05/04/2012, Land of Oz, Evening.
Makoto enters what seems really like an ancient greek city under a purple sky. Many marmoreal houses surrounded by green vegetation each connected by roads of cobblestone.
Bikou tries to say something, but Vali keeps on shutting him up by putting his hand in front of the monkey yokai's mouth.
'This place, it's identical to Delphi' comments Apollo recognizing a familiar pattern in the structure of the city.
'Mhhh, you think these human magicians pray you Sum God' murmurs Loki. 'Very useful indeed'.
'Apollo is also the God of Prophecy and Divination. It's no wonder wizards rely on his protection' points out Kohryu.
Makoto, Vali, and Bikou stop in front of a three-story apartment building, its stark white stone blending into the settlement's greek skyline. Vali finally releases Bikou's collar, letting the monkey yokai stagger forward balancing himself on his toes, coughing dramatically.
"Ugh, Vali! You didn't have to strangle me on the way here!" Bikou rasps, spitting into the dirt. "Tastes like I swallowed a troll's toenail!"
Makoto eyes the building with curiosity. "What is this place?" he asks.
"Our base" Vali replies flatly. "The Wizards loaned it to us. Plenty of empty units, you can take one of the".
Before Makoto can step inside, however, Bikou slings an arm around his shoulder, grinning. "Forget the tour, we'll do it later! Time for the main event: Coliseum first! Oh and, Vali! We're dragging Arthur along!"
Vali sighs but flicks his fingers, summoning a faint magic circle to communicate with their other teammate.
"Perfect!" Bikou crows, steering Makoto toward a distant arena. "Vali's terrible at introductions. Let me enlighten you! We've got a knight, a witch, a nekoshou oh! and me, the star!" He pauses, squinting at Makoto. "Though, damn, you're as chatty as Vali. Pair of statues, huh? No wonder he gets along woth you so well".
'He's not wrong' Messiah comments in Makoto's mind with a pleased tone.
Bikou shrugs. "Eh, you'll fit right in!"
Following Bikou they arrive at the Coliseum-like arena of the settlement. They stand in the middle of the field where they are soon reached by Vali and Arthur.
"Hey Arthur! This is Makoto Yuki!" says Bikou presenting Makoto showing him with his hands like a circus master does with a star of the show.
Arthur Pendragon adjusts his wire-rimmed glasses, a single blond strand of hair curving over his brow like a comma. His posture is rigid, almost corporate, but the sword at his hip: Excalibur Ruler, its blade gleaming faintly under a leather sheath, betrays a more combative nature of the guy.
Arthur without much compliments bows lightly in front of Makoto, his blonde lock covering his face as he bends.
He then raises his hand and offers his hand in a firm handshake. "I am Arthur Pendragon, it is nice to meet a fellow Holy Sword User like yourself Makoto Yuki".
'Holy Sword User?' repeats confused Apollo. 'The Star didn't hold back when talking about the Universe it seems' points out Kohryu.
'He is probably talking about the Deus Xiphos' says instead Yoshitsune.
'The sword this blonde has on his belt' starts Lucifer noticing Excalibur Ruler in possession of Arthur. 'It reminds me of something' adds the Morning Star.
'Excalibur' answers Yoshitsune. Odin murmurs at the mention of the sword. 'Dindin?' immediately asks Loki to pester his brother. 'Tough memories huh?'. 'What are you two talking about?' asks Makoto. 'Nothing Universe, nothing' replies Loki dismissing the topic.
"The pleasure is mine" replies Makoto shaking back Arthur's hand.
Bikou bounces on his heels in trepidation, his golden staff twirling like a baton. "Alright! Enough with the chit-chat, let's fight!"
Arthur adjusts his glasses with a sigh, the sunlight glinting off the lenses. "Bikou, please. You're being insufferable". He turns to Makoto, his tone softening. "Apologies, Yuki. What he means is… I'd also welcome a spar. If you're willing".
"Exactly what I said!" Bikou throws his hands up in exaggeration. "But nooo, I'm the rude one!"
Arthur's smirk is barely perceptible. "Presentation matters, Bikou".
Vali leans against the arena wall, arms crossed, watching the duo bicker with faint amusement.
'You're enjoying this' Albion notes dryly.
'Immensely' replies the White Dragon Emperor inwardly, a rare smirk tugging at his lips.
A sudden gust of wind whips through the arena, scattering sand as a girl on a sleek, silver broomstick descends.
Her robes flutter like sapphire wings, and her wide-brimmed hat nearly slips off before she snatches it, revealing chestnut curls tangled by the flight.
"Mr. Vali!" Le Fay calls, hopping off the broom with practiced ease. Her boots crunch against the sand as she tucks the broom under her arm. "Is that?" She spots Makoto and freezes, eyes widening. "Oh! He's the one everyone's buzzing about!"
Vali nods. "Makoto Yuki. Le Fay."
Le Fay beams, clutching her hat to her chest before walking in front of Makoto. "A pleasure Mister Yuki! I am Le Fay, Arthur's sister" she says wita an awkward bow. "A-Arthur's told me nothing about you, which means you're either fascinating or terrifying" she shoots her brother a playful glare.
Arthur clears his throat. "Le Fay, we were… occupied".
"Right, right I am sorry!" Le Fay says, twirling a strand of hair in embarrassment, but shakes her head tto recollect herself. "So! Are we fighting or what? I brought popcorn! Just for precaution of course!" she says smiling.
Bikou whoops. "See? She gets it!"
'Chaotic little girl' Loki chuckles in Makoto's mind. 'This'll be fun'.
Makoto glances between them, Bikou's manic energy, Arthur's poised intensity, Le Fay's awkward yet odd curiosity, and finally nods. "Fine".
Le Fay scurries to Vali's side, her oversized wizard hat slipping slightly as she adjusts it. Her eyes, wide with curiosity, dart between Vali and the arena where Makoto stands.
"Mr. Vali" she begins, her voice tinged with awe. "You said Mr. Yuki is incredibly strong. What do you think will happen?"
Vali doesn't even glance at her, his gaze fixed on Makoto. "They don't stand a chance. He won't even need to call Odin".
'Agreed' intervenes Albion in confirmation, his tone matter-of-fact.
Le Fay's jaw drops. "O-Odin!?" she stammers, clutching her hat like a lifeline. "You mean the chief god of the Norse Pantheon? That Odin?"
"The same" Vali replies, his tone flat like he just told something completely normal.
Le Fay's mind races and a strange smile appears on her lips, her fingers twitching as if itching to scribble notes.
"Runes… primordial magic… the All-Father…" she mutters under her breath, her cheeks flushing with excitement.
Then, snapping back to reality with a shake of her head, she turns to Vali with wide, hopeful eyes. "Mr. Vali, do you think… maybe… Mr. Yuki could teach me something? About Odin's magic?"
Vali sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I don't know. But where's Kuroka?"
Le Fay blinks, momentarily distracted. "Oh! Right. She's probably still asleep. You know how she is".
Her gaze drifts back to the arena, her curiosity reignited. "But, Mr. Vali, do you think-"
"Le Fay" Vali interrupts, his voice firm, but not unkind. "I don't speak for Makoto".
She flushes, nodding quickly. "Right, right. Sorry".
'What kind of magic does Odin wield? Could I learn it?' thinks Le Fay, her mind wondering about the many possibilities.
05/04/2012, Kokabiel's Bastion, Evening.
"Outcasts of Yomi, huh? Is this what Azazel called the Slash/Dog for?" snorts Kokabiel reading the stolen reports from the Grigori HQ. "Age has finally gotten to your head Azazel. Messing with the affairs of some useless shintoists...".
Kokabiel stands up from his armchair and looks again out of the window. "I will wake you up from this feverish sleep you are in Azazel" he murmurs.
"You were a formidable warrior once Azazel. The trinkets left behind by that dead Father of ours rotted your brain transforming you in some sort of hippie scientist".
The Fallen Angel takes a couple of dossiers and reads through them. They talk about the holders of the remaining fragments of Excalibur which he wasn't able to steal.
05/04/2012, Rome, Evening.
The airport is empty, except for one traveler, one figure that would stand apart between normal passengers. Cloaked in a white robe, her face hidden beneath a hood, Xenovia Quarta adjusts the white fabric of the huge sword resting on her back, her posture tense as she prepares to board the plane.
The weight of Excalibur Destruction, one of the fragments not stolen by Kokabiel and his agents, looms on her shoulders.
"Xenovia" a voice calls, firm yet warm like a mother. Sister Griselda strides over, her habit swaying with each step. She reaches out and tugs the hood down with a swift motion, revealing Xenovia's sharp blue eyes and the faint pout on her lips. "You're an exorcist, not an assassin. Must you always look like you're about to storm a fortress with this cloak of yours?"
Xenovia crosses her arms, her blue hair bouncing as she huffs. "I can take care of myself, Sister Griselda! This is my first solo mission, and I'm not going to mess it up".
Griselda sighs, placing a hand on Xenovia's shoulder. Her tone softens, but her gaze remains stern. "As your legal guardian, it's my duty to worry. Maybe the Holy See could send more reinforcements if you'd just ask".
"I don't need reinforcements" Xenovia insists, her voice rising slightly. "I'm ready for this!"
Griselda's lips tighten, but she doesn't argue further. Instead, she straightens, her tone shifting to one of authority.
"Listen carefully, now. You'll meet representatives from the Anglican and Coptic branches in Tokyo. From there, you three will head to Kuoh Town, a city under the jurisdiction of the Sitri and Gremory clans".
Xenovia's nose wrinkles in distaste. "Why do we have to work with devils? They're not even our target!"
"Because" Griselda replies, her patience thinning, "Kuoh Town is one of the suspected locations where the Fallen Angels may have taken the missing Excalibur fragments. And the agents we sent there haven't returned yet".
Griselda shakes her head, her expression unyielding. "There's no proof of that. Jumping to conclusions will only complicate things. Your mission is to investigate and in case retrieve the missing fragments of Excalibur, not start a war".
Xenovia opens her mouth to protest, but Griselda cuts her off with a raised hand. "Enough. You're capable, Xenovia, but you're also impulsive. Remember: this isn't just about strength. It's about strategy. And patience".
Xenovia's shoulders slump, but she nods reluctantly. "Fine. I'll play nice with the devils. But if they're hiding something, I'm not holding back".
"Good. The ones you will meet are Irina Shidou from the Anglican branch, you already know her right?" asks Griselda to which Xenovia nods.
"Yes, we worked together for a mission in Romania..." says Xenovia reluctantly as bad memories of that mission flood her mind for an instant, but she dismisses those thoughts immediately.
"The other one is Elijah Bouchard, he will be the one to take care of the diplomacy with the devils once you will arrive in Kuoh Town as he already has experience with dealing with young devil heiresses" further explains Griselda.
"A french name?" asks surprised Xenovia. "From what I know his family work for the Coptic See of Alexandria since the Napoleonic Era".
Xenovia nods her head and turns around to board on the plane who was ready to depart.
05/04/2012, London, Evening.
In London, the scene mirrors Xenovia's departure, though the atmosphere is far lighter as the airport hasn't been emptied.
A brunette girl with twintails bounces on her heels, her suitcase rolling behind her as she heads towards the boarding gate. Her father, a tall man with a kind face and the unmistakable air of a clergyman, waves enthusiastically.
"Don't forget to say hello to the Hyoudou family for me, Irina!" he calls, his voice carrying over the hum of the airport. "And tell Issei I said hi too!"
Irina Shidou turns, her cheeks dimpling as she grins. "I will, Dad! Bye!" She waves with both hands, her excitement palpable, before disappearing into the crowd.
Once aboard the plane, she settles into her seat by the window, her eyes sparkling as she peers out at the sprawling city below. The plane rumbles to life, and soon, London's iconic skyline shrinks into a patchwork of lights.
"I can't wait to see you, Issei" she murmurs, her voice barely audible over the engine's hum. Her fingers tap against the armrest, a nervous energy bubbling beneath her calm exterior. "I just hope those mean devils haven't done anything to you…".
She touches the bracelet on her right hand, that is actually Excalibur Mimic disguised thanks to the fragment's peculiar ability to a simple bracelet. Thanks to that Irina didn't have to use any kind of complicated magic to hide herself with the rest of the passengers.
She then yawns and decides to sleep a bit as the flight will take many hours.
05/04/2012, Alexandria, Evening.
Elijah Bouchard weaves through Alexandria's labyrinthine streets, his sandaled feet kicking up the sand deposited by the wind as he dodges stands selling spices, adults hurrying back home and children chasing stray cats.
'I will have to use another magic circle at this point!'.
At 17, he cuts a striking figure, lean but wiry, his sun-bronzed skin glistening under the Egyptian heat, and his uncombed, messy black hair tousled by the sea breeze.
His face has sharp, angular features softened by youth: high cheekbones, a stubborn jawline, and warm brown eyes.
Behind him, as he runs towards the port, many cargo and cruise ships bustle in Alexandria's enormous port while the dockers hurry to discharge the containers on the port.
Dressed in a faded linen tunic edged with Coptic embroidery, he wears a leather bracer on his left forearm, a relic from his training, and a simple iron cross pendant around his neck.
A linen sash cinches his waist, holding a coiled whip and a dagger with a hilt carved in the shape of a lion, symbolizing Saint Mark, founder of the Coptic Church.
Strapped the lower part of his back is a cloth-wrapped short sword: his holy sword, Excalibur Blessing, its faint golden glow seeping through the fabric.
Elijah's heritage is etched into his every move. Born into a lineage of devout Coptic scholars, he was meant for the shadows of history.
But destiny had other plans. At birth, the Church declared him the reincarnation of Saint Mark, his soul 'a vessel of ancient fire'. By 10, he could recite scripture in Coptic, Greek, and Arabic. By 12, he dueled desert djinn, lesser demonic creature from the now extincts pre-islamic mythologies, with a training sword.
By 15, Elijah's Sacred Gear manifested 'Marcus Nemea', a powerful relic derived from the more famous Longinus Regulus Nemea.
This Sacred Gear is tied to one of the Nemean lions defeated by Yahweh, distinct from the mightiest of them, Regulus as the latter was turned into the Longinus.
The Sacred Gear was passed down to Elijah by the Heaven System thanks to his ancestry as Saint Mark was its first wielder.
Yet Elijah is everything but a saint. He sneaks dates from market stalls, trades jokes with fishermen, and lingers too long at his childhood friend Fatima's house, savoring the risk of their relationship.
Fatima Stolas, overseer of the city of Damietta and heiress of the Stolas devil clan. Obviously if the superiors of both faction were to find about their dear, dear friendship things wouldn't end well for both of them.
Now, sprinting past the Citadel of Qaitbay, one of the city's many wonders, he curses himself for staying too late.
"Yalla, yalla!" he mutters, skidding into a hidden alley.
With a fluid motion, he unsheathes his dagger and carves a glowing Coptic sigil into the wall. The air shimmers: a makeshift teleportation circle, risky and rudimentary but necessary. As the magic engulfs him, his cross pendant flares, and he disappears from the alley directed towards the airport.
Elijah appears right in time as the plane was refueling its tanks, luckily for him he is the only supposed passenger so they would have still waited for him despite his bad sense of timing.
He boards the plane and, just a couple of minutes later than his colleagues Xenovia and Irina, is finally flying towards Tokyo.
05/04/2012, Land of Oz, Evening.
The Coliseum's sand-strewn arena stretches between them, the air thick with anticipation.
At one end stands Bikou, his golden staff gleaming in the sunlight. At his side, Arthur holds Caliburn, the Holy Sword's blade radiating a soft, divine glow.
Opposite them, Makoto Yuki stands calm and unyielding, Deus Xiphos resting lightly in his hand.
'Universe, why didn't you bring with you the Omnipotent Orb?' asks Apollo. 'That item's interference with reality can trigger unwanted suspicions by our target' decides to explain Lucifer.
Following a clap of Le Fay's hands the fight commences.
The arena's sand erupts as Arthur surges forward, Caliburn's blade a silver blur aimed at Makoto's body.
The tip lf the Strongest Holy Sword pierces the air of the are a like a comet's tail.
Makoto pivots, Deus Xiphos flashing upward to meet the strike. Steel clashed in a shower of sparks, the force reverberating through Makoto's arms as he antchored himself to the ground to not lose balance.
Above, Bikou's laughter echoes as his Kinto Cloud strikes across the arena, a golden tail against the azure sky. He swing his staff downward, its magic wood igniting with molten light, aiming to hit Makoto right where he stands.
Makoto clicks his tongue as he parries Arthur's thrust, then drops into a crouch, sand spraying around him.
Bikou's staff falls toward his head, but Makoto twists in place, Deus Xiphos arcing upward in a crescent of radiant energy.
The collision rings out like a gong, the shockwave scattering dust in all directions. Bikou reels back, his staff trembling from the impact, while Makoto gets back gracefully on his feet, blade poised.
Arthur presses again, Caliburn dancing in a flurry of thrusts, each strike precise as a hawk's dive. Makoto deflects them with calculated sweeps, his breaths steady, eyes sharp. Bikou recovers, diving low on his cloud, while his staff is whirling like a storm.
"Oh Arthur! I thought this was a free for all!" shouts Bikou as his spinning staff hits both Makoto's and Arthur's swords.
"I said I wanted to exchange blows with Yuki here, Bikou. Moreover free for alls aren't my style" declares Arthur stepping back after deflecting Bikou's hit.
'Let's raise up the stakes what do you say Universe?' asks delighted Loki. 'Refrain from doing anything on your own Loki' admonishes Lucifer. 'Oh, try me Morning Star'.
'Don't tell me you are going to fight' says exasperated Apollo. 'The Sun God is right' intervenes Kohryu.
Makoto shakes his head to focus back on the fight leaving his Personas to chat in the back of his mind.
Makoto's focus snaps back just as Bikou, now cloaked in crackling yellow Touki, lunges sideways, intercepting Arthur's lightning-fast thrust of Caliburn directed right at the monkey yokai.
The staff and sword collide in a deafening clang, sparks erupting like the shrapnels of a grenade. Arthur pivots his head, blade whirling into a silver tempest, but Bikou dances backward on his Kinto Cloud to dodge the slash, his staff hitting the ground acting like a propeller to avoid being hit by each strike.
'They are committed to this spar. They aren't taking it lightly' says Yoshitsune. 'Universe, don't disappoint them'.
Makoto nods his head accepting Yoshitsune's tip.
He dashes forward, Deus Xiphos carving a luminous arc toward Arthur's flank, but Bikou dives to the ground with force to nullify the attack, slamming his staff down to block the blow.
The impact quakes through the arena, sand geysering upward. Arthur exploits the chaos, feinting left before driving Caliburn in a razor-edged uppercut. Makoto parries, but Bikou's staff sweeps low aimed at his feet, forcing him to jump skyward.
'Let's give them a taste of magic' declares Odin. 'Finally Dindin, we were dying of boredom here' teases Loki.
Mid-air, Makoto sheathes Deus Xiphos in a fluid motion. His left palm thrusts upward, fingers splayed, as his right hand clenches like he's gripping an invisible current. The air crackles violently, a jagged arc of violet lightning erupts between his hands, sizzling with primordial energy.
"Baptism by Thunder!"
The lightning lashes forward like a whip of raw voltage, splitting the arena's dusty haze. Like a wild snake the arc of lightning shakes uncontrollable around Makoto.
Sensing the danger of the spell Bikou reacts instantly, slamming his staff into the ground, and focusing all his yellow touki as the bolt collides to tank the hit.
The shockwave sends sand exploding upward, but Arthur pivots, Caliburn's blade shining as he carves a glowing sigil into the air: the sigil of the noble house Pendragon.
The Holy Sword tries to drink the lightning's fury, dispersing it in a shower of sparks that rain down like dying stars.
The Strongest Holy Sword shakes in Arthur's hand, overcharged by the sheer power of Makoto's attack.
'I better do something about this' thinks Arthur.
To avoid being zapped by his own weapon Arthur gravs his other sword from a portal that appears at his side, Excalibur Ruler, to drain away the electric charge.
Bikou's touki starts to diminish in luminosity, Makoto's attack having damaged Bikou's ability to fuel his own Touki instead of harming him. "I am feeling a bit dizzy" says Bikou.
From the side of the arena Le Fay watches with her eyes shining in amazement. "Wow" she says smiling like a kid watching fireworks for their first time.
"T-that was electrifying, hahaha" jokes Bikou, his hair standing up due to the static energy.
Arthur right hand shakes, but he blocks it with his other one. "Yes, it was a rather interesting fight" he comments. "Even if I am completely fine you, if it wasn't for Excalibur Ruler I wouldn't be able to use Caliburn, at least until the charge would have dispersed" he adds.
"The same goes for me he completely disabled my Touki!" says instead Bikou.
'A commendable approach Makoto' praises Messiah. 'A very unique way of using the All-Father's power' says Izanagi.
"Thanks for indulging in my request Yuki" says Arthur bowing slightly in respect. "Yeah, yeah we all had fun!" tells Bikou in a much more carefree tone.
The members of the Vali Team and Makoto are returning to the apartment complex they own with Le Fay pressing Makoto with a lot of questions.
"Mr. Yuki what was that magic you used? I didn't see any magic circle so it must be a different type, but Mr. Vali didn't say you had a Sacred Gear..." rambles Le Fay theorising what Makoto's magic is.
'Universe it is unkind to not answer a question, hee hoo!' says Jack Frost. 'I don't know what to say. What even is the magic I use?' asks Makoto, but no answer comes. 'You don't know either?'. Still no reply.
"I heard that Satan Beelzebub with his Kankara Formula can bypass the use of magic circles... D-do you use a similar technique Mr. Yuki?" asks amazed Le Fay.
"Le Fay! Stop pestering Makoto!" shouts Bikou. "M-Mr. Bikou!".
05/04/2012, Kuroka, Evening.
Kuroka pads through the silent halls of the apartment, her tail flicking irritably after having returned from a private errand.
"Stupid, arrogant Cao Cao" she mutters, claws tapping against the wall. ""Narcissistic prick, nyah". The emptiness of the building gnaws at her, no laughter, no clatter of weapons. 'At the Coliseum again' she guesses, rolling her eyes.
She moves to leave, but freezes mid-step. A familiar scent hits her nostrils. Her breath hitches. 'Him? Here?'. Her pulse rockets, claws unsheathing as she peers around a corner.
Through a window, she spots Makoto standing with Bikou and Le Fay. The monkey's voice drifting in:"Le Fay! Stop pestering Makoto!".
'No. No, no, no. Her mind spirals. He's friends with Rias Gremory and the devils! He must have asked about me! If he tells them...'.
Her chest tightens, phantom chains of guilt squeezing her ribs. 'I did nothing wrong... I was only protecting Shirone, nyaah'
The door creaks open. Vali steps in, Makoto behind him. Kuroka's fur bristles, but she slips on a smirk, sauntering forward. "The little friend you gushed about, nyah?"
She pokes Vali's side, her tone syrup-sweet, but her golden eyes dart away from Makoto's gaze.
'She is distressed, hee hoo!' says Jack Frost.
'Wouldn't you be after our last encounter?' intervenes Izanagi.
'I told you Universe, you exaggerated there' tells Apollo. 'It's late for remorse' replies the boy.
After the attention is averted from them and everyone retires for the night Kuroka gathers her courage, and hope, to confront Makoto.
"W-what are you doing here, nyah?" she manages to ask despite her heart hammering in her chest. "It's a long story" replies Makoto.
'Universe, hee hoo! This isn't the correct way to answer, hee hoo!' chastises Jack Frost. 'Dindin can you adjourn me on who this woman is?' asks Loki bored. 'The Hanged's sister' replies Lucifer as Odin didn't say anything.
Kuroka's golden eyes narrow, her feline pupils sharpening as they lock onto Makoto. Her tail flicks once, twice, the motion betraying the tension coiling beneath her calm exterior. She's scared.
"Long story short" Makoto begins, hesitating trying to find the correct way to tell her, his words stumbling. "I'm here because I have to… take care of someone". The phrase hangs in the air, heavy and ill-fitting, like a blade unsheathed too soon and easy to misunderstand.
You made it sound awful, Universe' Apollo's voice chimes in Makoto's mind, almost like he is facepalming. 'The girl didn't take it well, it seems' Izanagi adds, his tone dry and observant.
True to the creator god's words, Kuroka's body stiffens, her fur bristling as if charged with static. Her ears flatten against her head, and her claws, sharp and gleaming, extend ever so slightly.
'T-taking care?' Kuroka's mind races, her thoughts a chaotic whirlwind.
'No, it can't be me. Why would he befriend Vali just to get to me?' she tries to steady herself, to reason through the panic clawing at her chest, but her heartbeat thunders in her ears, a relentless drum that drowns out logic. Her breath hitches, and for a moment, the air feels too thin, too cold.
Makoto raises his hands, palms out, in a gesture meant to placate. "I know that sounds bad" he says, his voice softer now, almost apologetic. "But don't worry. I'm not here to do anything against you. Even if…" he pauses, his gaze steady. "I'd like to know what happened between you and Koneko".
"Shirone" Kuroka corrects sharply, her voice like a whip crack. The name carries an edge, a protective ferocity that makes Makoto blink in surprise.
'It's her sister after all' points out Kohryu. 'There is nothing to be surprised'.
"Right, Shirone" Makoto concedes, his tone careful, measured. "Could you explain it to me?"
Kuroka's voice cuts through the air, sharp and brittle, like glass on the verge of shattering.
"Why are you so interested in what happened between me and her, nyah?" she demands, her golden eyes glinting with a mix of defiance and something darker, something that aches.
"For all you know, I could be someone who abandoned her sister when she needed me most, nyah".
Her words hang heavy, laced with a guilt too raw to be mere speculation. It's a confession wrapped in a challenge, as if daring him to condemn her, or maybe inviting him to do so.
Makoto meets her gaze, unflinching. "I think I've already told you" he says, his voice full of conviction . "I care because Kone- Shirone is my friend" he catches himself, correcting her name with deliberate care, as if to show he's listening, that he respects what she has to say.
Kuroka's tail flicks sharply, her claws flexing at her sides. "Then you should just ignore me, nyah" she snaps, her tone biting, but tinged with desperation.
"Don't even consider me her sister. Do whatever you have to do. We'll pretend we don't know each other, nyah" her words are firm, almost commanding, but there's a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes, a silent plea hidden beneath the bravado.
She hopes he'll yield, hopes he'll walk away and leave her to the shadows where she's convinced she belongs.
But Makoto doesn't move. His expression softens, but his resolve doesn't waver. Unfortunately for the nekoshou not even gods can stop Wild Cards if it the sake of their friends what is at stake.
"Why are you so adamant, nyah?" she asks, her voice a mix of irritation and curiosity, though the playful lilt she forces into her tone doesn't match her frame of mind.
Makoto doesn't flinch. His gaze is steady, his voice calm, but insistent. "I want to know the truth" he says, his words carrying a weight that makes Kuroka's chest tighten. "You're in pain. Both of you. You and Shirone".
Kuroka's breath catches, her claws digging into her palms as she fights to keep her composure. She wants to trust him, but all her life has taught her to not trust anyone. Never. The only people she can talk to more openly are Vali and his team, but even with them something is missing.
The air between her and Makoto feels charged, heavy with unspoken truths and buried wounds she doesn't want to reopen. She opens her mouth to retort, to deflect, but before she can, a new voice cuts through the tension like a blade.
"What are you talking about?"
Both turn their heads to see Vali leaning casually against the doorway, his silver hair catching the dim light of the Land of Oz eerie nocturnal light. His eyes flick between them, sharp and calculating, though his expression remains neutral.
Kuroka's ears flatten against her head, and her tail stiffens. "N-nothing, Captain, nyaah" she says quickly, forcing a yawn that doesn't quite mask the edge in her voice. She stretches lazily, her movements exaggerated, but the tension in her shoulders betrays her. "I'm heading back to bed" she adds, throwing a playful wink in Vali's direction.
But her retreat is anything but casual. She moves quickly, almost too quickly, her footsteps light but hurried as she slips past Vali and disappears down the hallway. The sound of her door clicking shut echoes faintly in the silence she leaves behind.
'It seems the Star caught us' jokes Apollo. 'Annoyance ahead' murmurs Lucifer.
Vali's piercing blue eyes lock onto Makoto, the dim hallway light casting sharp shadows across his face. His arms are crossed, but his fingers dig faintly into his sleeves. "So?" he asks, voice low but edged with something raw. "Did I hear right? You know Kuroka's sister".
Makoto hesitates, the air thick with the weight of unspoken truths. "How much have you heard?"
"Everything" Vali replies flatly. His gaze narrows. "Even the part where you told her you're here to kill someone".
'We should tell him the truth' Messiah urges. 'Agreed'' Izanagi adds, his tone like steel.
Makoto scratches the back of his neck, the faint rasp of his nails against skin echoing in the stillness. "Yes. It's true".
Vali nods once, a sharp, almost mechanical motion. "Thanks for admitting it". He steps closer, boots scuffing against the floor, until they're mere inches apart. His breath ghosts cold in the air as he speaks, each word deliberate. "Makoto. I want to be blatantly honest with you. I'm only here to kill someone too'.
'Oh, what a peculiar twist' Loki purrs, his laughter sharp as a blade. 'The Star, a kinslayer. Interesting indeed'.
'I don't like where this is going, hee hoo!' Jack Frost whimpers, his voice trembling like snowfall.
Makoto's eyes widen, but Vali presses on, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "The reason I wanted you on my team… it wasn't just because I consider you one of the few friends I have".
For a heartbeat, his mask slips, a flicker of guilt tightens his jaw, his gaze darting to the floor. When he looks up again, his eyes burn with a frigid intensity, hate, sorrow and disgust in the White Dragon Emperor's boice. "I formed this team to kill my grandfather. Rizevim Livan Lucifer".
'Lucifer' the Morning Star growls, his voice a thunderclap that rattles Makoto's skull. 'Another worm dares bear my name?'
'Another case of child trauma, hee hoo…' Jack Frost sniffs, his tone mournful.
Makoto silently nods his head. "Vali..." he begins. "I need, I must, find where Shalba Beelzebub is. I must eliminate him before it's too late' says Makoto.
'Huh?' voices Albion in Vali's mind. 'Why should Yuki care about that brat?' asks himself the dragon.
As one of the Heavenly Dragons he can't even comprehend why someone he considers strong like Makoto should even consider a coward like Shalba Beelzebub.
"Fine, I'll help you. That's why you joined, no?" asks Vali, accepting to help Makoto like it's childplay. "Did Azazel ask you to do it? That old crow, for his peace now he hires hitman, huh?" curses Vali, but a small smirk appears on his face.
Makoto shakes his head. "No, it's way different... listen Vali: I am not from this world".