did he finally wake up. He looked at it to see a reminder about meeting Kotori at Danny's.

"Oh man, I forgot about this! I better hurry before she thinks I forgot about her!" Shido said before running off.

Kotori waited for her big brother at Danny's, a bit annoyed at how late he was, soon she heard someone panting and turned to see Shido who had completely run out of breath as he stopped by her, struggling to regain his breath enough to even speak.

"You finally came big bro, what took you long anyways?"

"I'm... sorry Kotori, I..." Shido wheezed as he tried to regain his breath. "...my class had a transfer student, she... asked me to show her around."

Shido took a big gulp of air as he finally began to breathe normally.

"I had to run here by the time I realized it."

"It's OK big bro, we're here now so let's eat! Hooray!" Kotori shouted as she jumped up and ran inside, Shido sweatdropped at her energy before slowly walking in after her.

Kotori quickly ordered her Deluxe Kids plate she had been raving over before they left for school this morning, while Shido simply ordered a light salad, his stomach burning too much from his run to handle anything heavy.

"So, what's this transfer student you mentioned like?"

As Shido watched her eat, he thought on how to best describe her.

"Let's see... her name's Kurumi Tokisaki, she's got long black hair in low twin tails. Her eyes are red and... the most notable thing is her hairstyle's asymmetrical, the left side of her being longer, she covers her left eye for some reason too." Shido described before trying to eat his salad, suddenly he heard Kotori cough a bit. "Are you OK!?"

"Yeah, just went down the wrong pipe I guess..." Kotori aid hoarsely, soon standing up. "Give me a second, I'm gonna go to the bathroom."

Once Kotori went inside, she let the panic she had held back sink in.

'Nightmare's enrolled into Shido's class, what's going on? Could this be related to what happened back then? If it is, then my big bro's in danger.' Kotori goes into a stall and soon swaps her white ribbons for black ones before tapping her ear. "This is Commander Kotori speaking, we've got a situation."

Origami waited at the top of the staircase and soon saw Kurumi slowly come into view.

"Hello Origami, you wanted to see me about something?"

"...Drop the act, I know you're not some ordinary human. Maybe Shido doesn't know but I do. Why blatantly reveal you're a Spirit when the AST could be listening anywhere!?" Origami said staring intensely, Kurumi was indifferent to her face, and Origami actually felt unnerved by this.

She may have never shifted her expression much, but hers was dull, not the kind of expression that would scare someone from constant use because it was a common or natural one.

"So, you're with the AST huh? Ah, I get it, you must have seen my little feeding ground yesterday didn't you?" Kurumi calmly answered, Origami's eyes widened as Kurumi confirmed she was Nightmare.

Origami attempted to pull the emergency Realizer device out, but suddenly a bunch of white hands rose from Kurumi's shadow and grabbed her before pinning her to the wall, one even holding onto her neck.

"What a temper you have, if you know what's good for you..." Kurumi's visible eye has her pupil whiten as it glows. "You'll try to calm down."

Origami would normally never be afraid of a Spirit and just try to attack, but she was immobilized and without any form of defense, she was naked of all her defenses, vulnerable... and because of this the fear she felt from what she had seen when her parents were murdered 5 years ago overshadowed her rage.

"What is this... what are you going to do to me!?" Origami whimpered, unable to even try thinking a way out of the situation from the terror enveloping her mind and heart.

Kurumi smirked as she got closer, and slightly brushed the hair from her left eye, causing Origami's to widen in shock as she saw it was a golden colored clock instead of red like her right eye was.

"You could say I wanted to try out school, and I'll admit it's been a fun experience, but that's not why I'm really here. I'm here for the same reason you are... I crave Shido, but not for love, mine craving is for... my hunger." Kurumi whispered.

Origami's fears grew even more as she said that, while she didn't get what she meant by Shido's power, her words about wanting to eat Shido were enough to finally caused Origami's anger to breech through her fears for a brief moment.

"You scum! Don't you dare touch Shido, or I'll-" Origami's voice was cut off as her throat was suddenly grabbed tightly, choking her.

"Shut up and listen well, because I'm making you an offer you can't refuse if you want to keep living, or want to learn about the fire 5 years ago." Kurumi said darkly, making Origami stare in shock.

"If you know what's good for you, get out of my way and never talk to Shido again, if you tell him anything... I'll make you watch as I devour him, not even giving him the mercy I'm generous enough to grant him."

Origami's eyes nearly form tears, she was being blackmailed into an impossible situation. Kurumi soon began to laugh as her true unhinged self could finally let loose, more of the strange white hands forming from her shadow.

"Soon, very soon I'll devour the power of a Spirit sleeping within Shido's body, and everything I've worked for these last few years will be realized! Nothing can stop me now, not Phantom, and certainly not that bitch who calls herself the First Spirit!"

Origami's eyes widened one last time before she finally felt Kurumi's hold on her make her black out, Kurumi's her last words ringing through her mind. Kurumi drops her before slinking into her shadows and vanishing.

Shido and Kotori were soon walking home together as the sunsets, and as they did they were discussing dinner plans.

"How about we have burgers tonight?" Shido asked.

"Ooh, that sounds good! Go with that!" Kotori replied excitedly, Shido laughed a bit as they neared the bus stop right as someone got off.

It was a girl around Kotori's age, maybe slightly older or younger, possibly about the same age. She had blue hair like Shido's in a short ponytail, and even brown eyes like him, the only noticeable difference minus her gender was the beauty mark under her left eye.

The girl soon turned, and right as she did she silently gasped upon looking at Shido, who alongside Kotori was only blinking at the scene.

"I don't believe this, it's really you. He was really telling me the truth after all." The girl walked closer to Shido. "Hi."

"Uh... hello?" Shido said, feeling a bit awkward. Though that suddenly changed in a moment as she hugged him.

"Big brother!" The girl exclaimed happily, tears in her eyes.

"HUH!?" Shido and Kotori both shouted simultaneously. Somehow, for some reason unknown to the both of them, this girl hugging Shido... just claimed he was her older brother! Just who was she?

Chapter 03: The Blackened Heart

"Big brother!"

Shido and Kotori were both standing in place, they were walking home when a girl suddenly calls Shido her big brother, admittedly there were signs that this could be true. The same hair color, the same eyes, Kotori was even sure they had similar looking faces now that she thought about it.

"Wait, hold on here! Big brother? Who are you even?" Shido asked, the girl stopped her hug, giving a somber smile as if she expected to be called a stranger.

"So you really don't remember either." The girl said, catching Shido by surprise for a moment. "My name's Mana Takamiya, you probably don't remember me, but I'm your little sister."

"Wait, don't remember either? Are you saying-" Shido didn't finish as Kotori nudged him.

"Big bro, should we maybe continue talking at home rather than standing on the streets?" Kotori bluntly stated, causing Shido to chuckle embarrassingly.

"Yeah... that's a good point, would you like to come in Mana? Shido asked?

"Sure thing, I was already heading over there anyways." Mana replied, Shido was even more confused after hearing that, while Kotori just blinked as if she began to suddenly piece something together about what was going on. After heading inside, Mana looked around the place excitedly like a dog on sugar, then began shaking Kotori's hand.

"Oh, where are my manners? What's your name?"

"Uh... I'm Kotori Itsuka, and I'm also Shido's sister. Well by adoption at least." Kotori spoke a bit distracted, learning Shido actually had a blood related sibling had thrown her off her usual rhythm due to the unexpected reveal of it.

Not to mention that the head of Ratatoskr hadn't alerted her ahead of time. Sure, he was busy, but he could have at least sent her a message on her phone.

"Wow, so that makes you my sister too?" Mana asked, her eyes sparkling.

Kotori began to sweat as she got overwhelmed by Mana getting a bit too close, she wished she had switched to Commander mode before this, but if she did then Shido would ask questions since he didn't know about Ratatoskr yet. Luckily Shido saved the day for her and pushed them apart a bit.

"Let's settle down a bit, I think we all have some questions to ask." Shido said, suddenly exhausted. The two nodded in agreement and all sat down on the table. "Alright... I guess first you should explain what you meant by you not remembering either. I did lose my memory, so I don't remember my life before I was adopted."

"Oh that? Well for some strange reason I don't remember our parents either, in fact the past is such a blur it's like my memory's been erased." Mana said like it was no big deal, though Shido and Kotori disagreed through their reactions which were filled with shock.

"I can really only remember the last 2-3 years. In fact... this is the only reason I know we're related." Mana takes out a pendant, the sepia toned picture inside shows Shido alongside Mana around maybe a bit more than when Kotori remembered her parents had adopted Shido.

"That's... that's me!" Shido said, clearly able to tell that wasn't just a boy who looked like him despite the lack of defining colors, probably because Mana looked just as similar to her younger self as she did as well. "Just me, nothing about mom or dad?"

"No, I've tried everything, but even searching about my last name didn't give me any clues. The earliest I could recall was you going off somewhere. I was so devastated, but I never gave up trying to find you, and then a week ago... as if my wish was heard a man named Elliot Woodman told me he knew where to find my brother." Mana explained, Kotori finally confirming how Mana had known where to go and to come to their home, it's likely he told their parents already as well.

"Elliot Woodman, who's that?" Shido asked, he had never heard that name before.

"I think I heard mom and dad mention it once, maybe he's part of the company they work for?" Kotori wondered, hoping she made a solid explanation without revealing she knew the man. "I mean if he knew mom and dad, then it makes sense he knows you."

Shido made a thinking face before he nodded, accepting it was the most likely explanation for what was going on.

'Phew... glad we dodged that bullet.' Kotori thought.

"And now, I've finally found you... big brother, I love you!" Mana cried suddenly hugging Shido, and knocking him to the ground to Kotori's shock and panic, this was clearly gonna take some getting used to. That was the first thing Kotori thought...

...Alongside the fact that their furniture might not survive Mana's hugging if they weren't careful.

As the night came, Kurumi sat on the rooftop of an abandoned building she had chosen as her temporary residence while in Tenguu City.

"How wonderful today was, I'm glad Phantom isn't here so I don't have to publicly thank it for its help." Kurumi said. Suddenly a familiar presence was behind her and she suddenly frowned, wishing she hadn't said those last words.

"[What was that about thanking me? Oh, I'm hurt Kurumi, for you to talk about me behind my back.]" Phantom said, pretending to feel hurt. It stopped only seconds after when Kurumi held Zafkiel at it. "[Calm down girl, am I not allowed to make wise cracks or something?]"

Phantom sighed before getting closer to her.

"[So how did it go, did he meet your expectations?]"

"Yes, it was just wonderful, who knew someone like that actually existed? Even better is he truly has no clue about what the Spirits are. I won't even need to save up any time, it'll be quick and painless for him as I devour him" Kurumi said, smiling brightly at the thought, distracting her enough that she failed to notice Phantom seeming somewhat troubled by the fact.

"And why are you here exactly?"

"[I'm curious about the Spirit from back then, I wonder if she even knows what she is either. I only recall she was a red-haired child, such a young one, yet such a powerful connection to Camael despite the crystal's picky standards.]" Phantom spoke curiously, unaware of Kurumi gritting her teeth briefly at the mention of the Angel's name.

"[I seem to have overstayed the time I had spared, I'll be going now. Let's hope our agendas don't interfere with one another's.]"

Kurumi coldly looked as the mosaic of noise that was Phantom left her view, soon turning back to the city as the thought of her goal being in her reach filled her head. Meanwhile as Phantom flew somewhere else in the city...

'[It seems I took too big of a risk. Kotori Itsuka, I hope you can amend my mistake and have Shido stop her... otherwise I've sent Shido to his death.]' Phantom thought somberly. '[I may just have to intervene personally if things get too bad, I hope I can avoid that result.]'

The next day, Origami suddenly gasped as she woke up from her sleep, reliving the nightmare of her parents' death once again. One that never went away.

"..." She pants as she feels her forehead, remember her 'talk' with Kurumi and how it ended up with someone finding her and bringing her to the school's infirmary. 'Damn it... what do I do, Nightmare is after Shido and if I try to warn him...'

Origami gritted her teeth, her hair covering her eyes as she cried. The sound of her phone ringing soon entered her ears, and noticed the AST's captain, Ryouko Kusakabe, was calling her. While she felt maybe she should ignore it... if she did nothing Ryouko would just worry and that may not help things, so she answered, but didn't answer.

"Origami, are you OK? Reports have told us that Nightmare is attending your school as a student." It didn't take long for Ryouko to notice Origami's silence. "Origami?"

Ryouko soon heard Origami's labored breaths through the phone, Ryouko didn't need to ask, considering Nightmare's nature this could only meant she encountered the Spirit herself... and either narrowly got away, or Nightmare had toyed with her intentionally.

"Origami, I'm gonna ask you some questions. If I'm right then don't say anything. Did you encounter Nightmare?" Ryouko asked, she only heard silence. "Did she do something to you?"

Once again, silence.

"Are you unable to tell me something, did she threaten you?"

And for the last time, only silence.

"...OK, just try to relax if you can. We'll try to figure this out." Ryouko said before hanging up, hoping she managed to relax the shaken Origami. She turned to one of the AST's staff. "Did you get the info from headquarters?"

"That we did ma'am, that scene was luckily enough that we got permission to see all the files currently existing on Nightmare." Soon they were brought up, showing various things. The name of her Angel, the powers she's shown, her personality and habits even. "There's something else about her that was a scare, apparently Nightmare was..."

Ryouko's eyes widen as he whispered it to her, not wanting the others to hear it.

"Are you kidding me?" Ryouko said shocked, what she had just been told? It didn't just defy normal human logic, but any logic that they could even create for Spirits. "Nightmare is really that much of a monster that not even the wizards DEM have been able to do anything?"

The DEM was the company that helped provided the AST with their Realizers, CR-Units, anything that could combat the spirits... and yet Nightmare shrugged it all, possibly why she gained such a code name.

"We're likely soldiers fighting a tank at this point, but we can't let her keep killing more people either. " The man said, Ryouko could only agree, if they were fighting an unbeatable enemy they had to at least do what they could and hope maybe something would change.

Shido had come to close like usual, and noticed that Origami wasn't in class.

"That's weird, she seemed fine yesterday. I hope she's alright." Shido mused to himself right as Kurumi took her seat as well. After class began, Tamae took her spot at her stand with a smile on her face.

"Everyone, are you enjoying your second day? Well I am, because today we have a brand-new homeroom assistant teacher!" Tamae smiled, soon motioning the new teacher into class.

Soon what appeared to be a silver haired woman with glasses, dark spots under her eyes, wearing a white lab coat, a pink top with a purple skirt, black stockings and bear slippers. She had a teddy bear in her pocket for some reason, but what Shido noticed most was her necklace with a ring on it. He wasn't sure, but he recalled that some widows do this as a sign that they will never marry another man, so she may have done the same. The only odd part is she seemed to be in her early 20s, so he wasn't sure if she really was a widow, or if it was a fashion choice.

"I'm Reine Murasame, and I'm excited to be here..." Right at that moment, she suddenly fainted making the entire class freak. Kurumi didn't give the same reaction, almost as if she found this woman's presence familiar, and not in a good sense. Reine slowly got back on her feet.

"Sorry about that, I'm dealing with a bit of insomnia as of recently. That happens on occasion."

The class still showed worry, but it was lessened by that comment due to the dark spots she possessed.

'I guess there's even those kinds of people who work at school.' Shido thought, as he sweated a little. Suddenly he noticed his phone get a silent text. What surprised him though was it was sent by Reine and said to meet her in the Physics Preparation room at lunch. 'How did she get my number?'

As Shido quickly turned his phone off before the teacher noticed, Kurumi's eyes motioned towards him, having glimpsed the reaction to his phone.

Shido soon entered the Physics Preparation room once the lunch bell came, where she saw Reine waiting for him while typing on a computer.

"Oh, good to see you came Shin." Reine said, completely getting Shido's name wrong.

"Uh... well I guess that's not too different from my name." Shido sighed, he didn't really like the fact she got his name wrong, but considering Reine seemed pretty fatigued and fainted in class he let it slide. "So, you wanted to see me about something? How did you know my phone number exactly?"

"Simple, I gave it to her."

Shido blinked as he recognized that voice, and soon saw his little sister Kotori sitting on the chair next to her, though she was wearing black ribbons he remembered giving her as a birthday present a few years ago rather than her usual white ones.

"Be lucky we had Reine be part of the staff to watch you, if things weren't what they were yesterday I'd wonder how you'd do something so stupid Shido." Kotori said irritated, shocking Shido by the lack of the 'big bro' and her attitude, what did those ribbons to do her he wondered?

"What's going on here!?" Shido said, the situation having hit him like a sudden kick on the head.

"If you wanna know, shut up and listen already. Otherwise you'll be in the same trouble as Origami." Kotori said, Shido's eyes widened at that a bit. "That's right, she's not absent cause she's ill. She's absent cause she can't even get near you. If she tried, Kurumi would make both of you regret it."

"Huh? What dod you mean, why would Kurumi-" Shido didn't finish as as Reine brought up a video feed from two days ago. Shido turned to look at it, and soon saw the three guys right as Kurumi formed the white hands to restrain their movements before transforming her outfit and forming two guns. "W-what... what is this?"

Soon she aimed the gun at them, and the scene shifted as the truck drove by, hiding what happened until Shido saw her shadow pull them in, making him hold his mouth to try and not puke.

"...My god, what is this."

"What you just saw was the real Kurumi, as you can see she didn't just kill those guys, the act of pulling them into her shadow? It's the same as eating food to her." Reine said bluntly, turning her chair to face Shido.

"These are the facts Shin, the girl you know as Kurumi Tokisaki? She's not a human being, she's a monster known as a Spirit. Not just any spirit, she's the Worst Spirit, a girl who's taken the lives of ten thousand people, even if they were the scum of Earth like those three had been."

Shido's eyes widened, recalling that the other day Kurumi claimed she was a Spirit.

"She said that yesterday in class, but everyone thought that was a joke. She's really not human?" Shido gasped out, suddenly recalling what she said. "Wait, she thought I knew about them, but... why?"

Kotori's eyes give a sad look, she knew this day would come but she didn't think it was so soon.

"Simple, because you have something she wants, and the reason you have it... I'm partially to blame." Kotori sighed, Shido blinked confused until Kotori stood up and Shido saw some of her clothes gain some kind of light, in fact horns formed as part of her ribbons. "Surprise big bro... she and I aren't that different."

Shido could only stare, his sister had just revealed she wasn't a Human, but a Spirit. Was she also adopted... no, that couldn't be, could it?

"I can tell what you're thinking, and while I don't know about Kurumi, I was definitely human once, but that changed 5 years ago." Kotori explained as she reverted to normal, causing Shido to remember the Tenguu Fire. "For some reason that day, you sealed my powers away, so I lived a normal life. That's all I remember though."

"And that's why we need you Shin, there's a way to stop her and keep her from being hunted down by those who wish to kill the Spirits. You're the key. Like it or not..." Reine said with worry. "...Kurumi's after your power, there's no way to run. So, all you can do is save her before she ends you."

Shido had no idea what was happening, but the brief time he had spent with Kurumi, she had many chances to kill him and didn't.

"...She let me live, there has to be part of her that wasn't lying to me yesterday." Shido muttered to himself. "Alright, I'm gonna do whatever it takes to save her? What do I need to do?"

Reine and Kotori both smile at him, they made the choice they hoped he would.

Kurumi was stressed out more than she usually was. A strange teacher that felt familiar became a part of their class, and her suspicions failed to die after Shido left during lunch, so right after class ended she walked up to Shido right as he was about to leave.

"Hey Shido, we never got the chance to finish our tour yesterday, do you wanna continue it now?" Kurumi asked, hoping to learn something about why he had vanished during lunch.

"Sorry Kurumi, I can't today. A relative of mine that I was separated from and I met yesterday so I promised to spend the day with her." Shido said, bowing to her slightly as an apology. Kurumi briefly frowned while she couldn't see it, knowing she had to wait before she got any answers.

"Oh, that's unexpected. I can always wait until tomorrow. Who's this relative if I may ask?" Kurumi asked, honestly curious since she was hoping maybe they had a similar ability to Shido in case she may need more power than what Shido would give her.

"She's my younger sister, well by blood that is. Her name's Mana Takamiya-" Shido answered, but suddenly stopped as he heard Kurumi drop her bag, he sweated a bit in worry as he saw her just standing there. "Uh... Kurumi, are you alright?"

After what he had just learned, he honestly didn't think her suddenly reacting like that was natural, though he had a good feeling he wouldn't get any answers.

"...Oh, sorry about that Shido, I think I just got light headed all of a sudden. I'm fine now." Kurumi quickly lied, picking up her bag. "If you'll excuse me, I should probably get home now."

Kurumi quickly left, leaving Shido to wonder how hearing Mana's name affected her, he was sure that Mana had never met her before... just what didn't he know? Soon Kurumi stopped near one of the school wall's and all of a sudden... she punched it hard, making an indent.

"I can't believe it, ever after all this time... she still mocks me over what she did!" Kurumi growled, her face showing nothing but pure anger as her eye glowed slightly. "Not even directly, but through her very name!"

Kurumi literally had to hold in her own Spirit power to avoid being detected or damaging the area. Her visible eye shaking as she remembers that time.

-Flashback Start-

Kurumi was wondering through the realm she had come to know as an alternate world, the first time she had come here was when something had suddenly pulled her to it. She was chased by a shadowy monster and then saved by a girl wearing a dress of light.

This girl told her that monster was known as a Spirit and how they were would be destroyers of the world. Worried about her family and friends, she didn't hesitate when she was offered the power to help fight them.

She had helped the girl destroy many of these monsters, and whenever she was done she would leave until called again where the girl would take care of the Spirits' remains. However, during her attempts to get back home after this time, Kurumi had made a wrong turn and had gotten lost in the dimension.

"How did I mess this up so bad, maybe the fire that last Spirit used affected me more than I thought?" Kurumi winced, recalling the beam of fire that had smashed into her.

"I think I'm on the right track though, I've gone home enough times it shouldn't be too hard to back to my usual route." Kurumi continued on, however soon enough she blushed in embarrassment after realizing she had just ended up finding her mysterious friend back at where she started.

"Oh man, this is embarrassing. Hey, I think I got lost, do you mind helping-" Kurumi's eyes widen as she suddenly stops. The girl suddenly looked behind her as she saw Kurumi, surprised at her still being her.

"Oh, Kurumi? Uh... why are you still-" The girl began, but Kurumi suddenly saw beside her was the body of a dead girl, and a girl she knew well. "Saya... why? Why is she here, why is she dead?"

Soon she notices the red crystal in the girl's hands, and remember the black one she received.

"...No, no no no no. That monster was, it was Saya..." Kurumi falls to her knees. "I killed her, Saya Yamada... I killed my best friend!"

Suddenly she felt a dark force feel like it was trying to grab her, and she felt herself losing. She soon grabbed her Angel and motioned her arms a certain way.

"Zafkiel, Dalet!" She shoots herself, and time rewinds to stop this force in its tracks, surprising the girl. "...You've lied to me all this time, haven't you? The Spirits are humans aren't they!? You made me one too, didn't you!?"

The girl looks away, and soon sighs.

"I must entrust these to Humanity, but they need to be refined and become safe, only multiple hosts can do that through purifying them." Kurumi shook at that with anger. "You said my family and friends would be safe, so why did you give one to Saya!? You used me, you're gonna pay!"

Kurumi flew at the girl, but suddenly found herself struck onto the ground.

"Forgive me, but... please forget everything." The girl says touching Kurumi's face with her hand, making her black out. Hours later, the sound of a gunshot rang out and Kurumi's eyes shook as she her powers restored the memories that had been erased from her mind.

"...I swear to you, I will kill you! I will never let you even come to this world!" Kurumi screamed.

-End Flashback-

Kurumi's angry look had grown to the point of looking murderous, her teeth gritting so hard she'd probably cut her tongue if she had been biting on it.

"I have been waiting years to gather the power I need to finally change everything, finally make you pay for what you did." Kurumi breathed angrily. "I won't let you use me again, not even through your family."

She looks up towards the sky behind her.

"I'll take both of them away from you forever in the present before I murder you in the past, do you hear me... Mio Takamiya!?"

Chapter 04: A Nightmare Comes to Life

"She reacted strangely to hearing Mana's name?" Reine asked, making sure she heard what Shido had just told her correctly.

It had been odd to him on its own, Kurumi suddenly going silent from hearing her name, despite Shido being sure that Mana had no experience with the Spirits or having ever met her... at least he thought that. Kotori had explained to her that he could seal a Spirit by kissing them if they had strong affection, but she wasn't sure how he had that ability, or if Mana had a similar if not the same power.

"Yeah, it was strange. Why would she react to hearing Takamiya?" Shido wondered, he was terrified now, without any knowledge he had possibly pushed not just himself but now Mana into danger. "Then again... Mana said she wasn't able to learn anything about our birth parents. I really don't wanna think they did something, and Kurumi was involved in it, but..."

"Not to worry Shin, I think Kotori and I can at least make sure Mana won't be defenseless." Reine said, putting a hand on his shoulder to help him relax slightly. "Come with me, I think this is the perfect time to show you something we had planned for you to see anyways."

Reine began walking somewhere, Shido had no idea what was going on, but followed anyways since Kotori and Reine clearly knew more about Spirits and ways to handle them, so Reine probably knew what she was doing.

In just moments after they began walking, the two were suddenly transported to another location, surprising Shido as they were in some kinda lab based on what he saw. He hadn't even realized he had walked over a teleporter.

"What just happened Reine?" Shido asked, only for silence to reach him. He looked to see Reine wasn't there anymore to his surprise.

"Big brother?" Shido instantly realized who said that, even after only a day he was able to tell the difference between Mana and Kotori's usual personality calling him their older brother. Kotori would only call him 'big bro' while Mana would call him 'big brother', and he was right as her turned to see Mana looking at him.

"Big brother, where are we exactly? Kotori brought me here and then disappeared. I'm kinda scared."

"I... honestly have no idea, but I guess we should just keep walking forward instead of just standing here." Shido said, Mana stared for a moment before nodding, honestly unsure of what else they could do. They walk for a bit until eventually they find themselves in come kind of control room, a man with long blonde hair noticed their arrival.

"Ah, you must be Shido and Mana. We've been expecting you. I'm Vice-Commander Kyouhei Kannazuki, it's very nice to meet you." The man named Kannazuki greeted, and soon motioned his arm to the right. "I believe you're already familiar with Analyst Murasame and the Commander?"

The two noticed Reine, now in a work outfit, and then in the Commander's chair was...

"Glad you two could make it, so how do you like the ship?" Kotori greeted, in her Commander mode again and with one of her usual Chupa Chups lollipop in her mouth. The two blinked in surprise until Reine removed the filter showing they were high over Tenguu City in a ship.

"This is the Fraxinus, one of the pride and joys of this organization. So, welcome to Ratatoskr."

"Ratatoskr... like the messenger squirrel of Norse myth?" Mana inquired.

"Not bad, you've done your homework Mana. Or did Elliot tell you that one? After all, he did create the whole organization." Kotori stated, catching Mana off guard.

She was surprised to hear the man who helped her find her brother was the leader of some organization, while Shido stared wondering how much Kotori's comment about how the man knew him was true, including the part about his and Kotori's parents.

"Look alive you two, we've got some information you should learn."

Origami Tobiichi was walking through town, doing some shopping with a somber look on her face, she had to have Ryouko put up an excuse that she had gotten very ill to excuse not attention class until they could figure out something about Nightmare.

"Shido..." Origami somberly sighed, she wish she knew what to do.

"[Do you want some help?]" Origami's eyes suddenly widened at that, she looked around for the source of this strange voice she could hear but not recognize or make out, soon the sight of a waving mosaic from within an alley caught her attention. She followed it and soon the mysterious Phantom made its appearance to her.

"[Greetings Origami Tobiichi.]"

"W-who... who are you? Are you a Spirit!?" Origami said, while normally she'd have attacked instantly. No Spirit had ever shown an ability to cloak themselves, and after what happened with Kurumi she wasn't exactly her usual self at the moment. Phantom turned towards her and walked closer, making Origami back into the wall.

"Get away from me, you hear me? I'll... I'll make you regret if you-"

"[Wow, just what did Kurumi do to you? You're a complete wreck, nothing like you usually are.]" Phantom questioned, and Origami only became more nervous at the being who had somehow learned of their talk and somehow knew more about Origami than she wanted it to.

"[Well to answer your question, I am indeed a Spirit, but not exactly the same. I cannot tell you my name, but Kurumi has given me the title of Phantom, so you may call me that.]"

"...If you know me like you seem to imply, why talk to me? I could attack you at any moment." Origami sweated, trying to not let herself seem pathetic to the Spirit before her.

"[You seek the Spirit who killed your parents 5 years ago, correct? What if I told you I saw the Spirit that did the deed?]" Phantom revealed, making Origami gasp. "[I thought so, then I must tell you to give up on seeking the Flame Spirit, your chasing your tail trying to find Efreet.]"

Origami stared at her like she was crazy, she knew the fire from that day, Efreet had to-

"[The Spirit that killed your parents wasn't one of fire, true they were burned... but what burned them wasn't a fire or even heat.]"

"What?" Origami said surprised.

"[That's right, the Spirit your looking for doesn't use fire. I don't believe your little group knows who this Spirit is yet unfortunately. Even then, I can't tell you where to find her, or even 'when' to find her.]" Phantom continued, noticing Origami's eye raising at her usage of when.

"[You saw it didn't you, Kurumi's left eye? Tell me, do you honestly believe that she has that for show?]"

Origami blinked, and then realized what Phantom was implying, a clock for an eye, and a Spirit that was unknown not by where it had gone, but when it would return.

"Kurumi... has power over time? Are you telling me she sent that Spirit to the future?" Phantom shook her head.

"[Kurumi doesn't have the power to change what's yet to be, you've got it backwards. She sent this Spirit to the past, I remember the scuffle she had started with me, and as I fled her presence vanished. She likely won't appear for some time.]" Phantom finished, soon beginning to walk off.

"[Oh, and you don't believe me, there's another reason trying to kill Efreet will only hurt you.]"

Origami scowled a bit, this Spirit seemed like she was making her with the fact she knew so much more about things she had struggled to get answers to. "Oh really, and just what is that!?"

"[Efreet's name from when she was still a normal human is Kotori Itsuka, I think she's the little sister of the boy you like?]" Phantom said bluntly, making Origami freeze in place. "[Oh good, you actually listened. Now that you have, let me tell you something...]"

Phantom rushed back and got directly into Origami's face.

"[If you ever hurt Shido, including emotionally... I'll make suffer that you'll want death is a mercy.]"

Origami stumbled to the group and panting as Phantom disappeared.

"[Oh, and Kurumi's blackmail? It's useless now. She found something that's made her change her plans with Shido, I'd be ready cause she's not willing to give Shido a gentle death anymore.]" Origami trembled. Kurumi had been terrifying, but this Phantom hadn't even used more than words to subdue her.

"..." Origami stood there for a moment, and then grabbed her phone. "Sergent Origami reporting, I have vital intel to share... urgency level red."

Phantom soon reappeared in the stall to a bathroom, taking a deep breath, it removed its mosaic cover and took it's true form before soon glowing as it shifted into something out. Walking out of the stall to reveal it was the girl's bathroom was none other than Reine Murasame.

"...I've gambled too much already, and now it's coming back to haunt me. I can only bet on your success now, Shido." Reine said, her hand unconsciously reaching the damaged bear she always held close. As she walked off, she didn't notice the familiar shadow that had been nearby.

Kurumi was walking across the street, her anger no longer showing externally on her face, but internally it hadn't even died out in the slightest. After walking into an alley way, Kurumi rose her hand as her Astral Dress formed around her. Her shadow stretched and pulled something in, soon revealing a bit of information.

"So, this is why you knew of Shido. This was your real agenda Phantom, well... I'm sorry to say, but I'm not gonna play your game this time." Kurumi smirked in a sinister manner.

Kurumi closed her palm tightly, and suddenly everyone heard a familiar alarm go off as Kurumi cruelly smirked out of view.

[WARNING! THIS IS NOT A DRILL, THERE HAVE BEEN PRECURSORY SIGNS OF AN IMPENDING SPATIAL QUAKE!]

Kurumi laughs as she saw everyone running for their lives to reach the shelters, none of them even aware that that there wasn't even an actual quake coming... at least not yet.

"I could easily set it off before any of you got to safety, but right now I'm in the mood to have some fun ruining everyone's good times that aren't my own." Kurumi laughs again, knowing the AST would soon be arriving. "I only planned for one meal, but now... I have a full course meal and four savory dishes waiting."

Kurumi licks her lips as she thought of her four targets, Shido, Mana, Kotori... and Phantom herself. She walks into view of the empty streets as the AST arrives, cackling insanely.

"Oh, well if isn't the AST, so glad you answered my invitation. I was wondering if you'd even come for a false quake." All of the AST readied themselves, unlike other Spirits they had to be smart with Nightmare and couldn't just instantly fire like usual. Origami soon flew in front as she cut off Kurumi's hand.

"Oh, well if isn't little Origami. Think you can challenge me now that you can actually fight back?"

"Give it up Kurumi! It's time for you to die, and I'm the one that's going to kill you!" Origami shouted, Kurumi laughs at that.

"Kill me? Is that what you think just cause of a flesh wound, well... sorry. You'll just need to accept I won't die and all of you won't live! ZAFKIEL!" Kurumi raises her remaining hand as one of Zafkiel's guns forms in it, she aims it at herself as a clock forms behind her. "Dalet."

Black spirit mana enters Zafkiel from the IV on the clock, and Kurumi shoots herself. Suddenly, Kurumi's cut off hand flew back on as if Origami failed to even cut it.

"She can heal herself!?" One of the AST members shouted in shock.

"I'm not healing at all, I'm simply turning back the clock." Kurumi laughs before posing, Zafkiel's second gun forming in her hand. "So I dare you all, see if you can fight time itself, because you're looking at the one being in this world who can bend it to her will. Now how about we have some 'spirited' competition!?"

Kurumi watched as some AST members rushed at her, hoping to stop her before she could fire again, Kurumi simply posed so her hands aimed at the XII and I on the clock.

"Aleph!"

Kurumi fired and suddenly vanished from the spot she was in, giving a crazed look as she appears at the side of one of the said charging AST girls and fires at her leg, soon she vanished and reappeared again doing the same to the other girls, changing where she aimed each time but never hitting a vital spot just to torment the girls.

"Zayin."

Kurumi positions one of her arms at the VII, but instead of shooting herself shoots one of the girls flying at her.

"But how?" The girl said shocked, suddenly frozen in time right after. Kurumi floated in front of her and shot her arms and legs once each. Soon the girl fell, still alive but barely able to move. "Run away... don't get any closer to her."

Origami stared in shock, each number of the clock had a separate power and name, and Kurumi had only revealed three of them. Soon she saw Kurumi zoom at her.

"Is this really the best you can do!?" Kurumi said swinging Zafkiel at Kurumi, who could only block with her sword. "I have to say I'm unimpressed! You call yourself a team that can handle any spirit, surely you can at least land a hit on me, can't you? Oh well, guess not!"

Kurumi swung again before Origami jumped a good distance away.

"Here's a thought, stop talking! Maybe you'll be cuter if you keep your mouth shut!" Origami said firing at Kurumi who simply swayed out of the way. "Besides, you're still outnumbered! You can't keep this up forever!"

"Well, I think you'd look cuter with your head mounted on my wall!" Kurumi snarked in reply, before laughing a bit. "And I'm alone? Well, you've probably heard the rumor I've been killed once before, haven't you? Well maybe you should look below you."

Kurumi motions to the VIII.

"Het."

Kurumi shoots herself, and soon her shadow expands, all of the AST members still in fighting condition looked in horror.

"My god... it can't be!" Ryouko said in horror. From her shadow, multiple copies of Kurumi suddenly formed from the ground, all sharing her expression. "She can clone herself?"

"Clone is such a degrading term, what you see here is my history. My literal shadows of my past." Kurumi giggles pridefully. "Now do you see why I can never be killed? You can't destroy someone's shadow, and as long as I hide behind them, I'm effectively immortal."

Kurumi moves her hand to the V on the clock.

"Hei."

Kurumi shots herself, and gets a vision of Origami trying to toss a building fragment at her.

"You're not hiding now, so say your prayers! Get ready to die!" Origami screamed as she used her territory to toss part of a building at her. Kurumi simply smirked at her before posing at the III.

"Gimmel." Kurumi fires at the building, and it ages quickly until it becomes dust harmlessly flying by her. Origami stared in shock. It was like Kurumi had a counter for everything they could throw at her. The remaining members and Ryouko all tried to rush her at once, but Kurumi smirked cruelly as she aimed at the 2.

"Bet."

Suddenly she shot them all, slowing them down before aiming at the I again.

"Aleph!"

This time however, Kurumi fired at her clones and they vanished, soon grabbing and constricting everyone, Origami soon felt the white hands of another clone hiding in Kurumi's shadow constrict her.

"No, this can't... this can't be!" Origami gasped.

"There you go, I've beaten all of you. You shouldn't have gotten your hopes up. So sorry, but... now that you can't play with me anymore I have something else I need to do." Kurumi smirks before raising her hand, along with her clones who were able to restrain the AST members with just one hand, suddenly the spatial quake alarm goes off as the ripples signifying a quake manifest in multiple areas.

"No! You can't, stop this!" Ryouko shouted, recalling from Nightmare's files that Kurumi's appearances in the world could never be truly detected because she had apparently learned to summon spatial quakes of her own volition, and therefore hide and trick anyone attempting to look for her.

"You don't get to request anything to me! Now, prepared to be surrounded by so much death and destruction in your final moments before I devour all of you!" Kurumi replied before laughing again, everyone but Origami soon blacking out from the clones' holds on them as Kurumi was about to set off the quake. "Goodbye Tenguu City!"

Kurumi prepared to open her hand and set them all off when...

"KURUMI!" Suddenly Kurumi stopped in place and tightened her fist, suddenly stopping the quakes. Kurumi turned and smirked as she saw one of the people she was searching for, Shido Itsuka. He could only stare at the sight, the destruction and what Kurumi had nearly caused. "Kurumi... Why?"

"You finally came Shido." Kurumi said, giving a disturbing smile towards him before he was grabbed by another of the clones in her shadow. "Now why don't we put a stop to this tediousness already?"

Kurumi holds Zafkiel to her head again.

"Aleph."

Origami panics as Kurumi rushed forward and suddenly grabbed Shido, causing them to disappear before the hands holding her released her and she fell to the ground. She looked at her fellow AST defeated and then where Shido had been moments prior. She held her head with her hands before she suddenly screamed.

"SHIDO!"