Kai
The truth shall set you free.
The saying that I have lived by since my first remembered moments in that accursed black void...
I didn't know the who, where, what, when, why, and how...all I know was that mysterious drone-like being I encountered that sent me through that light.
Was it me as I was an unborn infant? Was it my imagination? Or was it something else?
I don't know, and that question has plagued me for as long as I can remember.
I know I'm human...
Just different, so to say.
People here have known it all along.
The Fish of Peace, Damian, Charlie, her father Lucifer, Alastor...
Me.
Do I tell a lie by not mentioning these details?
That could be a lie by omission...
Even so...I had to do so, and would that inherently be moral due to me being aware of the potential deadly consequences?
I had to know they could be trusted.
What's worse, giving out information nobody would believe and some people suddenly using it for the worst purposes, or feeling out the waters and making sure the waters are safe?
I only needed less than a month, and I know now these people are trustworthy.
And with that trust, will be reciprocated...
With the truth.
They've shown all of themselves.
Time to show...
All of me.
I keep reviving my bike, making sure I get back to the Zoo Phoenix Academy as soon as possible.
Whilst I do so, I think it's time to make some preemptive preparations.
I press the button on my communicator, directing the signal to the Academy for anyone who is at the ready.
"Zoo Phoenix Academy. Come in. It's Kai." I call to nobody in particular.
"Monsieur Kai?! Is that you?"
"Good to hear from ya, Fabian." I smile.
"Sacre bleu! You have returned!"He exclaims."Madame Cameron! He's back! Uh, Kai! She wants to talk to you!"
"Kai?! You there?!"Cameron calls through the communicator, after some shuffling she's likely having grabbed his tail and held up the communicator watch to her so she can speak through.
"As here as I ever will be, Cameron, you brave one." I compliment her. "Still enjoying tea with the Frenchman Fox?"
"All thanks to you...you Godsend..."She replies happily, I hear some grumbling from Fabian after me having called him that, Cameron gives him the context and calms down."So, you finished your mission down in Hell?"
"Surprised you didn't ask how I survived." I comment.
"Dude, with your moves, and what I've seen you do, there's no way anybody down there stood a chance."
I chuckle.
"Relatively speaking. But Cameron, Fabian, I came back to coordinate something."
"What is it Monsieur Kai?"Fabian asks.
"Transfer me to Zechariah if you can. I'm gonna need his authority on this." I request.
"Oh, uh, you know you can just dial his frequency, right? I can forward you, but you know you could've just done that, right?"Fabian asks.
Ah.
"Not sure why I didn't just do that, just opened up my frequencies to see if anybody was there. Thanks, though." I say as-a-matter-of-factly.
"It is all good. Talk to you soon, Kai!"
"See ya, man!"
"You too." I say as the dial tone starts, transferring my call to the headmaster.
"Kai? Is that really you?" I hear the lightly Nigerian-accented cheetah pick up the call.
"Yeah. Good to hear from you, Zech. Wanted to talk to you."
"What do you need?"He asks.
"To preface, are there any restrictions the barrier provides on demons from the Second's jurisdiction?"
"Unless they try to physically go through the barrier, and if we give special orders against them. Why?"
"We're going to be having guests. My suggestion. And I need you to form a school assembly in the auditorium. Gonna need a mic as well. I have an announcement, so to say."
"What kind of announcement would require us having beings from the Second's jurisdiction?"
"The kind where, for your guys' trust in me, as well as the ones I have encountered down there, I will be giving you all...the truth."
"The truth about...what?"
"Everything."
That vague answer seems to be enough for him to say something to principal Winston, who garbles in the background and a door opens and closes.
"I understand, Kai. We will make the necessary preparations."
"For sentimental reasons, please make a designated section in the auditorium for my Fight Club. As well as one for the Second's beings. Have all the students first assemble outside, I'll be making the call to the 'other side' so it isn't too much of a sticker shock for when they show up."
"It'll be done. And Kai?"
"Yeah?"
"We've shown you all of us. We'll look forward to seeing all of you."
"My thoughts exactly, Zech." I say, referring to my thought process earlier.
"One last thing. We took some liberties, as well as some experimental methods, but we have successfully managed to close the gap in the barrier. Took a lot of energy out of Salvia, but she's okay."
"How did she manage to do it?"
"Seemed to be a case of just replacing the empty space with power similar to it, and she appeared to be a match. Though we couldn't have done it without you. And we thank you for it."
"Would've done it again if I could."
"We know. See you soon."
"You too." I say, hanging up the call.
That's one thing I don't need to have in the back of my mind, always good to solve a problem.
Glad Safe Haven is...well...safe again.
Another thing off my conscience.
Nice to know I've done some good, at the very least.
I only hope to do even better.
And I will...
As soon as all is revealed.
I rev the bike even stronger, hitting 200mph as I speed through the space in between the Districts and the city.
Eventually, I make it back to familiar territory...
And that earth-like dome of the Academy.
It makes me smile, being back here.
When I make the turn to get to the parking lot, I see a large congregation of students out in the parking lot, the last of them heading outside.
Seems Winston and Zechariah are quicker at assembling the students than I thought.
Both of them and the staff are chaperoning all the children as they see me.
A small chorus of cheers erupts from the crowd of students witnessing my arrival, and I decide to give them a bit of a show.
I activate the armor option on my bike, and all the rocket-propelled segments fly off, sending me soaring towards the area in front of the school.
The pieces latch onto my armor as they did before, me pulling off a little rotating spin as I do, my now-armored legs hit the ground, and the hands of my armor land on my arms as well as the rest of them while they hit the concrete, I flip over while the rest of the armor equips itself on me, and I use my legs to slide to a superhero-like stop as I look at the school in my armored form.
The cheers erupt again, in both shock and awe at my newly upgraded armor whilst I rise.
WHEE-WA-SHINK!
I open up the helm of my armor when the children cheer once more, my students being the first to greet me as I disassemble the armor back into its bike form.
"DUDE! YOU'RE BACK!" Zill exclaims, smiling.
"That armor is so cool!" Jack says.
"I'm so glad you're okay!" Kayla smiles, happy Hell didn't put too much of a dent in me.
"Never thought they could to anything to you, man." Damian says, devilishly grinning.
"Thanks, guys." I say, I then look to the crowd. "Okay, calm down!"
The students do so.
"Okay, I know I've been gone for a bit, but I'm back for a reason. You've all known me for close to a month now, but I feel as if that things are long overdue. First thing...the truth!" I announce.
Some murmuring from the audience comes up.
"What kind of truth?" Zill asks, raising an eyebrow.
"As I've told Zechariah,everything." I say. "We'll meet in the auditorium, but first, I have made some allies back in the Second's jurisdiction. They will act as ambassadors so they may technically be able to come up here."
"Oh-ho-ho! Seriously?!" Damian asks, almost not believing it.
"I've gotten the okay from Zech. We can do this. Everyone, don't be afraid, they will not hurt you!" I assure the students who seem uneased at having to see demons, given their history with both kinds.
I take the communicator and use the number dialing option, waiting for Charlie to pick up.
"Hello?"
"Charlie, it's me."
"Hey, Kai. We're ready down here."
"Copy that. You've got the Grimoire. We're waiting. In the incantation, say 'Zoo Phoenix Academy' as a reference." I advise her.
"Got it. Getting to conjuring now."
"See you here."
"You too."
I hang up the call and turn to the students.
"They're coming. Everyone be courteous as if you were welcoming your friends here!" I advise them, they all nod.
Soon, in a rumbling of the ground, the ground in front of us begins to cave in similar to how Damian's parents showed up previously.
Except this time it's a bit more fiery and has more embers.
A staircase forms like a descent into madness, and we wait in anticipation for our new arrivals.
Charlie, earlier
It's...actually going to happen...
I'm finally going to see it.
The Overworld...Earth...home of the humans...
I...don't even know what to think...or how to feel.
It's been something I've wanted to do my entire life.
Go topside, have the experience up there like how sinner demons relinquished that chance and instead opted to go to Hell, voluntarily or involuntarily.
Meanwhile, we're just all here, assembled in the courtyard ready for the go-ahead.
"Charlie? You okay?" Vaggie asks concerningly.
"I'm not sure." I say, looking down at the red grass, and then up to the sky. "I've...never been up there. I've been condemned by birth as a Hell-Born demon to just stay down here for all eternity as far as I've seen...now...I'm acting as an ambassador to the Overworld. I didn't even think this day would come...at least not this soon."
"Hey, it's not as bad as you might think. Sure, sh*t happens up there, but that's just life. You take the good with the bad, and that's perfectly okay. There's problems, sure, but they'll be solved in time. You just gotta appreciate the moment." She advises, smiling.
"But do we even deserve this...do I even deserve this?"
"Nobody deserves anything, Charlie. Whether it be good or bad. It's just what happens in life that you just roll with. Make the most out of the cards you've been dealt, and you never know, you may beat the game." Coen Krauss comments.
"Never thought you'd be our substitute Kai." I comment.
"Eh, somebody's gotta be." He shrugs. "Learned that the hard way myself, as some of us do."
I chuckle.
"Yeah...I guess we do." I say, remaining looking upwards.
"Oh dear me! I have not seen up there in almost a gosh darned century! This new chapter of Earth! Another time for new lives! What could this possibly entail?"Alastor dramatically announces on his microphone staff, clearly excited to see Earth.
"Damn, if there's more of that booze Kai brought from up there, I'd have thought I'd gone to Heaven." Husk comments.
"Huh...wonder what's changed since I've been down here." Angel comments.
"Eh, 70's was a while ago man, though in Alastor's case, guess it was the 20's." Cherri Bomb comments, Al raises his eyebrow and Cherri just shrugs nonchalantly.
"Remember, Niffty...calm yourself, don't freak out if you see a man." The cyclops demon breathes in and out, before taking a little bottle of her 'special oil' and rubbing it in between her cheeks.
That stuff has worked miracles in keeping her from going berserk at seeing males.
"Dad...what will happen when we're up there?" I hear Octavia ask her father.
"Nothing bad." Stolas says, hugging his daughter.
"I've never been up there. I've always wondered what it was like." She ponders aloud, looking up at the sky.
"I have. And it is something to write home about." He smiles.
"Really?" She looks at him.
"Yes." He looks at her, they smile in unison.
I look at I.M.P., and the Imps and Hellhound seem to be comfortable...
Unusually so, with heading topside.
Why...is that?
Meanwhile, Baxter and Crymini are just waiting patiently for our ride to get here.
"Ya sure this camera will work?" She asks.
"Yeah, should broadcast to every TV in Hell."
"Why are we doing this again?"
"Might as well spread the word. If he's gonna tell the truth, gonna be more convenient for everyone to know. Bro's gotta build his reputation."
"Uh...I guess?"
Normally I'd be onto them about doing such...
But with the resources we have at our disposal, I highly doubt anything Kai would reveal would be...well...trouble inducing...
At least as far as my limited prediction range can say...
Also, I've locked everything up, and KeeKee is staying behind to keep an eye on the hotel.
Though...
"Hey...uh...Coen?" I ask the other human who stayed here, he's now in a standing closed-eyed, crossed-arm position reminiscent of a meditative state.
My question pulls him out of it, he gives me a raised eyebrow.
"Do...you by chance know when Kai's gonna be ready for us?"
He smiles cheekily.
"Sooner than ya think..." He says as he looks up.
As he does...
RING! RING! RING!
Impeccable timing...
"Hello?"
"Charlie, it's me."
"Hey, Kai. We're ready down here."
"Copy that. You've got the Grimoire. We're waiting. In the incantation, say 'Zoo Phoenix Academy' as a reference."He advises me.
"Got it. Getting to conjuring now."
"See you here."
"You too." I say as I hang up the call. "Stolas! We're up!"
The father of the Goetias walks over to me, pulling out his Grimoire and flips to the portal page.
As we did before, we both hold one hand skyward and one on the book.
"Zoo Phoenix Academy"
The space right above us seems to become distorted, and out of the empty space and red light...
Comes...
Comes...
A...bright light...
A light I had never...EVER seen before...
It's...warm...
In...the best way possible.
All the sinner demons, Vaggie, Crymini, Niffty, Angel, Baxter, Cherri, and Husk lock their eyes on it instantly...
Is that...
The Sun...?
"This...is really happening..." Vaggie utters.
"We're going back..." Angel says almost in disbelief.
"We really are..." Cherri adds.
"Never...thought I'd see this day again." Husk says, trying not to rub his eyes while seeing this.
Everyone else is speechless, and I take the initiative to take the step forward towards the apparent staircase made of stone.
I look at the stairs...and slowly upwards to the unknown...
A hopefully...better...unknown.
With tears threatening to form in my eyes, I look back, seeing everyone both familiar, and not familiar with the overworld.
Stolas and Vaggie give me nods to lead us, and I look to the staircase again.
I take a deep breath, trying not to hyperventilate at this prospect of fulfilling one of my greatest dreams...
And I raise my right foot...
Placing it on the first step.
I pull myself upwards, and put my left on the second step...
And one after another, the next after the next, I look back to the others.
"Fate waits for no one."I say to them, they get the message and they follow carefully.
Facing the light, I keep taking these precise steps, following the brightness to...a better place.
Until soon...
My eyes adjust...
When my vision comes to...
The first thing I see is-
Kai...smiling
He's still here...waiting for me...waiting for us...
But when I look to all the people behind him...
It's...
Children?
Lots...and lots of children...
My crimson red eyes dilate in shock at seeing the apparent students of the Academy, as does the eyes of most of everyone else, as I almost don't realize.
THEY'RE SO ADORABLE!
I have to use all my willpower to not cuddle every single one of them!
I glance to virtually everybody, taking in all their unique appearances and how different everyone is, yet all of them are here in unison.
Animals...humanoid people...
Even...an unusual...hybrid...chimera-like creature next to Kai.
I'd imagine...he was his student...
I shoot my head upwards to witness the Zoo Phoenix Academy itself, taking in its architecture.
It's...like the Earth I've seen on artwork...
It's unlike anything I've ever seen...
I look upwards more so, and I have to squint and use my hand to block out the overwhelming light.
It's as I've been told in stories...
The legendary sun...
It's...magnificent!
When I turn around...
I come to witness the magnitude of the city Kai referred to asSafe Havenin all its glory...
It's so...
Unique...
Green...
Blue...
Colorful...
Not just oversaturating colors...just many melded into one singular massive piece of art.
I look back to the students, having to wipe tears from my eyes after seeing this...
Masterpiece of a dream-come-true.
I carefully and nonthreateningly step forward to address the youth, taking a deep breath while curbing my adrenaline.
"Hello! Uh...people of Earth!" I say my rehearsed lines, trying not to sound like I'm an alien. "I am Charlotte-Charlie...Morningstar! D-Daughter of Lord Lucifer Morningstar! I and my...colleagues have come as ambassadors to the Overworld in...pursuit of the truth involving our mutual friend and ally, Kai!"
Our human of the hour, who is smiling right now, steps to the side, and who seems to be leaders emerge from the crowd.
A giant...cheetah...a giant fox...and...a First's vampire? She looks western...as I've seen.
Are these beings common up here?
The cheetah bows his head.
"Greetings, your highness. I am Zechariah, headmaster of the Zoo Phoenix Academy. I am accompanied by teachers Fabian and Carrie. We are privileged to have you here." He says in a light-Nigerian accent, gesturing to the beings at his side.
"It is an honor to meet you, Madame Morningstar." The fox named Fabian says in a heavy French accent, bowing as well.
"Ah nevah thought ah'd see the day I'd be meetin' ya, yer majesty." The one named Carrie says in a heavy cowgirl-like voice while also courteously bowing.
Definitely western...but I'd never thought I'd see someone like her up here...must've made a deal with the First...somehow.
"We...thank you for your hospitality." I say, returning the bow. I gesture to the avian demon to my side. "And this is Lord Stolas Goetia, leader of the Goetia Clan and...ally."
"We appreciate you having us." Stolas bows as well.
"The feeling is mutual." Zechariah says, the two leaders finally having met.
Kai takes control of the situation.
"Now we have taken a moment to break the ice, it is time for things, and intentions, to be known." He says, looking at Zechariah.
He nods.
"Please, follow us to the auditorium." He requests.
"Lead the way." I gesture to the doors.
The animals and other people lead us inside the school.
As we follow, I'm ogling at how much of a normal school this place looks like on the inside despite the outside looking so otherworldly.
But with me and my colleagues in it...
It feels like 2...maybe even 3 stories have been interwoven...somehow...
Eventually, we arrive at what is obviously an auditorium, seats ranging from top to bottom all ready for both the students and us guests.
With some help from Kai and Zechariah, we are all led to our seats, and we're given a designated area for just us Second Dominion denizens.
As we do, and when Kai sets down a special set of students he seems to be especially acquainted with, a red ball of fur walks up next to him, seemingly asking something and gesturing to us. Kai looks back, smiles, and gives him a nod while seemingly saying yes, this makes the red one dart over to our area.
When I get a closer look...it's...
"Heya, Charlie! Good ta see ya again!"
My eyes go wide.
"DAMIAN?!" I exclaim. "You're here?!"
"Hells yeah! I'm allowed to come here! Dad does so on the condition that I make friends. So far it's worked, given you're here!" The little jackal gives a toothy grin.
"I-I haven't seen you in so long! How old were you, like 6?"
"Yup! Been a whole 10 years, sister!" He gives me a salute.
"Well...how've you been?" I smile.
"Eh, could be better. Guess you could say I've been humbled, so to say. They say you got to lose something to gain something...and it took me losing my powers to really understand I'm not that strong."
"Wait, you lost your power?"
"Yeah, that otherworldly Demon named Speak somehow inhibited it...though according to what Kai said...he'd be able to help after today." He says, holding his hand to his chin.
"Okay...I hope he mentioned that 'Demon'...did he? Or am I just being forgetful...?"
"D...Damian?!" I hear the sound of the Goetia's daughter call out. "Is that you?"
"YO! OCTAVIA! My little Via! Nice talking with ya, Charlie!" He chirps, waving to me as he hops over the seats to see the Owl princess.
"You too, Damian!" I say, smiling as he plops down on the armrest, being small enough to do so.
"Ya been doing good my old playmate?" He raises his eyebrow, smiling.
"Doing...somewhat better. At least better than it was a day or so ago...least my parents aren't screaming at each other..." She utters.
"Long story I'm guessing?" He asks.
"Yeah, but...how are you? We messaged but we haven't seen each other in forever!" She smiles, seemingly taking Stolas aback at seeing his daughter smile at her old playmate, but he smiles knowing that she's happy.
As the two old friends go back to talking to each other for the first time in forever, Stolas and I exchange glances.
We chuckle.
Things aren't so bad...at least not right now.
Old friends...new friends...our world, new world.
What a wonderful life.
I look to my other colleagues, all of whom are still looking around, seemingly still taking in the fact that they're all back on the surface.
Given what some of them have been through, down there, I can't blame them for being back in their world of birth.
But in my case...
I'm not in the biggest of rushes to go back there.
I look to the stage, waiting for our human to make an appearance.
Kai
I peek outside the curtains, seeing all the children, staff, and guests sitting in the seats.
But all my students from Fight Club are getting close to front-row seats, as well as our guests from the other side.
I just about notice Zechariah coming my way
"Zech."
The cheetah smiles.
"Kai. It is so good to see you again." He says, bowing his head. "You have done...so phenomenal, in joining our worlds."
I return the gesture out of courtesy.
"The feeling's mutual, my feline friend." I say. "It's merely something that must be done. It was either this or sending our students to Hell. Didn't exactly want that."
He chuckles.
"Oh, how we have missed you." He continues smiling.
"Same. How've my students fared?" I ask.
"See for yourself." He says, he gestures me to look out to the seats, and I do.
It seems they've all gotten to know each other, now that I'm observing them, relatively speaking as they converse with each other. Zill is keeping everyone in check, Kayla's helping out, Jack seems more confident, Damian is surprisingly well behaved right now as he's conversing with Octavia...who is smiling.
I chuckle.
Guess it takes a blast from the past for her to turn that frown upside down.
Little Mackenzie, meanwhile, looks a little more collected and less sheepish than when she was when I met her, and all the others are just having a good time right here.
Guess everyone has improved at least slightly since I've been here.
"Also, Kai?" Zechariah asks.
"Yeah?" I turn to him.
"With a little bit of help, we've made the speakers to where you can hook up your communicator with them. All you need to do after you've connected them is speak and everyone will hear." He says.
"Thanks, Zech."
"Appreciate it, Kai. I...look forward to hearing what you have to say." He says, smiling but before I can reply, his ears perk up. "Oh! And I have a certain someone who'd like to see you."
I smile genuinely, already knowing who he's referring to.
I sense the presence behind me, and I see...
"Cameron..." I say.
"Kai." She replies.
We walk up to each other, seeing eye to eye.
I chuckle, she smiles, almost tearing up as...
She hugs me, and I return it.
"I'm so glad you're back..."
"I'm glad I am too."
"How things have changed, huh?" She asks, laughing as the tears go down. "All thanks you, you son of a gun."
"Hey, you overcame your fears. You just needed the confidence and some guidance." I say.
"Of which you provided. Of which you helped me find. I can never thank you enough for it, seriously. I can never say it enough times."
"Then say it as many times as you need to." I smile, she laughs again.
"You're a darn godsend..."
"I'm only as one as I'll ever need to be."
"Whatever you say out there...and whatever the truth is about you...I can't wait to hear it." She says.
"And hear it you will." I say. "Now, go on ahead and make yourself comfortable, Cameron Walden, the truth shall set you free."
"Free I shall be, Kai." She says, smiling again as she goes out to the seats, taking a seat right next to Fabian.
How she has changed...
"See you in a moment, Kai." Zech says, walking out as well and sitting with the staff.
Now alone, I take my communicator and link it up to the speakers, causing an activation sound to ring out.
But now, as the moment is nigh, I take another to breathe.
The truth shall be excised, and I...
Will be shown...for the whole world to see.
I've been told I've been holding back too much...
And the truth isn't the only thing.
Me holding back has almost caused people to die, and too many times I have had to be saved. Most times by Coen.
Of whom, side note, is sitting right next to Alastor, keeping him in check, thankfully.
But back to what I was saying...both he, and the Twins...were right.
It's time I stop holding myself back.
As I should've done from the start.
Breathing once more, I bravely push past the curtains as I walk out, the lights shining on my position.
A small round of applause rolls out due to courtesy, and I hold out my hand to cease it.
I inhale, readying myself as I begin speaking into the mic, my voice being amplified.
"My friends. My allies. My students. I have had you all assembled here today because I know without a shadow of a doubt, this gathering is long overdue. I had to know that the people, up here and down there, can be trustworthy. Thus, I have discovered you are. You are good people, and circumstances have put it into perspective that the time is now to uphold my end of this unofficial bargain. Your trust, for the truth. Let me preface this by saying that what I am going to say is going to sound strange, but the more I speak, the more rational it's going to appear. As I speak, feel free to ask questions where they're appropriate."
I look at the people in the audience, all the friends I've made and the connections I've formed so far all assembled here as they watch intently.
"As it is obvious, you've witnessed my apparently unnatural affinity for combat. My durability, my agility, even my strength. I have been trained. Rigorously. As a piece of coal that becomes a diamond, I have been molded into a ferocious fighter. There is a reason for that. It is for a mission I am here for...and it speaks for Who. I. Am...and what I am a part of...as well as the bigger picture this plays into. I have come to...warn you. The attacks have already happened, and it is time you know...what has been attacking...comes from the efforts known as the Demons."
Some murmuring about what exactly I am referring to comes from the audience.
"For those who don't understand...they're not YOUR demons. The Demons we refer to are the ones whose capabilities...are in too dangerous hands. These Demons are foreign to you and are as alien as you can imagine. You know nothing about them and that's everything they need to take you and your entire way of life, and even existence. It's why me...and others LIKE me...exist. There's a reason why I seem so different from all of you...a VERY...good reason.
The audience members glance to one another once again.
It's time...
"Do you ever feel as if you're not alone in this world? That you look out into the cosmos and believe that you may not be the only beings who exist? Anyone?"
The answers range from Yes and No.
"Well...I am privileged to say...everyone...that you are not alone. This world...is not alone."
"What do you mean, 'this world'? You an alien or something like that?" I hear Angel Dust sarcastically quip in the audience.
"If you ever feel like there is somebody, or something out there, you are right. There IS somebody out there. Not just someone, or somebody. Somebodies. Lots and LOTS, of somebodies. Too many for you to conceivably imagine. It takes a face-to-face meeting with them for you to truly grasp the reality that you exist."
"OH COME ON WHAT IS IT?!" I hear Blitz calling comically.
I breathe one more time.
...
...
...
"Universes."
"HUH?!" Everyone exclaims.
"Worlds, Dimensions, Realities, all of them. One connection, all similar, but different in their own way."
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Damian comments.
"Other universes. Other worlds. All connected to each other. Everything, everywhere, all at once. And yours...is one of many in that infinite sea. I have preeminently come to yours to protect you, and defend you against the threats known as the Demons, and other interdimensional threats like them."
"How do we know you're from another reality?" Cameron asks skeptically.
"I've had suspicions about the Twins...but..." Charlie adds.
"I'll get to the Twins in time. I, and Coen Krauss as my underworldalliesknow him, are from other realities because respectfully, you don't exist where we come from. Nor do we exist here. Safe Haven doesn't exist where we come from. this world is entirely different. Some of you other corporeal beings can already tell my presence is different from others, given your ability to sense life forces...though after the end of all this, if you still don't believe me, you may consult the Fish of Peace. They knew from the start."
"But...how-why...YOU SAYING THE MULTIVERSE IS REAL?!" I hear Baxter call out bravely.
"The Omniverse, the true. final. frontier."
Despite me saying this...some are still not believing it.
"Okay man, how about this?! PROVE IT! Don't just show! PROVE! For all we know these Demons can just be some new breed of creature from who-knows-where! PROVE THAT YOU'RE from another universe!" That tan dog wearing a letter jacket and collar I saw the first week I showed up here points at me.
"Hey, Rueben, cut it." A deer teenager boy quips.
"NAME'S RUSTY! NOT RUEBEN!"
As the two begin to bicker, I deactivate my communicator watch...
So as not to break it.
Damn...it's been a bit since I've done this.
"I can vouch for him!" I hear Damian call out before I wind up doing anything.
The audience looks to him.
"Before I had my powers taken away, I had the ability to sense life signatures. Everyone's got a different feel, but Kai, and that Coen guy as I see...feelout of placeas compared to everyone else." He says. "I was the first to call Kai out on it, if you guys forgot."
"And right you were, Damian." I commend him.
"Ha! You really think anyone would believe him?! HE'S THE ANTICHRIST!" Rueben/Rusty tries to put Damian down.
Kid's changed over time, dog. I'll show you why he's right.
"So. You don't believe in either him nor me. huh? You'd be a nonbeliever?" I ask sarcastically with my normal voice, the deer and the dog stop and the latter looks at me challengingly.
"Yeah, and what're ya gonna do?!" He stares at me with a dung-eating grin.
I take a deep breath, looking within myself.
It's something that, for the most part, has been largely dormant.
Only ever slightly emerging when it came to it, when others were in danger and I needed the strength.
But it seems that an actual SHOW of strength...is what it takes for them to truly see.
Ever since what happened almost half a year ago, I've suppressed this part of me, similar to how one of my other friends has done the same in his own way.
But now...
I have made new friends...found new companionship...
And changed even myself a bit.
I have choked out that flame within me...but...when push comes to shove...
It's better this way.
I breathe in and out, psyching myself up and getting my emotional state slightly elevated, I reach deep within me, searching for that lost light I've suppressed.
I grunt in a slightly hunched over position, the effort getting greater as it takes more of me to bring more of me to fruition.
Little do I realize, as I'm doing such, a little something is pulsating...around me...from me...
The audience seems to notice this...especially after my feet suddenly cave into the stage slightly.
I keep up the effort, doing everything within my power to fan the flames, letting my will be the fuel to the fire, needing it to be reignited.
Remember your training...keep it contained...
When it's all said and done...
Reach out...!
Grab it...!
SEIZE THAT FLAME!
MAKE IT YOURS!
MAKE IT YOU!
YOU! ARE! THE STORM!
"GAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"
IN AN EXPLOSION OF A CRIMSON FIRE, THE ENTIRE AUDITORIUM IS LIT UP IN A BLINDING LIGHT OF RED, THE GLOW EMAMATING UPON EVERYONE AS THEY RECOIL IN SHOCK, THRUSTING THEM ALL BACK!
Charlie
WHA-?!
WHAT...WAS THAT?!
First thing we know, Kai's getting all psyched up...he straightens his back...
NEXT THING WE KNOW AN EXPLOSION OF FIRE SHOOTS OUT OF HIM!
It...almost felt like being blasted with lightning!
I'm afraid to look up from my seat...
My whole body is just...shaking...the electric, tingly feeling still there...
I do...and...
Wha...uh...huh...?!
It's...it's Kai...
He's there...but...
He's...
It's...
His whole body is surrounded by an aura of crimson red, flaming power...emanating from himself.
But moreover...
That feeling...
I don't know how...but it feels like...HIM!
I don't even know the logic behind that...
But as I'm looking at him, my friends and colleagues do as well, including the students and staff.
Also that one cocky kid named Rueben, apparently, recovers from the blast.
His eyes open, revealing that same crimson glow, his eye color entirely changed to such, and the tingling feeling intensifying...
Kai, with that apparently new...alien-like power-
VVVROOOOM-WHOOOOSH!
He-! He VANISHED!
In a flash of light he suddenly disappeared!
VVVROOOOM-WHOOOOSH!
As suddenly as he disappeared, in that same flash of light he reappears right in front of that dog kid!
He lands gracefully and precisely on the top of an empty chair in front of him, coming face-to-face with him.
"Do you believe now?"
His voice...seems to have gotten more serious, so to say.
The kid can only twitch his eyes, and slightly nod his head.
"Any doubt in anyone else's mind?"
The overall consensus is 'No'.
VVVROOOOM-WHOOOOSH!
VVVROOOOM-WHOOOOSH!
He...teleports himself back to stage...
Yeah...
I...In the history of Hell, and everything I've ever known, seen, and experienced...
I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS!
This power...it's...it's incredible!
With this...
Someone could go up against an Overlord...
Maybe evenkillone...
He holds up his hand...
A sphere of red light slowly generates like fire collecting together in his hand, as if he were in zero gravity, he pushes it to the upper part of the auditorium. It intensifies, and lights up the entire room, before slinging back to him and he somehow controls it like a bright liquid that soars around his form before he reabsorbs it into his body.
The whole brief demonstration nailing home the message-
"Ha-Ha! He's back, Ladies and Gents! HE! IS! BACK!" Coen Krauss calls out from the side, smiling gleefully.
Kai was telling the truth!
Its...
"Power...beyondour world..."I barely manage to utter.
"Even I didn't believe him..." Vaggie says to my side.
"This is what you've been capable of...all this time...?" I hear the chimera-like boy ask off to the side.
"It takes a special kind of knowledge to utilize this wonder-working power. The knowledge that me, and my people, are more than willing to share with you. And that, is the truth, I wanted to provide it to you."
"Kai...who are you really?" The red-haired lady asks, not even her nor me even knowing the answer.
"I am part of an inter-universal society and organization dedicated to protecting the Omniverse from threats like the Demons and any others who seek to undermine reality itself."
His light intensifies, and holds out his arms, gripping his fists, showing himself.
A fiery power intensifies again, and from it, a symbol of an eye appears above him
"My name is Kai-En Khan, and WE...are the Kin."
Chapter End