User:Sirin of the Void/Valentine

 LOTM: Sword of Kings Special

 Saga AA - Season 2 

 LOTM: Eckidina Arc

 Sub Arc Finale

 Holiday Special - Kiss of Death 

 Unit CM 130 Sub Arc - Final Episode 

 Sub Arc Special Episode 

 Fourth Special Episode of Season 2 



 Previous Season: LOTM: Sword of Kings AA - Raizen School Arc 

 Previous Episode: LOTM: Sword of Kings AA 2nd Season - Judgment Day

 Previous Spin-Off: LOTM: Sword of Kings Spin-Off - Rise of the Blue Haired Heroine 

 Previous Spin-Off Episode: LOTM: Sword of Kings: Rise of the Blue Haired Heroine - Liberty City War Arc - We Are Heroes (Final) 

 Previous Special:  LOTM: Sword of Kings Special: Tales of a Lost Hero - Part 2 

 Previous Storyline: LOTM: Witnesses of Sleepy Hollow & Sword of Kings Crossover - The Corbin Files 

"I’m offering you my pain. My blood. My pleasure. I’m offering you the right to whip and defile me with your heart's content. To debase and harm me with all your cruelty and coldness, because this is what I love in you. I’m offering to fight your needs with my own to see you happy. I’m willing to join you in the darkness and find pleasure in excruciating pain with you. Eternally bitting ourselves in pleasure. I’m willing to be your monster and your Angel of Guard."

- Pepper Winters, Tears of Tess

''LOTM: Sword of Kings Valentine Day's Special: Kiss of Death is a special Holiday episode that is set 1 month after the end of LOTM: Sword of Kings AA 2nd Season - Judgment Day. The episode is a canon episode appearing in LOTM: Sword of Kings Saga AA but its events are never mentioned in the original storyline. As stated, this is a special holiday episode, this is also fourth holiday special episode of the storyline, The Valentine's Day of Rentaro Satomi and Katarina Couteau is the first holiday episode released in 2016. For the second holiday special we have "From Hell Letter" as the first Halloween special and third is the KK Murder Case as the second Halloween special. In a sense, this is a special episode for all seasons.''

' Not recommended for people under 18-years old. Gore images, obscene languages, sexual content and brutal violence. You have been warned. We are not responsible for any negative reaction. '

Informations

 * Rated: PG-18
 * Genre: Romance, Drama, Historical, Action, Supernatural, Thriller, Magic, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Echii, Gore 
 * Stories: LOTM: Sword of Kings 

Timeline

 * Set 1 month after the end of LOTM: Sword of Kings AA 2nd Season - Judgment Day

Summary
'Have you ever stopped to think how a story would be if the point of view of the world changed? Instead in focusing in the old and classic POV of the heroes, why not show how the things happens in the eyes of the villains? Not only that, have you ever thought how even the heroes can be seen as the "evil" characters if they are show playing on the other side of the screen?'

<p style="text-align:center;">'Mina Harker is the new President of Stabilization Union and the director of STAR LABS that quickly turned the entire planet in a hellish dystopia where people started to kill each other in paranoia. Are you human or a demon? After many challenges and fights to defeat a so-called Manufacturing Progressive Sciences, Mina proceeds to spread her Anti-Demon Campaign to Europe and Asia. And now, Ratatoskr attempted to end her life in a brutal assault against Global Pact Defense to kill her allies and end her reign before it can even start... Little did they know the Revelation of Qliphoth is on the move.'

Temporary Main Characters

 * Bruno Grants
 * Valeria Nobuyaki

Main Characters

 * Mina Harker

Revelation of Qliphoth

 * Oriax Wheelahr
 * Vira
 * Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti
 * Heis 
 * Shadow of War Heis' Demon Form
 * The Black King's New Vessel
 * Burckhard
 * Akira
 * Valaine Le Doux
 * Two Spirits
 * Astaroth Queen
 * Ara Astaroth 
 * Red Moon Tyrant
 * Heles (flashback only)

The Researchers of Divine Hand

 * Krul Rose 
 * Rainer Astaroth

STAR LABS

 * Mina Harker
 * Echidna Bathory
 * Minerva Layer
 * Sekhmet the Nun of Death
 * Bando
 * Typhon
 * Raven of Harker

United States' Republican Party

 * Tom Bucky
 * Richard John
 * Claus Redell

KnightWalker Family & Oracíon Imperium

 * The Fallen's Essence 
 * Aryana Westcott 
 * Eckidina KnightWalker
 * Misogi "KnightWalker" Kumagawa 
 * Junko Enoshima 
 * Carissa 
 * Ratatoskr's Spy
 * Towa 

Catholic Church & Iscariot

 * Michael Langdon 
 * Melancholia (mentioned and flashback)
 * Alexander Anderson
 * Supreme Father Leonardo
 *  Freed Sellzen 

Republic of Korea

 * Kim Sae-Hak 

New Sovietic Union

 * King Hamdo (mentioned)

Novosic Kingdom

 * Sonia Nevermind (mentioned)

Godom Empire

 * Emperor Tathagata Killer
 * Chinatsu 
 * Unknown Godom Figure
 * Kefka Palazzo 

Peace Foundation

 * Richard Sampson (mentioned only)
 * Nick Fury 
 * Sabrina 
 * Asami Sato 

Global Pact Defense

 * Adam Jensen 
 * Kenzo Tenma 
 * Brain Figaro (neutral ???)

Arzonia's Family

 * Maria Arzonia
 * Matt Butcher
 * Yuri Barnes
 * Vento of the Front 
 * Tres Iqus 
 * Seth Nightroad (mentioned)
 * Adam Frankenstein (mentioned)
 * Eva Frankenstein 
 * Poison Ivy (mentioned)
 * Helene Hawthorn
 * Abel Nightroad (mentioned)
 * Sumireko Hanabusa (mentioned)
 * Acqua of the Back

Others

 * Kyoko Kirigiri
 * Rentaro Satomi 
 * Tomas Sev
 * Selina Strawberry (Purge-Narrator only)
 * Asuha Chigusa 
 * Asuna 
 * Makoto Chigusa
 * Kasumi Chigusa
 * Felisa Rodríguez
 * ???
 * Elesis Du Tirial
 * Ichabod Crane (illusion)
 * Magilou 
 * Nimrod
 * Hana Langley 

Ratatoskr - the Rogues

 * Kotori Itsuka 
 * Kyouhei Kannazuki
 * Lucas Kellan
 * Imperia Deamonne 
 * Katarina Couteau
 * Atala Arck
 * Shido Itsuka 
 * Cole MacGrath 
 * Shigure Yukimi 
 * Yuuji Kazami
 * Saeko Busujima 
 * Maria Arusu 
 * Sanada
 * Reine Murasame
 * Kyoji Kawagoe (a.k.a. "Bad Marriage")
 * Masaomi Mikimoto (a.k.a. "Boss")
 * Hinako Shiizaki (a.k.a. "The Nail Knocker")
 * Munechika Nakatsugawa (a.k.a. "The Dimension Breaker")
 * Kozue Minowa (a.k.a. "Deep Love")
 * Medical Officer Rindou
 * Roy Mustang 
 * Cassie Cage
 * Toshiro Hitsugaya 
 * Jellal Fernandes 

Ratatoskr's Armed Forces

 * General Aldemiriana
 * Commander Torvaldo
 * Lieutenant Elektra
 * Captain Ashajji
 * Lieutenant Colonel Matthew
 * Senior Officer Bekkel

Witch Cult

 * Katya
 * Gaius Phoenix
 * Charllote Meyerias
 * Erika Seraphim
 * ??? 

Chronos Empire

 * Sephiria Arks KnightWalker
 * Maya
 * Weekend
 * Trinity of the Meta-Humans
 * Isis Maxwell

Manufacturing Progressive Sciences - Purgadores

 * B1-Killer Kampfdroide Unit-CM 130 (temporary antagonist)
 * Artificial Human Unit-CM 130
 * Yuuki Terumi 
 * Vergil 
 * Androxus
 * Agnus 
 * Jessica Bailey 
 * Dr. Emmanuel Klipse 
 * Voldëmort 
 * Dunkelheit
 * Kai Leng 
 * BG9

Lyrics
Come over here beside me. My restraint crumbles. Don’t fear me.

A flightless bird dreamed of the sky. The color mixing there is a different kind of red.

I covered my ears to the sound of knocking on my door. Is that you knocking? Or is it some other? Will your lips taste the kiss of death?

Darling, fate runs through my veins As this world begins to move …is it love? I want to melt like no one has before, Darling. So don’t fear me, just kiss me now!

I want to taste you …does that make me weird? It’s something we’re unable to feel all alone.

Embracing one another will keep our wounds sealed, So I’ll seal your breath with my lips. Will your lips taste the kiss of death?

Darling, what is this melting feeling I feel From the beating of my heart to the tips of my fingers? Hey… Come over here beside me. My restraint crumbles. So don’t fear me, just kiss me now, my love!

I felt something like the moment of death With your taste. Did your lips taste the kiss of death?

Darling, fate runs through my veins As this world begins to move …is it love? I want to melt like no one has before, Darling. So don’t fear me, just kiss me now!

The Purge


'(???): Demons. A demon is a supernatural and often malevolent being prevalent in religion, occultism, literature, fiction, mythology and folklore. Such creatures have many forms and appearances with different roles and powers. Some take form of pale humanoid creatures to scary humans while some take forms of beautiful humans to seduce and dominate their victims.'



'(???): For many, angels and demons does not exist because humans represent both entites: good and evil. Well, most believe they exist and bring misery and suffering to the world by corrupting the most important thoughts of a person. But I can ensure you, there are no demons controlling humans.'



'(???): This is a story of a long-lost magician who lost her way in a distant past. A magician who witnessed the rise of evil and good many times across the decades. Compared to what many other creatures and people who lived for centuries prior by birth, what I saw was nothing. Yet, all numerous incidents that I saw with very own eyes changed the way of how I look to the world. My name is Selina Strawberry, formerly a magician... Now, I'm just mere dead flower standing on the middle of a new era that was not to suppose to allow me to exist. But here I am.'

<p style="font-size:150%;font-family:Times;padding:3px;border-radius:3ex;text-align:center;">'Selina: I had many downfalls and I lost many friends that I loved in the past. Friends. Family. Allies. Luckily, most of them were brought back from the dead due to... Greater forces. The difference is that back then we had enough informations and allies to fight back. Find our proper place in this plane of existence. In this timeline. But everything changed decades later when THEY arrived.'



'Selina: Despite my look I'm American. I was born almost 50 decades ago in my hometown, Sleepy Hollow. I'm too young to have 50-years old? Quite. Yet I managed to keep my youth thanks to the virus living in me. Yes, I'm immortal. I'll not lie, living forever is good and a joy to witness the world changing. But... Do you know how is terrible and awful to continue living forever while the people you love just pass away without nothing left. It's beautiful to last forever but it's also a curse'.



'Selina: Born in a rich family is not a bless. I can tell you this. Once you're born in one of the oldest families of Sleepy Hollow. It was always my destiny to fight against the forces of evil that stalking my beloved land, Sleepy Hollow. The evil was everywhere, and it was not only in me town where a Demon King named Moloch was preparing his path to rise. Watching the world be plunged into new civil wars, conflicts and genocides forced me to take actions to save the world and humanity.'



'Selina: Despite my efforts to prevent his rise, Moloch still won the war through many machinations and powerful minions that appeared one after another. Seven years. In 2013, Moloch put the entire world in his hands for seven years, turning all governments of the world into one totalitarian government with one person as the center of all law, power and justice. Seven years of Hell. We called it the Period of Tribulations.'



'Selina: However, not all hope was lost. The rise of the Anti-Christ and Devil on Earth by different names surely caused harm and permanent damage to all lives in this world. However, despite all suffering THEY endures, nothing could stop them from fighting back this great evil. Some people say it takes armies to take down a tyrannical government but I believe you don't need man-power to defeat a dictator. You only need a small group of people with talent and determination not only to overthrow a empire but to free an entire timeline of oppression and cruelty. I know them, and I'm glad I could serve alongside them. We brought the light back to the world was we defeated Moloch and his army with many great losses and experiences that we will never forget. We thought the fight was over... We were wrong...'



'Selina: Let's talk about my affiliation? Because it's through them that you will under how important our role was to Sleepy Hollow. I was once the top leader of Order of Flourish, an organization that was created by a person named Lord Helio and took control of the entire Sleepy Hollow after the missing of Katrina Crane, the last known Van Tassel Heritage. We controlled the town of Sleepy Hollow for more than two centuries ever since our foundation. Our mission was to protect this town no matter. '



' Selina: Funny, huh? I was naive and too innocent to understand what was happening around me. The Order of Flourish had its main objective as a mere façade to hide the true intentions of our leader, Lord Helio. He never had intentions to protect Sleepy Hollow like I did. Not to mention, we had a PLENTY of ROTTEN people inside of our ranks. We were corrupt all along. I saw monsters inside of humans. No--Over the years I learned that even demons and monster can't compete with our ability to do evil. Humans are more cruel than any other race I know. Saying that commiting genocide for fun is too fictional is almost like an offense to mankind itself. EVERYTHING is possible. Humans are worse than monsters. '



'Selina: The more I learned about the organization the more I how disgusting humans can be. We had greedy, perverted and repulsive people working with me all along and I never had the chance to notice this. I was kitten on the middle of feral panthers.'



'' Selina: After many years, with the help of the Witness I finally freed the Order of Flourish from the claws of those monsters. It was because of them that I could find my true path of hope and light again. Without them I could probably be one of those nasty creatures I used to call as "partners". Pale and thin rats in human skin. I was saved by them. To repay their help I vowed my life to rebuild what was destroyed by the past generation of the Order of Flourish with all my might. ''



'Selina: The Order of Flourish had contacts all over Sleepy Hollow but after many years I decided to break those ties with the purpose of getting rid of all power we once held to rebuild our new reign using righteous and democratic ways. As such I got rid of all magic books related to dark magic that we used for our own selfish purposes. This was the first step to clean the name of the Order.'



'Selina: However, I noticed something... Without the Order of Flourish commanding the government of the town many corrupt politicians from other American states popped out in our territory like freaking blood-suckers. Our town became a money-bag for scumbags from the current federal government to put their hands on.'



'Selina: By pure luck or miracle, the American federal government was locked down when a new worldwide econimic organization known as Global Pact Defense (GPD) was founded and took control of all sectors in the country. One by one, the rats in our town were arrested and sent to jail. I'm happy that this happened before I could use extremist methods to get rid of them.'



' Selina: However, I was being naive again just like when I joined the Order of Flourish. The GPD was nothing but a lie. The roots of its ideology was actually domination of natural resources and not peaceful. They were like false salviors. Fufufu! What do you expect of politicians? However, everything they did so far did no harm to us. Yet, they would one become the root of our deaths. '



' Selina: Due to how closed the Order of Flourish was at the year of 2010s we never bothered with what was happening on the other side of the planet. At that time, an ancient corporation composed by racial white-supremacists known as KnightWalker Family was about to change the history of the world forever... For the next decades would be filled with blood, fear and worldwide wars. And so that happened... An european-monarchical country known as Fiore Kingdom was destroyed by a super-weapon of mass destruction made by an insane woman who used to work to Global Pact Defense. And this where the history of our downfall advance to its second phase. '



'Selina: The attack to Fiore Kingdom ignited the Cold War II that would soon become a worldwide civil war and finally a World War. Fearing the power of the KnightWalker Family and seeing other nations allying themselves with those jerks, the Global Pact Defense mounted its first personal sub-military organizations with the purpose of defending America continent from foreign forces. At that point, it was more than evident that the federal government was aware about the existence of supernatural threats thanks to the many incidents happening around Sleepy Hollow and so Anti-Magic organizations were founded and sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate about our past.'



' Selina: In my own arrogance, I thought I got rid of all evidences about the existence of Order of Flourish. At that time, I thought I did a great choice of cleaning up the libraries, shops, houses and mansions of all of Order of Flourish's pieces left behind. But I forgot completely about the magic artifacts left behind by Moloch and his group of minions. I was too focused in my own footprints that I totally forgot about the footprints of my past enemies. '



'Selina: Even if they had not discovered the existence of the Horsemen of Apocalypse and Order of the Blood Moon the town itself don't have a very nice normal history. In our history books many supernatural incidents related to the expansion and development of the city is completely erased from the books. You can't simply hide facts about the history of a country, state or town that easily. Using magic and otherworldy powers doomed us all. Without the witness and our relationships with the government the town of Sleepy Hollow was defenseless against the invaders that called themselves as STAR LABS of United States of America. Obviously... They gave themselves this name while occupying our town.'



'Selina: On December 12, 2024, the first division of STAR LABS marched upon our streets and invaded the mayor's department and all other federal organs of the town. With a massive force of 3,000 men they took over the town in only 2 days. Some citizens tried to resist as they hold the pride of being born in that region... But anyone who dared defy them was surely going to be executed without mercy. To make things worse, the family of the rebel would pay for his or her crimes by being arrested and tortured in their prison.'



'Selina: Our town was divided in two parts. 90% of the town was under the total control of the STAR LABS while 10% was being protected by a group of rebel citizens who refused to give their history, identity and culture to a paramilitary group. 4,000 people died in combat, with most of them being women and children as they were easy targets. From distance, I watched our history burn. I had power. I had strength. I had enough force to drive our enemies back and rescue our town... But why I refused to help Sleepy Hollow? Why I only watched while innocents were dying on the crossfire?'



'Selina: When the war was over and Sleepy Hollow now under the claws of STAR LABS, the front gates of the town was opened and a woman in black dress walked down our streets with a big smile of sastifasction and happiness. Looking around like if she was in some kind of gothic party, she laughed and danced. There was no doubt, that woman was the leader of STAR LABS. Our enemy.'



'Selina: Despite all the suffering we had to endure the STAR LABS continued with their terrible assault. Once the police and military forces that oppossed the GDP's law were defeated, the Order of Flourish became the next target. One by one. Like insects. We had our most trusted and respected members in our ranks arrested or executed. Unlike the town we offered a greater resistence but we knew we couldn't resist for so long. While our battle took place the women and children under the captive of STAR LABS were constantly being abused, tortured and raped by the cowards of Mina's army. Now the citizens had their names erased from their ID and were replaced by numbers. Children became X-3023 while men became D-2304... Worse, Mina seemed to ignore the disgusting war crimes committed by her men.'



' Selina: In a matter of days the new technology that STAR LABS was so proud of crushed us. Our magic. Our centuries of work. Our essence. Was crushed by the new generation' technology. The ego of mages like me was burned to the ground. Feeling guilty for all deaths of my beloved family I decided to surrender to STAR LABS... But some idiots of the Order refused to see me being captured by Mina and used their last energy to teleport me out of Sleepy Hollow... And this is where I last saw my friends and family... The Order of Flourish was gone. '



'Selina: Now... Did I accept my defeat? It was not a easy decision to take. Should I go back to Sleepy Hollow to make the  deaths of my friends in vain? Or I should move on to fight another day? I took the second option and for the first time I travelled the world outside. I met many new friends and discovered beautiful and dark places of this world. From North America to Central America. From Central America to South America. From South America to Oceania. I've been travelling now for almost 2 decades without stop. Fufufufu! I'm enjoying my life discovering new places to live? You're funny. No. I found a new bloody way to live: hunting demons and monsters. And I always thought all creatures outside of this world were connected to Moloch. But I was wrong, outside of Sleepy Hollow I found thousands of other demons from other hellish dimensions. Without thinking twice I began my quest to wipe them from the face of the world.'



'' Selina: And in the year of 2036... It had finally started. Previously predicted by many stupid netizens, the Third World War had arrived like millions were expecting. With chaos and destruction from all sides. Just in the first night more than 300,000,000 lost their lives. It was alone the most deadly day in humanity's story as it took only 4 hours to surpass the death toll of all wars and armed conflicts in the 20 and 21th century together. It all started in Japan, England and United States. The biggest, most awful, most tragic event in all of Japan and London's history was actually only the beginning to what would be the world's end. This event lead the millions of civilians to rebel… ''



' Selina: At first, it was optimistically thought that everything would calm down soon, but the situation worsened and quickened its pace. The movement of neo-KnightWalkers happened on the Internet, and formed a community of its own. Soon, not just civilans were involved but terrorists. The rebellion came to include people of various races and nationalities in its development and spread off the internet and into real life. Now we had KnightWalker in all sides, supporting their radical views. The STAR LABS didn't waste their time and used this war to increase their influence and business across America. In a few months, the entire town of Sleepy Hollow was gone and became a super-massive metropolises. However, that town was not a town made for citizens. It was super-laboratory town where only people from STAR LABS like officers, scientists and guards. Factories were built over houses to build robots and vehicles. Studying facitilies build over historical and cultural monuments. Sleepy Hollow vanished from the world. '



' Selina: As the war continued its course, half of all countries in the world fell and were erased from the maps of Earth. Luckily neutral countries managed to survive somehow. Japan, for example, survived the war while all countries of Asia fell in state of total destruction and chaos. With billions of deaths and the world something was starting. Something worse than war. Hard to believe but something was rising. The darkness and cruelty of all evil in the world was gathering and becoming an entity. I first saw it when I was in Canada. It was a giant cloud of darkness, larger than a plane. That thing was flying fast a jet... I don't know what was that but I had a bad feeling about it. '



'Selina: Each day this darkness was growing strong. It was not only on the skies but also on water and earth. I could see this darkness leaving from humans and animals' body like if it was a disease. To normal people it was indeed invisible but people who had at least a small amount of magic in their physical bodies could see it. This thing was spreading and no matter what I did I can not understand it... Yet for some reason I feel that this thing is inside of me as well...'



'Selina: Over the course of the war I could find a few things about it using Michael's knowledge of this era. Apparently this Blackness is somehow related with the Croatoan Virus inside of me. Moreover this thing is probably directly responsible for giving my powers and immortality. During my study sections the entire planet shook in brutal earthquake that caused the destruction of a town in Mexico, Cancun. Outside of the countries many things were being spread across the world. No one knows if it was a meteorite, a new super weapon of an unknown nation or even a natural incident. Days later, something even worse happened. In Brazil, the largest country of South America, was attacked by a massive army of demons in all states at the same time. Soon, the entire country was engulfed by a dark shield that prevented people from escaping and entering the country. Leaving all living beings inside to die by the hands of the demons.'



'Selina: It took us all by surprise. Following the downfall of Brazil, the news of all over the world had no other focus instead of that matter. During the 21st century many countries vanished from maps due to how advanced the technology was. On the same day, the current president of the United States of America, Tom Bucky, officially pronunced his thoughts and situation in Brazil. His message was shown all over the world, in all known channels and even in other electronic devices.'



'Selina: What appeared to be an official word from the direct President of USA was actually nothing more than a propaganda of STAR LABS. The truth is that the STAR LABS used the incident that lead to 400,000,000 deaths in South America to finally expose themselves to the world. Due to their nature of fighting supernatural beings their existence was a total secret to the world until now but with such grand incident of large scale the STAR LABS had no other choice but to finally leave the darkness and show their ugly face to the world. In their live, Mina Harker, the woman who took everything from me, exposed the existence of what the Order of Flourish always wanted to fight to protect Sleepy Hollow... Magic, demons and all otherwordly forces. Do you even know what will happen when billions of normal people suddenly discover the existence of supernatural entities? Actually, sometimes, I wonder this is what Mina Harker is planning; throw everyone against each other.'



' Selina: In this live, Mina Harker proclamed herself as the new president of United States and the Head of the Stabilization Union due to how dangerous the situation had become. Demons. Yes, soon after the disaster in Brazil, demons began to appear all around the world. Demons, who were mostly a race of evil beings that acted individually. OUT OF NOWHERE! Demons, or better, Black Demons, popped out everywhere without warning. It was like... If they were waiting for the right moment to appear. And so, the Stabilization Union, the faction that considered to be more diplomatic and civilized in this war, became nations controlled by STAR LABS. '



''Selina: Mina's campaign also reached the KnightWalker Alliance with Eckidina KnightWalker and her allies to start a purge in their countries fearing that Black Demons would one conquer their regions. Even so the KnightWalker Alliance refused the presence of STAR LABS in their nations even though the Black Demons were wrecking havoc everywhere.''



''Selina: In a few couple of months, genocides and purges started all over the globe, resulting in millions getting sacrificed by the military and civilians. These purges were most instigated by religious who considered demons to be heretic and against God. And as a consequence, normal people who were thought to be demons were killed and tortured. All society erupts into global chaos as humanity begins killing each other off in an attempt to eradicate the demons when in fact they were killing themselves.''



'' Selina: Hate... Crimes... Racism... Everything became an excuse to hunt down demons. Some people with evil in their hearts used many types of excuses to beat and kill people they did not like. Christians began to hunt down Jews and Satanists for having different believes. Communists killing businessmen, politicians and rich people for being rich and suspected of being greedy. ''



'' Selina: We thought the Third World War was already the darkest conflict in human history due to its violence, brutality and death toll. But we were wrong, war was never our real problem. The true problem of the world was not the deeds of humans. It was always us, humans. Humans are the goodness and justice but are also the evil and cruelty. No matter how long we fight our darkness, this war will never end. And such eternal war will always destroy everything around us that are not related to our problems. What people called "modern society" now became a new medieval era and only showed how primitive humans are and how we never matured over the years. 1000 years later we still acted like savages. Yes. A new hunting for witches had started, but now demons were the target. Obviously there were no proves to incriminate someone of being a demon, only their altered behavior. ''



'' Selina: But the people who declared themselves as "humans' supremacists" and "human's salviors" also had their behavior altered after the end of the war. So even the "righteous" groups who became famous for hunting demons destroyed themselves... Killing their own comrades and destroying the very roots of a democratic and civilized society. The politicians are now long gone. Some are hiding like chickens while the rest are now tied up in light poles being tortured by the civilians. It was only a matter of time before all nations of America to fall. In South America countries like Venezuela, Colombia, Equador and Argentina fell in disgrace and destruction in a matter of days. Even after the police and military had used brutal tactics like shooting and torturing civilians to stop the population from destroying all major cities of their respectives countries, nothing could stop them... The reason? The Black Demons were now infiltrated in the government's security and military intelligence. ''



'' Selina: What could have taken years to happen ended in just a month... ONE SINGLE MONTH! Once called as the World's Most Powerful Nation, United States of America's flag became the symbol of violence and crime. More than 100 million people joined the riots that lasted over the weeks and so the cause of the Black Demons just got stronger and stronger without the need to increase their numbers. Russia, now called Sovietic Union, also fell in complete chaos but luckily their winter managed to control the civilians to stay inside of their houses. The Black Demons had no problem to leave in the cold climate of Russia and took this chance to wreck havoc... neighborhoods were massacred from night to day. Where once hundreds of innocent families lived became a new ghetto for corpses. For some reason, the animals, the pets of the murdered families, were spared. The police of the world thought animals are immune to the Black Demons' curse somehow... Even now, we don't know why the animals are not attacked by the Black Demons. ''



'' Selina: It took us all by surprise. The riots and civil war between the people and the government consumed the entire world so fast that innocent civilians could not even escape from their houses to hide in the rural parts of the countries. The military forces did what no one in the world thought it could be possible. They bombed their own cities and states. The KnightWalkers. The Americans. The Godoms. The British. The Mexicans. The Canadians. Now, no matter their ideologies, acted in the same way after decades of conflict between themselves. Nuclear bombs were dropped in major cities to contain the threat of the Black Demons... At that point, not even the generals of the army were sure if the true enemy were humans they used to protect or the Black Demons, they just came to the conclusion 90% of the world's population were now Black Demons. ''



'' Selina: As the war continued, the very basic forms of humanity in the cities of the world were lost. Innocent people became targets of both criminals, rebels, police and the army. The capital of most countries managed to protect their power and stability by adopting the KnightWalker Family's plan of building giant walls around their most important cities. But outside, all over the world, humanity fell apart. Plagues and diseases strucked, some of which were made by the infamous Manufacturing Progressive Sciences. 95% of all cities in the world experienced massive increases in criminality. The incidents were followed by riding, theft, rapes, arsonism. Civilization committing suicide. ''



'' Selina: America, STAR LABS, in a bullshit attempt to protect Americans from the threat of the Black Demons, built walls around STAR Center, the former Sleepy Hollow. The rest of the United States fell apart and now only the STAR Center was the safe place of North America. And now, the americans are stuck in this cage with those psychos and savage demons. Cops and american soldiers are like gone of the streets, are dead or too chicken-shit to stand against the gangs that now control overything in this land that was forgotten by God. ''



'' Selina: The underbelly of the human psyche, what is often referred to as our dark side, is the origin of every act of self-sabotage. We often say people committing atrocities in these days are now Black Demons... Honestly, we don't even know what defines us humans. Demons do things that humans do everyday. They can think and act like us and makes us wonder if demons are truly among us or if those creatures are our dark side that became so strong that finally gained life. Birthed out of shame, fear, and denial, it misdirects our good intentions and drives us to unthinkable acts of self-destruction and not-so-unbelievable acts of self-sabotage. ''



'' Selina: We had such potential. Such promise. But we squandered our gifts, our intelligence. Our blind pursuit of technology and power only sped us quicker to our doom; the World War III. And this war triggered our inner demons, so much cruelty and inhumanity was made in this war. So much death and suffering. So much darkness that even the most pure hearts were infected by it even without being touched by the violence of this war. What makes humans? What makes demons? We don't know... In the past, I could easily say the difference between us. Even demons are capable of being good, more pure than some humans out there. Our world is ending. But life must go on... ''

Part 0 - Wicked Mortals


<p style="text-align:center;">''Betrayed and exposed by Mina Harker’s broadcast, the Ratatoskr becomes a target of Global Pact Defense, the superior organization whom they were serving and are forced to retreat to England. In the meantime, the STAR LABS are expanding their influence to Europe and Asia where Black Demons and innocent people possessed by demons are being exterminated for the mere fact of existing.'' <p style="text-align:center;">Meanwhile, Kotori Itsuka and other crew members of Fraxinus are keeping Tomas Sev in a cell for being suspected of being a demon...

<p style="text-align:center;"> Switzerland 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Bern 

<p style="text-align:center;"> University of Applied Sciences 

<p style="text-align:center;"> January 1, 2037 

<p style="text-align:center;"> 07:23 AM 



''1 months had passed since that day... The day that the largest country of South America, Brazil, fell in an unknown state of chaos. Actually, even after 1 month since the arrival of STAR LABS to power no one knows what exactly caused the total destruction of Brazil. ''

''Humanity only knows one thing: that shield surrounding Brazil is not natural and the true monsters responsible for summoning that absurdly gigantic shield are the Black Demons...  As such, a lot of things changed since that day. The world was no longer the same, now it was not being teared apart by man-made disasters such as wars and natural cataclysmatic forces made by humans like Akrak Couteau who is long gone. Sure, Akrak is dead but the impact she did to the world continued there, millions were starving to dead while other millions were living outdoor, being easy targets of thugs, sadistic freaks and rapists... But now, their condictions meant nothing to the world because the sudden appearance of  Black Demons across the globe changed the very base of civilization.''



''Luckily some countries managed to escape from the war and Akrak's Hand of Apocalypse. These countries became safe points of the world for people to immigrate. Obviously, this did not end well, too many people coming from other countries always ended in scarcity of food and water, resulting in crimes and assaults to citizens of that nation. One of those countries that were spared is Switzerland, a country that continued to grow despite being side by side with warmongering nations.''

''Also, thanks to the liberal government of this country, many organizations offered their help to find place for immigrants seeking for a place to live since the war destroyed everything they had built. One of these places given by the government for those poor people is University of Applied Sciences located in the state of Bern. For obvious reasons (the war), the university was lacking funds to continue their activities and so they had no other utilities for their main building. Coming to the conclusion that their main building have more than 1000 rooms the administration of the university abandoned the building and gave it to the immigrants. And it turns out the immigrants living there are people from Aldegyr Kingdom, a country that was wiped out by the vicious the Fallen's Essence.''



''Since there are only people from Aldegyr Kingdom living there, there were no indications of fights, robbery and crimes... People from Aldegyr Kingdom are even more disciplined than Japan's people. Their educated behavior is more related for coming from a First World country.''

- (???): Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

''Inside of one of the many rooms of the univesity, a young boy was sleeping peacefully in his bed while the sun was rising on the horizon. Since his room was at the top of the university he could clearly see the light cleaning the city from the darkness of the night.''



The name of that boy is Bruno Grants, a young boy that was at that night on the capital of Aldegyr Kingdom when Peace Foundation attacked the city and Kanon Rihavein revealed herself to the world.

''Bruno is tall teenage boy with brown hair and purple eyes. And notable markings below them. Possibly symbolizing his Aldegyr's DNA. ''

''- (??? 2): Bruno, wake up! It's morning!''

''Bruno was already awake for quite some time but he was too lazy to open his eyes. During that time, a friendly female voice could be heard across the room and the sound of the window opening. ''

- Bruno: .......................

''Bruno ignored that person and returned to his sleep. That girl calling for him is his sister who is also from Aldegyr Kingdom, her name is Valeria Nobuyaki. They are not related siblings, they're non-blood related sibilings as they come from different famillies. Valeria's family for examples comes from South Korea while Bruno is from Aldegyr. Despite being born in Korea Valeria grew up in Aldegyr Kingdom side by side with her brother Bruno.''



''- Valeria: Bruno! Don't make punch you!''

''Valeria is nothing like Bruno, she has blue hair and blue eyes. She wears two red clips on the left side of her face. Being a former student of the university, Valeria wears a regular school uniform. Also, despite her femenine look she is quite of a tomboy.''

- Bruno: Go away...

''Bruno may be educated but personally he is lazy, unlike his sister Valeria, he is cold and shows no real expressions. His sister on the other hand is active, charismatic and kind. But there is an explanation for his behavior, Bruno and rest of all immigrants don't get reward by the government for free, they have to work to get what they deserve. At times like that when the world is in complete chaos and in economic crisis food and water, as well as basic resources, power and medicines are hard to buy and transport.''



''- Valeria: You punk! Get up or will make your arse look like a chili!''

With brute strength, the young girl grabbed Bruno's shirt and pushed him out of the bed just to grab his neck and push him again against the closet to change his clothes.

- Bruno: ARE YOU FUC---!

''Bruno began to change his clothes fast as he could. He tried to say something but the menacing expression in the face of his sister was too scary for him to continue.''

- Valeria: Did you say something?

"........................."



''Valeria was not playing around like usual, she was serious like if she was doing a math test. That really gave Bruno chills in his spine.''

''- Bruno: Imagine! I did not say nothing!''

Valeria pointed a small piece of iron at Bruno to speed up the process.

''- Valeria: Finish this soon! You have a job to do! Finish that girl...''

''The "Finish that girl" was too mysterious for a normal person who is not familiar with their business but Bruno clearly knew what she was trying to say. Something bad was happening inside of that building.''

<p style="text-align:center;">' 10 minutes later... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Kitchen 



''And so, 10 minutes had passed since that moment at the room of the siblings. Luckily, the siblings had kitchen in their room, it's a normal thing in the university as that place used to be bedrooms of students that attended to the university.''

Bruno and Valeria were having their breakfast in a small white table beside the balcony. ''- Bruno: I'm not used to this place. The kitchen is small just like the room... Not to mention the bathroom that looks like a plane's restroom.''

''When comparing a restroom with a planet one this person must have some space problems... Valeria finished drinking her tea and turned on the TV.''

''- Valeria: Don't complain, this is the best we have. Our house was better, obviously... But we lost everything, including our parents and families. We have to rely in each other to survive...''

''Valeria and Bruno's past in Aldegyr Kingdom were not one of the best... Since the ascesion of Kanon Rihavein to the throne their country suffered from starvation and sickness. They families had no job to survive and their taxes was too high to pay... Needless to say that was a corrupt communist government stabilished by King Lucas, the father of La Folia Rihavein and Kanon Rihavein.''

''- Bruno: Well, but this breakfast is better than what we had in Aldegyr... What's the point of having the world's top military if you don't have food on your table?''

Aldegyr was a military potence but its economy was bad, bad as North Korea during 2020s.

''As Bruno was taking delight while eating a sausage Valeria was watching TV. Since the rise of STAR LABS to power in USA most of the news were related to Black Demons all over the globe to keep the population aware of their situation. If you turn on your TV the first thing you'll see is the news talking about the appearance of demons, in all channels.''

''- Reporter (TV): [...that's right Datena, we've just received the confirmation about the murder of the family Lilie in the neighborhood N.30596. Firstly, good morning for all our viewers. From what we know so far apparently the crime happened at 01:00 AM. At that time, the neighbors heard loud screams of a woman and a child. The screams were followed by many objects breaking and a loud roar that sounded like an angry animal...]''

''Changing his sight to the TV Bruno gave an angry expression towards the reporter while Valeria was too focused listening to the news. After some words the video on the TV changed to images of a creature lying on the floor. That creature, needless to say, wasn't a natural animal but a Black Demon. It was probably the demon responsible for killing the Lilie family that is now passing on the 'news.''

''- Reporter: [...Yes, when the neighbors saw a huge shadow inside of their house they immediately called to the special division of STAR LABS. It's said the men of STAR LABS arrived in less than 5 minutes and dealt with the demon using violence and brutality as expected.]''

''Exactly, not all countries support STAR LABS even knowing their utility and mission. Some people rely on STAR LABS to save their own skin while others absolutely hate them for being a foreign organization controlling every aspect of their lives. And right now, the STAR LABS is controlling Switzerland through restricted rules to keep the people in line.''

''- Valeria: Those bastards... Who they think they are? Rulers of the world? They should stay in USA! Apparently the media is not sastified with the presence of STAR LABS here.''

Valeria stopped drinking her tea and held her cup with strength, almost breaking it on the process.

''- Bruno: Well, they have their reasons. There is no one on the world capable of fighting back the Black Demons...''

''Almost gasping, Bruno stopped eating and looked outside to see many tanks and armored cars of STAR LABS... Until this morning they could not be seen from there.''

''- Bruno: This is insanity. They called for more droids and men this morning. They are like controlling our lives.''

''Bruno looked at the sky to see many military planes arriving at the town and preparing to land in a nearby airport of the army... An airport that now belongs to STAR LABS. Every single base, police department, fire station, military fortress and government's office now belongs to STAR LABS all across the world.''

''- Bruno: But I admit I don't like the way they do things. We are lucky they are not here yet since we are immigrants living with the help of the town hall.''

Bruno then stood up and stretched his shoulders while preparing to leave the kitchen.

''- Valeria: Are you going? Like you said, we are lucky that STAR LABS is not here yet.''

Valeria and Bruno probably have a secret they don't want STAR LABS to discover.

''- Bruno: Yes... This is annoying but I'll finish the job. I have better things to do, you know? I have to carry fruits later.''

''Valeria waved her hand as Bruno walked towards a door at the end of the kitchen and opened it. The door revealed a dark and creepy stairs leading to inferior floor below their room.''

- Valeria: See you soon!

Bruno let out a sigh of boredom.

- Bruno: Aham...

''Bruno then made his way towards the stairs and walked down the floor of his room. The stairs, for some reason was filled with blood and had a trail of blood on the steps... It was like someone was dragged until the bottom of the floor. Also, it had many broken lamps and many dangerous electricity cables were falling from the ceiling.''

''- Bruno: Damn that Valeria. She want to pick up people but leave me to clean up her mess. I'll eat her dinner later for her insolence.''

''After a minute of walk, Bruno reached the bottom of the room. The place was like an old basement... Considering this place is on a building than this space must be above of another room.''

- Bruno: Now, where I put her again?

''But what was more shocking at that place was... the place itself. That "basement" was not normal, it was filled with corpses, blood and pieces of human limbs scattered everywhere across the ground.''

- Bruno: Where is my honey?!

''Bruno's voice changed a dark tone like if he was playing hide and seek with a scared animal. ''

''- Bruno: AHH! THERE YOU ARE!''

''The now altered Bruno looked at his left side and saw a 7-year old girl hiding on the darkness. Her arms and legs were tied up with ropes while her mouth was shut with scotch tape. The girl was crying and sweating, clearly afraid of Bruno... Now, it's more than obvious that Bruno is not the person you saw early.''

- Girl: Hhhhmmmm!

''The girl, who was dressed in an academic sport clothes, tries to scream for help but no one could hear her screams there. A futile attempt to save her life.''

''- Bruno: When you will give up? Nobody will hear you down here. Not even the people below us can hear your scream.''

''Bruno, now completely looking like a sadistic pedophile, grabbed a hammer, a knife and a saw and put them beside the girl while he put a kitchen-apron... It actually looked like a butcher's apron.''

''- Bruno: Ahh! This feeling! It's coming back! It's so good! The sensation of being dominant! The feeling of being a predator while his prey begs for her life!''

''Bruno laughed insanely, putting a malicious grin in his face. Instantly, his blue eyes were stained with red, revealing his demonic eyes that looked like a vampire's.''

- Girl: HHHHHHHMMMMMM!!!!

Bruno got in his knees and slapped her.

''- Bruno: Spare your voice, kid. I'll torture you now and make you scream like little bitch! I'll make sure to keep you look beautiful like you are now! The beauty of people is on their childhood, when they are kids. Be greatful for keeping you look like an angel... But where is my reward for killing you to keep as a child? Your pain and your suffering. Compared to what you will become in Heaven this is nothing, this is merely a process you need to endure to pass to become an angel and ascend to a new life.''



''Bruno then put a device with several finger breakers in her left hand and locked her fingers inside of it. He was really going to torture her by stabbing her fingers with screws.''

''- Bruno: Now, stay calm. This will hurt only a little. Compared to Valeria, I'm a kitten in torture. The next time she tortured you she took your anal virginity with a crowbar, right? This is less painful, trust me! TRUST ME!!!!!''

''While the girl was trembling in fear, her eyes almost popped out of their places. Bruno then proceeded to rise his hand and pull it down to pierce her fingers but something happened above them...''

''A loud sound of something break could be heard. It was something that broke in the kitchen where Valeria was having her breakfast.''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

- Bruno: What the hell wa--!



''Bruno immediately felt several presences surrouding him but there was no one in the room besides him and the girl. And it wasn't normal presence of humans, it was something heavy and cold... Like a demon. But it would not make sense since Bruno and Valeria are actually humans becoming demons, so they know exactly that a demon is an ally.''



''- Bruno: Valeria?! What was that?!''​​​​​​

''Bruno was starting to suspect that something happend with Valeria. Almost a minute had passed since he called for her name but no one answered. Fearing for the worst, Bruno began to reveal his demon form to scare the person who was up there, or at least kill him... But soon his questions were answered by footsteps coming from the stairs.''

''Soon, a black dress could be seen coming down from the stairs. It was a woman, and her light of the lamps reflecting in her glasses only added an intimidating aura around her. She calm and safe, she was not bothered by the quantity of corpses around her and the girl screaming in the floor.''



- Bruno: WHO ARE YOU?!

''Any normal human would have run away from Bruno at this point, he now had red eyes, black wings, demonic arms and legs, black claws. He was completely a half-demon.''

''That woman around her twenties was strangely wearing a black maid costume. She is wearing round-shaped glasses and tied up her blue-darkish hair with Twin-tails style, this combination makes her look clumsy in all points. She also wears a white apron a white hairband and a pair of white gloves. A cross necklace is also always seen on her neck.''

The maid extended her hands and showed an umbrella.

''- Maid: Execuse me. Forgive me for invading your property like that. My name is Roberta. No surname. I'm the leader of the special division of STAR LABS, Anti-Magic Nuns... My military nickname is: Sekhmet the Nun of Death. ''

Bruno sharpened his devilish eyes and prepared to fight the intruder, who was clearly a secret agent of STAR LABS disguised as a maid.



''- Bruno: And we thought the STAR LABS was long from discovering us... ''

He clenched his fists and flew towards Roberta with intentions to kill her but she quickly dodged his attack and appeared in his right side, exactly where his belly was unprotected and stabbed his stomach with the umbrella.

- Bruno: WHA---!!

''Roberta quickly removed the umbrella's pointer from his stomach and allowed him to jump backwards. For a demon like him, this attack means nothing. For normal humans, being stabbed in that area means slow death by internal bleeding.''

''- Roberta: Are you sastified? I gave you a chance to defeat me but you failed.''

"......................"



''Bruno put his hand in his injury and quickly healed. In a matter of seconds, the hole Roberta did on him was now closed.''

- Bruno: What happened to Valeria?

Roberta let out a small grin before telling him what she did to Valeria up stairs.

''- Roberta: Aww... That girl? I killed her. I just sneaked behind her and exploded her head with anti-demon magic. That girl was using transformation magic, apparently. As soon as I killed her her appearance returned to normal. That appearance of girl with blue hair is another one of your victims that you killed in the past? Shall I assume this form you're using is the body of young man you killed in the past?''

".................................................."



''Roberta was more than right. She discovered this without the help of a detective. Those appearances were not their true forms, they're using bodies of their victims to hide their true identity as serial-killers sibilings.''

- Bruno: Damn you...

''Bruno thought about blowing up the wall to fly away from the building but then he heard countless steps of boots across the building. Demons' ears are 100% better than humans'.''

''- Roberta: Don't waste your time flying. STAR LABS surrounded this building with armored vehicles, heavy artillery and hundreds of droids. We have men of the police securing all floors of this building. We also have powerful and advanced fighters in the skies, waiting for you to fly away... You said you thought you could hide from us? You never managed to hide from us! We always knew where you were hiding! We can identify a human possessed by a demon without the help of a priest... We're experts. We know how to find trash like you.''



''Bruno had no other choice but to prepare to fight. He was confident he could win that maid easily but due to the situation he had to fight seriously.''

- Bruno: Tsk!

''Roberta then pointed her umbrella to the demon again and revealed a bit of her nature. Her eyes were dead like if she was a moving corpse, a sad and unhappy zombie hunting demons to feel alive. ''

With a psychotic grin, she taunted the demon while the girl on the floor will have to witness what was going to happen next.

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Roberta: Let's see what happens when the predator becomes the prey...

<p style="text-align:center;">' 15 minutes later... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Outside of the University 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Campus 

''Some time after the invasion of STAR LABS to the building, countless helicopters of news arrived and recorded the operation from above. Due to the restriction of STAR LABS they were forbidden from flying more than 100 meters next to the university.''

''- STAR Helicopter: [This is a warning from the direct command of STAR LABS! All civilians should stay outside of the campus! No reporters and non-authorized personnel is allowed to enter the university! Ignoring our warnings will put you life in danger! Thanks for your understanding! I repeat...]''



''Not only one helicopter was repeating the message but several others. The campus of the university was a chaos, it was just hard to believe that this morning the campus was in peace and had no human souls there to cause such confusion.]''

''In front of the entrance of the building there were two STAR soldiers looking over the corpse of a woman they shoot down a few minutes ago. Some people outside tried to take photo of their actions in order to use these images to make the image of STAR LABS low.''

''- STAR Soldier 1: Civilian killed at sector 40. Apparently this person have some relative in the building. ''

When some cameramen tried to film the action, a few droids left from the campus and hunted down the cameramen in the crowd to arrest them for recording the operation of STAR LABS, which is something just bad as stealing the weapon of a military.

''- STAR Soldier 2: Just let her be. With millions corpses they will not even remember her. Just keep quiet and act like you didn't kill her.''



''Just after the corrupt soldier finished, a group of several immigrants from Aldegyr Kingdom came out of the building running for their lives. The police force inside of the building was chasing them for thinking they are demons inside of human bodies. ''

''At the first sight, a soldier of STAR LABS shoot down a man of the group right in front of the civilians. The sight of seeing one of their friends being killed forced them to stop running and rise their hands while shaking in fear.''

- Aldegyr Immigrant 1: 'DON'T SHOOT! WE ARE NOT DEMONS!!'

- Aldegyr Immigrant 2: 'THAT'S RIGHT! WE DID NOTHING WRONG! WHATEVER IS HAPPENING INSIDE IS NOT RELATED TO US!!'



The soldiers were not trying to shoot but they aimed their weapons at the group just for precaution.

''- Aldegyr Immigrant 3: WAIT! WE CAN PROVE! WE CAN PROVE WE ARE HUMANS!''

''Just the despair in their faces was enough to make the soldiers think they are demons. And if they were calm despite their situation the soldiers would probably think they are demons for not feeling fear... In all senses, it was a situation without escape. ''

There is just one single end for this situation.​​​​​​



- STAR Soldier 3: What should we do? A few seconds later, a officer of STAR LABS that was disguised as a staff member of the university appeared behind the soldiers and extended her hand.

''- STAR Officer: Shoot them! Orders from the director herself!''

''Without thinking twice, the soldiers opened fire against the group of immigrants who tried to run for their lives but without success. Now, there were dozens of dead bodies in front of the entrance.''

That officer in staff clothes was problably the woman who informed the presence of Bruno and Valeria in the university, which would make sense as STAR LABS was not even interested in this building.

''- (???): What a mess... I must say that I'm disappointed with you all. You all know that I hate unorganized operations. Everything needs to be clean and organized. No violence and brutality. Peace shall prevail.''

''Suddenly, a very refined and beautiful female voice came from behind the soldiers and the officer. ''

''It was a beautiful woman with long blonde hair and reddish-brown eyes. She also had a beautiful and soft white skin that seemed to be the skin of a goddess. That woman seemed to be British despite her American-style tone. She was wearing an uniform of STAR LABS' command, meaning that she was the superior of all forces of STAR LABS operating at that area. It can be said Roberta is working to her.''

''- STAR Officer: Lieutenant Minerva Layer! Sorry for our reckless actions! But this is nec--!''

The woman known as Minerva Layer, shook her head and smiled.

''- Minerva: Fool! Look at this plac--!''

''Before Minerva could complain about the brutality of her soldiers, Roberta came out of the building using the same entrance the immigrants used to escape. She was carrying the young girl that Bruno tried to kill and put her on the floor.''

''- Minerva: Welcome back, Roberta. So it was fun?''



Roberta nodded with a repulsive grin of happiness but disappointment.

''- Roberta: To tell the truth... He was weak... It was not even fun. But at least I saved this girl. She was about to be killed by the demon. There is also other bodies inside of their room but I left them untouched.''

''Minerva then got in her knees and stared at the kid who hid behind Roberta's dress. Apparently Roberta is the only person that kid can trust now, even though this person shows that she is not normal.''

''- Minerva: I see... So they touched her in some way?''

Roberta looked at the kid with empty eyes of pity.

''- Roberta: Yes. Apparently she was forced to do sexual acts with the female Black Demon. I don't know much of the details.''



"......................................"

''Indeed, that girl was raped by Valeria a few days ago... And having direct contact with a Black Demon such as a sexual contact is enough to make the STAR LABS think this person has no salvation.''

With eyes that would scare the soul of even devils, Minerva prepared her soldiers to shoot all immigrants on sight.

''- Minerva: Ahhh... So that's the case. You should have told me that before... Commander, you're allowed to kill everyone in this building. No prisioners.''

''No matter how cruel their orders are, the soldiers of STAR LABS act like machines... So even if you put a group of pregnant women or kids in front of them and you give orders to kill them, they will not hesitate for a second... And this is what happened.''​​​​​​



- STAR Commander: Positive!

''All men of STAR LABS in front of the building began to shoot at the immigrants who were on the floor, executing them in front of all civilians. Soon afterwards, a group of STAR LABS called Death Squad entered on the building to wipe out all survivors of Aldegyr Kingdom in that building. Age or gender doesn't matter, they simply became target of Minerva Layer, who is also called as the Whore of Hell.''

- Roberta: So, how is your day going?

''Roberta then grabbed the neck of the kid hiding behind her. ''

- Girl: N-N-NO!

''Ignoring her cries, Roberta broke the neck of the innocent girl before throwing her body on the floor like trash. At this time, Minerva looked at the sky and saw smoke coming from all across the town. It was obvious that STAR LABS was acting in several places at the same time. She took a deep breath like if she was in a yoga section and smiled.''​​​​​​



<p style="text-align:center;">' - Minerva: Perfect... '

<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> United States 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Sleepy Hollow - STAR Center

<p style="text-align:center;"> STAR LABS Central

<p style="text-align:center;"> 07:12 PM 

- City Speaker: [Squad Number 450 of East Gate, please make your way to the Gate 100 for inspection.]

''More and more speakers, loud voices of robots echoing across the town, sounds of ships flying around, helicopters patrolling the skies, armored military vehicles driving around the unknown town... ''

''The scene changes to a city called STAR Center. Curiously, the name "STAR Center" don't sound like the name of a proper city. Indeed, it isn't supposed to sound like a town named by normal people. The STAR Center is the hometown of STAR LABS of United States of America, located in the American state of New York. The city is formed by countless skyscrapers, military fortress and thousands of buildings that are not populated by civilians but by soldiers and robots. ''



''Yes, this place was founded not a long ago (around 2 decades ago). When STAR LABS invaded Sleepy Hollow due to the high interference of magic activity in the region the STAR LABS renamed the name "Sleepy Hollow" to "STAR Center". The town is surrounded by huge walls, they were built due to the civil war happening around United States, which resulted in civilians destroying the very base of civilization and wiping out United States of the map. Now, STAR Center is the only place on North America that is organized and have laws and order.''

''For being the only place fully controlled by STAR LABS you can guess who lives there. In the center of the town there is a huge building called "STAR Central". A massive drum-shaped building boasting a shield-shaped dome with a diameter of more than two kilometers, the STAR Central was built some time after 2027 following the break out of Cold War II in Europe. ''

''In this huge building that would take months to explore completely, Mina Harker is seated inside of her own private office. Mina Harker... the director of STAR LABS who now controls the Stabilization Union and is the only known person able to fight back the Black Demons that are turning the entire planet into a rotten rock.''



- Mina: ..................​​​​​​

''If a normal person entered that office and saw Mina Harker, they would probably think she is just a normal student who is messing around the place... But they would be wrong, because that woman right there is Mina Harker herself. Despite her young looks she is considered to be one of the smartest women in America and is an expert in all econimic, military and political sectors. No exceptions.''

''Mina is a woman who can't be described as just as beautiful or young, around her, people could feel the aura of an intelligent mastermind. She had long black hair, yellow eyes and had a very white skin... Hardly looked like an american but rather as an half-Brazillian and an half-Canadian. ''

''Her sizes are around 91-58-87 and completey looked like a 19-yeard old woman. But her mature voice and abnormal presence sold out her true age... She is probably around 27-yeard old. She was also wearing a strange outfit for a businesswoman; she was wearing a white polo shirt with a green tie, a green mini-skirt and two dog tags. ''

''Quietly and calmly, Mina was drinking a bottle of water while looking at the town from the top of her office. Apparently, her office was located on the top floor of the building.''

''- Mina: Purge... Huh? What a bizarre name for my operation. I knew I shouldn't have trusted in my generals to name my mission... Damn it! Using freaking Youtube to name my mission. I'll make sure to demonetize all videos of all channels who dare call me "Sweeper".''



''Mina is quite popular on Internet... On the negative way. People often call her "Sweeper", "Waster Collector", "Delusional Demon Lady" and among others. Obviously, most of internet users didn't approve STAR LABS' presence in their countries.''

''- (???): Excuse me, Director. ''

Soon afterwards, the door of Mina's office opened and a tall Russian-woman entered while bowing before Mina.

''- Mina: Welcome back, Echidna. What news you bring to me?''

''Mina didn't look at the face of the woman known as "Echidna". Her full name is "Echidna Bathory". Echidna is a young Russian woman who is the sub-managing director of STAR LABS and serves Mina as her secretery and special bodyguard. Believe it or not, Echidna is the strong person in STAR LABS but she is not a common human, she is a Meta-Human much like Ganesha, Poison Ivy and Zancrow.''

''Echidna is a woman of average height with fair skin, blue eyes, and long, light-brown hair with a bang covering her right eye. She dons a feminine STAR LABS' Meta-Human uniform that accents her figure while retaining a modest appearance. The uniform has a large collar and bears her shoulders, leaving the remainder of her arms to be covered by matching gloves that appear to have a separate layer of small white gloves attached to the ends of them. Beneath her coat, Echidna wears maroon-colored stockings that yield her knife weapons hidden at the top. Her look is completed with a delicate pair of white heels to accompany her gloves.''



''- Echidna: No... I brought you this!''

''Mina could not see this but Echidna was carrying a mountain of documents and threw everything in her table... Those papers were the expenses of her organization and taxes Mina needed to pay.''

''- Mina: B-But! But! I just finished paying the gas we use in the freaking chambers! Now this! ''

''- Echidna: We can't rule other countries without paying for our presence there. Our robots need power to power-up. Our men need food and resources to keep working. Our vehicles need oil and car parts for repair. And so go on...''

Mina facepalm herself and threw her pens on the floor.



''- Mina: How about you shove all these papers in the arses of those fat and sweaty pigs?!! I'M THE PRESIDENT OF STABILIZATION UNION! NOT A MEDIUM-CLASS WORKER!''

''Echidna pet Mina's head gave a cold look at her superior, who was clearly tired of working day and night... Yes, being the ruler of hundreds of countries is not easy.''

''- Echidna: I know that but we are still a company and not an official political party. Well, we all do our part here. If you need less work we can get rid of all prisioners we have in America. ''

''Since the appearance of STAR LABS, they arrested hundreds of millions all across the world... Building thousands of prisons, paying for the electricity and water in these buildings, paying the guards... Mina's agenda is really full.''



''- Mina: I think I'll try cutting off the human resources in Central America. If they starve to death it will not be my problem... They can eat themselves! Duh! They have meat for that!... So how is our operation?''

The operation she is talking about is the Purge, a single worldwide military campaign to wipe out the Black Demons of the globe.

''- Echidna: Well, needless to say we lost San Francisco and Los Angels hours ago. We have no more missiles and ammo to keep operating in those areas. I'd recommend leaving only STAR Center as th--''

Mina put her hands in Echidna's mouth.

''- Mina: Sssshhhh!!! Echidna, your job here is to follow my orders and not rise your opnions. If you do that again I'll cut you tongue...''

''An awkward silence fell upon the office. Sure, Echidna is a person with a big mouth who will contradict the words of everyone she meet.''

"'................................."​​​​​​



- Echidna & Mina: A...Hahahaha!!

Echidna and Mina laughed together like two idiots.

''- Mina: Hahahahaha! Why are you laughing...? I'm serious.''

- Echidna: I'm sorry.

''Echidna immediately stopped laughing and returned to her cold face. She then pulled a document from that mountain of papers and showed the image of the capital of Mexico, City of Mexico, being bombed by the ships of STAR LABS.''

''- Echidna: This the image of City of Mexico being bombed as you requested. Most of the mexicans were evacuated before the purge began. This photo was taken just a 2 hours ag--''

''Mina interrupted Echidna once again... Despite this strange moment they are actually close friends. Mina and Echidna know each other for 2 decades and are like siblings. Even when Mina said she would cut Echidna's tongue she was just joking... ''



''- Mina: Good! Now I don't have to worry about Mexico! We should just erase Cuba from our maps! ''

''Mina is being unrealistic? Not really, she rules over the Stabillization Union, which means she controls hundreds of countries at the same time; this means she do the work of hundreds of Presidents together. In addition, all her soldiers and troops are resources that need attention. Imagine the nightmare!''

- Echidna: We can't just commit genocide and blame the Black Demons for our actions. Mina nodded, and directed her attention towards the documents.

''- Mina: I hate this job. I'm sorry for saying I would cut your tongue before... I'm just pissed off.''

Echidna shook her head as Mina threw herself in her chair.



''- Echidna: Don't mind me, I'm here to serve you. You asked for news, right? I brought you a few happy happy news that will help you find fun.''

''Echidna is the only person in the world who knows the true Mina Harker... Even when Mina presented herself as a clumsy and idiot woman on TV she was just pretending... The true Mina is a intelligent and calculating woman who has a few traces of psychopathy. At times, she can just go full-Adolf Hitler and cause panic to her minions.''

With a soft and kind smile, Mina changed her sight to Echidna.

''- Mina: Ho? That means those idiots from Peace Foundation are gone?!''

Echidna nodded in excitement.

''- Echidna: Positive. As you requested, the last remnants of the past leaders of Global Pact Defense are gone. All units and factions serving under their legal contracts are now under the hands of STAR LABS. That means all Anti-Magic, pacifist organizations like ONU and Peace Foundation and even the Ultimate Detectives are now one with STAR LABS.''

Mina was momentarily overtaken by Echidna's words.

''- Mina: Finally those annoying pests are gone! That boring trials from Peace Foundation are finally over! I don't have to see the face of Richard Sampson again! To hell all those Human Rights!''



''We can explain this... STAR LABS is an organization that was serving Global Pact Defense but after the sudden disappearance of Brazil from the maps of the world caused STAR LABS to take over as they are the only known organization able to fight the Black Demons, the responsible for making Brazil disappear from the world. Obviously, STAR LABS is a group that relies in violence and war crimes to get what they want while Peace Foundation absolutely hates brutality and conflict. ''

''Over the years, the Peace Foundation rose many court lawsuits against STAR LABS for crimes against humanity; those trials took months and even years to finally end... With Peace Foundation gone now Mina is free from those trials. Like usual, Peace Foundation is giving headache to other people.''​​​​​​

''- Echidna: But now I have bad news... One of those groups serving Global Pact Defense is not in our list... You know them, right?''



''Mina closed her eyes and stood up. With her eyes closed, she remembered the face of her declared enemies. Her true opponents... Yes, the only organization of Global Pact Defense that refused to accept STAR LABS' terms was Ratatoskr, the organization controlled by Kotori Itsuka that is currently fighting the alien threat of the Fallen's Essence.''

''- Mina: Why I'm not surprised? For how long they are missing now?''

''- Echidna: For 2 months. The last time we heard about Ratatoskr was when they opened legally an operation against the Manufacturing Progressive Sciences in Amazonas.''

''Since the end of the battle of Ratatoskr and Akrak Couteau 1 month ago the whereabouts of Ratatoskr are unknown. They never returned to America or reported back to their superiors in the Pentagon. Since that day, Ratatoskr became a terrorist organization in the eyes of Global Pact Defense and STAR LABS for refusing to accept their new leaders.''

''- Mina: Hmm... Echidna, do you think Ratatoskr have reasons to deny our leadership?'' ''Mina went straight to the point, Ratatoskr had no reasons to refuse the superiority of Mina Harker as she have more resources and technology than Ratatoskr and their allies together. If Mina wanted to take the mission of Ratatoskr against the Fallen's Essence and his allies, she could have at least caused critical damage to their operations on Earth.''



''- Echidna: No... It's hard to believe if it is because of moral standards.''

Mina disdainfully turned to Echidna with the smile of a confident experienced veteran.

''- Mina: I thought about it... They are trying to hide something from us. I know Kotori for a long time. I studied all her tactics and steps. She is a woman of big plans and determination. Even if the orders she receive from above are brutals she will never turn her back to her superiors. For Kotori, the mission comes in the first place. Human lives are dispensables. However, 5 months ago she changed her ways when she welcomed a group of 7 or 8 people in her group.''

Echidna twisted her expression with confusion and stepped ahead.

''- Echidna: 5 months ago... You mean when Aldegyr Kingdom was destroyed by an unknown force?''

''5 months ago. Just by mentioning this date makes all people think about the day of the destruction of Aldegyr Kingdom. It works much like mentioning 2001 and you will remember the day of 9/11.''



''- Mina: Yes. Once a lesser organization of Global Pact Defense add more people to their ranks they are forced to sign a contract with the government. This contract will make you a direct enforcer of American law in the world. In other words you become an agent of the American government. All types of people are welcome in Global Pact Defense, from hackers to terrorists... Believe it or not. As long you display abilities and skills that may be seen as a talent you will be forced to serve the country. And curiously, after their mission in Aldegyr Kingdom, the death toll of civilians in Ratatoskr's operations dropped in 65%... Do you know why, Echidna?''

''Echidna remained speechless. The reason behind her silence was mainly because she was feeling inferior near Mina's IQ. Anyone who had no arguments to fight back the word of a genius would remain in silence.''



''- Mina: Kotoru was characterized as hardworking, talented, and a natural genius. Highly perceptive and good with problem solving, Kotori was a skilled planner and good at mapping out scenarios. Furthermore, Kotori was very popular among GDP and adored by the council leaders due to her charism. However, all those traces vanished when she got involved with Kanon Rihavein and added that new group to her ranks. She closed herself and stopped visiting the central. There are countless motives for her new behavior: She is plotting against us? She captured Kanon and is know studying her powers, which would explain the disappearance of the princess? She stole something from us? Or she is hiding someone?''

Mina put her hand on the glass of the window and let out a grin out of her confident face.



''- Mina: I have two suspects in my list... Two people out of the common. When I read the documents and private contracts of Ratatoskr I noticed two people completely "normal" in those papers... Their names are: Katarina Couteau Imperia Deamonne. There were other names like Lucas Kellan, Shigure Yukimi, Tomas Sev and Jellal Fernandes. However, those are names of veterans of war, all of them were heroes who served the KnightWalker Funeral Parlor during Cold War II or fought during the first battle of World War III in Japan. I, myself, met some of them in the past during some conferences. It should be normal to add strong, experienced and powerful fighters to their personal army but why add '''two ​​​​normal schoolgirls to their army? '

''Mina has a point... A obvious one. There is no sense in putting two young girls who don't have combat experience or military relationships in Ratatoskr's private army. If there is a reason, then there must be some reason behind this absurd. In all parts of the world, it's considered a crime to add kids and teenage to fight in the army, it's the same to militarize children to fight in civil wars.''



-' Echidna': It's because... '

''Echidna continued speechless. At the same time she opened her mouth, Mina pulled an fake ID Card from a wallet in her table. That ID Card belonged to La Folia Rihavein, the person who was once Imperia Deamonne... More importantly, this ID Card was under the possession of the Catholic Church when the incidents in Vatican started.''

''- Echidna: An ID Card? This name and this face, if I recall this woman is La Folia Rihavein! The lost ruler of Aldegyr Kingdom and sister of Kanon Rihavein! Why do you have this?!''

"..............................."

''Echidna looked completely stoned when she saw that ID Card belonged to the deceased princess La Folia Rihavein. Until now, it's believed La Folia died in Aldegyr Kingdom by the hands of Kanon Rihavein during her execution for betraying her country.''



''[- Mina: (narrator): For obvious reasons this card is fake! You must be thinking: No, shit! Sherlock! I don't want the FBI knocking on my door!]''

''- Mina: I got it from our lovely Vento of the Front... I can explain it later. Now, Echidna. I believe those two girls called Imperia Deamonne and Katarina Couteau are the reason why Ratatoskr is acting like a bunch of virgin nerds. According to the great Mina Harker who spent days studying these girls, Katarina Couteau is a half-German girl who was abandoned by her biological parents and was adopted by the Couteau Family. Known for her violent behavior, Katarina is considered to be the most "savage" and "brutal" woman in the Japanese town of Tenguu City... She is hunted by the Japanese police for criminal acts like aggression and disturbing the peace... Yep, Echidna. This girl is the infamous Red Haired Demon, a living legend-vigilante who used to hunt down thugs and criminals of Mafusa Gang in the dark alleys of Tenguu City at night. Welp! We found our feminist version of Batman! No offenses...''

[- Narrator: It's a lie, Katarina is not based in Batman!]

The secretery, while staring at those gem-like eyes of Mina, felt her face grew more and more red.

- Mina: Are you paying attention, Echidna?



Echidna gasped and slapped her face a few times with both of her hands.

''- Echidna: A-Ah! Yes! So that means this girl called Katarina Couteau is the Red Haired Demon from the Japanese's rumors? I don't have any suspicions on her considering she is a fighter and is known for being a troublemaker. Actually, I think Ratatoskr would be happy to have someone so bloody around them as even them need killers to get rid of their political enemies and opponents.''

Mina gave the ID Card to Echidna and walked towards her coffee machine, where she began to extract coffee from there with a cup.

''- Mina: Katarina is the secondary and less important matter here, Echidna. The reason I put her in my Black List is because she used to live with the lost princess of Aldegyr Kingdom, La Folia Rihavein. The ID Card you're holding once was in her hands... Before her supposedly "death" in Aldegyr.''

''Echidna was now getting more lost in her words. Nothing of what Mina was saying made sense. She could not find a link to why Katarina, the Red Haired Demon, was living with the princess of Aldegyr Kingdom, La Folia Rihavein, like if they were a family... Actually, she was thinking this "crossover" in real life was completely impossible.''



''- Mina: La Folia Rihavein died in Aldegyr Kingdom, this is a truth that can't be denied. But why we found we the thumb marks of La Fola Rihavein in the Global Pact Defense's contract?''

''We have some time to explain, once you join the Global Pact Defense you have to sign a contract with them. This contract includes all types of body's marks, like eyes, fingers, blood and hair (everything that can be used to identify you in a DNA test). ''

- Echidna: So you're saying the thumb marks of La Folia were found in the documents of GDP at the same day that Katarina Couteau, Lucas Kellan and the others joined Ratatoskr's ranks.

Mina snapped her fingers as she drank her coffee.

''- Mina: Bingo! Exactly! You know, Echidna... I believe La Folia Rihavein is alive and is currently living in the identity of another person. The only person I can think of is this Imperia Deamonne... Who is the true owner of the contract that has La Folia's thumb marks. There is also another "normal" girl working to Ratatoskr besides Imperia and Katarina. Her name is Asuha Chigusa, she is a 15-years old schoolgirl who was once targeted by the vicious Jack the Ripper of 21st Century, however, the serial killer's spree-killings stopped before he could kill Asuha Chigusa. I suspected she was La Folia Rihavein but her family works to Global Pact Defense since its foundation, so there is not any evidence La Folia found a new family. Also, the thumb marks of Asuha in the contract are completely original and equal to all her previous digital signatures.''



''The secretery furrowed his brow as she pondered this thought over. ''

''- Echidna: So you believe Imperia Deamonne is actually La Folia Rihavein? If Aldegyr Kindom still existed we could have sent a squad of experts to examine the body but the entire capital is gone.''

''- Mina: Yes, this is in what I believe. And not only that. Imperia Deamonne is a Cyborg, a KnightWalker-class Cyborg... A high-level Cyborg. Now, answer me this, Echidna: howcan  such powerful KnightWalker Cyborg exist if she doesn't even is registered in the list of KnightWalker-Cyborgs list?''

''The KnightWalker-Cyborg list is a digital list where all Cyborgs that serve the organization are registered. All Cyborgs were once humans so they passed through a brutal surgery to replace their human parts with nano-machines. In this list, your number and new nickname are added to identify you're an official Cyborg of the family.''



''- Echidna: I don't know. If she was officially in the army of KnightWalker Family then they must have used her at some point in the battlefield.''

''Echidna took a good look at the photo in the ID Card and tried to compare her face with Imperia in her thoughts. They were, however, completely different people. She thought about plastic surgery but it would take months to leave her with another face. No to mention even her height and weight were differents.''

''- Mina: They never used her because she was never one of them. I'm convinced that Imperia Deamonne is La Folia Rihavein turned into a Cyborg. This is huge news that might shock the rest of what is left of the world... As you know, Echidna, humans can be turned into Cyborgs by other Cyborgs. Let's call those Cyborgs in Master-Cyborgs for being the person who turned the human in Servant-Cyborgs. Using nano-machines in a direct surgery conducted by the Master-Cyborg, humans and even animals can become KnightWalker-Cyborgs. We have a plenty of examples to list here but mentioning all of them would a pain in the ass.''

Echidna returned the ID Card to Mina as she finished her coffee.

''- Echidna: Well, if Imperia Deamonne is actually La Folia Rihavein then that must be the reason why Ratatoskr is keeping themselves closed to GDP since the battle of Aldegyr. I'm actually shocked with this revelation, I never thought Kotori would commit such thing. This is more than treason to the country and her people. ''

''Echidna never liked Kotori anyway due to her confidence. Having a reason to kill her is very comforting actually.''

- Echidna: And about this ID Card, how did you get it from the Catholics?



''Mina put her hands in this ID Card before after La Folia Rihavein escaped from Sleepy Hollow, or better, from the Sleepy Hollow from the year of 2013. ''

''- Mina: I was keeping my eyes in La Folia Rihavein even before her death in Aldegyr Kingdom. The secret motive behind it was mainly because of Katarina Couteau... Katarina's past is quite bizarre if I have to say. Well, returning to La Folia, I put my hands in this ID Card thanks to the terrorist Vento of the Front. ''

Vento of the Front was once a member of the God's Right Seat in Roman Catholic Church but after the day she joined Maria Arzonia's cause she became a terrorist in the eyes of KnightWalker Alliance.

''- Mina: Don't worry. I did not have direct contact with Vento. One of my spies stole it from her during the election to the new Pope of Vatican, 2036. Simple answer, don't you think?''

''Echidna was waiting for something more shocking like a traitor between the members of La Nueva Familia de Arzonia but that was not the case. It was something rather simple and boring.''

''- Echidna: Ahh... Just that. Well, since we know Imperia Deamonne is La Folia Rihavein, we know how we can expose Ratatoskr to the public.''

Mina put her hands in Echidna's face and began to play with her lips.

''- Mina: We don't need to expose them. Ratatoskr is a secret organization so exposing their existence out of nowhere will make people less interested as the destruction and chaos caused by the Black Demons is more effective and important. Listen, Echidna.''

''Mina pulled a syringe from her pocket and showed it to her secretery. It was a transparent syringe full of an unknown orange liquid and a small ball of meat inside. That sphere of meat seemed to be alive.''

''- Mina: We can end those traitors in our own way. Just exposing them to the public is not enough. We need to destroy the base of their pillar and bring down everything they built so far. Their army. Their technology. Their knowledge. Everything! And to finish them we need toys! And this PERFECTION in my hands will be the key to unlock our new toys! These toys will wreck havoc Ratatoskr's central and bring an end to all our problems.''

- Echidna: Ty-oys?

As Mina was playing with Echidna's mouth, her words sounded incompressible.

<p style="text-align:center;"> '- Mina: Yes... Echidna? Don't you think it's about time to call our little friends to deal with them? '

​​​​​

<p style="text-align:center;"> Somewhere above England <p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus <p style="text-align:center;"> Prison Sector <p style="text-align:center;"> 2 hours later

''- Ratatoskr's Guard: Check in, security. Cell block 4227.''

''2 hours had passed since Mina supposedly began her move against Ratatoskr. While her plans are yet to be revealed, Katarina Couteau, also known as the Red Haired Demon, was walking in the prison of Fraxinus. She seemed to be looking for someone in a specific cell.''

- Katarina: I don't remember the number of the cell, but I think it's somewhere around this sector.

''Fraxinus has a ton of cells inside of it. They probably have around 1000 cells divided in two Prison Sectors. Hard to believe but most of these cells are occupied with war prisioners. Inside of the cells, Ratatoskr is keeping scientists of Manufacturing Progressive Sciences, soldiers of KnightWalker Family, politics who are related to Godom Empire and even Cyborgs from Eckidina KnightWalker's personal guard.''



''- Security Droid: Hold it! Show me your identification!''

As Katarina was approaching a cell with gates of iron a security droid walked forward and stopped her from approaching the gate.

''- Katarina: I'm here to see Tomas Sev. As one of the Rogues, I have all rights to visit him.''

''Yes... Tomas Sev was arrested by Ratatoskr. He is in the prison for 1 month since the day that Mina Harker exposed the existence of the Black Demons to the world. ''

''- Security Droid: According to our new code, everyone in this is forbidden to enter in this cell. The commander Kotori Itsuka and vice-commander Kyouhei Kannazuki are the only ones allowed to visi--!''

Before the droid could continue a human guard approached and tried to protect Katarina.

''- Guard: This girl is a trusted ally. Even without ID she is allowed to enter in all places of this ship. Not to mention, Katarina Couteau is one of the strongest warriors.''

''Katarina is a special officer of Ratatoskr. She is not an enginner, guard or administrator but her role as warrior makes her an important and fundamental piece to victory in the eyes of Ratatoskr. In addition, Katarina is the second strongest warrior of Ratatoskr as a whole. Due to her inexperience in fighting, Katarina is weaker than Imperia.''



''- Katarina: You... I don't know your name but thank you!''

The guard then put his keycard in front of the gate, ignoring the presence of the droid. ''- Guard: Don't mention it. Those droids are really stupid. If you need help just call a human officer.''

''The guard smiled for a second and then walked away. The droid protecting the gate began to walk away too when the gate started to open.''

- Katarina: I will!

''In 2030s, humans and robots don't have the best of the relationships. Man and machine can never understand each other because one can express feelings while droids follow their programming. This happens often in KnightWalker Family, Manufacturing Progressive Sciences and even in Global Pact Defense.''



''When the gate was fully open, Katarina looked inside and saw another cell made of white iron bars. Inside of it, she could see Tomas meditating in peace.''

- Tomas: Katarina?

Katarina then entered on the cell and closed the door to prevent the guards from seeing what was going to happen inside.

- Katarina: I'm not here to give you a conjugal visit.

''A conjugal visit is a scheduled period in which an inmate of a prison or jail is permitted to spend several hours or days in private with a visitor, usually their legal spouse. The parties may engage in sexual activity. The generally recognized basis for permitting such visits in modern times is to preserve family bonds and increase the chances of success for a prisoner's eventual return to life after release from prison.''

''- Tomas: Really? That a pity.''

''Tomas was obviously joking. Apparently his feelings for Katarina ceased the moment he learned she has feelings for Rentaro. Like any normal man, Tomas gave up in the woman who feels love for another man... Tomas is a man of honour, he will never steal something from other people, including their feelings.''

''- Katarina: Yep... I brought you this.''

''Katarina slowly put her hands in her pocket and removed a small bottle of glass full of blood. At the moment Tomas saw that bottle he acted wildly and extended his hands to get it from Katarina by force.''



''Like a hungry animal, Tomas opened the bottle with his mouth and began to drink it. Obviously, Katarina closed the door to prevent people from seeing this abnormal scene. ''



- Katarina: The effects are growing stronger?

''Tomas heard her question but he was too busy drinking the blood. The moment Tomas opened his eyes they were glowing in red like if he was a vampire. Nobody saw Tomas acting like that before and judging by how Katarina is trying to hide this she is probably the only person who knows about this behavior.''

- Katarina: So you really became a Black Demon, Tomas?

''Tomas finished drinking the blood and put it on the ground beside him. He then began to lick his fingers and lips to drink the rest of the blood.''

- Tomas: Who gave you this blood?

"......................."

Tomas noticed that blood was from a human's and not from an animal.

''- Katarina: No one. I sneaked into the KnightWalkers cells and beat them until their blood came out. I collected a few liters of their blood in this bottle. This is the best I can do for you to control yourself.''

Tomas immediately jumped of the ground and held her shoulders through the bars.

''- Tomas: ARE YOU INSANE?! DO YOU KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU IF THEY DISCOVER YOU'RE BEATING PRISIONERS AROUND?!''

Katarina removed his hands from her shoulders with kindness.



''- Katarina: I know but some guards don't seem to care. Most of these prisioners are sadistic torturers, rapists, pedophiles and generals who commanded massacres to innocent people. They don't care what I do to them as long they don't discover I'm feeding you with their blood.''

''The guards protecting Katarina from being caught. This is obviously corruption as their duty is to protect the prisioners of Ratatoskr, however, some of them committed crimes so inhuman that most of the guards don't even care about their health. If they see a prisioners dying of heart attack they will just leave him there and report to their superiors they committed suicide... Cruel, but this is how humans act when "justice" is not around.''

''- Tomas: Let's just give up, Katarina. We don't know for how long we will be able to hide the truth... The truth that I'm becoming a Black Demon like that soldier said... If they caught you trying to help me they will surely arrest you for treason. ''

Katarina and Tomas remained in silence as the memories of 1 month ago became to pass in their heads.

Katarina's Flashback
<p style="text-align:center;"> Scenes from LOTM: Sword of Kings AA 2nd Season - Judgment Day



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Tomas: NO! I'M NOT A BLACK DEMON!! ''

<p style="text-align:center;">"....................................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

<p style="text-align:center;"> [BANG!] 



''At the moment that the Ratatoskr soldier fired at Tomas for thinking he was a Black Demon like Mina Harker showed in the TV, a person quickly teleported in front of Tomas and destroyed the bullet with one hand. ''

Tomas could easily destroy that bullet but the events around him happened so fast that his brain could not process what was happening around him.

- Imperia: Scumbag.

The person who teleported in front of Tomas and destroyed the bullet was none other than Imperia Deamonne, who was obviously pissed off about how their own allies, the Ratatoskr, don't seem to trust in the Rogues.

- Tomas: Imperia!

''Imperia then dropped the dust of the bullet on the floor as a malicious grin appeared in her face. Feeling a scary aura coming from the cyborg, all security guards and soldiers of Ratatoskr at that hall pointed their weapons at Tomas and Imperia but such act only made the rest of the Rogues jump beside the two and form a combat formation to fight the incoming threat.''

''- Imperia: You dared to shoot my friend just because he was acting strange in Rio. Now you point your rotten weapons at us like if we are enemies. I don't care if you don't trust in us but blindly trying to kill one of us will result in a massacre. You should know, the Rogues don't fight for mankind or your bullcrap of America politicians, we have our own reasons to be here... So that's why...'' - Shigure: ...Don't expect us to show mercy once we began to slaughter you all.

''The atmosphere was tense like if they were next to a volcano... Never in the history of Ratatoskr there was such deadly moment that could result in a massacre. Imperia and Shigure were right, all Rogues are there because of their own motives to fight, such as revenge, money or have a brawl with some bastards out there.''



''- Katarina: We just lost Mana! Now we have to endure your whinings?! We are in a bad mood now so we will not go easy on you all!''

Katarina and the other Rogues powered-up, leaving the normal human soldiers of Ratatoskr with their tails between their legs.

''- (???): Well, let's calm down! We are organized miitary group of Global Pact Defense and not a gang-street.''

''Suddenly, a woman came out of the group of soldiers and put down the guns of two soldiers next to her. She was wearing a military uniform of Ratatoskr, a Lieutenant uniform.''

- Ratatoskr Soldier 1: Lieutenant Elektra!



​​​​​​​''That woman with a smug in her face approached the Rogues with her arms on the air to show she was not going to do nothing suspicious. That woman is the Lietenant of Ratatoskr, Elektra. Elektra is a tall and imposing woman with long dark hair held in a ponytail, cruel purple eyes and red lipstick. She has a full slender figure and artificial right arm to replace the one lost during one of her battle against KnightWalker Family. Elekra's facial expressions are either cruel or angry.''

''- Jellal: What do you want, Elektra?! If you are here to say goodbye then do that fast before we kill you all!''

''Jellal and Lucas know perfectly how the armed forces of Ratatoskr never liked or trusted in the Rogues for receiving too much credits from Kotori and the council of Global Pact Defense. Elektra is one of those people who always hated the Rogues.''



''- Elektra: What vision do you have from me? I'm here to give orders to shoot you because I don't like you. First, I'm a disciplined lieutenant of Ratatosk, there is no way I'll order my men to shoot you without a reason. I admit we are the ones who started this, you must excuse me and men. I'll punish them later if it makes you less tense.''​​​​​​

''Kyouhei then stepped forward and nodded to show it was okay. The Rogues and the armed forces of Ratatoskr's fight came to a civilized ending without anyone being hurt or killed.''

- Lucas: If it's Kyouhei who is talking.

''Kyouhei is one of the few people in Ratatoskr that the Rogues can trust. The main reason why they gave up on fighting the armed forces was because Kyouhei was the man who asked for it in a few words.''



''- Kyouhei: Elektra is trying to end this civilized and I'm happy you decided to follow my instruction. I worked with the KnightWalker Funeral Parlor for many years. I witnessed many cruelties when I was there. When a subordinate rose his or her voice against the leadership they were immediately slice open for disobeying orders and being rude with people like Kureto Hīragi. I can endure watching my enemies being slaughtered but I hate to see my friends, my allies and my comrades killing themselves for trivial things that can be solved with a single word. Therefore, I must knowledge the fear of my guards and investigate Tomas Sev.''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The Rogues' peace ended at the same moment that Kyouhei almost admitted that Tomas was also a demon like the others considered him to be.

- Asuha: KYOUHEI!

Asuha shouted at Kyouhei with the loudest tone possible.

- Lucas: You're saying he is a demon too?

''- (???): Exactly. Even Kyouhei should know this. This is what democracy is.''

''Kyouhei shook his head as suddenly a male voice echoed in the hall. It came from above, everyone looked up and saw a man seated in the iron bars of the ceilings. No one saw that man until now but he is very known among Fraxinus.''

''That man is the Commander of the Armed Forces of Ratatoskr, Torvaldo. He is a tall man with droopy green eyes which often become the target of insult against him. He has long green hair that he ties behind with an orange ribbon and a long fringe which he styles to cover the right side of his face. He also has piercings in his ears. His right leg is full of green scales and sharp nails. In all ways, he is considered very handsome and attractive.''



- Kyouhei: Torvaldo...

''Torvaldo jumped from the ceiling and landed beside Kyouhei, who looked uncomfortable with his presence. Kyouhei a man of few words and doesn't like to express his true thoughts to other peope beside Kotori Itsuka.''

''- Torvaldo: Listen, young ones. We have to investigate Tomas because this man still a suspect of being a demon in the eyes of our military. To achieve a peaceful way to end this little incident we have to abide by the requirements of both sides. We, now, promise the Rogues we will never hurt anyone of your group.''

''Torvaldo extended his arms to the side and smiled like a gentleman. He was truly trying to be a good person there.''

- Kyouhei: .....................

Kyouhei remained in silence until the handsome commander finished.



''- Torvaldo: Let's return to the past. Tomas Sev, 25-years old, American half-Japanese. Once a man who served the Global Pact Defense and VSA as a Magi-Tech soldier. After the end of Cold War II he gave up on his Magi-Tech powers and began a new life as a normal human soldier. 4 months ago this man joined Ratatoskr alongside his friends when the battle of Aldegyr Kingdom was over. A few hours ago, Ratatoskr and its commander, Kotori Itsuka, launched a secret military operation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to find out the whereabouts of the Revelation of Qliphoth. During this operation, Tomas Sev and the rest of the Rogues fought the Qliphoth demons in a deadly battle, but Tomas, in special, developed a strange behavior while killing the police force of BOPE, exposing a demonic behavior he never showed before.''

Torvaldo is a man who hates to let the small details pass, so the others had to hold their tongues and endure this long and boring speech.

''- Torvaldo: And then Mina Harker, the director of STAR LABS, expose how the Black Demons' birth work. We don't know exactly how a human become a Black Demon without the direct contact of another demon but we know that at least humans can become demons thanks to some kind of plague or black magic. If humans can become Black Demons then there must be no reason why Magi-Tech humans, Cyborgs, Meta-Humans and among others. So, in order to obey the terms of our side, we will arrest Tomas Sev to keep locked in a safe place where our men can watch over him to make sure he is not a demon.''

''Shigure thought this method was radical but it is best to arrest one person rather than have dozens killed in combat inside of their own HQ. ''

''- Shigure: So you're saying Tomas will be left in prison being watched to prove he is a demon? This is absolutely hat--!''

Before Shigure could disagree with Torvaldo, Tomas stepped forward and interrupted the short woman.

''- Tomas: No, Shigure. He is right. As long as I'm free this fight will never cease. I don't want anyone from my group and allies turn on ourselves because of me. Fine, Torvaldo. I'll accept your terms and I'll surrender myself to the armed forces of Ratatoskr.''



''Elektra scratched her ears while Kotori Itsuka suddenly appeared beside her. Until now, Kotori remained in silence even after witnessing the start of a new war. Probably, she wanted to see how the Rogues could end this using their own methods.''

''- Torvaldo: Then it's done. Arrest him, gentlemen.''

With a confident smile, Torvaldo ordered his men to handcuff Tomas and take him to the prison.

''- Kyouhei: Rest assured. I'll make sure Tomas will be treated with humanity and nothing will hurt him physically and psychologically.''

''Kyouhei then accompained the guards taking Tomas away while Katarina and the rest of the Rogues looked down in sadness. Even knowing this fight ended in a safe way the Rogues felt like if they lost by having someone taken away. Meanwhile, Elektra and Torvaldo looked at Tomas being taken away.''

- Kotori: How this is truly going to end?

Nowadays
After a few seconds thinking about what happened, Katarina and Tomas returned to their harsh reality.

- Katarina: 1 month had passed since, huh?

''Katarina opened her eyes after she remembered that humilliation. Sure, she doesn't hold a grudge with the armed forces of Ratatoskr for trying to kill one of them and then arrest him merely because they think he is a demon, she hates how they never trusted in the Rogues in the first place.''

"............................."

''- Tomas: We can't blame them... Actually, I think they are right. Until now, they only suspect I'm a Black Demon but after one month even I started to consider myself a demon. Katarina, once they discover I'm becoming a monster, I'm going to be executed without doubt.''

''Tomas don't want Katarina to get punished because of him but at the same time once they discover he is a monster he will be killed by Ratatoskr... For Tomas, there is no way out. Even if they only caught Katarina trying to help him they would discover she is giving him human blood, thus confirming the theory about him being a demon.''

''- Katarina: Tomas, it's okay. I'll never be caught. And if someone realise I'm helping then I'll just smash their heads and make them forget all they saw!''

Katarina's logic is simple and idiot, but at the same time, hilarious.

''- Tomas: Fufufufu... You're really a stupid woman... Katarina, I know I can't make you change your mind but at least take care of yourself. I don't want you guys to forget about me but I don't you all suffer because of me. I'm giving you authorization to tell Kotori and the others that I'm a Black Demon. But now if you refuse to tell them that means you'll continue to stand by my side. Are you sure about that?''

Katarina then stood up and walked towards the exit of the cell while looking back and giving Tomas a friendly expression of hope.

''- Katarina: We are friends. There is no way we can tell the others you're a monster. For us, the Rogues, you will be always Tomas. In addition, I already told the others you're a Black Demon. And what I mean by "others", I mean the Rogues. Imperia, Lucas, Jellal, Asuha, Atala... Everyone knows you're becoming a demon but nobody seems to care about it. They are all worried with you.''

Tomas put his head between his legs and began to cry in silence, he was trying to hide that side of him but the Red Haired Demon could easily see through his cover.



<p style="text-align:center;"> '- Katarina: You can cry all you want... That proves you're stil human, Tomas. Even if you're a monster in body, as long you have a human heart, you're still human.'

Part 1 - Noro


<p style="text-align:center;">''With the corruption of GDP and Stabilization Union, Kyoko Kirigiri, now a fugitive, takes refuge in Tenguu City, Japan, where she conducted a private investigation inside of the Japanese's underworld of crime to discover the true truth of how humans are becoming Black Demons out of nowhere. In one of her walks, she meets Rentaro Satomi by coincidence and attempts to convince Rentaro that they should work together to find where the infamous "Noro" virus is being sold; a plague that Kyoko believes to be the source of all appearances of demons around the globe.'' <p style="text-align:center;">Worried with the insane increase of demons' attacks in Catholic territory, the Supreme Father of Iscariot Section XIII, Leonardo, plans a coup d'etat on Vatican by using military strength in a near future. <p style="text-align:center;">When humanity begins turning on itself after the demons openly declared war, disgusted by the events and how Mina apathetic caused it, Kotori Itsuka sent Lucas Kellan and Atala Arck to Sleepy Hollow, now known as STAR Center, to deliver a message to stop her campaign before she decides to take the war against the Fallen's Essence to STAR LABS.

<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile...

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus

<p style="text-align:center;"> Navigation Room 

''The sound of his heart beating was awfully loud. Lucas made a small wry smile while making shoe noises in the wide corridor.''

- Atala: Are you okay?

''Beside Lucas, Atala Arck, slapped his back as he took a deep breath. Even though he came to such a place many times already, but it seems he can't get quite use to it. Atala seemed to be not bothered at all. ''

''- Lucas: Yes... I'm just not used to be called like this. It's rare for Kotori call just two people in private.''

'' After they stopped their legs in front of the door, Lucas took a deep breath. And then Lucas knocked on it. ''

- Lucas: Lucas Kellan and Atala Arck, has arrived.

After Lucas identified themselves, Kotori's voice could be heard from the other side of the door.

- Kotori: Enter.

''After Kotori replied shortly, the duo opened the door and entered the room. The inside of the room looked like a library. The four sides of the room were covered with bookshelves and have leather covered books stored on it. They doesn't know the full details of it. ''

That was only normal, since the books that were opened on the desk didn't only have letters written on it but rather in exchange, it had Braille lined up in it.

''- Lucas: So? What do you need?''

And in the deepest part of the room, Kotori was there.

''- Kotori: Thanks for coming... You guys are the ones who I trust the most to give you this simple and short mission!''

Like a stupid loli, Kotori made a rather childish welcome posture but soon her commander personality returned.

While saying that, she turned her chair around and turned her face towards Atala and Lucas.​​​​​​

''- Atala: What's up with this "imotou" voice. This is annoying.''

''Imouto is the Japanese Romaji for 'little sister. When referring to ones own family, or someone who is not unlike family, such as a lifelong or childhood friend, it can just be said as imouto. However, when referring to another family, you should always add a suffix on the end, such as imouto-san, unless given consent otherwise. Considering the cute way Kotori used, Atala was probably thinking about small little sisters in animes. These kind of anime girls are very popular in Japan.''



''- Kotori: I just did that for the lulz. No real intentions in trying that for some obvious reasons. Anyway, Atala and Lucas, I called you here because you're the best stealth warriors of the Rogues. You two have amazing skills of spies and infiltrators. That's why I called you here... ''

''- Atala: Hmm... Calling two "infiltrators" here, then it must be a delicated operation.''

Atala sharpened her eyes while Kotori nodded like a profissional.

''- Kotori: I'll be very straight: Lucas Kellan and Atala Arck, you were both assigned to this mission by the commander Kotori Itsuka to deliver a message to Mina Harker, who is currently living in the capital of STAR LABS, STAR Central. Now, you are wondering what exactly is this message. ''



''It was indeed a very strange mission from the very start. If Kotori wanted she could easily send a message to Mina via e-mail or hologram but it's not that simple. However, considering that Ratatoskr are now fugitives from the law the STAR LABS would easily track their transmission and locate where their ship are flying... It was more safe to sent living messangers to where Mina is.''

''- Lucas: Making us step in enemy territory. You better have a good reason, Kotori.'' Kotori then stood up and stared at the two with a dead serious expression.

- Atala: Hum.

Kotori then crossed her arms.

<p style="text-align:center;"> '- Kotori: Oh and it is... A declaration of war.' 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Japan

<p style="text-align:center;"> Tenguu City

<p style="text-align:center;"><u style="font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;">Underworld

<p style="text-align:center;"><u style="font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;">6 hours later

Within his cloudy consciousness caused by his fever, the former young student of Raizen High School, Rentaro Satomi  was slowly walking in the city.

''He was getting vague feelings as if his body was melting like a doll somehow managing to maintain its shape. Actually, it’s even a miracle that he can walk with his legs while maintaining his sense of balance. But even so, his walking posture was getting better than before for some reason. People at the sidelines won’t think that Rentaro is suffering a serious sickness if they saw him. ''

''- Rentaro: Eh? What was I doing?''

''After thinking that far, Rentaro stopped on the road and tilted his head. He could not remember why he is here in the first place and where he is walking towards to. Thinking back, he woke up in an unfamiliar street, in a dark alley between two buildings. The instant he noticed that, Rentaro felt that he should not be there... The last thing Rentaro remember is that he was cooking in his house when suddenly he fainted for no reason whatsoever. ''

- Rentaro: How did I get in here?



''Rentaro's eyes looked gloomy, tired and lifeless, it was like the eyes of someone who suffered brainwash or was being controlled like a puppet. Never in his life, Rentaro felt something similar, his body was heavy and he was feeling dizzy. For some reason, he ended there, but no ones knows how. Actually, the moment he fainted in his house was exactly 1 hour ago, meaning that he is outside for almost 1 hour.''

''- Rentaro: What in the world... Where I am?''

''Rentaro looked around with fear and confusion, it was a rather normal feeling. There are stories of sleepwalkers all across the world for thousand years but Rentaro is not one of those people.''

''After a while of walking, he reached to a familiar lane of buildings. There was a wide road and several shops were lined beside it. It’s the Tenguu main street that Rentaro often comes for shopping.''

''- Rentaro (think): *Seriously, how did I arrive here? I swear I was making dinner for my parents when I feel asleep.*''

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - (???): Yeah! Listen to my song and cower in fear! ''

''Rentaro continued walking until he left from the center of the city and arrived in a dangerous district of the town. Despite Rentaro knows a big part of this city in the palm of his hands, his confusion made his made less active than before, making him forget the name of the street he was.''

''After some time walking, Rentaro was now finally in a dark and cold street with no humans and animals on sight. However, on the other side of the street, there was a car full of Japanese rappers singing some kind of dark rap.''

- Rentaro: I can't stay here.

''Rentaro speed up his steps but the music of the rappers could be heard even from 1 kilometer away... And while the song was entering in his ears, he noticed that rap was not a normal one, it was a song dedicated to the suffering, paranoia and fear of Asian society in the face of the threat of the Black Demons. The environment he was passing by only added more anxiety. In all sides, Rentaro caught sight of anti-demon posters, hate propaganda, photos of  celebrities being chased by reporters and among others.''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Rapper 1: ♬ Yeah! Listen to my song and cower in fear! ♬ ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Rapper 1: ♫ Yo, you heard? Demons be real, that's the word! ♫ ''

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Rapper 2: ♫ Over here, out there! Demons be lurkin' everywhere! ♫ ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Rapper 3: ♫ What form is they takin'? Tell me how they look, Hell if I know, but they got me shook! ♫ ''

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Rapper 4: ♫ They demons, so they evil! Demons is as demons do! Make them ugly grills illegal! ♫ ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Rapper 5: ♪ Demons is as demons do! Steal, destroy, murder, spy, no rules apply! Stackin' paper by dirty deeds, Where you and I can't see! ♪ ''

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Rapper 6: ♪ But look, tons of people in the world, already doin' that, actually, So what's the dilly up in here? ♪ ''

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Rapper 5: ♪ You and demons, demons and I, How we gonna draw dat fine line? Don't nobody nowhere know the difference no more! Not you! Not me! ♪ ''

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Rapper 6: ♪ But I ain't gonna be no demon? ♪ ''

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Rapper 7: ♪ You sure? ♪ ''

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Rapper 6: ♪ You a demon? ♪ ''

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Rapper 7: ♪ Hell no! ♪ 



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Rapper 8: ♫ Yeah, you say that, but I don't know! I only know me, and how I roll! Not out to please peeps! Just out to protect me! Mess around, might get shanked from the back! ♫ ''

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Rapper 1: ♫ Let that guard down, might get took for all your bank! The cullin' of the weak! Shit ain't never gonna change! The ones that get shook, get guns and hit the streets! ♫ ''

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Rapper 3: ♫ But most ain't shook, and ain't packin' no heat! Last mistake, they'll ever make! 'Cuz with guns at stake the first to grab are the worst of us! Shots pop off, the first to die are the best of us! ♫ ''

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Rapper 5: ♫ Nobody knows friend from foe! Getting tested as we should! To stay humans fo' sho'! Needle o' truth! Haystack o'doubt! Needle o' truth! Haystack o'doubt! ♫ ''

''Rentaro continued walking until the rap could no longer be heard... But everything he saw as the music sounded in his ears made him aware of what is happening in Tenguu City after the rise of the Black Demons on Earth.''

He noticed one more abnormality as he walked into a dark hallway between old buildings.

''Rentaro looked downwards to peek at his own appearance, it was his familiar, often worn, Raizen high school uniform. Although he put on the blazer because it was hung beside the bed in his house, he was not wearing any winter clothings like a coat. But even so, Rentaro was not feeling any sense of cold like just now. He is so okay that he first noticed this after looking at the outfits of the pedestrians. ''

''No way, is it because he has a fever, no such thing. It feels as if an invisible film was surrounding him and was maintaining a suitable temperature for his body. ''



- Rentaro: Hm?

''Rentaro then heard voices of people next to him, the place itself was not silence. Before he could notice, the young boy walked into a red light district... And he was basically in a alley where prostitutes offered sex exchange of money. Almost 20 meters away from him Rentaro heard groans of a woman and a man, those moans were not from pain, but pleasure. He then spotted a prostitute a having sex with a man on the dirty floor of the alley, the woman apparently noticed him first but she ignored him.''

- Rentaro: ..............

''Rentaro could the smell disgusting smoke of people smoking drugs and the bizarre smell of urine. He then quickly walked away to leave that place but instead he just walked further into the red light district and arrived in a long street full of sex shops and strip clubs.''



''A red-light district or pleasure district is a part of an urban area where a concentration of prostitution and sex-oriented businesses, such as sex shops, strip clubs, and adult theaters are found. Areas in many big cities around the world have acquired an international reputation as red-light districts. The term red-light district originates from the red lights that were used as signs of brothels.''

- Rentaro: ............

''Rentaro continued walking ignoring everyone around him. Some prostitutes could be saw giggling as he was passing by, mainly because he was young and was kind cute compared to the old males in the district. Indeed, 100% of all men on that district are middle-age men, there are signs of teenage boys or young men.''

- Rentaro: How did I end here?

- (???): I never thought you were into this, Rentaro.

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"



''After Rentaro was idling, a soft female voice as such could be heard suddenly from behind. That voice was not from a extravagant prostitute but from a serious composed veteran.''

''When he looked over, Rentaro found the Ultimate Detective of Global Pact Defense that sent to solve the case of Jack the Ripper of 21st Century in Tenguu City and the presence of KnightWalker Family in Vatican... Yes, Kyouko Kirigiri was there, watching Rentaro from away while swinging her beautiful hair.''

''- Kyouko: Hello, Rentaro. It's been a long time since we last saw each other.''

''Rentaro, in surprise, gasped and shouted for her name. Kyouko, on the other hand, was not shocked or even bothered by the sudden meeting of an old partner.''

''- Rentaro: Kirigiri! What are you doing here?!''

''That was a obvious question. Kyouko and Rentaro worked once together alongside the Team Witness to take down Michael Langdon in an epic battle in the past. To be precise they were sent to the year of 2013 and from there they had to play the games of Michael to survive. After their battle was finished, Kyouko got involved with the Manufacturing Progressive Sciences, which lead to the death of her beloved tyrant, Sonia Nevermind. It's been almost 2 months since Sonia's death but those weeks never delayed Kyouko's mission for revenge on Yuuki Terumi for making Sonia suffer right in front of her.''

''- Kyouko: I'm glad you're safe. It's me who should ask: what are YOU doing here?''

''Unlike Kyouko who is an adult, Rentaro is a teenage boy who is 2 years younger than Katarina. Currently, Rentaro is 18-years old while Katarina reached her twenties.''

''- Rentaro: I... I... I JUST LOST MY WAY, OKAY?!''

''Teenagers are usually horny thanks to their hormones that cause them to be more "active" than adults. Despite there are only adults in the red-light district that doesn't mean you can spot a boy each 20 meters. They're usually hidden between the girls in the strip club.''

Considering his age, Kyouko doubted from his words and made a sarcastic smile.

''- Kyouko: Oh, yeah? I was so sure you were going to watch women of your age dancing in one of tho--!''

''Before Kyouko could continue, Rentaro sharpened his eyes in embarrassment. She is a detective so she knows exactly when a person is trying to hide his true intentions. And from what she saw from the eyes of that boy, she could finally say he is not lying. He was not there to have sex or something of the kind.''

''- Kyouko: I see. You're not lying. But I wonder how in the world you ended here in the red-light district at this hour of the night. Well, good to see you again, Rentaro.''

''Kyouko touched his shoulder as she walked away... That was too fast for an emotional meeting and Rentaro have many questions for her. Like a puppy, he followed the detective through the street full of people.''

''- Rentaro: You stil didn't answer my question! What are you doing here?!''

After hearing his words, Kyouko brought her own eyebrows closer.

''- Kyouko: ... Well, If I have to say, it's a investigation about a strange newcomer group in this region. I believe they are somewhat connected to the appearance of Black Demons in Tenguu City. After the death of Sonia, I...''

''After Kyouko shut her eyes closed, she made an unpleasant expression. The two stopped walking just as Rentaro felt the dark aura coming from her.''

''- Rentaro: Yeah... We lost Sonia... It's hard to say that she was part of KnightWalker Alliance and helped in the invasion to China. She studied with us for some months so I can allege she was not a bad person.''

''Unlike Kyouko, Rentaro was not aware that Sonia was working to an alien entity called the Fallen's Essence. She also knew the princess Sonia was being forced to serve him as a warmonger like Eckidina KnightWalker. Sonia, no matter how cruel she was, not matter how many people she killed with her own hands, she never had malicious intentions to bring harm to other people for selfish objectives or for mere fun. From the beginning, she was a slave.''

''- Kyouko: Rentaro... She was never part of them to begin with. She was enslaved by them and forced to work with them. ''

''Kyouko's voice sounded deeper and more serious than before. At that point, even Rentaro noticed he hit a wound in Kyouko. There are also many people who never discovered the romantic feelings between 'the "heroine" and the "villainess".''

''- Rentaro: I see... Sorry fo--!''

''Kyouko put her hand in his mouth and pointed to a shop right beside them. It was a strip club filled with prostitutes and drunk men.''

- Kyouko: We are here.

The young boy changed his sight and saw the club too.

- Rentaro: This place...

''Rentaro looked around and saw a group of girls around his age with very lewd clothes. Needless to say, those girls caught his attention as he stared at their butts.''

- Kyouko: Rentaro, thinking about it now, I need your help here.

''The two looked inside of the club and saw the scenary of lust: many men having sex with girls in public, girls dancing with only bikinis as some perverted old men threw money at them, thugs smoking cocaine, mafia drinking with their clients... It was a small demonstration of the underworld of crime.''

''- Rentaro: ................... What do you mean?''

''Rentaro's eyes widened in shock when he spotted a grin in Kyouko's face. She then looked at him with a shaded face of sadness and suffering.... Obviously, she was just messing with him.''

''- Kyouko: Look at me, Satomi. I'm Kyouko Kirigiri, the most known and intelligent Ultimate Detective of Global Pact Defense. My face can be recognized all around the globe, if I decide to enter in this place like a normal person I'll be killed at the same moment... Worse, they all come at me, tie me up, bring me to a dark room as a group of boys surround me with evil grin and prepare to defile my body with all THEIR HEA--!''

''- Rentaro: OKAY! OKAY! I KNOW WHERE YOU'RE TRYING TO GO!''

''Women are the queen of victimism, but some among them know how to use it to save their own skin instead of playing pranks on man like femenists. Kyouko, on the other hand, had a point. There is a chance of 80% in 100% that there is someone who holds a grudge towards Kyouko inside. This beautiful detective ruined countless drug cartels in Asia and America as well as brought an end to many criminal empires... For Kyouko to risk herself entering in that place is the same as committing suicide.''

''- Kyouko: Now listen, this is a very important investigation so I need you to listen to my instructions. Inside, there will be a man called Akira. When you see this man give him this card.''

''Kyouko then gave Rentaro a red card with the symbol of an eye crying. In all ways, that card looked like an illumminati keycard. There was nothing in this card beside an eye.''

''- Kyouko: The newcomer group that I suspected that are related with the appearance of Black Demons is a mysterious criminal faction that is located in countries of the world. It's said that the appearance of demons increase at the moment they estabilish themselves in the town where they decide to stay. And this man called Akira is one of the "merchants" of this group. 'Once inside, just ask those maids where he is.''

''Rentaro looked inside and saw many girls dressed in different types of outfits. Some were more sexual than the other one.''

- Rentaro: Their eyes are dead...

The most scary thing about those girls is the fact that their eyes are empty, like if they were souless puppets.

''- Kyouko: Those girls are... Hum. I have been studying this group for some days. I discovered they kidnap young girls and force them to go under some kind of brutal brainwash to make them into sexual slaves and sexual dolls. In all cases, they're victims. This is one of the many reasons why I'm keeping my eye in this group. ''

Rentaro replied back while his eyes were opened wide in surprise.

''- Rentaro: Just one question, Kyouko... Since the day STAR LABS took over the Global Pact Defense and the rest of Stabilization Union, the Ultimate Detectives are now working to Mina Harker and her generals. You're here because STAR LABS ordered you to do so?''

''And. Just when Rentaro reached that far to his sentence, the edge of Kyouko's eyebrows twitched. She twisted her head in wonder.''

''- Kyouko: I abandoned those corrupt bastards since that night when Sonia was killed. I took too long to discover the true darkness of Global Pact Defense. Now, I'm a fugitive and a "terrorist". Ironic, no? I, who put thousands of criminals in jail is now being chased by my own superiors for not supporting their new leadership.''

''Rentaro, much like many other people, don't like Mina Harker for spreading violence in the name of "peace"... After she finished that, she pushed Rentaro to the strip club without saying any last words. More scared than before, Rentaro began to hate the world and started to wonder again how he ended in that situation between life and death. He was afraid just to touch someone. After some minutes walking, he saw one of those brainwashed maids and asked them where the man named as Akira was at the moment. The two then escorted the student to Akira's office that was nearby.''​​​

- Rentaro: This is the place?

''The two maids then pushed him to the office much like how Kyouko did. Without saying a word, the maids left and closed the door, leaving Rentaro alone inside of the office. The man known as Akira was not inside, 'although.''

- Rentaro: .................

''While swallowing saliva, the young boy seated in one of the chairs in front of the main table and looked around. After a few seconds, the door opened a young and tall man entered. ''

''- (???): Oh my, new guests. Oh! Please make yourself at home!''

''That man, who looked just 5 years older than Rentaro, seemed to be a kind, gentle and charismatic man. That man is handsome young adult that has messy dark grey hair, dark blue/green eyes, and pale skin. He is wearing light grey jeans, an orange t-shirt, white high top sneakers, and a black bomber jacket with a hood trimmed in white fur. ''

''- Rentaro: Thanks... But wh--!''

The man, like an excited child saw a red card in Rentaro's pocket and personally grabbed it from him.

''- (???): Sorry for the late introduction, student. My name is Akira​​​​​​, the boss of this strip club and one of the executives of...''

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Akira: ... Millennium Syndicate. ''

''"Millennium Syndicate". Never in his life heard that name before but now Rentaro knows exactly that young man is Akira, the person in charge of the unknown criminal faction in Tenguu City that Kyouko is suspecting to have connections with the Black Demons.''



''- Rentaro: M-Millennium Syndicate? Never heard about you.''

A person with high IQ would immediately notice that Millennium Syndicate, the secret organization active in the underworld of crime in Tenguu City, is the sinister group that Kyouko Kirigiri is investigating.

''- Akira: No ones knows. Not the police nor the government. However, if you, young boy, is here speaking with me, that means someone recommended us to you. This is the purpose of the red card you gave to me: to tell us you're here as our special client. You're not the first teenage to come here. We, the Millennium Syndicate, works as an underground group that give failed people a better life by blessing with immortallity and power.''

''After Akira made a big shrug with his shoulders, he swung his head. He then seated in the chair on the other side of the table where Rentaro was seated.''

''- Rentaro: Immortallity? Power?''

''Rentaro don't understand a word of what Akira is saying. Nothing of what was happening at that red-light district, strip club and that office made sense to him. He just got caught in this mess thanks to Kyouko.''

''- Akira: Exactly, boy. What the Syndicate do here and all countries across the world is a secret. Only the people who got involved directly with us knows about our purpose and goods. Obviously, when someone tries to reveal our identity we immediately dispatch that poor thing to afterlife. Now, tell me your name boy. Name, birth and nationality.''



''Rentaro, a normal teenage boy who had no clue of what he is supposed to do clenched his fists and prepared to speak. Just as he was about to tell Akira his informations, the latter pulled a bag full of small containers. Those things were similae to a medical syringe.''

''- Rentaro: My name is Rentaro Satomi. My birthday is July 21, 2019. I'm Japanese half-British. ''

''Akira distorted his lips when he heard the boy's words. He then opened a notebook and noted everything Rentaro said so far.''

''- Akira: I see. I think you must be the youngest person to have appeared here with the red card. No like I care anyway. Then, why do you want to become a Black Demon?''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"



''Rentaro twitched he shoulders when he heard those words: "Black Demon". He was not crazy or drunk, he surely heard those words coming from Akira's mouth.''

''- Rentaro: B-Black Demon?! What are you saying?!''

Akira was acting pretty much innocently and smiled without any malicious intentions but his eyes showed a different thing.

''- Akira: What are YOU saying? You came here without knowing our business? Did tell to you to just come here and make a wish and then we would grant you beauty, money, fame, immortallity and power?''

''Akira responded in a sarcastic way... but at the same time he began to suspect that Rentaro was not there because someone else said he would become a demon... He was totally unfamiliar with everything that was happening there. ''

''- Rentaro: You said Black Demon?! What do you mean?!''

Akira let out a sigh of lazyness and stood up from his chair.



''- Akira: Boy, the Millennium Syndicate's main business is to help people escape from their miserable lives by turning humans into Black Demons. Haha. Before you think we are the ones who made the world like it is now, we are not the responsible for turning the globe into a living hell. The Black Demons were in plane of existence even before humans could exist in the planet. After decades of research and studies, we, from the Millennium Syndicate, managed to convert the DNA of Black Demons into scientific source of power to turn humans into demons. We call it: Artificial Black Demons.''

Akira was being honest, the teenager could not find any insecurity in his words.

''- Rentaro (think): *Artificial Black Demons... That means humans can be turned into Black Demons via man-made methods?! If this is true that means STAR LABS is not aware about the existence of the Millennium Syndicate! Also, this man just asked my name, birthday and nacionality! He didn't ask for money or ID, it was like he would simply give me the DNA of a demon for free! But...*''

''Rentaro's eyes were widened as if something was forcing them to keep them opened but that was not the case... He was just scared... Scared that he was getting involved into something so dangerous and big that no one could ever imagine... That was not a normal street-gang business, it was a 'terrorism in global scale!''

''- Rentaro (think): *... Why they only showed up now? Until last year there was no incidents involving Black Demons. If this mysterious Millennium Syndicate was around for some decades that means they would at least have turned thousands of humans into demons... Or according to Akira, the syndicate managed to control the DNA of demons only this year as he mentioned they studied them for decades. Man-made demons... I just got involved in something that I can't turn back. I have to leave this place now!*''

Rentaro began to sweat a lot, his hands were sweaty, the office where he was began to get hot as a microwave and dozens of sweat drops began fell from his head.

''- Rentaro: I... I... ''

''Akira walked away and opened a freezer, from where he grabbed a soda and started to drink it as the young Rentaro was seated looking at the floor, thinking in a way to escape from there. Considering how Akira was willing to turn him into a demon with no great fortune, there is a chance of 100% that Rentaro will simply become a demon against his will without knowing the words to refuse it.''

- Akira: So?

After 2 minutes thinking, the student stood up from his chair and stared at Akira with a pathetic look.

''- Rentaro: Look! I had no idea this is how my dreams would come true! It's fact that I want money to get a better life, in these times of war, the economy and financial system are falling to the depths of mud... However, I don't want to lose my humanity, I love my appearance as a human and I don't want to lose it and become a monster! My friends did not tell me how this was going to happen! I think they tried to suprise me... Hehehehe... So, mister Akira, I respectfully cancel 'our accord.''

"........................."

Like any normal Japanese, he bowed before Akira to show him how regretful he was for wasting his time.

''- Rentaro (think): *PLEASE! LET ME GO!*''

''While closing his eyes with all his strength, Rentaro bit his lips until they started to bleed. Akira probably noticed that but a strange smile appeared in his face... A malicious grin.''

- (???): It's okay!

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Suddenly, another voice echoed in the office where Akira and Rentaro were. It was a thin, childish and funny voice of a young girl that sounded like a happy-happy kid. ''

''The two boys looked at the entrance door and saw a small girl with a light chestnut hair that is held in a ponytail, and "almond-shaped" sea green eyes. She is wearing what appears to be two large clips near her ponytail. She wears some kind of military-scientist, black shorts, thigh high boots, and a lab coat.''

- Akira: Lady Kruel Rose!

''Rentaro found that girl to be rather cute but the way that Akira directed himself to her sounded like if she was some kind of superior. Yes, that girl is Kruel Rose, often considered to be Vira Hermes' best friend and buddy. In a way, Kruel Rose, that small little girl, can be considered one of the most dangerous living being on the planet Earth since she is directly working to Astaroth King, the source of all Black Demons appearing on Earth.''

- Rentaro: Ah?

Rentaro returned to his normal position as Kruel Rose closed the door.

''- Kruel: Rentaro, right~? I was listening to your conversation outside. You're a smart boy so you know what do you do. According to you, your friends did not tell our true business so you have an excuse to refuse to become a demon... I'm willing to let you go without receiving a bullet in your head. We, the Millennium Syndicate, have many cartels across the planet, having one or two people knowing about our secret is always fun to twist the truth about the Black Demons.''

"......................"

''Akira tried to reply back everything Kruel said before... Mainly the part where she is allowing Rentaro to leave with all secrets of the organization. He is a normal boy who is obviously scared about the business of the syndicate.''

- Akira: But Lad--!

''Kruel slowly turned her eyes to her subordinate and showed him a death glare with an empty, dead, lifeless and scary childish smile... Something that came out straight from a horror film. Immediately, Akira shut his mouth and looked at other side of the room.''

''- Kruel: Rentaro, can you promise me you're not going to tell anyone about what you saw here? We are just trying to get money honestly by helping people turn their dreams in reality. We are not the bad guys here, unlike the STAR LABS that rip our wishes apart because of their ideology.''

''Rentaro nodded several times without saying a word. From his expression, Kruel noticed he was scared and lost in his fear. Despite being a normal person, Kruel can recognize that expression and came to the conclusion he is not going to expose the Millennium Syndicate's operation to the police due to his fears.''

''- Kruel: You can go now. ''

- Rentaro: Thank you!

''Kruel opened the door as Rentaro quickly stepped out of the room and made his way back to the exit. Akira then returned his attention to Kruel, who seated in his table with a childish expression.''

- Akira: Why did you let him go?

She then began to play with her legs.

''- Kruel: For no great reason. I just wanted to be a human for once, a person like that woman... What was her name? Ah! Akrak Couteau, the scientist of Manufacturing Progressive Sciences that blew up Cancun and half of Mexico. Akira, giving hopes for humans before letting their hope die by their actions is more funny than shattering their dreams.''

After saying that, Akira seated in his chair.

- Akira: What do you mean?

She then let a giggle escape from her mouth and then turned her green eyes, that were now glowing in an evil-green colors.

''- Kruel: That boy refused to accept our gift because he wants to stay as a human being. That's a fact. I never met someone who is afraid of losing his humanity for greater gifts like power and eternal life. But what was the point of refusing to become an Artificial Black Demon? ''

Akira twisted his eyesbrows and let out a small grin.

''- Akira: Ohh... I see now. The reason why you left him go is...''

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Kruel:... Because that boy is already... ''

<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Outside of the Club 

'' It took only a minute to Rentaro to get the hell out of there. Inside of his innocent mind, he still confused about what happened in that office but he knew he found himself in a dangerous situation unprecedented.'' ''- Rentaro: Damn! I thought I was going to die!''

''While taking several deep breaths, the boy got in his knees as he reached the front door of the club. The people passing by in the sidewalk looked at him with expressions full of judgment. Some probably thought he tried to harass the dancers and got kicked from the club.''

''After recovering his breath, Kyouko Kirigiri approached him with a curious expression. She did her best to not scary him as he looked blue as pen ink.''

''- Kyouko: You surely did your best. I can say that because your face full of fear is what show to the world what you had to endure.''



''Rentaro pushed Kyouko away from him with violence... He was 100% pissed off at her for involving him in such situation where his life was at risk. He was lucky thanks to Kruel Rose who let him go without killing him. At that moment, Akira considered the option to kill him at the same time he refused to become a Black Demon.''

''- Rentaro: I almost died because you! Try doing you own business next time!'' ".............."

''Kyouko was indeed surprised and shocked, she never saw Rentaro, a boy who has nerves of steel just like her, acting with such rage. However, she did not blame him for what he had to pass because of her request. Actually, she has the duty to be thankful for Rentaro being such kind and nice person.''

''- Kyouko: You're right... I was not there with you so I have no idea what kind of things you saw. The tension, pression and fear of losing everything you hold dear... Sorry, Rentaro, I put you on this dangerous mission because of me. I simply put you inside without giving proper instruction of what to do and what to sa--''

''Without saying any words, Rentaro pulled something from his pocket and pressed that object against her belly. It was something cold, small and fragile.''

''- Rentaro: Nevermind that, I accepted it and joined you on this... Anyway, this is what you were looking for me? Probably not, but I discovered some things inside... Some things that no even the global government and STAR LABS would believe. What I have to say will make you investigate what I brought with me.''



''Kyouko opened her mouth in worry as she took the unknown object out of his hands and took a good look at that thing... It was a syringe. That thing had some unknown orange liquid inside and there was a small ball of meat moving inside of glass, like if it was alive.''

- Kyouko: What is this?

''With a serious expression, Rentaro grabbed her hand and ran away with her as fast as he could. All that he was thinking was to get away from that club.''

''- Kyouko: Rentaro?! What are you doing?!''

Kyouko tried to follow his lead but his legs were faster.

''- Rentaro: I'll explain it later! But first we have to get the hell out of here if we want to live!''

Like two zebras running from a lion, Rentaro and Kyouko made their way out of that red-light district running from absolutely nothing.

<p style="text-align:center;"> Italy <p style="text-align:center;"> Rome <p style="text-align:center;"> Vatican <p style="text-align:center;"> St. Peter's Basilica <p style="text-align:center;"> 00:20 PM 

''Silence and more silence. nside of the St. Peter's Basilica, the center of power of Vatican, dozens of bishops and religious were walking, reading books and using internet inside of the Peter's Basilica's library. ''

Despite being inside of Peter's Basilica, this library is considered to be the second largest library in the world and has more advanced technologies than any other private library in the world.

''Among those common bishops and priests, there was one young man wearing a red cape and black priest uniform. This boy with white spiky hair, dark skin and yellow eyes was staring at the screen of his advanced hologram computer. The library of Vatican also have countless computers, in the past, it was forbidden to use technology in such sacred place.''



''The name of this young boy is Leonardo Cruz, the current leader of Iscariot Section XIII. As the leader of Iscariot, it's the job of Leonardo to take care of military matters related to the Church... And 1 month ago, his agenda was filled with brutal cases of murder caused by Black Demons.''

''In special cases, when the crime is related to demons, Leonardo has all rights and power to use brutallity to counterattack but these days, when the demons reigned over Earth, he don't even have the chance to counte-attack the Black Demons. ''

''All days, 24 hours a day, at least 5 reports of murder arrive in Leonardo's agenda. Naturally, the Iscariot is suppose to fight back the forces of Qliphoth all over the world but the rise of STAR LABS in the West reduced their agenda to 0% as the STAR LABS can deal with the Black Demons appearing in America while Vatican's special forces are focusing only in Europe.''



''- Leonardo: Too many... Too many...''

''Leonardo was absolutely paralyzed as he continued clicking over the screen, showing brutal images of murder happening across Europe. Men mutilated, women carbonized and children devoured from inside out... Each photo had a location of Europe attached to its folder, showing the exact region where the homicide happened.''

''- Leonardo (think): *Never in the history of the world such thing happened. Many incidents related to Black Demons in less than one month... Not to mention the total disappearance of Brazil from the world's maps.*''

''Leonardo clenched his fist in rage for not being able to keep up with all those brutal murders. Innocent people are dying by the hands of evil and sadistic monsters and he can do nothing bu read the reports from distance.''



''- Leonardo (think): *Furthermore, these cases are insignificant murder of Third and Fourth category committed by demons who just continue to murder random people for no apparent reason. Nothing more but useless, pathetic, cheap and idiot acts. I studied the Qliphoth and the Blackness for many years and I know the Blackness alone can't corrupt humans to that point. Once exposed to the Blackness, your mental and physical forms will change but it will not turn you in 100% demon, no matter what you do. Deep inside, half of your mind will be split into human and demon conscience, and those two minds will enter in conflict to decide who will have the physical body for themselves. Yet, all those demons rising around the globe are humans who lost their humanity and were corrupted in a blink of an eye, turning them into perfect pure-blooded demons... It was like as if someone was triggering the full transformation of humans into demons... Someone is making Black Demons like if it was the most normal thing in this world.*''

Leonardo closed his eyes and began to pray.

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Leonardo: Forgive us, God.

<p style="text-align:center;"> 4 hours later  <p style="text-align:center;"> United States <p style="text-align:center;"> Sleepy Hollow - STAR Center <p style="text-align:center;"> STAR LABS Central <p style="text-align:center;"> Mina's Suite

''The STAR Central is where Mina pratically lives. While this is a place only for work, Mina turned this building in her own house. In this private and super-protected fortress, Mina do things that normal people often do in their daily lives. ''

''And by extension, one of Mina's hobbies is singing with all her heart's content. So it's not inusual to hear her singing across the building.''

And right now, Mina is singing a very deep and emotional song that is somehow connected to a person she used to love in the past.

''- Mina: ♪ Ever since I was a child, I always pictured myself standing on that glimmering stage. As I held the shower head, pretending it was a microphone, My voice echoed throughout the bathroom, singing "la la la, la la la". The resonating sound, was somewhat, sort of special, and made my heart skip a beat.. Even now, I can clearly recall the feelings overflowing me back then. ♪''



''Despite being an emotional music, Mina was happy and energetic to say all her feelings she kept for so long. It was like if she was venting.''

''- Mina: ♫ Let me sing you a song, and let's sing along As if I was naming each and every one of all the millions of the spread out stars.. Let me sing you a song, and let's sing along What I received from God, was the best gift anyone could have ever given me. ♫''

''With enthusiasm, Mina put the microphone of her karaoke TV in front of her mouth and sang louder. And while some people would totally find this strange, her voice was actually beautiful and soft as the voice of an angel.''

''- Mina: ♫ Walking down the park, in the middle of the night; as silence pierces through my ears, I can hear that nostalgic stage calling out to me. Climbing up the stone staircases, one after another, With the moonlight as my spotlight, I sing "la la la, la la la". ♫''

''As Mina was singing, several screams and shots could be heard from outside of her room. Without doubt, there something happening outside of her suite while she was singing. Due to the loud song she was singing, she could not hear what was going on outside.''

''- Mina: ♫ The overjoyed expressions people made, as they gazed at me, filled my heart with joy. I'm earnestly reflecting upon the blessing that I ca--! ♫''

''Mina's song was brutally interrupted when the door of her suite was opened with rush and violence. Then, two young security officers of the building entered with faces filled with fear and despair.''

''- Security 1: Director! We have inva--!''

''Before the poor unfortunate man could finish his report, his head was separated from his body and flew across the room, filling the room with blood in less than a second. Mina, however, don't seemed to be shocked or surprised at all. Actually, it is almost if she was expecting for that.''

- Security 2: FU-A-AAAAAHHHH!!!!

''- Mina: They are already here? I was expecting Ratatoskr to show up in the next few years.''

Seeing the head of his fallen comrade rolling across the room, the other security guard immediately tried to run using the same way from where he came from but as he was about to leave, two human entities were already next to the door, making their way towards the room 'with rush.

- Security Officer 2: T-They are here!!

The officer slowly walked backwards as the two invaders who killed that officer entered in the room with education.

- Mina: May I ask your names, Ratatoskr dogs?

''Mina dropped the microphone she was using and smiled at the invaders, who were actually two members of the Ratatoskr's special force, the Rogues... It was a man and woman, both having different ages: Lucas Kellan and Atala Arck.''

''- Atala: Sup. I'm Atala Arck and this one here is Lucas Kellan, my servant.''

''Mina giggled when she saw that Lucas was wearing a military uniform of her forces. Just from that, she came to the conclusion Ratatoskr had enough information about her security system just by noticing Lucas was disguised as a STAR LABS officer.''

- Lucas: Servant, huh?​​​​​​

''Lucas was not playing around, nor Atala. The introduction of the both was just for the lulz to make a false atmoshphere of sarcasm. In truth, the two "invaders" were serious like if they were to kill Mina Harker.''

Instead of being scared like her coward security officer, Mina showed some kind of nihislitic side and did not care if they were there to get rid of her.

''- Mina: Atala Arck and Lucas Kellan! Hahahaha! Two very unsual people! Two war criminals! Hahaha! To think Kotori is hiring people like you to serve her! Kuku... Hahahahahaha!''

''Laughing like a maniac, Mina laughed insanely when she immediately recognized Lucas and Atala. As the director of STAR LABS, she was directly connected to Global Pact Defense and so she know 99% of all the most wanted people in the world listed as their targets. Lucas, despite serving as a former soldier who fought the KnightWalker Family for many years, is now listed as a terrorist for war crimes. In Atala's case, she was directly responsible for killing 5,000 people during the Cold War II when she was part of KnightWalker Family's Horsemen of John (the special squad of Cyborgs of KnightWalker Family).''



''- Atala: What's up with this woman? Isn't she nuts? Aaag, that's why I don't like Americans.''

- Lucas: I don't think that's related to Americans though.

Lucas replied back in a fed up manner before looking back at Mina.

''- Lucas: More importantly, we are not here to kill you Mina. We are mere messangers from Kotori Itsuka. You know her, right? ''

Mina nodded as she crossed her arms in excitment as Atala threw a blue diamond on the floor and it began to shine.

''- Mina: Obviously. I know her... I thought you were here to kill me. What a waste of laugh. Well, anyway, show me your message, homing-pigeon.''

''The homing pigeon is a variety of domestic pigeon derived from the rock pigeon, selectively bred for its ability to find its way home over extremely long distances. Because of this skill, homing pigeons were used to carry messages as messenger pigeons. They are usually referred to as "pigeon post" if used in post service, or "war pigeon" during wars.''

''- Atala: Kotori wants to speak with you now. ''​​​​

''After that, the crystal opened in half and a blue light came out of it, showing the full image body of Kotori Itsuka. That crystal probably belonged to Witch Cult as it looked more like magic rather than man-made technology.''

''- Kotori (hologram): [Hello, Mina Harker! Remember me?!]''

''Kotori didn't hide her contempt for Mina and yelled at her. Despite the fact that her voice sounded robotic, her emotions could be felt from distance.''

- Mina: Of course, I don't forget my friends who are in the photo of GDP's Pact.

''The photo Mina is talking about is the big portrait located behind her. The portrait is hanging behind Mina's desk and is clearly showing an old photo taken many years ago when everyone were young. Those people were the classmates of Mina Harker, Kotori Itsuka, Kyouko Kirigiri, Akrak Couteau and Richard Sampson during their days at the 'GDP Academy in 2020s.''

- Kotori (hologram): [To think we were once friends...]

''Mina giggled as looked at the photo. Mina can be located alone at the top behind the twins, Richard is located on the left side of the last line, Akrak Couteau can be seen as the black haired girl on the left of the photo, Kyouko is present dressed a boy in black uniform on the right side of the picture.''

''- Mina: You know you're ugly when it comes to a group picture and they hand you the camera... Where are you in this photo, Kotori Itsuka?''

Mina was not worried with the mental state of Kotori and threw a joke for acting like a bad kid.

''- Lucas: Kotori, if you need to speak with her then do it fast. We managed to enter in this building without being noticed by most of the security by pure lucky. It's only a matter of time to their notice our presence here when 'they miss the security guards we killed.''

Mina smiled with kindness and crossed her arms.

''- Mina: Don't worry, terrorist. I'll make sure you guys will be not noticed... I want to speak with Kotori directly as well, without interruptions.''

That statement really got the three invaders by surprise, Mina didn't care about her safety or security, it's almost like if she was waiting for her enemies to arrive at some point.

Kotori, deep in her heart, felt comfortable that Mina was not planning to end the lives of Atala and Lucas at first sight.

''- Kotori (hologram): [Mina... Do you have any idea of what your reckless and childish acts did to the world and civilization?]''

Kotori was no longer angry and was about to start a civilized conversation with her enemy without violence or threats.

''- Mina: I know, people are dying. So what?''

''Mina was the person who started this civilized conversation but her cold and sociopathic way of speaking would piss off anyone next to her. It's almost like if "if a mother and her child were killed together, at least they died together".''

- Kotori (hologram): [They are humans!]

- Mina: I see.

''Mina then seated her armchair while Lucas closed the door to prevent anyone from listening to their conversation. And about the officer that ran to Mina's office, Atala quickly knocked him.''

''- Kotori (hologram): [You... Why are you so calm?! Tons of people who aren't demons are dying right now! Our job as part of Global Pact Defense was to protect the civilization from unknown threats and assist in its destruction! Mina!]''

Mina put her hands together and put them above the desk.

- Mina: Some demons have died too.

''Kotori gasped in complete shock after witnessing how cold-hearted Mina truly was. Yes, Mina and Kotori studied together in the same university of GDP years ago... But at time, just like Akrak Couteau, she never exposed this inhuman side.''

''- Mina: Kotori, this is a holy war between humans and demons. It's normal to have casualities in all conflicts.''

Kotori clenched her fists until her fingers cut into her flesh.

''- Kotori (hologram): [You knew this would happen?! Don't tell me you were after this since the day you exposed the existence of the demons to the world!]''

''- Mina: Yes... My job is to protect humans just like you but the world I saw was in rotten by inside. The World War III and Cold War II, two of the deadliest conflicts in the 21st century. The Global Pact Defense is just useless as that idiots of ONU during the 2000s. The world is plunged in death and war and I did not see any peaceful organization act with iron fist to stop the war from happening. With just words and senseless speechs, the GDP tried to stop the KnightWalker Family and other dictatorships from rising and invading neutral nations... And look what happened: Tokyo was almost wiped out, 100 millions of lives were lost in the first night of the war, more 2 billions died in the next few weeks, dozens of genocides in Asia... Should I continue?''

''Mina had a point, no matter what Ratatoskr and other organizations did to stop the war, nothing worked, and their incompetence lead to the death of billions and end of hundreds of countries. Mina's goal is indeed to save humans and end the Third World War by showing mankind a higher threat, the Black Demons.''

- Mina: And to end this conflict I showed humans the existence of demons, and I blamed them for starting the war in the first place so they could unite themselves and fight the true enemy of humanity.

Kotori could not find an excuse in her words but from the point of view of Mina, that was the best solution to end the World War.

''- Kotori (hologram): [Mina, you're intelligent. You're a genius. So I know you expected mankind to destroy themselves rather than saving themselves from the dark nature of war].''

Kotori still don't trust in her words, Mina's objectives were far from just saving mankind by introducing a new enemy.

''- Mina: The amount of sacrifice is unavoidable. It takes time and effort to prove someone isn't a demon. And in 2036 we had more than 12 billion people living in the planet. After the World War III this number was reduced to 10 or 9 billion people... Even if the casualities of that war were high, the numbers of humans living in this planet is too high. So it's impossible for STAR LABS keep all of them in check. With the humanity reduced in half thanks to the World War III and the Purge, the next generation of humanity will indeed learn from their past mistakes and a new world of peace and prosperity will born. Wars will cease. Nations and different cultures will no longer exist since the next era of humans will live in love and harmony. But tell me, Kotori, what's going to change by you going around and saving one or two people?''​​​​​

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Those were the words from a sociopath who probably was trying to save mankind using death to reduce the human population of the world by showing them the existence of a more dangerous threat, the demons. If her intentions are good or not, they indeed pissed off Atala who is knows for being calm and composed.''

''- Atala: This whore is pissing me off! Kotori, just tell me to kill her NOW!''

Atala summoned her sword made of nano-machines and was ready to cut off the head of the insane director.

''- Lucas: Atala, control yourself! ''

''- Mina: I don't mind you killing me now, my work is already done. The big picture stays the same. With me alive or not, the Purge will continue by the hands of STAR LABS or other organization that will succeed us where we failed. This is mankind's will, they will do everything in their power to save their own species, even if it means killing millions or even billions of humans to do so. So that's why, Kotori, I ask you to stand by and watch.''

Kotori was so impressed with the lack of love in Mina's heart that a tear could be seen falling from left eye as she prepared to reply.

- Kotori (hologram): [Are you saying just to stand by and do nothing?!]

- Mina: Yes, if you do that then I might erase your status as terrorist and separatists of Global Pact Defense and cease the hunt for Ratatoskr... But if you refuse to accept my offer, I fear that our conversation here came to and ''end. Look at your right side.'

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''In sheer astonishment, Atala and Lucas jumped backwards when they saw a male tall figure standing right beside them. That person was wearing black clothes of an assassin and a smiling white-mask. Not even Kotori saw when that man arrived.''

- Lucas: When did he...?!

Not even Lucas and Atala saw that man arriving, probably only Mina saw him as she was looking at the direction the entire time.

''- Mina: This man is Bando, my special agent and my strongest bodyguard. Don't worry, he will not attack you as long I declare you guys as my enemies. He is an artificial human that I made by myself. He works like my personal slave because I created him to think and act like a droid. He don't take decisions or think by himself, he is totally dependent on me. If you kill me he will just kill himself by my side. Don't you think this is funny? It's like my first love story... Fufufu...''

''The more Mina continued speaking, the more twisted she was showing to be. A total monster without empathy. Her humanity was indeed only a façade.''

- Kotori (hologram): [Mina Harker...]

''- Mina: So you will accept my ways of bringing peace to the world? Humanitarianism is the face of cowardice and incompetence. Peace needs iron fist to thrive, not a bunch of fat and lazy politicians with soft butts. It's a necessary evil.''

''Mina put her hand in her cheek. Despite the fact that Mina confirmed Bando was not going to attack them, the two Rogues could not take their eyes away from him for obvious reasons.''

''- Kotori (hologram): [Mina! You can't say that if there's human blood in your veins!]''

''- Mina: It just means humans are more valuable than I thought they were. Nothing more like that. Some sacrifice is inevitable. How do you think wars come to an end? After many sacrifices and suffering. You can't reach peace without losing lives on your side. You can't find peace as long you don't fight to protect it. The same rules works to the Purge as well. The death of millions is inevitable. But I can say this: billions of future humans will be thankful for the sacrifice of this generation, Kotori.''

After analyzing her own moral codes and ethical values, Kotori came to her final decision about Mina and STAR LABS.

''- Kotori (hologram): [Mina, I think I finally decided which side I should pick on. STAR LABS or the current world. I choose the side where peace, harmony and love don't need to be achieved through death and destruction. Mina Harker, after witnessing your lack of humanity, I declare you as a SSS+ threat to the planet Earth, the highest rank of Ratatoskr's watchlist].''

After Kotori finished, Bando quickly pulled a knife of his pocket and charged at Lucas, who quickly grabbed his arm and stopped the masked man from stabbing him in the chest.

''- Bando: Enemy recognized. Lucas Kellan, ex-soldier of VSA. Terrorist and rebel from Ratatoskr. Delete.''

Lucas tried to resist but Bando had the strength of a dinosaur, which made him get in his knees as the knife of the latter was getting closer to his face.

''- Kotori (hologram): [Mina, the next time we meet will be our last. This is my farewell to you as a former classmate and friend from the GDP Academy: we will wipe out your existence from the world.''

After Kotori finally ended her transmission, her hologram image faded, leaving the room in an intense atmosphere of tension.

''- Mina: I always knew you were inferior, Kotori... Bando, kill them.''​​​​​​

Atala quickly rushed at Mina to cut her head off while her special bodyguard, Bando was busy trying to kill Lucas, who was slowly recovering dominance on that fight.

- Lucas: Do it, Atala!

- Atala: You're mine!

However, Bando saw through this and teleported in front of Mina at the speed of light, he was so fast that the wind caused by his sudden disappearance could only be felt 5 seconds later after his blade blocked Atala's sword.

''- Bando: Atala Arck, former Cyborg from the Horsemen of John from KnightWalker Family. Currently, a separatist of KnightWalker Family who is fighting alongside the rebels of Ratatoskr. Delete.''

''In the next moment, a different type of energy coming from Bando's body touched Atala's skin. Atala quickly responded to it and swung her right arm's laser blade to counter-attack Bando's blade that blocked her attack, she then jumped backwards and landed beside Lucas. ''

''- Lucas: So what do you think? I admit he is strong but compared to the mercenaries of MPS he is nothing. ''

Lucas murmured to Atala in low voice.

''- Atala: He should be no problem but that doesn't mean he will waste our time here. At this point, I believe Bando might have called the security forces and they will arrive soon enough. Let's retreat for now and return to Fraxinus. ''

Lucas nodded as they planned their next move.

''Bando then charged at the two warriors and his blade's edge was swung down at that position and violent sparks scattered as Atala blocked his attack. ''

​​​​​​​- Atala: Uguh…….!

''- Mina: Magnificent response. But I need to inform you: I don't mind if you guys kill me, however, my subordinates absolutely hate the idea of having me killed so they will do everything in their power t--!''

''Before Mina could finish, Atala kicked Bando in his stomach, this was the best distraction for Lucas to jump straight at the window of Mina's office. Together, Atala and Lucas jumped off of the building by breaking the window of the office. Bando tried to follow them but could only see the city of STAR Center at night from above. Their physical 'presences disappeared in a blink of an eye.''

''- Bando: They have escaped, director. Forgive my incompetence.''

''Mina quickly stood up from her chair and walked towards the broken window of her office. Just after she arrived there, she began to laugh like if she had listened to some funny joke.''

''- Mina: Kukuku... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! THIS IS GREAT! PERFECT! NICE! HAHAHAHAHA!! DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS, BANDO?!''

Bando was a mindless artificial human, a poor unfortunate soul who was created by the hands of Mina Harker, so he don't know what is passing inside of her head.

- Bando: No, director.

''Bando replied with a melancholic, negative and cold voice. As usual.''

''- Mina: That means war! Not war against demons but against humans! Humans we were suppose to protect! Hahahahaha! Not to mention my enemy is my own former friend from the academy! Kotori Itsuka! This must be destiny! ''

Mina stopped laughing and wiped the tears coming from eyes.

''- Mina: Ratatoskr is now the only organization that dared to oppose me, and their leader, Kotori Itsuka, is probably the only fool who thinks that STAR LABS' methods can be defeat with love. What she thinks the real world is? Some kind of cartoon where love and friendship will save us all? No, this kind of story was left behind centuries ago. Now, love can only be achieved through violence... And I'll show them how wrong they are. Ratatoskr is doomed, just like the Rogues and their allies of the Witch Cult!''

Mina then opened her arms and looked at the beautiful town of STAR Center, the former Sleepy Hollow.

<p style="text-align:center;">' - Mina: Now, let's start our war. '



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Prime ShockWaveTX: Did you just stole Kotori's quote? Can't you be more creative? ''

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Mina: First, you butthead: you're the one who writes the script. Second: the STAR LABS are the protagonists now, so everything Ratatoskr have is ours now! So how about you get my finger and put it in you--*cut* ''

Part 2 - Redemption of a Scientist


<p style="text-align:center;">''Disgusted and horrified by Unit-CM 130's brutallity and cruelty, the now-former servant of the Fallen's Essence, Lusamine, begins her quest to betray the Manufacturing Progressive Sciences and stop CM's insane plan of using the survivors of China's land living in Hengsha island. Using all her contacts, Lusamine steals several samples of the Zoyineian Virus of Novosic Kingdom while the VTOL squad of MPS make their way towards the island to bomb the land and turn all humans and animals of the location in Zoyineian-Black Demons.''

<p style="text-align:center;">''Excited with Kotori's declaration of war, Mina Harker meets all her officers and subordinates of GDP to discuss a way to hunt down Ratatoskr and deal with the rampage of a Meta-Human from Chronos Empire, Trinity of the Meta-Humans, that has been terrorizing the small town of Badrick, Ireland. Little does she know that Leonardo from Vatican is sending the strongest human warrior of the planet, Alexander Anderson, to the same place to erradicate the monster.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Europe <p style="text-align:center;"> Novosic Kingdom <p style="text-align:center;"> O Castelo's West Exit  <p style="text-align:center;"> 1 hour later

''- Radio: [Patrol 303 reporting. Everything is quiet here].''

''We now go to the outsides of Novosic Kingdom's main palace, o Castelo. Since the day that CM took over the control of Novosic Kingdom, the crime rate increased significantly alongside many rebel cells that are constantly attacking military bases of Manufacturing Progressive Sciences.''

''With that said, it's just normal that the MPS will pay millions to increase the number of security in their private army. The difference between the army of MPS and the rest of the world is that most of them are mercenaries while 95% of their soldiers are battle droids. And this is what makes them a deadly force to fight against. On their side, they have the best technology of the century and a powerful and well-trained military with advanced weapons.''

''And right now, the second executive of MPS at the moment, Lusamine, is walking down one of the exit of o Castelo alongside her private driver to take her somewhere else. She is indeed making her leave... and to what? Isn't obvious, the bombing of the Yangsha island has begun and Lusamine is leading the attack as the right-hand of Unit-CM 130.''



- Lusamine: Captain, morning.

As Lusamine was approaching the well-securated gate, the captain of the guard immediately turned around and saluted in a signal of respect.

''That captain is attractive in appearance with sharp features. He is tall and lean yet muscular. He has a pale complexion contrasting with his dark purple hair and eyes.''

''Now, most of the MPS officers are attractive. Why? No matter what, the MPS still a nazi corporation where white humans are the superior race, so CM choose his subordinates through their beauty and skin. This is a hateful method of choosing his servants.''

- Captain: Lady Lusamine, are you leaving?

''- Lusamine: Yes, indeed. I have things to do.''

''The captain opened his agenda and saw that Lusamine was not going to leave the Castelo using a car but a helicopter to go to the private airport of MPS in order to prepare all VTOLs and planes to load the Zoyineian bombs. So, it was strange that she was going to leave using her car when the airport is almost 15 kilometers away.''

''- Captain: Un, Lady Lusamine. I thought the director CM called a helicopter for you... So why are you leaving by yourself? You know it's dangerous out there.''



''Lusamine gasped and looked at the something she was carrying in her hand. Yes, in her right hand, she was holding a metalic folder with the logo of MPS on it.''

''- Lusamine: Ah... about that captain, I transferred the command of my operation to another force in the airport. I have better things to do outside of Novosic Kingdom.''

"..............."

''The captain is a young person very dedicated to his work so he trust blindly in his superior without questioning a word. ''

''Also, if Lusamine transferred the power of her commands to another, there is no way someone like him needs to know. And that just natural, he is just a guard, he is a mere pawn who just need to follow orders.''

''- Captain: I see. But that is just so suddenly. The bombing of Hengsha was a subject matter very commentated between the ranks of MPS. But I understand your situation.''

''Lusamine nodded before passing the captain with her driver... however...''

''- Captain: A moment, Lady Lusamine. I need to inspect your folder.''



Lusamine narrowed her eyebrows and quietly bit her lips.

- Lusamine: This is really necessary?

She turned around and glared at the captain, who was accompained by two security guards.

''- Captain: Well, this is the security code. Sorry about that.''

Lusamine then opened the folder and put it on the top of armored car, where 6 capsules of Zoyineian virus could be seen inside.

''- Lusamine: This is the only thing I can show you. The rest of my mission is a top-secret order of the director CM. If you want to discuss with him, then just go ask him.''

''Lusamine was obviously angry, and so were the guards. Her aggressive behavior was just rude, even for them, but when they heard the name of CM, the three guards mentally collapsed. If Lusamine was carrying out a direct order of CM and she was being questioned by them, there is a chance that they might be interruping her mission for stupid reasons.''



''- Captain: I-I understand. This is the only thing we need to know. I beg your pardon.''

''With a confident smile, Lusamine turned back to her driver and nodded. The driver understood her signal and left the get the car.''

''- Lusamine: I forgive you. ''

''She then closed the folder and walked away without making any suspicious moves. The guards who were scared returned to their activities like if nothing had happened.''

''- Lusamine (think): *That was a close one. To think those three could have ruined my plans.*''

''Despite her coldness, Lusamine was sweating. She did her best back there to not stutter. ''

As she was making way towards the street, where her driver was already waiting for her in the car, she remembered that day when CM gave her orders to bomb Hengsha island.

Lusamine's Flashback
<p style="text-align:center;"> Scenes from LOTM: Sword of Kings AA 2nd Season - The Will of Qliphoth

''- CM: I have an important mission for you. Lusamine. ''

After saying that, CM walked towards the window of the office while drinking wine.

''- CM: It's a mission class S+. That means it's a direct mission from my original self, the Unit-CM 130 with Cyborg body. Despite my name as CM, I'm merely a clone so I have to follow his orders. And my duty here in Novosic is to follow his commands until he reaches his master plan.''

Lusamine seated in the sofa beside her and watched CM summoning a hologram of the planet Earth out of nowhere.



- Lusamine: This is...

CM showed her the hologram of Earth and approached her.

''- CM: Lusamine, your mission is not here nor Paris. It's in a more distant place from the hands of MPS. This place is located in China, what was once one of the most powerful nations of this world in both military and economy... ''

''Lusamine was a little confused with that mission before he could even say what is it. China is now a dead land without life, there is only death and destruction there thanks to KA and Ultimate Despair's constant nuclear attacks coming from all sides. Not even China could defend themselves from such situation. Soon, the same would happen with USA but that day was long to happen.''​​​​​​



''- Lusamine: China? I know that Akrak once sent squad of droids there to kidnap civilians to be used her human experiments in Brazil but technically speaking... There is nothing there.''

''CM shook his head with a gentle smile before approaching the hologram and zooming the island of Hainan in China. By terms of geography, it was small compared to other next islands.''

- Lusamine: Hainan?

''CM nodded and extended his hands to put the hologram in her hands. Like if that thing was organic, Lusamine held the hologram in her hands with a curious face.''

''- CM: Not all of China is completely destroyed. Due to Russia and North Korea cutting their bounds with China, the three ended in conflict. Even so, the Chinese are not so stupid, actually, they are the most intelligent nation of this world. 2 decades before this war started, they were already starting to plan they Apocalypse Survival plan which was a plan that would consists in transferring most of the survivors of the main land of China to Hainan where the government created.''

Lusamine knew about that plan since she was involved with a grand part of the schemes and secret military operations happening inside of Asia.



''- Lusamine: I know that. At the year of 2019, the Chinese government built a new town in Hainan. This town is called Hengsha. When the WWIII started, the main land of China was bombed from all directions making the nation extremely vulnerable. Because of that, most of its territory was lost due to the radiation so the government had to move the survivors to Hainan. The city is now so densely populated that they had to built a second street level that was built above ground level, on top of an enormous structure called the Pangu. Nicknamed the Jewel of the Yangtze River, it is at the heart of the global augmentation industry, with Tai Yong Medical headquartered within the city. The lower city is divided into three major districts, Daigong, Kuaigan, and Youzhao, with various levels and sublevels. The roof level of the main district is home to the Hung Hua Hotel and The Hive. The Daigong district to the east is the walking path through to the Jiu Schichang District where the LIMB clinic and Alice Garden Pods are located, although there is also a subway train to/from Youzh--!''

Before Lusamine could continue to explain the city of Hengsha in details, CM rose his hand as a signal to stop her from speaking.



''- CM: Okay, okay! That's enough! But... Interesting, you've knowledge of our target. That makes thing easier for me and the Cyborg CM... Indeed the China is so lifeless that they had to move the survivors to Hengsha, causing the city to be overpopulated and it resulted in the government to built a new city upon the ground city... Tsk... Chinese are really amazing... They did it in less than 4 months.''

Lusamine widened her gaze a little when she heard the word "target".

''- Lusamine: Huh? Did you say target?''



CM nodded again but smiled maliciously yet like a gentleman.

''- CM: Yes, our target... And it's final mission, Lusamine. After finishing this quest, CM will finally free you from your post as his Secretary and you will return to be director of Sephirah Gastronomics like you were before.''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Lusamine could not help herself but to cry in happiness and satisfaction... After many weeks working to CM like a murdering slave, she can finally stop inflicting pain in other humans and return to be that mere director of Sephirah Gastronomics.''

''- Lusamine: R-Really?! I'll be free again?! That makes me so happy... So happy... Thanks... Unit-CM 130...''



''Lusamine was trying to hold her tears but couldn't... Of course she was happy, she was killing children and even pregnant women in the name of CM's twisted ideals of science. Nothing could make her happier than being free from that nightmare. She was never murdered yet she was forced to kill from day to night.''

''- CM: I'm glad you're so excited for you freedom but we have business to take care of. First, let's recall in what we are working. Do you remember that Zoyineian Black Demon that our mercenaries killed weeks ago... If I recall her name was...''

Lusamine remembered the name of that "woman" the Zero Numbers killed and added.

''- Lusamine: Revy. Revy was her name. She was a former rebel from KnightWalker Funeral Parlor but after its downfall, she went hiding for terrorism.''

''Revy was never a terrorist, her goals to destroy KnightWalker Family were genuine. She wanted freedom and justice not more war and violence. Yet, there is nothing that can be done to undo what their superiors, the Moon Terminator Company, did at the time of the war. It was because of MTC the KFP was saw as terrorist and extremist rebels.''



''- CM: Ah, yes. Revy. That's her name. Well, continuing where we stopped. After some studies and research, the Cyborg CM could use the heart of Revy that was removed by Yuuki Terumi and Vergil during their battle. The hearts of the Zoyineian is the source of their power and is what makes them ageless, in other words, the Zoyineian demons are immortals once they discover their true power.''

''The point he was trying to reach is that CM has been studying the heart of Revy that Terumi and Vergil removed from her body. Due to Terumi's immortality curse, her heart still beating and she still alive even after being cut to pieces.''

''- Lusamine: Zoyineian demons... I never heard about them before but CM continued speaking about while I was during my work. What exactly are those demons? Creatures from Hell?''

''CM giggled and put his hands in his back like a military officer. Lusamine was extremely curious now because she took interest in those Zoyineian-Black Demons from the time that CM mentioned it weeks ago.''



''- CM: Indeed, there are demons that comes from Hell in this world, Lusamine... But the Zoyineian Black Demons are not demons born from evil spirits or negative energy. The Zoyineian-Black Demons are like artificial humans born from pure quantum energy. To become a Zoyineian-Black Demon you have to be in direct contact with their energy. After some historical studies, I discovered the MTC and even the KnightWalker Family were performing human experiments with something called Tech of the End. This Tech of the End was the source of all Zoyineian-Black Demons but after some conflicts that results in the death of millions, the Tech of the End was destroyed and the Zoyineian-Black Demons disappeared. ''

Lusamine immediately remembered something important...

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Lusamine: The battle of Ward Walker 24 in Tokyo 3 years ago...

CM closed his eyes and walked towards the window. ''- CM: Yes, the battle that happened in the Ward Walker 24 in Tokyo 3 years ago... That battle marked the final conflict between KnightWalker Family and KnightWalker Funeral Parlor. It not only ended that civil war but ended the era of the rise of the Zoyineian-Black Demons. Due to the censorship of Global Pact Defense, the details and what truly happened in that base are unknown but according to my calculations, it was there where the Zoyineian-Black Demons fell and went into extinction.''

With an evil grin, the light and good aura around CM became more and more dark.



''- CM: But how the Zoyineian-Black Demons died and their race came to an end. That does not matter to me because I only care for their power and potential. They are an incredible specimen worthy of studying and knowing. Just by case, the Unit-CM 130 already knew the existence of those demons even long before he came to Earth so he knows clearly how to manipulate their power. Using Petras Diamonds from the planet Kaash, we can turn the energy of the Zoyineian-Black Demons in an organic virus. Isn't that amazing?''

''Lusamine was trying to understand what was the connection between the Zoyineian-Black Demons with Hengsha. Of course, she was clearly knowing every meaning of his words but not the connection between those two different matters.''

''- Lusamine: It's impressive... I guess... But what I have to do with it?''



''- CM: Ahh... Yes. The truth is, it's the first time we did something so good like this. Turning abstract energy in organic cells. Hmm... This is what I call amazing. We want to test them. Its potential to become a perfect weapon. Right now, Lusamine, we have 200 VTOLs transporting some missiles filled with those virus and are being transported to Paris, where they will pass under inspection and dispatched... Lusamine, your final mission is to take the lead of the VTOL squad and bomb Hengsha to turn all population of that small and disgusting island into mindless Zoyineian Demons.''



<p style="text-align:center;">' - Lusamine: What... '

''Lusamine widened her eyes in sheer terror... She was not expecting THAT to be her final mission to finally gain freedom again. That shock was so deep that the world around her went black and white, making her dizzy.''

- CM: The VTOLs will fly above the island from the North and drop heavy missiles of gas Into the main town and its ''borders. That Black -Gas shall spread across the island in less than 4 hours if the VTOLs hit their right target.'

Nowadays


''- Lusamine: Black Glas... huh? We are really trying to wipe out the last survivors of the Asian continent?''

''The Black Gas, this is the secondary name CM gave to the Zoyineian virus. ''

Lusamine then walked towards her luxurious car and entered in it while giving orders to her driver to take her a secret place outside of the capital.

''- Lusamine: Drive me to my secret laboratory of Sephirah Gastronomics outside of the capital. I can take care of myself from there.''

She closed the door and put the folder beside her.

''- Driver: Right away, mistress... ''

''The driver began to drive away from the Castelo... once they left the Castelo's area, the MPS are not responsible for their security.''



- Driver: Mistress, I believe this is none of my business but you're really going to betray the director CM?

''That driver was a close friend to Lusamine for many years. He is working for her for almost 10 years and showed to be a trustful person.''

''- Lusamine: "Betray"? I think this is a not proper word.''

Lusamine sharpened her eyes.

''- Lusamine: I was betrayed first, this is a fact. I can't continue working like this. This is not the world I wanted, I was tricked and forced to do things I never imagined. I just realized how wrong I was, and just now I noticed I was fighting on the wrong side. ''

''- Driver: I see. I'm working to MPS now, but we know each other for many years. Even if you're planning to betray the director CM, you can count of me. I'll never tell them what you did and to where you went. ''

"............."

Lusamine smiled gently and closed her eyes.

- Lusamine: Thank you...

''Lusamine had enough of it. Everything. The murder. The blood. The screams. The war. The human experiments. She worked to the Fallen's Essence for decades but now everything was over. She finally found her true path and it was never the Fallen's.''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Lusamine (think): *And goodbye, darling. No--I mean, the Fallen. The worst scumbag of this world. I was never in your heart to begin with.* ''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile...

<p style="text-align:center;"> Novosic Kingdom

<p style="text-align:center;"> Private Airport of MPS

''The MPS is funded by KnightWalker Family, and when the matter is MONEY, the KnightWalkers don't play around. And basically, now, the MPS is the new "pet" of KnightWalker Family, which means they will be doing anything to fulfill CM's expectations.''

''And what they did for Unit-CM 130? Gave the only private airport their had in Novosic Kingdom to MPS and CM.  ''

''The private airport of MPS is usually calm, and seen from above would get supplies frequently once every week, and since the big shots from the aimn branch will not visit even if it’s by whim, the airport is unusually noisy now. Right now in that aiport, around 200 VTOLs, 50 planes, 90 fighters, 20 jets and more than 3,000 security guards were gathered there. What’s more, all of them were accompained by Cyborgs from KnightWalkers, and were prepared for battle. ''



''Adding on, there are above 300 remote controlled droids deployed around the airport to prevent the entrance of civilians and non-authorizes personnel. If this scene was seen by someone who has not seen the usual airport, the person will probably think that a conflict was about to start. Why? It's the first time that the MPS is moving so many of their private army to a military operation.''

Yes.

What is happening in that airport is the preparation for the bombing of Hengsha, the last Asian island the Chinese government is holding to gather all survivors.

''- Speaker: [Attention all personnel, we will be leaving in 5 minutes. Everyone return to your posts immediately and prepare the vehicles to depart].''



On the middle of all that confusion, loud sounds of trucks leaving the runaway, aircrafts' engines being switched on and missiles being loaded inside of planes, a loud female voice in a speaker gave orders to all involved in the operation to make the final preparations.

And while footsteps could be heard everywhere, a tactical droid from MPS was standing beside a missile vehicle alongside a very strange scientist in white coat.

''- General Droid: All preparations are ready. We should contact Unit-CM 130 at any moment. And more importantly, I can't see the second executive Lusamine anywhere.''

''The general droid that is commanding the security forces, stared at the scientist writing something in his notebook. Now, that strange scientist is called Agnus, a bizarre scientist working to MPS like any other.''



''- General Droid: We have orders to leave without her. But I'm a mere chief of security, the decision is upon to you.''

Who is Agnus?

''Agnus a genius-scientist who once worked to Sephirah Gastronomics but is now serving the MPS. He is secretive, introverted and a workaholic, rarely appearing to others. His introverted nature is emphasized by the fact that he is almost always seen in a hunched position, writing notes in his notebook. ''

- Agnus: Aham...

- General Droid: ..........



''One of Agnus's distinctive characteristics is a speech impediment that causes him to stutter from time to time; he often stutters if he is angered or under stress. Normally, Agnus speaks with a soft voice, but sometimes he speaks with darker, menacing tone, usually when he is angry. Judging by his behavior, Agnus appears to be temperamental and easily offended.''

''Agnus is also often seen clashing with other scientists. However, he is extremely obedient to CM, obeying his commands and never questioning CM's will. He speaks to CM with a respectful and obsequious, sometimes even flattering, tone. ''

''- Agnus: This is ridiculous! We lost 9 planes in the inspection? What? P-Problems in the engine! To hell with it!''

Agnus still busy examining the condiction of all planes, since he is the responsible for the maintenance of all aircrafts and planes.

''- General Droid: Your answer? We don't have time.''

''- Agnus: And this goes here... I think it's perfect...''

Just then the scientist noticed the droid.

- Agnus: What happened?

''If the droid was a human, he would probably facepalm himself for working with such silly person. But he is an organic being and even more important than the droid itself.''



''- General Droid: We have orders to go. And according to CM's direct order, we are allowed to choose another commander in this task if the original commander don't show up in time to coordinate the attack. Which means you're being named the new commander of this fleet of assault, Sir Agnus.''

Agnus sharpened his eyes and smiled loudly.

''- Agnus: A..HAHAHAHAHAHA!! What did you not tell me this soon? If I knew I was going to assume such grand responsability...! And a direct order from Unit-CM 130? Could it be he finally noticed me and my talents?!''

''Agnus is a scientist indeed... but is only formed in analyze and counting. Not good areas to be knowledged by CM himself.''

''- General Droid: I believe so. ''

''- Agnus: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! SUCK IT LUSAMINE-SLUT!''



''Now Agnus was a servant of Lusamine, who is the former director of Sephirah Gastronomics but he never liked once for being a man with misogynistic thoughts. Lusamine was a woman, and he would never accept a woman commanding him around like a toy.''

Agns made his towards the flag ship with the general droid while the rest of the VTOLs already departed.

''- Agnus: We are now leaving to Hengsha island! The last Chinese island known in Asia! Our mission is to destroy the last remnants of the Chinese government and test the incredible Black Gas! No s-survivors!''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Agnus: Time to eliminate that scum from the face of the Earth! ''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Novosic Kingdom <p style="text-align:center;"> O Castelo <p style="text-align:center;"> Throne Room <p style="text-align:center;"> 10 minutes later

''- CM: So this is the last report of the frontlines in China. I guess Akrak abandoned part of her forces in the Asian frontlines before dying.''

On the throne room of the Castelo (a former throne room that CM transformed into a personal laboratory of nuclear energy for his own use), CM was seated in his desk reading some documents about the reports of his military.

''And the issue now was not from his own unit but from the unit of Akrak Couteau, the scientist of MPS that built the Hand of Apocalypse and caused a vast number of death around the world. And even now, the effects of the Hand of Apocalypse still affecting the world with thousands of death. In Novosic Kingdom, CM was busy rebuilding his buildings and laboratories that were destroyed by the earthquakes.''



''- CM: I guess I have to bring them back. The lives of my soldiers and droids are resources that shall be not discarded.''

''CM closed his documents and stared at the pillar of energy on the center of the throne room, which now is called as "Central Room". Basically, a room that is a laboratory. CM is not a man of taste since he doesn't care about luxury or money.''

''- CM: And now... Lusamine should be already on her way to Hengsha... or...''

[KNOCK KNOCK]

''Suddenly, someone knocked on his door in a soft way. Well... because that door was made of iron. If someone tried to knock on it with strength, they might have some fingers broken.''



- CM: Come in.

''And then, a man with bright green hair and an ever-present smile with his eyes closed, belying a demonic nature entered. He was wearing a simple black suit with a white shirt underneath, short brown gloves, and brown steel-toed shoes (that conceal hidden knives at their heels). He dons a pair of black trousers held up by two brown belts. He completes the outfit with a black fedora hat to close the shady visage. ''

''That man is Yuuki Terumi... or better, Hazama, the secondary personality of Terumi.''

- Hazama: Excuse me, director.

Hazama entered while adjusting his hat and letting out a creepy smile.

''- CM: It's just you, Hazama. What do you need?''

​​​​​​

Hazama approached CM's desk and seated in a chair in front of it.

''- Hazama: I just came to inform that the Black Gas Squad has left the airport and are making their way towards the Hengsha island as you ordered. The jets and fighters are protecting the VTOLs and planets carrying the virus. However...''

"....................."

Hazama removed his hat and faked a sad expression when he was obviously in delight.

''- Hazama: We had no sight of the second executive Lusamine. Since the squad was ready to go and we had orders from you, the general droid transferred the command to the Doctor Agnus who was responsible to count the number of missiles. And about Lusamine, I asked about her whereabouts in the Castelo and then a little bird told me she left with her driver to somewhere else. She said she had new orders from you and was going to take care of more important things.''

CM opened the documents of Lusamine that was on his desk and stared at her photo.



''- CM: And was expecting something like that but it caught me by surprise in such moment.... and she was carrying something with her? ''

''- Hazama: The captain of the gate said she was carrying 6 capsules of Zoyineian virus with her in a folder. What happened?''

Hazama put his hat back on.

''- CM: Nothing happened. I always knew Lusamine wasn't the type of person who would follow me blindly. She is liberal, she decides her own fate and decisions. So I was expecting for her to betray me at some point, but not like that. 6 capsules of Zoyineian virus, huh? What a wise woman.''

''- Hazama: So she betrayed us. What happens next?''

''- CM: I know she is going to take my virus to our mortal enemies, the Ratatoskr, and she is going to do everything in her power to stop us from succeeding. But no matter... let her be. Soon, the hand of fate will get rid of her... and even if they discover about my operation, there will be no way stop my ultimate objective. This world will fall before science sooner or later.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> United States <p style="text-align:center;"> Sleepy Hollow - STAR Central <p style="text-align:center;"> STAR Center <p style="text-align:center;"> Meeting Office <p style="text-align:center;"> 20 minutes later

'' STAR LABS' Center, meeting office of the building. A fancy meeting room that only the most important people from America's government are allowed to enter here.''

''Inside the meeting room on the 20th floor right now, there were several men lined-up. All of them were board members of this STAR LABS, generals of the US Army, ministers of the current president and powerful directors of corporations.''

''Everyone was sitting at a giant elliptical table and were flipping through the documents on their hands while making the same difficult face. Nonetheless, it was also something not impossible. ''

''Everyone one of them should have already received reports from here and there. And even the documents on their hands had the situation written in details. Not only did the STAR LABS' founder and director Mina Harker swung her authority unreasonably, she also drove the humanity to wreck havoc and also the famous facilities established in many parts of the globe into a partial destruction state. ''

''What’s more, on top of causing several deaths and injuries to valuable soldiers and droid from US Army, the destruction of ALL states of United States of America, the downfall of all governmental organs and ending the civilization in United States, she also added a bonus of freely exposing the secret entities which are the demons to the public eye. If there was no one that would move their expression even by an inch from looking at these chains of report documents, they should immediately quit the company and switch to being a gambler. ''

''Nonetheless naturally, it’s not like everyone who was there was making that face. On the chair placed furthest back of the room. Over there a woman sitting calmly. It was Mina Harker, who was seated with her hand in her back. As if looking over the meeting, her unpleasant eyes that expressed darkness were peeking from the gap of her shining black hair.''

And right now, Mina was exactly the topic of discussion right now.

''- Mina: ............... Do you have something to say, gentlement?''

''Mina slowly put her hands in her cheek and smiled sarcastically. True, Mina Harker brought United States to destruction... however, it wasn't for her, the 300,000,000 people who died in Brazil, would die in vain. With no one of humanity to know what exactly happened there. Never in the history of the world there a case where an entire nation disappeared in the blink of an eye except for miths like Atlantida.''

''One of the men seated in that table, staring at Mina with dead-looking eyes, was a man called Claus Redell, a minister of America's Republic Party of Tom Bucky. He has dark-brown hair and eyes, and is always seen wearing a black suit.''

''- Claus: Un. It's true we lost contact with all of our cabinests, offices and governmental organs. But think it about a second, we are all here because of Haker. Not to mention, do you think we can calm the population by not giving them a proper explanation. Let's imagine a future where Black Demons conquered Brazil by dragging the country into a Hell on Earth, causing the disappearance and death of 300,000,000 people living inside of the country. And then, the entire planet stops the World War III after witnessing such abnormal incident. Obviously, all media of the world will fall upon our heads asking for answers and explanation. And what will happen if no one tell the mankind the truth about this? Chaos. Panic. And disorder. ''

Mina Harker continued.

''- Mina: Yes... and by giving them an explanation of what truly is about to happen to the entire world is a way to keep them calm... I mean by calm... is that they can at least knowing what killed them. But don't get me wrong, I don't want those people to die, I want them to know the truth of what is happening and how they can avoid such chaotic future. Is better to see thousands dying because of their killers' aggression than letting every last piece of civilization crumbling into despair and chaos.''

From Mina's satisfied words, Claus and everyone from the board opened their eyes wide in surprise.

''- US General: Please understand the situation, Mina Harker! If it was strike poorly, it might advance the situation concerning the continuation of STAR LABS you know!? We not only brought the ending of our beloved country but we are also losing our allies. We let the Black Demons devour and kill our population! Men, women and children! The STAR LABS took to long to act! Our military bases and posts around the globe are disappearing one by one! Now... Do you think they are just killing themselves or Black Demons are attacking them?! Remember that you own the Ex-President Tom Bucky! If it wasn't for Tom Bucky, you were not even here. So we demand respect and answers from the STAR LABS''.

- Mina: Ooh.

''The general's face was filled with anger and he raised a shout. When he did that, Mina who was making a robotic smile until now, twitched just a little bit. But the general did not notice that and looked towards the board members lined up in the conference room.''

''- US General: I want to ask all of you! Is it okay to let her do as she pleases any more than this!? If she continues any more than this, the little what is left of United States and the human civilization will collapse not far in the future!''

''The US General yelled at his comrades, while Mina kept her cool. ''

''- Mina: General, the only mission I gave to you was to localize the Peace Foundation's spy, Cole MacGrath, and bring him to the government. I did not give you the mission to shout at me and our friends here.''

''Yes, everyone there received a mission from Mina and her STAR LABS. For obvious reasons, they are top-secret missions with the goal to protect the world's order. Why? Because all of them are related to the sudden appearance of those demons. And the US General? He received the mission to search the whereabouts of Cole MacGrath, the agent of Peace Foundation that was sent to Cancun, Mexico in a peaceful mission to send food, water and resources to the abandoned people... All of this during the ascension of Manufacturing Progressive Sciences and the arrival of Akrak Couteau.''

''From Mina words, the man in the opposite side of her seat raised his voice. The US General spread both his hands and said that in a drama-like manner, while announcing it loudly. ''

''- US General: STAR LABS exposed the existence of Black Demons without preparations for the outcome and acted recklessly! Millions died because of your lack of care! You have no preparations to be the leader of Stabilizatio Union! Nations fell before your eyes and you did nothing but remove your forces from those countries! You expanded the power of the government, removed all rights of the civilians, indirectly caused millions to go on a rampage to kill other people into thinking they were demons for minor details and even executed other politicians from the political opposition!''

''Yeah... she did all of that. But all her "justified" list of crimes are nothing close to it. She did many things, many things, for the greater good of mankind. But, was that all necessary?''

- US General: I! Right here, demand the dismissal of Mina Harker from the SU's leadership and the poll to choose the new managing director of STAR LABS of United States of America!

''The moment the general said that, everyone from the board twitched their eyebrows. There were some who made a shocked expression from the very obvious dismissal demand but more than half of them were in a manner as if they knew about the outline of this case beforehand. ''

''After the general looked at that state while nodding in satisfaction, he looked towards the old men seated in around the table. They were all looking down in dismay... as if they were trying to say: "we are not involved with this man" or something similar. ''

- Mina: ...........

''- US General: What's wrong?! All of you!''

"........................."

''Nobody dared to speak or even breath. Those men owned their lives to Mina. She did not only put them in their posts in the policy of USA but brought them STAR Center where they can live peacefully behind those walls. Hidden from the chaos and destruction happening outside of that town. Hidden from the demons. Hidden from the humans they swore to serve and protect.''

''- Mina: General... Do you know why I take such extreme methods to deal with our situation? Because times changed... actually, times changed at the moment the KnightWalker Family invaded Liberty City 3 years ago. Look outside general, civilization was wiped out... because humans are inferior. They are not smart as they are suppose to be. Homicidess. Rapes. Child murder. Necrophilia. Assaults. Destruction. War. And some people still think humans are the creation of Gods. I used extreme methods knowing of the risk. I knew the impact it would cause on society... but don't you think it's better this way?''

"............."

- All: Hum?

Everyone paid attention to her words.

''- Mina: The Purge had started, which means mankind had found an enemy. An enemy worth of their union. Only those who are able to fight for the existence of their own species deserve to live. From the ashes of the Purge, there will be no more divisions. No more countries. No more different cultures. Skin color, gender, sexuality... everything will become nothing, because the few humans that will last are those who are worth being around us. The survivors. And you. You are going to be the ones who will lead this new nation. The entire planet will be one single nation. It's going to be a new world, where we are going to rebuild our civilization from the ashes of Third World War and the Purge. In other words, I used brutal methods because I wanted to restart this world. And you're going to help me, to make this world a better place.''

''The US general slowly seated himself in the chair. From the beginning, it seems that no one beside him dared to remove Mina from that post for such reason. They always knew her objective to rebuild the world... and considering how ruined it was, it wasn't a bad plan to start, mainly because they are going to be on the top of the world's new regime.''

- All: ................

''Everyone just kept themselves quiet knowing they are going to be benefited in the end. This is just human nature...''

''Suddenly, the door of meeting room opened and a young boy entered. Everyone changed their sight at that boy, who was quite young to be here.''

- (???): Excuse me.

''- Mina: Ah... Welcome Typhon.''

''A boy with short white hair, wearing black clothes and black band closed the door with kindness... somehow, that boy was mysterious yet strange. He looked like some kind of mercenary or assassin that came from some kind of RPG futuristic game... but we are in 2037 so...''



- Typhon: Under your services, Mina Harker.

''The boy who was blindfolded walked towards Mina and bowed before her. He showed high respect towards Mina, too much respect and loyalty than necessary inside of such complex place.''

''- Mina: I'm glad you're here Typhon. I have a mission for you in Irland. We have receive many reports of people being attacked by an individual Black Demon and being transformed in zombies or ghouls. ''

''Nowadays, the STAR LABS have thousands if not millions of assassins scattered all across the glboe dealing with the same kind of problem: Black Demons. And Typhon... is just one fo them. ''

''He may look like a child but he is not a normal human. More like a... bio-enginnered human made to combat. An artificial human rised only to fight. His mission: only the elimination of Black Demons. No wonder why he is loyal to Mina. It's almost like the relationship between the KnightWalker Cyborgs and Eckidina.''

- Typhon: Only that?

''- Mina: Echidna will give you the licence and details of the mission later. I have to deal with these guys first before I aid you with the preparations of the battalion that will help you out. ''

Mina closed her eyes in boredom as Typhon saluted.

- Typhon: Your wish is my command.

<p style="text-align:center;"> 1 day later

<p style="text-align:center;"> Europe

<p style="text-align:center;"> Italy

<p style="text-align:center;"> Rome

<p style="text-align:center;"> Vatican

<p style="text-align:center;"> Iscariot Universal Church

<p style="text-align:center;"> 12:03 PM 

''Back to Vatican... the sacral state and the center of the Catholic Church led by the Pope Michael Langdon, who is in power since his ascension to Pope in 2036. While many people thought Vatican was a sacred place, the new Pope, Michael, allied himself with the dreadful KnightWalker Alliance, an alliance whose is formed mostly by dictatorships with imperialists ideas.''

''The Vatican now is centralized as an organization, and has sections with different tasks in connection with religion. Two of these sections are Section XIII Iscariot and Section III Matthew. Other secret organizations like Langdon Orphans also act in the name of the Pope but no one is known by the public.''

''And right now, the scenario changes to the area of Iscariot, a paramilitary organization of Catholic Church that represents 90% of their private army. And by a far point, one of the most powerful armies in Europe.''

''As the wind breezed his silver hair, the current Supreme Father of Iscariot, Leonardo Cruz, walked calmly and slowly towards a small church in a garden full of flowers and plants... and right there, in front of the church, he could clearly see a tall adult man and two orphan children speaking with the man.''

- Leonardo: .................

''Leonardo approached the group and saw that man was no ordinary person. It was a priest of Iscariot... and he seemed to be a cool and relax man with a mature aura.''

''- Priest: Hey, you two. You should stop sinning like this. You should never go after violence when you fight a friend or comrade. If you do that, you will not be able to join God in Heavens.''

''The priest got in his knees as he reprimand two children who were fighting each other a few minutes ago for trivial things. ''

''The girl who was fighting the boy smiled and asked for forgiveness... but it's not like it's that serious.''

- Girl: Father, forgive us!



''The priest stood up and smiled... but the sunlight reflecting in his glasses made him look like some kind abnormal person with a twisted sense of reality.''

''- Priest: Listen, you two. You should only violence against non-believers, monsters and atheists. They are not sons of God and so don't deserve love and compassion from our Lord. ''

''That priest, is the Father Alexander Anderson, the most powerful Catholic warrior in Iscariot and by a far point, one of the strongest human beings on Earth. He is the mentor of Leonardo Cruz and is often seen giving him advices for his progression as the Supreme Father of Iscariot.''

''He has short, spiky gold hair, blue eyes, brown/tanned skin, a defined squared jaw, and light facial hair. He is shown to be a imposing middle aged man along as lean with broad shoulders and very tall.''

- Anderson: So, what you should say next?

The kids looked at each other as if they knew what the Father wanted them to do.

''- Boy: Sorry, May. A man should never hit a woman.''

- Girl: I promise I'll never slap you again!

Leonardo stopped walking and spoke to the children.

''- Leonardo: Our Lord possess a big heart with compassion and mercy. As long you repent your sins, you will be always welcomed to his Kingdom.''

As if Anderson tried to avoid the children from replying Leonardo, he touched their shoulder gently and smiled.

- Anderson: Now, return to your rooms, my children.

The children returned their gaze to Anderson and nodded as they left running.

- Boy: Let's go?!



- Girl: Yup!

''Anderson waved at the children leaving from the front door of the church and changed his sight to Leonardo... now, with a dead serious expression. His beloved and cheerful face was long gone.''

- Anderson: What do you need, my apprentice?

Anderson walked away while Leonardo followed him, without making out of a scene to make the matter they are going to talk about seem less suspicious.

''- Leonardo: After some research and reports coming from all sides of Europe, I received many stories of supernatural incidents happening across the continent. Not only in the continent, but in all sides of the globe.''

Anderson stopped walking and stretched his shoulder with a grin before turning around to stare at Leonardo.

''- Leonardo: Most of them are happening in United States, which fell in ruins after the demons destroyed every single governmental organ of the central American government. Police, fire station, hospitals... everything was destroyed. Nothing is left. And it was basically a civil war that lasted for nothing more than a few weeks. Millions died in a matter of days, the US army lost half of their forces during the battles against the demons.''

''- Anderson: Yes, yes. I heard Mina Harker did a great job by isolating the capital of STAR LABS in Sleepy Hollow behind giant walls, preventing the entrance of millions outside and countless demons from wrecking havoc the town. It's impressive how this civil war between the population, army and national security of the country was defeated in a few weeks. How many demons appeared out there.''

Leonardo walked closer to Anderson and shook his head.

''- Leonardo: Many. Never in the history of mankind the demons showed up in such big numbers. It's more than a few thousands... there are millions and millions. Not even I thought Astaroth could have such large army. I'm considering the hypothesis that Astaroth King was only playing with us for centuries.''

''Yes... as it have been told before, Iscariot is older than the Church itself. They have been fighting Astaroth King and Black Demons for thousand years. It can be said the organization only affiliated themselves with the Christianism to have funds and support to continue their operations against the Revelation of Qliphoth. Actually, it can be said they never served God from the heart, but only are part of the Catholic Church for the sake of saving mankind from Qliphoth.''



​​​​​​​''- Anderson: And so he might be playing with STAR LABS too? Which means the technology and new weapons of STAR LABS will be useless against the Black Demons... But... what brings you here?''

Leonardo sharpened his eyes like a knife.

- Leonardo: It's a AA+ Black Demon.

Anderson's grin expanded even more to the sides, as if he was going to enjoy what his apprentice was going to say.

- Anderson: Oooh.

''- Leonardo: Millions of demons are appearing in many points of the borders of Italy. And obviously the numbers are abnormal. Just last week, more than 607 demons were spotted by the civilians of Italy. Yes, my friend. The Black Demons are coming here... it's like a plague migrating to find new victims.''

Anderson let out a malicious smile.

''- Anderson: But what's wrong with that? Many KnightWalkers and protestants are dying in the claws of those demons right? So just let them be. A good KnightWalker is a dead KnightWalker. A good protestant is a dead protestant.''

''- Leonardo: Indeed, with less enemies, it's better to us. Enemies of our God. Of our Church. But the case is... like I said, they are going to arrive here in a matter of days. Recently, I didn't receive any report from someone inside of Rome or Vatican speaking about the birth or sighting of a Black Demon. But...''

Anderson twisted his eyebrows.

- Anderson: But?

''- Leonardo: It appears the casualities are less than we expected. It seems the STAR LABS are doing a great job dealing with them. They don't use science against them but blessed weapons and magi-tech to deal with such monsters. They're doing their best to avoid imitating us, right? They perfomance in United States was horrible, but here in Europe, Mexico, South America and Australia, they are doing a perfect job. Curious enough, the STAR LABS is doing great against the Black Demons and KnightWalker Family, whom still resisting their declarations of peace. ''

Leonardo giggled as he remembered how aggressive the KnightWalker Family is.

- Leonardo: Even with the world crambling in ruins, the KnightWalkers still refuse to accept peace with other nations merely because of pride to honor their surname, KnightWalker.

Anderson opened his arms and shouted loudly.

''- Anderson: Those amateurs! They are like students in the kindergarten compared to us! We, Catholics, Iscariot and Vatican, have been fighting those creatures for thousand years even before the concept of civilization! But why you're here, again? If the problem is out of Italy, then it's not of our corcern, right? Because we still have Lilith to save the entire world in the blink of an eye if Astaroth King reaches our central, right?''

''- Leonardo: If it was only in KnightWalker territory it wouldn't be our problem... but this time it happened in Irland. North Irland, a town known as Badrick. A powerful AA+ Black Demon with human appearance, powerful mastery in the forces of evil and possessing an incredible intelligence showed up in that town and is now turning hundreds of civilians into ghouls to make them into his servants... ''

Anderson opened his eyes slightly as Leonardo started to walk again and passed by his mentor.

''- Leonardo: STAR LABS is on the move again. The spy of ours who is watching Mina Harker's activities told us they are dispatching troops to Irland to deal with this demon... but we can't simply seat down and watch them clean our own garden.''

Anderson smiled like a psychopath and slightly turned his head.



''- Anderson: Sending someone with a large portion of their army to Irland like if it was always their territory! HAHAHAHAHA! They are getting more cocky as the days passes. Thinking the world is now their place and that they have the rights to step on anywhere of this planet.''​​​​

Leonardo kept walking away without making sounds.

''- Leonardo: Irland is not a zone of the Americans or STAR LABS. It's a Catholic land. It belong to us, Vatican. We hunt down the demons in our own territory without the interference of foreign forces! We cannot let them have advantage over us in our own lands, Anderson.''

Anderson turned his body completely and started to tremble in excitement.

- Anderson: What if I find those masked men from STAR LABS?



Just then, Leonardo stopped walking and remained in silence for a long time before replying back.

''- Leonardo: We are the only, unique and absolutes tools of the punishment of God on this Earth. We shall not flee from heretics and from those who defy our God's will. Even if it means declaring war to STAR LABS,  the Catholic Church, together with Iscariot, shall clean our own garden and kick them out of our area. We will teach Mina Harker and her group of savage extremists the punishment of God!''

''Anderson held his right arm to stop himself from shaking... something worse was about to happen. And the STAR LABS agent Typhon is probably going to be the cause of it.''

Part 3 - End of the Friendship


<p style="text-align:center;">''After Mina's meeting with her subordinates, the financier of Ratatoskr, Richard John, contacts Kotori and beg for her to surrender before Mina Harker puts her organization as a international terrorist organization. Thinking in the people, Kotori deny his request and officially ends her partnership with Global Pact Defense forever. However, her actions only allowed Mina to finally send the strongest Black Demons of Revelation of Qliphoth on Earth to Fraxinus... Marking the final days of Ratatoskr and the Rogues.'' <p style="text-align:center;">''The chaos caused by the appearances of Black Demons affected even the KnightWalker Family and their allies. The chaos and civil war turned the once-powerful corporation of KnightWalker Family into a now decadent-failed country that is slowly losing power, economy and military strength. In the meantime, Eckidina confess that she is giving up and decides to leave the Fallen's Essence group to enjoy the humanity turning on itself, leaving everything to Misogi Kumagawa.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> England

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus

<p style="text-align:center;"> Communication Private Room

<p style="text-align:center;"> 2 days later

<p style="text-align:center;"> 01:23 PM

''In the underground meeting room owned by Ratatoskr. Kotori was facing the computers placed on a squadre table. And of course, it’s not like she was going to talk to the computers. Speakers were placed under each compters and each of them were connected to a single person... Now, who is contacting Ratatoskr?''

''Kotori knows very well who is the person contacting her. And so Kyouhei Kannazuki, who is standing in front of the door of the meeting room of Fraxinus.''

- Kyouhei: It seems we are receiving a contact call from United States.

Kotori seated in one of the chairs with a computer in front of her.

''- Kotori: It's from which states from America? If we know which state, we can come to the conclusion it's an affiliated organization or even the GDP.''

''- Kyouhei: And it's really important. The entire country was wiped out.''

Kotori looked down and remembered the news when all states of America fell into chaos and destruction one by one.

- Kyouhei: Do you think it was our responsability to save them?

Kotori shook her head before pressing a red bottom in the computer to answer the call.

''- Kotori: No. The Global Pact Defense sold us to Mina Harker, they let STAR LABS take over without thinking twice, let the KnightWalker Family do whatever they wanted for 30 years and indirectly caused the Third World War. Serve them right.''

''Kotori pressioned the buttom and the face of a man appeared on the screen. Kyouhei and Kotori knew exactly who was that man.''

''- Man (transmission): *Commander Itsuka. What is the meaning of this?*''

''The speaker placed under the comptuer, was giving a perfectly manly voice just like the face of the man. Now, who is that man?''

''That man is Richard John. Richard has black hair and dark eyes. He is depicted as a tall man with a short hair. Not much can be said about him, but many things can be said about his affiliation.''

''Richard is Ratatoskr Machinery's co-founder and Kotori's benefactor. He is the person responsible to arm the forces of Ratatoskr with technology, men, new staff members, ships, weapons and droids. He has an unconventional method for communication and conversation, much to the dismay of those working under him. He once worked alongside with the former managing director of KnightWalker Family, Juria KnightWalker. Richard is the only person on Earth that knows Kotori and Ratatoskr's crew as a whole are aliens who went to Earth to stop the evil entity from destroying the world, the Fallen's Essence.''



''- Kotori: I heard news about the current situation of the country. Everything is down. All towns and states of the countries are completely shutdown, with only a few survivors hiding themselves in their houses and surviving. It's like a Apocalypse Zombie. I'm surprised you managed to contact us from a destroyed HQ of GDP in a country where all communication and external contact are long gone. No. No. No. You're in STAR Center... right?''

''Kotori could easily track the location from where Richard was calling but there is just one guess from where he is talking. STAR Center, the capital of STAR LABS, a town that used to be known as Sleepy Hollow years ago.''

''- Richard (transmission): *Amazing as ever, Kotori. Due to your childish appearance, I almost forget you're an adult with the mind of a genius. But I could be speaking from any abandoned base of GDP while using the emergency call to call you in Fraxinus.*''



''Kotori frowned her eyebrows and made a hateful expression when she heard those words. Why? Because he admitted so easily that he is working to STAR LABS now.''

''- Kotori: That's true. Forgive me. So... why are you with her? She bribered you? She promised you something? I'm used to receive news from my allies in the congress joining her one by one. They are too afraid to be left behind by the new regime. Funny... STAR LABS is only bringing the ministers, politicians and celebreties who swore loyalty to their party. This is how Mina do things. She only save those who can be useful to her.''

''Kotori gritted her teeth. That conversation was pissing Kotori off... the memories of many of her allies joining Mina just to save themselves formed a scar in her heart. It’s doesn’t sound like Kotori’s emotion was found out but, the Richard continued his words to Kotori. ''

''- Richard (transmission): Not exactly. I'm not here because I joined her, but because Ratatoskr is considered now a terrorist organization by the new regime. Mina Harker needs me to make yourselves surrender to STAR LABS without one single bullet.''

''Kotori tried responding while suppressing the urge to barge in over at the other side of the speaker to punch the cocky man. Richard is a close friend but now that he feels safe in Mina's protection, he is acting like the all mighty. If he was out there, there is no way he was going to talk with Kotori like that.''

- Kotori: And what makes you think we will give ourselves to her and her disgusting group of bastards?



''- Richard (transmission): Because I know that GDP abandoned you, and you have nothing to continue your duty on this world. Kotori, just surrender to STAR LABS. Mina promised me won't hurt anyone of your group since none of you caused any damage to the new regime.''

''While Richard was speaking with Kotori, he cowardly was trying to track from where Kotori was speaking. In front of him, a huge screen with many codes and locations of the globe appeared on his computer, the system was searching for the location of Fraxinus.''

''- Richard (transmission): You have my word. Kotori. So please, don--''



''Before he could finish his words, Kotori punched the screen and yelled at her "former" friend. A friend she worked alongside for almost 20 years.''

''- Kotori: SHUT UP!!! I DON'T WANNA HEAR ANYMORE WORDS FROM YOUR TAINTED MOUTH! YOU BETRAYED US! YOU ABANDONED US LIKE ALL THE OTHERS JUST TO SAVE YOUR OWN BACK! AND NOW YOU'RE HERE TRYING TO FORCE ME SURRENDER LIKE A DISGUSTING PIG?! NO! WE WILL NOT GIVE OURSELVES TO HER OR YOU JUST SO YOU CAN FEEL SATISFIED WITH YOUR TREASON! ''

''Richard stared at the screen without emotions... like if he was expecting that to happen.''

''- Kotori: WE WILL NOT GO DOWN! YOU CAN BETRAY YOURSELF WITH YOUR OWN HONOR BUT WE WILL FIGHT UNTIL EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US ARE DEAD! FROM NOW ON, RATATOSKR IS OFFICIALLY LEAVING GLOBAL PACT DEFENSE AND THE CORRUPT SYSTEM OF AMERICA! ''

"....................."



''Richard sharpened his eyes as he could see Kotori trying to recover her breath. After 1 minute waiting for her to fix her posture, the traitor spoke.''

''- Richard (transmission): I see, Kotori. I already knew you were not going to surrender so easily. It makes me happy to see that someone like you will continue to fight despite all chaos that is happening around you. To continue the fight against evil. You're the symbol of hope of this world, unlike me who gave myself to my own cowardice. ''

Kotori crossed her arms.

''- Kotori: I'll not continue speaking with you from now on. You're a traitor. An enemy. And you will be treated like one by us. Goodbye, Richard John. It was a honor to serve with you.''



''Kotori pressed another buttom in the computer, ending the transmission between the two. She smashed her head on the table and kept herself in that posture for a long time. She was stressed, sad and disappointed.''

- Kyouhei: I don't want to push you too hard, but that means our alliance with GDP is officially over?

''- Kotori: I guess so. We should have ended it a long time ago when we noticed this organization was too incompetent, weak and fragile to be worth of serving.''

Kyouhei put his hands in his back and stared at Kotori with dismay.

''- Kotori: I never believed that abstract ideas and concepts could gain physical form. But now... Kyouhei, each day, I feel that something is growing. It's like a darkness that has been spying and crawling around all humans without being noticed. I feel like...''



<p style="text-align:center;"> - Kotori: ...the evil itself is gaining form.

<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> United States 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Sleepy Hollow - STAR Center 

<p style="text-align:center;"> STAR Central 

<p style="text-align:center;"> GDP Control Room 

- Richard: Kotori...

''Meanwhile, in the STAR Central, the co-founder of Ratatoskr, Richard facepalmed himself to hide own shame. True, it was just like Kotori had said. He betrayed them to save his own life behind STAR LABS' walls. Simply like that.''

''When the despair comes, the living instincts of all people awakes like the subconscious of an animal. Humans, like animals, are capable of everything to stay life, even it means backstab their own loved ones. Not all of them are bound to this rule but most of them do.''

''- Richard: Who am I to call them idiots? I'm one to blame. ''

"......................."

Richard ended the transmission from his side and stared at the wall of the room from where he speaking and continued looking at that spot for a long time, thinking of what he had done to his allies, Ratatoskr.

- (???): So it failed, Mister Richard John?

''Nearby Richard, there was a woman standing on the corner of the room. That woman was the director of STAR LABS, Mina Harker.''

''- Richard: Why, Kotori... you could just have avoided such conflict.''

''Despite Richard betrayed Ratatoskr, he did not do that simply because of him but because he wanted Kotori to avoid herself being killed in the crossfire of the Black Demons and STAR LABS. If she decided to join this war, there is no doubt Mina will target them as well.''



''- Mina: Oh. That answers my question. So that means Kotori plans to go against us. Buuuut that was already expected, right, Richard John?''

Richard changed his sight to Mina, who was almost bored right there.

''- Richard: You always knew she was never going to give herself to STAR LABS. You just wanted me to track down their location. So why you're asking this?''

''- Mina: I don't know. I just thought it makes my idea of using you less suspicious. But I have the face of an obvious woman, don't I?''

''Richard wanted to punch Mina for using him sell out the location of Ratatoskr. Basically making him unintentionally betray Ratatoskr ''

''- Richard: Indeed, you're. What are you going to do now?''

Mina shook her hips and smiled.

''- Mina: The most obvious one. I only considered Ratatoskr to be a separatist organization with no threat level. But after this confirmation, I can finally declare them as terrorists and enemies of the state.''

Mina then turned around and snapped her fingers.

''- Richard: About letting them live if they decided to surrender, it was true? You were going to let them live like you promised?''

Richard hung his head in shame at his words.

''- Mina: No... I lied. Once they were here, they would be executed immediately. Kotori is a genius, and so the rest her crew. Their special forces--the Rogues, right? They are a international threat too. Each one of them have higher power levels of magi-tech and meta-powers too. ''



Most likely having discerned Richard's gravity, Mina unwound her shoulder.

''- Mina: According to my files, they have a Cyborg from KnightWalker Family too? I guess her name is Imperia Deamonne. I had read about her historic... a mysterious Cyborg that appeared out of nowhere during the execution of La Folia Rihavein in Aldegyr Kingdom. Sounds too strange, don't you think?''

Mina obviously knew La Folia was Imperia after many weeks of search but she kept that for herself and her secretary Echidna Bathory.

- Richard: Indeed, it is.

''- Mina: With that said, there are even War Heroes among the Rogues who once served the army during Cold War II and Third World War. However, I'm not planning to forgive them if they fought to protect this nation. Once they allied themselves with a criminal organization, they shall be treated as one of them.'' ''Without Richard noticing, a dark entity appeared next to Mina, on the dark side of the corner whre she was standing. It was something tall but slowly formed a human figure... and then... a female figure formed.  She has long snow white hair and beautiful skin. Her intellectual looking eyes and dress are black, the two colors drawing out her beauty, and she is mentioned to be beautiful enough that anyone would be fascinated by her. Why? Because she is an angel... a Fallen Angel...''



<p style="text-align:center;">' - Heis: And they shall be treated as the sinners as they are. '

''The woman standing there, is Heis, the artificial Fallen Angel created by the Fallen's Essence who also serves as the alter-ego of La Folia Rihavein's twin sister, Kanon Rihavein. ''

''But... why someone like Mina is doing with Heis, who is a half-Black Demon and half-Artificiial Fallen Angel?''

- Heis: Just give me the command to strike them, Lady Phenex.

''Lady Phenex... it must one of Mina's nicknames.''

''Suddenly, dozens of Black Demons from the infamous Black Army rose from the floor and bowed before Mina like if she was their leader, their creator, their mistress... their commander. ''

- Mina: I think this is your first time seeing them, Richard?

''Richard fell down from his chair and trembled when he spotted all thos demons and Heis. The moment he saw them, he felt like if the entire gravity of the world was pushing his body against the floor.''

- Richard: A-aH-ah!

''Richard's cold and mature manners were gone, she was now making himself look like a frightened soldiers on the battlefield. But before he could escape from the room, a man appeared on the other side of the door. A man well-dressed, with white hair and green glowing eyes.''

''That man is familiar to those who had saw him before in this film... Akira.''

''- Akira: Where are you going, human? The fun had just started.''

Mina's eyes delighted in Richard's reaction as if she was taking pleasure  of his mental breakdown.

''- Mina: Calm yourself, dumbass. This is where things starts to get fun. My personnal army of demons will take down our enemies who openly declared themselves as terrorists. Just like that. My, just relax and take a seat. The show will begin... soon.'' ​​​​​​

<p style="text-align:center;"> 5 days later

<p style="text-align:center;"> Europe

<p style="text-align:center;"> France

<p style="text-align:center;"> Paris

<p style="text-align:center;"> 01:23 PM

Do you even know what is hell?

''Hell is an afterlife location, sometimes a place of torment and punishment. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as eternal destinations while religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations. ''

Typically these traditions locate hell in another dimension or under the Earth's surface and often include entrances to Hell from the land of the living.

''In classic Greek mythology, below Heaven, Earth, and Pontus is Tartarus, or Tartaros (Greek Τάρταρος, deep place). It is either a deep, gloomy place, a pit or abyss used as a dungeon of torment and suffering that resides within Hades (the entire underworld) with Tartarus being the hellish component.''

''The hells of Asia include the Bagobo "Gimokodan" and Ancient Indian mythology's "Kalichi" or "Naraka". In folklore among the Ainu people, hell is below ground, and is described as an uninviting wet place reserved for sinful people.''



''The Sumerian afterlife was a dark, dreary cavern located deep below the ground, where inhabitants were believed to continue "a shadowy version of life on earth". This bleak domain was known as Kur, and was believed to be ruled by the goddess Ereshkigal. All souls went to the same afterlife, and a person's actions during life had no effect on how the person would be treated in the world to come.''

''These are just a few ones of the many concepts of hell across the world. But the world now is living one single hell that made every single religious people from different religions believe in the same devil. But... who is this devil? The Devil who brought the Black Demons to the world and caused the collapse of all civilization and society.''

''This is one of the many questions made by the KnightWalker Family, which was once tyrannical but yet prosperous and rich organization. Now, the organization is slowly falling to the depths of defeat and extinction. They appearance of thousands if not millions Black Demons in Europe caused the complete downfall of their regime and control over other nations they controlled for decades. ''



''This super organization known as KnightWalker Family, a socialist-corporational group, was involved in a wide range of developmental projections including the manufacturing of arms, aircraft, vehicles, ships, space development, semiconductors, electronic equipment, fiber industry and even travel agencies. Furthermore, the enterprise, with its wide range of affiliated companies and R&D projects, can be said that most of the residents of European countries lived under its grace. ''

''However, even that number did not consider take into consideration the real developmental result behind KnightWalker Family, the creation of the Cyborgs. In other words, that was just the tip of the iceberg. A private enterprise that had enough wealth to buy a small country and possessed the means of turning such behavior into reality. ''

''Like its name suggested, it was an overwhelming and tyrannical red giant that declared war to the entire world, and could also easily hold almost half of all nations of the planet. This red castle that calls themselves socialists but works like a imperialist and fascist military corporation is currently ruled by Eckidina KnightWalker... or better, it's ruled by her clone, a clone of Eckidina who calls herself "Otaku".''

''And now... we change the scenario to a place called Paris. Paris is the capital and most populous city of France, with an area of 105 square kilometres (41 square miles) and a population of 5,453,334. Since the 17th century, Paris has been one of Europe's major centres of finance, commerce, fashion, science, and the arts. ''

In 1920, the KnightWalker Family took over France, but now after 110 years, the days of this regime are counted.

''Paris is falling. France is falling. KnightWalker Family is falling. They are falling not with peaceful and good methods, but by violence, cruelty and inhumanity. An evil much worse than the KnightWalkers. And on the middle of that chaos, there was a single woman staring at the destruction of Paris from the skies above the fire and smoke. ''

''That woman with an attractive and volumous body had a long black hair, glowing purple eyes and had several scars that seemed to be like paintings of a some kind of culture. She was not wearing casual or formal clothes, but some kind of bio-organic armor made of energy. Yes, that person there is no ordinary but the strongest living being standing on the planet Earth, Aryana Westcott. The benefactor of the Fallen's Essence and his group of conspirators.''

''- Aryana: Oh. It's burning well.''

''On ground of Paris, the sounds did not cease. While half of the town was in complete chaos, the West side of Paris was completely destroyed, abandoned and exiled from the world. It's almost like an Apocalypse Zombie had happened there a long time ago. But amazingly, there are still people living in these areas.''

''Gunfires. Detonations. Screams of lamentation. Roars of resentment.''

''On the battlefield where the KnightWalker Family, civilians and Black Demons were fighting, the explosive sounds of Black Energy of demons, grenades of the military, molotov of civilians and magi-tech energy of KnightWalker Cyborgs intermingled in the air. Sounds of cars exploding, buildings collapsing, sounds of planes and jets falling, tanks firing against civilians, children crying inside of the buildings, men and women being burned alive in the debris, KnightWalkers firing against civilians, roars of demons... it was a small part of hell on Earth.''

''Every scream or shriek released from here was concealed under layers of even more sounds of destruction and explosions. It was as if Third World War was not over but had been relocated to above ground of Paris. With just a seconds worth of negligence, the diligent Death overseeing the field of carnage would claim the head above one's shoulder.''​​​​​

''But let's move to the West Paris... where the war was over and see what's left. Basically, there is the scenary of any typical war... death and desolation.''

''We are now in the 694 Street of the KnightWalker's commercial district. And just as the life continues its abnormal routine here, the evil tyrant, Aryana Westcott, slowly makes her way to the ground and lands on the middle of the street filled with burned cars, rotten bodies of humans and animals and countless rats, worms and flies.''

- Aryana: ..............

''Aryana, with her feet of bio-organic armor, slowly walked down the street filled with death. The rats were eating the bodies and the flies were putting its eggs on the rotten flesh as the blood of the bodies spilled in the sewers like rain of blood.''

''Delighted in such horrible environment, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, smelling the stench of corpses. For Aryana, that was beautiful and wonderful. She is a woman of horrible tastes... while people often knows the feeling of disgust, Aryana is a total sociopath and does not know the difference between good and evil. For her, the evil is good. And the good is evil. She intertwine her morality with her tastes, making her purely abnormal... abnormal enough to make other psychopaths jealous of her insanity.''

''- Aryana: Ahh... brings me memories of my past as the ruler of everything.''

''For Aryana, there is no better place to live. Among misery, death and suffering. For her, war and what happens next is the best thing in the world. Something that food, hobbies, music or even personal items can replace. For her, the chaos and within darkness of sentient beings is everything she needs. The darkness and brutality of human's hearts is one of the many things she enjoy the most. ''

''But why she is like that? She loves every bad aspect of the world's nature. From murder, suicide, war, chaos, genocide, destruction and suffering. Doesn't it make her similar to Eckidina? The difference between her is that Aryana is completely devoid of emotions, unlike Eckidina who is able to feel sympathy, love and affection towards other people, making Eckidina, one of the world's most evil figures, looking less brutal than she normally is seen. ''

''Aryana, on the other hand, discarded her emotions many years ago for being a obstacle in her way to glory. She never really cared about her race, appearance, tastes, hobbies, family, friends and even her own homeland. She always kept herself on the number one spot; above and beyong all things. She sacrificed everything for power. Maybe... she was a monster from the start? Anyway, back to the chaotic state of Paris.''

''As the tyrant walked down the street, she arrived in a destroyed commercial centrer that is almost similar to New York's. The district's stores were completely burned to the ground, with glasses broken, cars burned, tanks in ashes... but even in such place, there is life. Beside Aryana, she could see a few survivors of Paris' civil war. ''

''A woman sick peeing on the floor like a mad person. ''

''Traffickers cooking meat in a fire. ''

''Trucks of KnightWalker Family carrying dead bodies of Black Demons. ''

''People vomiting. ''

''People drinking beer like a crazy animal. ''

People jumping from the top of buildings.

''These were just a few things os what was happening around Aryana now. Madness. Insanity. Hysteria. Everything hidden in the depths of all human's sanity. The very thing that torments mankind's faith.''

- Aryana: This is pathetic but wonderful.

''Aryana felt joy in witnessing so many things happening everywhere, at the same time, in such horrible way. As she was watching the woman peeing herself on the street, a priest with a crown thorns approached Aryana with his forehead full of blood.''

''- Priest: Oh God, forgive us. Forgive us. Forgive us. And bless this world once again with bright light. Your divine and pure love that will purify us all. ''

''The priest seemed tired and sad for many hours. It can be said that man crossed all Paris without destiny to arrive. He seemed just to be walking ramdonly without destination. Like a lost soul seeking for salvation. But now, it's too late to salvation. He will eventually meet his end in a nearby corner or alley.''

''After all... this is how it ends. In the Purge, there is no salvation.''

- Aryana: ..............

''Aryana stared at the priest as he passed by her and continued his travel without destiny. She then continued her way and looked at the sky to see the clouds being covered with smoke of explosions and fire happening all over the city. ''

''But not only that, she could see many jets flying on the skies, military jets of KnightWalker Family bombing buildings and entire neighborhoods. But as she was enjoying that vision, an naive old woman appeared in front of her, pointing a gun at her face with menacing words.''

''- Old Woman: Donne-moi tout ton argent, salope! (Give me all your fucking money, you bitch!)''

''The old woman was a French lady who is living under the grace of KnightWalker Family for decades. And judging by her poor look, it can be said she was not really well treated by the new regime. Now, she was just living another hell. And what she was forced to do to survive in this new hell? Abandon her sense of ethics and commit assaults and robberies to survive.''

''- Aryana (think): *Ah... she might think I'm a demon because of my bio-organic armor? Or maybe a Cyborg... well, it doesn't matter. I did not understand a word she is saying.*''

''Aryana sharpened her eyes in rage for being treated with so much disrespect by that woman. Not only that, there was a normal human with no real intelligence pointing a weapon at her face with death words. Threatning to kill a person who could easily wipe out the entire planet. Silently, Aryana formed a small sphere of energy in her hands and pretended using it to explode her head for being rude towards the most powerful tyrant in the existence.''



- Aryana (think): *Scum...*

Before Aryana could explode her head, she heard the sound of an armored car approaching and then several armed KnightWalkers from the Termination Squad (a squad made to solve problems regarding the civilians' disorder with brutality) and 'pointed their weapons at the old lady.

- KnightWalker: Fire!

Sounds of gunshots echoed through the streets as 5 KnightWalkers in battle armor fired against the old lady, who could not even see what hit her.

The first bullets that pierced through her skull exploded her head, making her body fall to the ground right in front of Aryana, who stood there without showing emotions.

- KnightWalker: Are you okay?

''One of the KnightWalkers approached Aryana. Indeed, it seemed they thought she was some Cyborg from KnightWalker Family. Aryana then looked at the body of the old woman dropped on the floor while the blood that was split from her skull dripped in some roses of a nearby flower shop.''

''It was normal to see them around in times like these, when the law and order are gone. Right now, thousands off Cyborgs were protecting the state by killing civilians who are fighting against the regime and Black Demons appearing out of nowhere. ''

- Aryana: Indeed, good job.

Aryana closed her eyes and make the sphere of energy in her hands disappear without being noticed.

''- KnightWalker 2: Come on. We have a job to do. Shoot down any civilian with suspicious behavior. ''

''The KnightWalkers continued their way to patrol the streets while Aryana stayed behind in the same position. She took a deep breath and slowly used her energy to make herself fly. Up there, in the skies, she could see a small fraction of Paris' current situation... it's just as it seems... Paris is doomed, and so the rest of Europe.''

''- Aryana: I'm looking forward to see the rest of this soap opera... it's the end of the Fallen's Essence masterplan. Fufufufu...''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile...

<p style="text-align:center;"> Paris

<p style="text-align:center;"> KnightWalker Fortress

<p style="text-align:center;"> Eckidina's Suite

''In the suite room of the top floor in the KnightWalker Fortress located at the west side of Paris, Eckidina KnightWalker, or better, the new director of KnightWalker Family that is actually a clone of Eckidina, "Otaku Eckidina", sat down while sighing. ''

''She stared at the city of Paris from her suite, seeing the town in fire and destruction. In the front gate of the fortress, there was a runaway bus smashing through the fences and guards. In the skies, Black Demons flying like bats were taking down helicopters and jets. In the central park, tanks were firing against Black Demons eating civilians alive... Paris was the indeed the new symbol of hell.''

".............................."



''- Eckidina: It ended faster than I thought. That is fate.''

''She raised her chin while slightly flicking the tip of her dark brunnete hair, and further narrowed her eyes which looked like sharpened blades. Right now, the thing that Eckidina was looking at was a bundle of documents bound together with a clip. She distorted the side of her lips while shifting her sights to her left. ''

''After she took a good look at the current situation of the city, she sat in her bed with a smile. She then began to read the documents in her hands... those documents were the reports of all blitz of KnightWalker Family installed across Paris. Each of them reported they were attacked by terrorists, demons, gangsters, civilians and even some KnightWalkers who saw this chance to rebel against the tyrannical regime.''

''- Eckidina: I see. Not only the AAA rank demons attacked my installations but even some traitors who rebelled against. It seems that even my soldiers are betraying me. No wonder why. These men were most people who had their countries invaded and were forced to fight for us. Once they saw the chance to free themselves from our chains, they immediately gave their support to terrorists and rebels. It happened before but my predecessor (the Insane Eckidina) but she installed chips inside of the brains of all soldiers who participated in the invasion to Liberty City. Clever but it makes things worse.''



''- (???): Yes. But if you want to subjugate the entire world under your feet you need iron fist to press them against their fears. To make them never fight against their oppression. To make them fear their tyranny. To make them fall in their knees before their masters. This is how Eckidina always did to put her soldiers in line. And those years were the best moments in the KnightWalker's military.''

''Suddenly, an annoyed male voice could be heard inside of the room. It was the voice of a young man with white skin, black spiky hair and dead blue eyes wearing a black outfit version of a butler. It was Misogi Kumagawa, the personal servant of Eckidina KnightWalker who served her her entire life... until that day when Otaku Eckidina freed her from her misery and consequently killed her in the process.''

''But remember? Who is the cause of Eckidina's misery? Apparently, after being betrayed and manipulated by Michael Langdon, the new pope of Catholic Church who ascended to power using maleficent methods. And one of those methods was using Eckidina to make his way to glory. After that, Eckidina suffered from PTSD (and became a little paranoid towards her minions around her). She was already psichotic at some degree but that incident pushed her to the brink of insanity... to the point she could not even think right or even know herself.''



''- Eckidina: Oh my Misogi, what a surprise. I thought you were having a meeting with committee of security.''

Misogi entered the room and closed the door without turning his body around.

''- Misogi: We had other plans. And... the buiding of the committee of security was invaded and burned to the ground by anarchists. ''

''Luckily for him, he is a Cyborg and cannot even die from fire's wounds. To only way to kill Misogi (and like any other Cyborg from KnightWalker Family). However, the other members of the KnightWalker's committee of security were humans and so you probably should know by now what happened to those people. Unlike Cyborgs, humans are mere mortals with no super strength or semi-immortality.''

''- Misogi: They didn't make it... But the chief of the department, Miss Nami Feuer is alive and is right now commanding a massacre in front of the building to make way to her escape.''



''Nami Feuer... that should be a name heard by many after many incidents that happened in the past. And curiously, she is related to Kyouko Kirigiri. Such familiar name.''

''- Eckidina: Speaking of security Misogi, it seems that rebels attacked the convoys of our board directors. According to this report in my hands, several rebels in vans shot against the director's car and killed after 25 shots in his chest. ''

''Misogi was not really surprise with that news. In the last few days, more than 12 directors and top members of KnightWalker Family were assassinated by rebels and civilians who finally saw the chance to take down the KnightWalker Family with them. Some know perfectly that staying in Paris is suicide but as long they manage to take the KnightWalkers with them, that should be worth. A last taste of the sweet revenge for decades of oppression, murder, torture, pain and tyranny.''

''- Misogi: I see. Nothing new there. Do you think we should increase the security and locked everyone of the family in this fortress?''

Eckidina blinked and threw the documents on the floor.



''- Eckidina: Misogi, after a long thinking about it, why don't we just let them die? Look around kiddo, Europe is not ours anymore. As STAR LABS approach our beachs, we are suffering from internal civil war. We can no longer keep the countries we took by forces due to the threat of demons and all population turning against us. We are still trying to recover from the damage caused by the Hands of Apocalypse that Akrak Couteau used against us a month ago. As if it wasn't enough, demons shows up and destroy every progress we made for centuries.''

''Misogi was all ears... and he did not dare interrupt her.''

- Misogi: ................



''- Eckidina: Demons who ate our history like snacks and destroyed our development we took thousand years to make. With our military power, we could easily deal with STAR LABS and the demons without difficulty, The thing is that 70% of our military were men who had their nations invaded by us and were forced to serve us as mercenaries, soldiers, officers and even suicidal bombers. Now, with our state in calamity, without being able to communicate with the rest of the world and our allies, we are falling. The truth is that 69% of all of our army turned against us, millions of demons are wrecking havoc and the population is turning against us.''

"................................"



''The KnightWalker Family may slave other people to work for them as their soldiers but they don't treat them like animals. They surprisingly are treated with humanity inside of their army. But no matter what... being forced to kill people against their will is already bad enough.''

''Eckidina removed her glasses and showed Misogi a robotic smile that had no emotions at all. It was like programmatic smile of a droid.''

''- Eckidina: We are walking toward our downfall. This is it. The KnightWalker Family is done. And so is the KnightWalker Alliance. Godom Empire is losing territory. Novosic Kingdom is doomed by the MPS. The Republic of Korea is in calamity. United States was wiped out. Brazil became the Hell on Earth. Mexico is slowly falling. NUSSR is walking towards their ending before it began. Do I need to say more, Misogi?''

Misogi clenched his fists and looked down.

- Misogi: Y-You said you would make the dream of Eckidina true!

''Indeed... before Otaku Eckidina could kill Insane Eckidina to free her from her misery, she vowed to Misogi she would make her dreams of making a world of pain come true... but now, the world is already full of pain... it happened. The world Eckidina fought to get is finally here. It's not a world of war or violence only. It's a world of inhumanity where there is no goodness. Only despair and evil. This is the world Eckidina longed for.''



''- Eckidina: I said. And I would... but look around, Misogi. I think the world Eckidina worked so hard to build is finally here. And in a matter of weeks, civilization will become to an final ending. A world without hope and humanity, only death and darkness. I think she got what she wanted but... not me...''

''Otaku Eckidina, unlike the Insane Eckidina, always worked hard to lead the world to a new global dictatorship. An unique nation with one official language, one official culture, one official religion and one official policy and ideology. Misogi, who was bounded by Insane Eckidina, could never understand how can that Eckidina control the world like a tyrant when she could destroy it with so much despair and pain.''

''- Eckidina: My dream to turn this world into a new nations is done. A world without control, organization and order means nothing to me as I can't have it to myself. This world of chaos belongs to nobody but the darkness itself. To the demons. And I have no interest in those bastards like the STAR LABS have. ''

Eckidina stood up from her bed and walked towards her window.

''- Eckidina: I have nothing to continue fighting for, Misogi... So... here, I declare the ending of my mandate as the executive director of KnightWalker Family and commander of the KnightWalker Alliance's alliance. And here, now, I declare you, Misogi Kumagawa, as the new leader of this empire that is going to the ground.''

''- Misogi: But... this is Eckidina's...''

''Misogi widened his eyes and thought about the Eckidina he loved so much. True enough, he never liked Otaku Eckidina and never cared about her plans but as long as he could continue the legacy of the woman he loved, he would never refuse that offer. And he new perfectly, that Eckidina built this empire with the solo purpose of making it fall someday. And now, here is the day... with the Insane Eckidina dead, he has nothing to fight for. So nothing more worth than fall alongside the empire she built... and finally meet her on the other side of the life.''

".........................."

<p style="text-align:center;"> '- Misogi: ............................ I accept it.'

Part 4 - Orácion Imperium


<p style="text-align:center;">''With the end of World War III thanks to the Purge of Black Demons around the globe, the Fallen's Essence group up all his most powerful allies in his mansion in Germany to discuss about the end of his group as he will personally wait Mina Harker rise to power to estabilish his own reign. In this meeting, Junko Enoshima is executed for working with the Unknown Figure during the conflict in Vatican months ago, thus giving Carissa the power over the Ultimate Despair organization.''

<p style="text-align:center;">''During Lusamine's escape from Novosic Kingdom she is caught by surprise by the person that Peace Foundation sent to rescue her and send her to where Ratatoskr was located... Little did she know Mina Harker is pulling the strings on the shadows...''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Japan

<p style="text-align:center;"> Tenguu City

<p style="text-align:center;"> Asuha's House

<p style="text-align:center;"> 5 hours later

<p style="text-align:center;"> 07:34 PM

''It's been days since the town of Tenguu City fell in another chaos. There have been many riots these days, including civil wars. The first civil war happened at that night when Mafusa Gang and a few squads of KnightWalker Famillyattacked the entire town in a bloody conflict, resulting in the death of thousands.''

The second were the riots of civilians trying to charge protection and performance of the police to caught the Jack the Ripper of 21st Century.

''And now what happened? The obvious. The appearance of Black Demons around the globe threw the human civilization in chaos and disorder. Nowhere was safe. Not in the cities. Not in the rural area. Not on the oceans. Not in the forest. Not on the desert. NOWHERE. Black Demons were popping out of nowhere, bringing waves of fear and destruction. In Tenguu City, more than 403 sightings of demons were reported to the police and Japan-Ground Self Defense forces. At that point, the STAR LABS was now controlling all defensive organs of the government, even the JGSDF itself, so the extremist group, STAR LABS, was using the police and JGSDF to counter the riots and keep civilians out of danger while they went to battle to fight and kill the demons attacking the city with the strange technology of magi-tech, which is surprisely effective against the demons, who seem to have invunerability to human weaponry.''



The STAR LABS did not say to the civilians to stay inside of their homes, it was only the local police who gave such orders in order to keep them out of the streets, which was filled with demons disguised as humans, just waiting for their next victims.

''Now, why STAR LABS never said anything about their security? It's because Mina's current secret objective is to reduce the world's population by killing all civilians on sight that show any suspicious behavior. If the civilians were out at night, the STAR LABS can easily shoot them down without having to worry about the embargoes from the Japanese government.''

''They are doing it everywhere, it's a divine war between mankind and demons. It's a divine war between STAR LABS and demons. The army, civilians, states and the civilization itself are mere victims being caught on the crossfire. There is nothing that can undo it now.''



''Even so, Tenguu City is not entirely plunged in chaos and destruction. While half of the city is on fire, at least another half of the city is untouched. ''

''The area where Asuha Chigusa lives is in peace for now, no sightings of demons, no sounds of sirens, no roars of demons and screams of people being mutilated. It's all good for now... however, even the civilians living in this area know the time is coming for them to evacuate the city to find a safe place outside of the state.''

And right now, Asuha Chigusa, and the new ally of Ratatoskr who defected Peace Foundation, Asuna, are currently looking at the house in front of them, a beautiful house that shows signals of human lives living inside.

- Asuha: We are here.

- Asuna: So this where you live.

''Asuna looked around the house, it was Asuha's residence that she shared with the Rogues after Chinatsu and Kefka Palazzo blow up Katarina and La Folia's houses many months ago. It been a few days since Asuha visited her house but she reacts like if she is been out for years. ''



''But remembering some days ago, Asuha was living alone before Katarina and La Folia came in. So who are the people inside of her house? Invaders? Demons?''

''No. Nothing of the sort... because the people inside of her house were--''

Asuha and Asuna entered the house with making any noise.

- Asuna: Excuse me.

''The Japanese have a culture to remove your shoes once you enter in the house. But considering the moment, cultural issues is nothing an important matter. Why? Asuna and Asuha were not there to make visit, but to do something serious.''

''- Asuna: Otoh-sama, nii-sama. I'm back.''



Asuna then seated in a sofa next to the kitchen while Asuna followed her lead.

''"Otoh-sama" is a very polite expression for father used by well brought-up girls or women. Men rarely use it unless he is a gay-like person. Nii-sama is a very respectful way of addressing one's older brother. Same as "o-nii-sama" or "aniki". Similar in meaning, but showing even more respect than "nii-san" or "nii-chan". Asuha was Japanese so it was quite normal for her to use Japanese words when speaking with other Japanese people. ''

''Yes, the people inside of the residence, were two men who are part of Asuha's family; her father and brother: Makoto Chigusa and Kasumi Chigusa. Makoto is her biological father who works as a head chielf and Makoto is a security guard working to Global Pact Defense.''

''Her father, Makoto as long, brown hair which is swept back, save for a single group of bangs that hangs over his face down to his chin. Even when cooking, all of his hair is tied back except for that one strand. His eyes are sharper and more serious than his son and he has a slight beard on his chin. His body is well toned and generally, wears form fitting shirts and pants. ''

''Her brother, Kasumi Chigusa is a young adult man with an attractive appearance. Kasumi has spiky black hair and thin black eyes and pale skin. He wears his GDP school's uniform with his necktie pulled down a bit. No matter how someone compared Asuha with them, she was not similar to any of them. Yet, it can be said inherited more traces of her mother who passed away years ago.''

- Kasumi: Oh, Asuha, you're back!

''Kasumi spotted Asuha on other side of the living room but didn't react too much. Interesting enough, her brother acted really like her. He was emotionless and barely put emotions in his reactions and words, yet you can still feel and see the meaning behinds his words. He may be cold but he has a warm and kind heart. Just like her father, who turned around the greet Asuna and his daughter.''

''- Makoto: Welcome back, Asuha. I'll not even going to ask where have you been.''

''- Asuha: Let me guess. Walking around with boys? Sleeping with someone?''

Her father shook his head calmly before replying back.

''- Makoto: I know you're not such type of woman. I trust you and I believe you don't like those things.''

''Indeed, her father trusted her so much that he did not dare to ask where she have been for so many days. If she said she joined a secret military organization merely because she was caught on the middle of a rescue in Aldegyr Kingdom months ago, they wouldn't believe. Her brother would probably say she drank or smoke something. While they laughed together, Asuna noticed how warm and pure was her family, they got along on their own way.''



''- Asuna (think): *It's bright and normal family after all. Even without a mother, Asuha and her brother moves on their lives... To think we have to get rid of them. I can't believe it... what Asuha is thinking right now?*''

Asuna looked down in sadness but she was dragged out of her thoughts when Asuha introduced her to her family.

''- Asuha: Otoh-sama, nii-sama, this is Asuna, my friend I met in Raizen High School. I was living in her house for the time being. Sorry for not telling you all.''

Asuha looked back at her family.

''- Makoto: Ah, so you were living with her? Nice to meet you, Asuna. My name is Makoto Chigusa, I'm the father of this idiot kid beside you. And next to me is her old brother, Kasumi Chigusa. Nice to meet you.''



''Makoto shaked her hands in a friendly maner while Asuha's brother only waved at her. And while they were greeting her, Asuha murmured to herself like if she trying to hide her words.''

- Asuha: I'm gonna miss you...

Accidentally, her brother heard it and approached his ear to her face in a curious expression.

- Kasumi: Sorry, can you say that again.

''Asuha blushed and threw a pillow at his face. It was a comical moment that happened almost everyday when Kasumi was around. Kasumi was working to GDP in United States for almost 2 years but after the Purge began and USA fell, he was sent back to Japan as his services were no longer necessary.''​​​​​​

- Asuha: GET LOST, YOU IDIOT!

''Her father laughed as he made his way towards the kitchen to prepare the dinner. ''

''The family continued chatting for a long time while Asuna was reading a newspaper of Tenguu City telling about the murders of innocent families happening around the city. Families who were murdered by the STAR LABS for having a member of their family.''

After washing her hands, Asuha seated next to Asuna in the sofa with a smile.

''- Asuna: Are you sure you gonna do this? There must be another way.''



After all, what exactly Asuna and Asuha were planning to do there?

''- Asuha: Yes. I want to do it because I love them, I really love them. I don't want them to die because of me. Even if they can no longer remember of my existence in this world, as long they're safe, there is nothing to worry about. My brother is stupid and lazy but a reliable person. My father is a kind and good-hearted man who cares more about us than himself. I'm ready for the consequences.''

''Asuna looked at Asuha, who was almost crying in sadness. Even if she tried to keep her cold to hide the negative feelings, Asuna can still her sobs and sounds of her tears falling to the floor.''

''- Asuna: I'm gonna do it now. Do you wish any last moments with them.''



''- Asuha: I already saw them for the last time in my life. You can proceede but do it quickly. I don't want them to suffer...''

''Inside of her mind, Asuha began to remember all moments of her life with her only family. The day she was born into this world to the day the Purge began.''

''With rigorous but gentle parents, respectable teachers, and fellow students who shared her enthusiasm, under all of these conditions, Asuha grew up in the town of Tenguu. But just as she was ten years old, an misfortunate event struck.''

''Her mother, whom always had a weak body, suffered from a lung disease and passed away. Although they lived in a country with high-technology, it was impossible to resurrect the dead. Asuha's and her mothers's families mourned for her passing as they offered their condolences. They held compassion to Asuha'sfather, who had lost his partner at a young age. And when standing by the side of her father, who was trying to hold back his tears, they saw that Asuha was dealt a similar blow to her heart. From that day, Asuha, who was lazy, emotionless and did not care about her family, began to change.''



''- Asuha: When I was a child, I never loved my family for being too rigid with me. Forcing me to study things I didn't like. Forcing me to jobs I hated... But you know what? After my mother died I started to value them even more. They were rigid but they were all kind and lovable. There is no better family in this world than my own. So that's why... I want to protect them.''

While they were talking to each other, Kasumi and Makoto seated on the dinner table to enjoy their meal.

- Asuna: I see...

"......................"

''Asuha clenched her fist as she looked through the window of the living room. On the other side, she could see the city burning on the horizon.''

''- Asuha: Since the day the Purge began, the STAR LABS put Ratatoskr in the category of terrorists and rebels. Even now, the STAR LABS must be tracking our traces about our origins, family, friends and lovers. We can't let them know about us, if they do, they will go after them and kill them... or worse, they might arrest and torture them to tell about our whereabouts.''

''Asuna then rose her hand and activated some Magi-Tech in her palm. The magi-tech was a spell similar to yellow smoke. The smoke slowly spread around the house like a mist covering the mobiles, walls and environment.''

- Asuna: Don't hate me for that.

''Asuna stood up from the sofa and closed her eyes to focus on the spell. And what happened next? The time of environment was reversing back like if the house itself was returning to the past while the time of the world outside still counting like a clock. ''

- Asuna: [REGROWTH]

''Asuha watched the time returning back to the past while her family seemed to be petrified by the spell. What exactly is that spell anyway? It seems to be pure magic but it's magi-tech, magic developed through science.''

''Regrowth is one of the most forbidden spells in world and an unique ability. Changes in the atoms of a determinated place to rewound up to years in the past, copying and rewriting the atoms from before any change from external 'sources were incurred.''

''And what happened next would shock anyone to death. The spell rewrote the story of the house. All photos of Asuha disappeared, all her belongings vanished, her room ceased to exist and became nothing an empty wall, her clothes became dust, her childhood toys evaporated... everything related to Asuha in that house was gone.''

''But why did this happen? Asuha is the younger sister and was born years after everyone there, which means Asuna only deleted the time when Asuha was there since her birth. Basically erasing her existence in that house... there is no worse fate to "die" in the eyes of a family.''

''- Asuna: Asuha... it's don--!''

When Asuna looked back at Asuha, she could see the young student crying in front of her father and brother, who were staring at each other like if they were trapped in an illusion.

- Asuha: Y-You two...

Asuha tried to communicate with them, just after hearing her voice, they could snap out of the spell.

- Asuha: Are you ok-kay?

''It was the first time she could be seen crying like a baby... for a good reason. Right now, her family had their entire history with Asuha erased from their memories. Probably, even now, only people outside of her small family knows about her existence.''

- Makoto: .................

- Kazumi: .................

''Suddenly, her father shook his head and stared deeply in her eyes... but those eyes were not filled with kindess. It was like if he was looking at a strange.''

- Makoto: Excuse me...

Asuha took a deep breath, waiting for his answer.

"..............."

<p style="text-align:center;"> '- Makoto: But... who are you?'

<p style="text-align:center;">' 5 minutes later... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> 2 kilometers away from Asuha's house 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Street 

''It's been 5 minutes since that moment. It was done. Nothing can undo it. And what's left? Only tears, sorrow and misery.''

- Asuha: .............

- Asuna: ...........

''The two girls from Ratatoskr who went to Tenguu City to erase Asuha's past, were now walking down a long and abandoned street of a condominium. The only that can be heard are the sounds of her footsteps. No human soul can be found in kilometers there. Why? Probably most of the intelligent people had already evacuated the city to find a safe place. It's only a matter of time until the STAR LABS and Black Demons shows up.''

- Asuna: I'm sorry.

Asuna looked down in sadness for making such tough person cry.

''- Asuha: Don't mind me. It was me on the first place who asked such request. Also, it's for the best for me and family. If the STAR LABS invade my house, they will find nothing but two people who never saw Asuha Chigusa in their lives. They will search for my documents and will find absolutely nothing. And at this point, Japan is in complete chaos for them find my classmates from Raizen High School.''

''The world was filled with irrationality and no one would try to oppose it. Her limits could not achieve her goals no matter how hard she tried. In order to live through that cruel world, she could only continue being strongly conscious about the things she should do and her own meaning of life. Yes... get rid of her own dreams to find a new one. Sacrifice her former life to protect those who participated from it. This is the type of world Asuha is living now.''



''This... is the new world.''

''- Asuna: Even so... I admire you. You're really an impressive person. You erased their memories about you knowing you're the only who is going to suffer afterwards while they will live in peace like if you never existed.''

''Asuha took a deep breath and swallowed her tears and saliva. While looking at the sky, she could see the night sky being filled with smoke of fires happening on the other side of the town.''

"......................"

''- Asuha: It's because I'm a Rogue now. I can't afford staying behind of everyone.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Europe

<p style="text-align:center;"> Germany

<p style="text-align:center;"> 904 kilometers away from Berlin

<p style="text-align:center;"> The Fallen's Mansion

<p style="text-align:center;"> 9 hours later

''In a country far away from Japan, the evil was regrouping in a single place of Germany, 904 kilometers from Berlin. ''

''Two people appeared out of nowhere, a few yards apart in the narrow, moonlit lane. The two people were a man and a woman... the man was wearing a black cloak, black hat... that man is the infamous Pope of Vatican, Michael Langdon and the woman who was wearing a bio-organic armor was Aryana Westcott herself.''

''For a second they stood quite still, with their fingers directed at each other's chests; then, recognizing each other, they stowed their hands that were about to shoot a wave of energy at each other and started walking briskly in the same direction. Now, thet were in the front gates of the Fallen's Essence mansion, a isolated mansion in the dark camps of Germany.''

- Michael: News?

''Michael, the mastermind behind the incidents on Vatican asked Aryana, who kept her distance from him. Aryana never was a close friend to demons as she always hated such creatures or any living being related to them. And turns out Michael is one himself.''

- Aryana: The best.

''The lane was bordered on the left by wild, low-growing brambles, on the right by a high, neatly manicured hedge. Michael's long cloaks flapped around his ankles as they marched. Aryana who was using a suit did not feel it.''

- Michael: Thought I might be late.

''Michael said to himself, his blunt features sliding in and out of sight as the branches of overhanging trees broke the moonlight. ''



''- Michael: It was a little trickier than I expected. But I hope he will be satisfied. You sound confident that your reception will be good?''

''Aryana nodde with a smile as her suit started to shine in violet on the darkness, but did not elaborate. ''

''They turned right, into a wide driveway that led off the lane. The high hedge curved into them, running off into the distance beyond the pair of imposing wrought-iron gates barring the two's way. Neither of them broke step: In silence both raised their left arms in a kind of salute and passed straight through, as though the dark metal was smoke. The yew hedges muffled the sound of the two's footsteps. There was a rustle somewhere to their right: Michael drew his hand again pointing it over his companion's head, but the source of the noise proved to be nothing more than a pure-white peacock, strutting majestically along the top of the hedge. ''

''- Michael: She always did herself well, Carissa. Peacocks...''

''Michael thrust his hand under his cloak with a snort. A beautiful blonde woman in a dress of princess grew out of the darkness at the end of the straight drive, lights glinting in the diamond paned downstairs windows. Somewhere in the dark garden beyond the hedge a fountain was playing. ''



''Gravel crackled beneath their feet as Aryana and Michael sped toward the front door, which swung inward at their approach, though nobody had visibly opened it. The hallway was large, dimly lit, and sumptuously decorated, with a magnificent carpet covering most of the stone floor. ''

''The eyes of the pale-faced portraits on the wall followed Aryana and Michael as they strode past. The Michael halted at a heavy wooden door leading into the next room, hesitated for the space of a heartbeat, then Aryana turned the bronze handle without hesitation as she is one of the strongest people in that mansion. ''



''The drawing room was full of silent people, sitting at a long and ornate table. "Otaku Eckidina", Misogi Kumagawa, the Unknown Godom Figure, Towa, the dictator of New Sovietic Union Hamdo, the Supreme Leader of Republic of Korea Kim-Sae Hak, the emperor of Godom Empire Tathagata Killer and his daughter, Chinatsu were just a few names of the people who were seated around the table. ''

''The room’s usual furniture had been pushed carelessly up against the walls. ''

''Illumination came from a roaring fire beneath a handsome marble mantelpiece surmounted by a gilded mirror. Michael and Aryana lingered for a moment on the threshold. ''

''As their eyes grew accustomed to the lack of light, they were drawn upward to the strangest feature of the scene: an apparently unconscious human figure hanging upside down over the table, revolving slowly as if suspended by an invisible rope, and reflected in the mirror and in the bare, polished surface of the table below. None of the people seated underneath this singular sight were looking at it except for a tall demonic enttity sitting almost directly below it. He seemed unable to prevent himself from glancing upward every minute or so. ''

''- (???): [Michael Langdon, Aryana Westcott. You are very nearly late.]''



''The speaker was seated directly in front of the fireplace, so that it was difficult, at first, for the new arrivals to make out more than his silhouette. As they drew nearer, however, they saw the identity of the mysterious entity... the Fallen's Essence, the mastermind of World War III.''

''And after that, a blonde woman in red dress could be seen seated on a sofa. It was the woman that Michael and Aryana spotted earlier, Carissa, the current queen of United Kingdom.''

- Carissa: We thought you two were lost.

- The Fallen: [Choose you sit, Milady].

The Fallen said while indicating the seat on his immediate right to Aryana, whom earned his respect.

- The Fallen: [Michael Langdon–beside the Leader Hamdo].

''Aryana and Michael took their allotted places. Most of the eyes around the table followed Michael, and it was to him that the Fallen spoke first. ''

- The Fallen: [So?]



''- Michael: My Lord, the STAR LABS intends to move Mina Harker from his current place of safety on Saturday next, at nightfall. According to my spies inside STAR Center, they fear that Ratatoskr might attack their HQ in a matter of days.''

''The interest around the table sharpened palpably: Some stiffened, others fidgeted, all gazing at Michael and the Fallen. ''

''- The Fallen: [Saturday... at nightfall].''

''The Fallen's Essence repeated to himself. His green eyes fastened upon Michael's green ones with such intensity that some of the watchers looked away, apparently fearful that they themselves would be scorched by the ferocity of the gaze. Michael, however, looked calmly back into the Fallen's Essence face and, after a moment or two, the Fallen's Essence lipless ''

''mouth curved into something like a smile. ''

''- The Fallen: [Good. Very good. And this information comes]...''

- Michael: From the source we discussed.

''- Hamdo: My Lord. ''

''Hamdo had leaned forward to look down the long table at the Fallen's Essence and Michael. All faces turned to him. ''

''- Hamdo: My Lord, I have heard differently. The STAR LABS' intelt let slip that Mina Harker will not be moved to an underground facility in Washington, D.C. However, it's true that Ratatoskr is a high threat thanks to the Rogues. This small group of elite warriors users of Magi-Tech and Cybernetic power of KnightWalker Cyborgs makes them one of the deadliest groups of this world.''



''Yes, this group led by the Fallen's Essence known as Orácium Imperium, is the true organization serving the Fallen's Essence. The Oración Imperium is Dark Guild born comprised of incredibly powerful alien entities and dangerous otherworldly warriors that serves as the servants and allies of the Fallen's Essence. ''

''Originally, the true goal of the Orácion was unknown due to how mysterious the true objectives moving World War III were. But now, it was revealed that their goal was to acquire all the keys rumored to be used to unlock the Abyssal's seal, as well as to use the chaos of Prime Earth to turn the Fallen's Essence into a god-like entity to overthrow his master.''

'' - Michael: My source told me that there are plans to lay a false trail; this must be it. No doubt that Mina knows we, from the Orácium Imperium, is acting to overthrow her before she can end our plans. ''

- Hamdo: I assure you, my Lord, my intel seemed quite certain.

''- Michael: We were summoned in this emergency meeting to discuss about our plans to kill Mina Harker before everything we built can be destroyed in less than a few days. Not discuss about which information is the correct one, remember you're nothing more than a pathetic dictator who rose to power thanks to some bribe here and there.''

".........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Michael never really got along with the three dictators of Orácium Imperium, Hamdo, Kim and Tathagata, so everytime they dared to open their mouths to talk back his words, he would not hold his mouth and will taunt the dictators when possible.

- Hamdo: WHAT DID YOU SA--!



Before a fight could begin, a mysterious person seated at the end of the table opened his black eyes and spoke in serious tone.

''- (???): Keep your mouth shut, Hamdo. It's Michael's turn to speak to our Lord.''

''Unlike the other people who are visible to the light, that unknown man was the only who had his face hidden in the darkness of the room. It was like if the darkness was alive and surrouding his face. Who was this man anyway?''

''- The Fallen: [As expected from the spy of Ratatoskr. It's thanks to this man we always one step above Ratatoskr].''

''It was just like the Lord said... that man in the darkness, the spy of Ratatoskr. The true enemy living inside of Fraxinus who is leaking informations and plans of Ratatoskr to the Fallen's Essence and his alliance. The battle of Tenguu City's Airport that caused the death of Sonia Nevermind was his making. This mysterious arch-enemy of Kotori Itsuka.''

''- Spy: Thank you, Milord... but from my information I got directly from Ratatoskr, they believe that Mina Harker is not going to evacuate but form a defensive line to fight back their forces.''

- Kim: At least Ratatoskr got one thing right, then, eh?

''Kim Hae-Sak sitting a short distance from Aryana gave a wheezy giggle that was echoed here and there along the table. The Fallen's Essence did not laugh. His gaze had wandered upward to the body revolving slowly overhead, and he seemed to be lost in thought.''



- O. Eckidina: If Ratatoskr is going to attack, why not let them deal with STAR LABS while we can just watch waiting for the results.

''- Tathagata: Because we don't know for sure if Ratatoskr has enough firepower to deal with the private army of STAR LABS and their special warriors. It's better if we handle this ourselves.''

''Otaku Eckidina had already given up from her alliance with the Fallen's Essence as there is nothing more she can do to return the world she wanted for herself. Yet, she was there just to keep in check the Fallen's Essence is not going to kill for thinking she was a traitor.''

- The Fallen: [So they plan to move Mina Harker to an underground facility in Washington, D.C. if they Ratatoskr shows up to invade their central.]

''- Michael: Indeed. The place, according to the source, has been given every protection that the STAR LABS and Global Pact Defense together could provide. I think that there is little chance of taking her once she is there. Apparently, not even the technology of STAR LABS is being effective against Black Demons as their agents are being devoured ony by one in the battlefields. Yet, they are the only ones with weapons that can be used against such monsters.''

''- The Fallen: [Well, Towa? Can you teleport yourself to inside of their underground facility?]''

''The Fallen called down the table, the firelight glinting strangely in his green yes. He called for the only alien member of the group, a beautiful humanoid woman with blue skin, white hair and thin body who used to be the slave of Aryana Westcott but is now serving the order thanks to her teleportation powers.''

''Once again, all heads turned, but this time to Towa, who is almost seen as a "maid" in the order as the only job she do is assistance. ''

- The Fallen: [Can you do it?]

''Towa squared her shoulders. ''

''- Towa: The STAR LABS have access to magi-tech just like the VSA and ISA, My Lord. If they rely only in their technology, I can easily teleport myself to STAR LABS' central right now and capture Mina Harker if I know the coordinates. But the problem is that STAR LABS is currently using Magi-Tech of deflectors shields to protect the entire town of Sleepy Hollow from upcoming attacks of Black Demons. The same magi-tech can block my ability of teleportation.''

Towa bowed head before the Fallen's Essence, even though she is seated right now.

''- The Fallen: [I see. All the better. I like your idea, Eckidina. Even if there is going to be consequences if Ratatoskt gets her first, the STAR LABS will have nowhere to move in the open. Let's talk about a future where Ratatosk manages to take down Mina Harker. If that happens, then STAR LABS will crumble. Their organization is a faction that can only function IF Mina Harker is alive. Like an empire that can be ruled by a single ruler, like Adolf Hitler was to Nazi Germany, her empire, will fall considering there is no one on the level of Mina Harker to take control. It takes only one single bullet to end a war, one single death to avoid thousand others].''

''Again, the Fallen's Essence looked up at the slowly revolving body as he went on. He then looked at the picture beside him, it was the picture of a giant piece of art of Carissa on the wall. As the Queen of England, Carissa is pretty much famous in the organization... to the point the Fallen's Essence have paintings of her on the walls of his mansion.''

''- The Fallen: [Aside from Mina Harker's matter, we have to talk about you, Carissa. In the last few months, you showed great loyalty to our cause and even now, you're holding the forces of STAR LABS with the combined forces of Canada from invading United Kingdom. As a stratetigic military leader, I'm promoting you to a new post thanks your brilliant achievements.''

Carissa stood up from her chair, almost crying in emotion.

- Carissa: T-Thank you, My Lord.

''Just after she thanked her master, the scream of a man in pain echoed through the house like the scream of agony of a ghost. Any person at that point would have run in fear.''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - (???): AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! ''

''Hearing that scream, the Fallen's Essence turned his head angrily towards a man wearing clothes of plague doctor on the door. That man in black clothes was just standing there the whole time like a security.''

- The Fallen: [Servant, have I not spoken to you about keeping our prisoner quiet?]

''The man dressed like a plague doctor, more known as Unknown Godom Figure, also knoen as Crow, is a elite guardian of the Emperor Tathagata Killer and is a mysterious person connected to Katarina Couteau's past. ''

- Crow: Yes, m-my Lord.

Crow then bowed before the Fallen's Essence without putting any emotions in his words and left the room, leaving nothing behind him but a curious gleam of silver.

- The Fallen: [As I was saying...]

''The Fallen continued, looking again at the tense faces of his followers. ''

''- The Fallen: [Carissa, I have a new important job for you to assume from today. It's a order to replace one of my former servants who "defected" the post].''



Carissa twisted her eyebrows in confusion while the others seemed a little surprised.

''The Fallen's Essence raised his hand and pointed it directly at the slowly revolving figure suspended over the table, and put it on the floor, where two doctors tied her up in a medical stretcher. The figure came to life with a groan and began to struggle against the straightjacket she was wearing. That person who floating just above the table was a woman with white skin and blonde hair, but she seemed to be crazy.''

- The Fallen: [Do you recognize our guest, Carissa?]

''Of course everyone in that room recognized the face of that woman tied up in that medical stretcher. After all... that person is the founder and leader of the terrorist group Ultimate Despair, the terrorist group composed of talented young terrorist who brought the end of 4% of USA's territory and almost half of China's territory... moreover, she is one of the most important protagonists of the Third World War that helped to wage wars against mankind itself, Junko Enoshima.''



''Junko, who was tied in that stretchers, was put on foot mode and was kept like that, standing like a lunatic while the two doctors who assisted her left the room. Right now, Junko is totally beaten and have terrible injuries all over her body... it looks like she was tortured for days and days.''

- Junko: Hehehehe...hehe.

- Carissa: What happened to Junko, My Lord?

''All of the Orácium members were looking up at the captive now, as though they had been given permission to show curiosity. As she revolved to face the firelight, Junko said in a cracked and terrified voice... yet everyone could sense her delight and pleasure of being tortured and beaten to such state.''

''- Junko: Carissa! Help me~!''

''Junko was blushing like a little girl in love, the truth is that she excited and feeling sexual pleasure for being humiliated by the Fallen's Essence and his men for days. And as such, being exposed in such state in front of many people was amazing for her.''



''- The Fallen: [For those of you who do not know, we are joined here tonight by Junko Enoshima who, until recently, was put as the leader of the Ultimate Despair, one of our greatest allies in this war that helped to further our agenda. However, on the last month, a member of the group tried to assassinate me alongside Eckidina KnightWalker using a magical bullet. This traitor is called Gundham Tanaka, a terrorist of the group who remained loyal to me until the death of Sonia Nevermind months ago when the Rogues fought the Manufacturing Progressive Sciences directly at the secret airport of KnightWalker Family in Tenguu City.''

''There were small noises of comprehension around the table. A broad, hunched woman with pointed teeth cackled. ''

''- The Fallen: [But tonight, we are not here to punish Junko for what she did in the recent days. We are here to judge her for her past sins. After some investigation, we discovered that Tanaka Gundham and his accomplice, Kazuichi Soda, tried to assassinate me thanks to the bad treatment I gave to Sonia Nevermind... which... unfortunely caused her death. Right now, Tanaka is learning how to respect me through torture in the backdoors.]''

Apparently, the scream of that man in agony really is Tanaka Gundham, who still being tortured for trying to kill the Fallen's Essence in an assassination.



''- The Fallen: [Tonight, we are are to bring justice upon this traitor. Junko Enoshima, who betrayed us months ago during the crisis of Vatican. Thanks to Heis' assistance, we were able to see the past and memories of Junko Enoshima, and we could see that she used her position of leader of the Ultimate Despair to assist an unknown figure during the election to Pope on Vatican last years].''

''Hearing that, Michael felt his heart beat faster than normal... if everything the Fallen's Essence said about reading Junko's memories thanks to Heis' abilities is true, that means he basically knows the Unknown Figure who was acting in Vatican to make himself rose to the post of Pope in Vatican, is Michael himself. And Michael knows that Junko Enoshima knows his true identity as the Unknown Figure, who is basically an enemy to Orácium Imperium. In some sorts, Michael is working only to himself and another evil entity from the past, yet he devoted loyalty to the Fallen's Essence the moment he showed up to him. ''



''There was a moment in the past that Michael revealed his identity to Junko... if the Fallen's Essence saw that, there is no doubt he now knows Michael is an enemy. Even though Vatican is allied with the KnightWalker Alliance, that doesn't change the fact that Michael is a conspirator.''

- Michael (think): *I knew I should have killed Junko I had the chance.*

''Michael did his best to keep calm and don't make a storm there. There are only two people in that room that can bring his death in a matter of seconds, they are Aryana Westcott and the Fallen's Essence. ''

''- The Fallen: [Yes... ladies and gentlemen. Junko Enoshima, one of our most trusted ally is a traitor who allied with the enemy. And that's why we are going to bring her end now. The punishment for treason is death].''

The Fallen then summoned a scythe made of bones in his hand and flew towards the other side of the table, taking distance from Junko who was stuck in the same location.

''- The Fallen: [Let this be an exemple for everyone who defy me... be they from within... or outside].''

''Everyone paid attention to Junko, who was giggling insanely like a psychotic serial killer about to receive his death sentence. At the same time, Junko looked at Michael with a happy face... right now, she can tell the Unknown Figure is that man... but for some reason, she did nothing to stop her death.''



<p style="text-align:center;"> '- Junko: It was fun... boy.'

''With a psychotic grin, Junko gave her farewell to Michael, who was seated just 3 meters away from her. Like if he was trying to avoid attention, he turned his head to other side like if he was ignoring her.''

And then...



- The Fallen: [INSTANT DEATH!]

''A flash of green light illuminated every corner of the room. The scythe that the Fallen's Essence summoned flew towards Junko and pierced her stomatch, ripping her skin and exposing her internal organs as the impact of the scythe pushed the stretcher she was tied on against the floor.''

- All: ................

Blood splat everywhere as Junko tasted her pleasing death.

''Junko fell, with a resounding crash, onto the table below, which trembled and creaked. Several of the Orácium members leapt back in their chairs. Hamdo fell out of his onto the floor.''

- Chinatsu: Not elegant.



The Fallen's Essence giggled in a demonic way as he stared at Junko's dead body on the floor, filling the ground with a pool of blood.

''- Michael (think): *Junko... what was that? She protect me identity? For what reason?*''

''Michael stared at her body in confusion... from the Fallen's Essence reaction, he probably don't know that Michael is the Unknown Figure, which means that he did not read all of her memories, only the moment she interacted with him before they could meet in person.''

''- The Fallen: [This is the fate of all traitors. Even if her sins were done in the past, a sin is a sin. A treason is a treason. No matter the place, time or even dimension...]''

''Carissa seated in the chair in shock... it was the first time that she saw the Fallen's Essence subjugating a servant of his group. And it was not pretty.''

''- O. Eckidina: Poor girl... I really liked her. But she was really stupid... even if she is Super-High School Talented Mastermind, she can't control her urges for despair. And this is what caused her demise right now. And this is what made her betray our cause.''

''Suddenly, Junko's body began to fly and landed on the top of the table where everyone were seated. The Fallen's Essence was planning something else... but considering what they had saw serving, they always know the worse comes later... ''

''And it happened... from the Fallen's Essence back, a giant centipede monster came out and began to walk on the top of the table. The creature was going towards the Junko's corpse.''

''- The Fallen: [Dinner]. ''

The Fallen's Essence said that softly, and the great centipede swayed towards the body with its giant teeth.

''- Carissa (think): *So from now on... I'm the new leader of Ultimate Despair. This is going to be bad. This is not so fun as I expected.*''​​​​​​



The centipede opened its monstruous mouth and attacked Junko's body as everyone watched the terrifying scene.

<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile... <p style="text-align:center;"> Novosic Kingdom <p style="text-align:center;"> O Castelo <p style="text-align:center;"> Hallway of the Top Floor

Meanwhile in the Castelo of Novosic Kingdom's capital, the human body of Unit-CM 130, was making his way to a new laboratory of human experiments set on the last floor of the castle with a gloomy expression.

''- CM: So Lusamine really disappeared? At first, I thought she went just to another place but Hazama's report are indeed true.''

''CM spoke to himself when suddenly he heard stepfoots of a person using high-heeled shoes approached him with a dark and arrogant aura... it was his mercenary who was brought from another universe to serve him as his human enforcer, Jessica Bailey.''

''After the battle of Morte, almost 18% of the Zero Numbers died in combat against the Catholic Rebels, the Rogues and Ratatoskr's combined forces with Chronos Empire. And right now, CM is using her assistance for security and protection of Novosic Kingdom.''



''- Jessica: Excuse me, director. I have news.''

''CM stopped walking but only turned his head slighly to see Jessica standing behind him. He was not in the mood to talk so he replied with a furious tone.''

- CM: What do you want?!

".......!!!"

''Everyone working to CM knows how brutal, cold-blooded and ruthless he is. No one follows because he is kind or someone worth of following. Everyone follows this man because of profit and fear. Just that. Even now, Jessica is only serving him because of the high reward he promised to her...''

''With that said, it can be said that no one inside of the MPS wants to see CM furious, purely out of fear. And not from respect.''



- Jessica: It's about Lusamine

''Contrary to CM's reaction, Jessica let out a cool breath. She is a mercenary who have already killed hundreds of people, it takes more than that scary her like many others would do.''

''- CM: If you want to talk about that she went missing I already know that. Hazama already gave me the report and that Doctor Agnus is now commanding the fleet of bombers to release the Black Gas... Is that all?''

"....................."

Jessica stood up in silence but was not surprised at all.

''- Jessica: Not really. Hazama already told me that. I'm here to say that thanks to the cameras of the town we have access, we could find the whereabouts of Lusamine.''

Just then, she caught CM's attention, who finally turned his entire body around to pay attention.



- CM: Go on.

''- Jessica: After the executive director Lusamine left from Castelo, the cameras of the town managed to take photos of her car going towards the airport of KnightWalker Family 9 kilometers away from here. Like you should know, she is carrying many capsules of the Black Gas with her...''

- CM: ...And that she is going to give them to our enemy.

Jessica nodded as she spoke.

''- Jessica: Yes... if left alone, there is a chance they might develop a cure against the Black Gas using the very base of your research. This is my theory of what Lusamine is planning: wipe out the Black Gas by giving it to Ratatoskr so they can fight against our plague. ''

CM put his hand in his chin.



''- Jessica: If you order me now, I can intercept ​​​​​her before she can escape from the capital. It's important to remember she has the special code to pass through our air defenses without being inspected. Once she enter in a ship or plane, there is no turning back.''

CM closed his eyes and smiled maliciously.

''- CM: The Black Gas is a powerful virus that kills every single cell of a human body, ending the life of the host and bringing him back in the form of a Zoyineian Demon... which is similar to a corpse returning as a zombie. Believe me, Jessica. You can even bring the body of a dead person back to life... but you can't return their... consciousness. Even if Ratatoskr finds a cure, it'll be too late... because...''

<p style="text-align:center;">' - CM: My work is complete. '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile... <p style="text-align:center;"> Lusamine's Private Airport <p style="text-align:center;"> Landing Strip

Meanwhile, Lusamine, who was being watched by MPS and Jessica Bailey, finally arrived in the airport of MPS. Now, why she took so long to arrive on this airport?

''To avoid being caught in more blitza of MPS that were searching for her, Lusamine stayed in different hotels under the disguise another person. At that point, CM had already discovered her betrayal thanks to Hazama. ''

''Despite CM had so confidence in his Black Gas, he refuses to take risks because of his arrogance. Many years ago, CM died because of his overconfidence of his reputation, and now, he is not planning to commit the same mistake. Even if it's a minor problem to be dealt with, CM will use everything he got solve his own problems and destroy any obstacles in his way. At this moment, the Zero Numbers, Jessica Bailey's mercenaries and MPS are looking for Lusamine. However, following the treaty the MPS did with the Sephirah Gastronomics, the droid-making corporation founded by Lusamine, they are not allowed to invade her private airport on the other side of Novosic Kingdom.''



''Just like the private airport of KnightWalker Family in Tenguu City that was used to deliver weapons to criminal factions, the private airport of Sephirah Gastronimics, is used with the solo purpose of arming the police and military forces of Novosic Kingdom... or at least what is left of it since half of the army and police was dissolved and absorbed by the MPS to form one single force of attack and defense.''

- Lusamine: To think you were the one who is going to take me to Ratatoskr.

''And right now, Lusamine, the traitor of MPS, is standing on the landing strip of her airport... Her green eyes were focused in a person standing in front of her. After she left her car, the first thing she saw outside was another female figure dressed in black. She was a white Asian woman with a beautiful black hair, light green eyes... it could be described as the wife of a Yakuza's leader.''

- (???): We don't see each other for 2 decades, and this is how you greet me, Lusamine.



''The woman in front of her is the most famous Peace Foundation's director, Asami Sato. Like usual, she is shining like an angel.''



''- Lusamine: Time and distance was never a problem to me, Asami. Even in 40 years, I'll not show emotion when greeting a friend.''

''Friend... Asami widened her eyes in surprise a little when she heard that... Yes, Asami and Lusamine share a long story. ''

''- Asami: How did you manage to get through the blitz of the Zero Numbers? I heard they put androids and elite Cyborgs to look for you.''

''Lusamine looked behind and saw that outside of the airport's zones was in fire. A few places of Novosic Kingdom were in fire but they were not battlefields between humans and demons but riots lead by rebel organizations trying to take down the new regime of Novosic Kingdom led by Unit-CM 130. Even in times like these, the proud of nation still alive.''



''- Lusamine: I just took the opportunity to pass through them disguising myself as a civilian. It took long but it was worth it. I admit it was the most scary moment in her life as it's the first time I faced death. I'm Lusamine, the director of Sephira Gastronomics and co-founder of MPS. If the civilians recognized me, I was surely going to torn apart.''

Then, Asami scratched her head.

''- Asami: Lusamine... you're a war criminal. You supported the KnightWalker Alliance's territorial expansion on Europe. You sold weapons of mass-destruction to Godom Empire. You helped the dreadful Manufacturing Progressive Sciences to rise... And now, you're no longer accepted by the civilian population of the world. Not to mention, you betrayed them, meaning you have nowhere to go.''

".........................."

With a creepy (but sad) smile, Lusamine replied her "old friend" in a loud tone.



''- Lusamine: Maybe that's true, but I don't need anyone. It's true that I used people in my experiments, it's true that I supported dictatorships to become a threat to the globe... but, Asami Sato, I already lost everything. I lost everything I held dearly during my time serving them. That's why, I have nothing to lose. That's why, I decided to betray them: because I have nothing left. Even now, betraying them was only the last option I ever had. Even if the whole world rejects me, I'm not going down. I'll live for myself and myself only. I lived my entire life alone, and I never needed anyone to stand by my side.''

''The last words of her speech "I lived my entire life alone, and I never needed anyone to stand by my side", brought many memories to Asato. Memories of her past. Lusamine and Asami shared a long story of friendship but after the former joined the Fallen's Essence to take part on his insane cause, they lost contact and followed their own path.''

- Asami: Lusamine...

Flashback
<p style="text-align:center;"> 34 years ago  <p style="text-align:center;"> 2003 <p style="text-align:center;"> Canada  <p style="text-align:center;"> Ottawa  <p style="text-align:center;"> University of Ottawa 

''We are moving to a meeting that happened a long time ago. Lusamine and Asato met themselves almost 3 decades ago, 2003. At that time, the duo were young colleges whom were studying at the Unviersity of Ottawa, on the state o Ottawa, Canada.''

''As a genius in economy, Lusamine decided to study economy and admnistration to create her own business point. One of her dreams was to have her own company with global business. It could be anything, clothes, cars, jewels, weapons, ships, construction materials... anything that could be used as a great center of business.''

''But the world was not so easy like Lusamine thought. It never was... not to anti-social people who refused to socialize in society.''



''Lusamine was young, naive and arrogant... but above all, she was prideful. She was decided to live her entire life alone and rose to glory alone, considering those who need help from families, loved ones, friends, contacts and profissionals to be inferior and lazy. She looked down on everyone around her, considering than none less than a bunch of idiots who can do a thing alone.''

''She was just like that... Lusamine lost her parents at young age, and so she was raised in an orphanage in London. She moved to USA at the age of 15 years old, when the executives of the orphanage saw too much potential in one single girl. Obviously, the Global Pact Defense couldn't ignore her talents and put in the University of Ottawa under surveillance to watch her progress.''

''She had everything to become the GDP's new president if possible. Her IQ was above 400, which is amazingly a worldwide record while most humans have IQ low than 40 or 60. This woman, was indeed the future of mankind embodied in one physical body.''

''But like any other arrogant talented person who refuses to take part in social groups, she was rejected by everyone--No, she rejected them first, causing everyone around her to hate her at some degree of envy and anger for considering herself to be superior. Lusamine was an outcast who isolated herself but the other students also cooperated to make her a lonely person.''



''And one day, like usual, Lusamine was reading a book on her favorite spot: below a tree full of apples. While she was reading below the shadows of that tree, some students who were passing by noticed her and began to murmur between themselves... but one of them, a young Asian woman with black hair and green eyes stopped walking and was left behind by her group of friends... that young woman is Asami Sato.''

''Unlike, Lusamine who is a lonely outcast, Asami is a popular and charismatic woman who tries her best to be friendly with everyone. What she study in this university? Psychology, so it makes quite sense that she wants to become friends with everyone around her; to study human's psychology and just have fun... it's like killing two bugs in one slap.''

- Asami: That girl...

Asami approached Lusamine, who was peacefully reading her book.

- Asami: Excuse me, you're Lusamine, right?

Lusamine slightly changed the position of her eyes, but when she saw that it was Asami, one of the most popular girls of the school, she immeditely ignored her.

''- Asami: So to tell, it wasn't me who wrote all those horrible things in your desk today. I'm sorry for you, I really do.''

"...................."

''No response from Lusamine since she continued reading her books without any interference. But yes, if Lusamine was only ignored by most people that would be nothing to her... but what makes her life harder in the college are the violent and brutal bully she suffers from her classmates, who do more than just ignore her. They often destroy her belongings, burn her books, throw dog's piss in her shoes, throw mud at her and among many other cruel things... if Lusamine was a normal person, she would have committed suicide a long time ago, because she is enduring it for almost 3 years now.''

- Asami: Mind if I seat beside you?



Lusamine continued to ignore her.

- Asami: I'll consider that as a "yes".

''Without any further words, Asami seated beside Lusamine, who suddenly took a small distance between them. And a few seconds later, the two heard a couple of male voices on distance and saw three men intimidating one of the students with the physical appearance of a nerd.''

''- Asami: Those things... are common here. It's horrible to see that so many are used to it. Sometimes I wonder what in the world is happening inside of their heads.''

Lusamine, for the first time, stopped reading her book and spoke.

''- Lusamine: Because deep inside, everyone knows helping the most imparied. Helping the scum is the same as becoming the enemy of the rest of the group you used to be. But more importantly... I may advise you to leave before anyone can see us. If someone sees you with me, they will consider you and one of the "scum" just like me.''



In truth, Lusamine just wanted to be alone.

''- Asami: It's true... becoming friends with a person who is already considered to be a target of the entire school is against the moral "rules" if you want to keep your honor. Once you extend your hand to help someone, the "friends" you once hang out with will consider you just like the "scumbags" they claim to be the worse. Well, not all friends will turn against you, only those who only sees you as some piece for fun, money and influence. Those friends who still beside you no matter what, are the true ones you should keep.''

"............................"

Annoyed, Lusamine sharpened her eyes and tried to gently make her leave.



- Lusamine: If you know you're going to be targeted by the university then lea--

Asami continued speaking without giving time for Lusamine to kick her out of there.

''- Asami: But the truth is: I don't care. It's true that I want friendship but I don't like seeing someone being ignored from distance. I don't have family so I can tell... how is living in a world without someone. That's why I want friendship.''

''- Lusamine: You're basically using them to fill the hole in your heart. The hole called solitude. Nothing more than that. You're only using them just like they use you. Once you had enough, you can simply go to another person and use they to replace the piece missing...''

''- Asami: Not really, Lusamine. I... just don't want to abandon them...''

"........................"

<p style="text-align:center;"> '- Asami: ... Like my parents did to me... for being born a woman in my homeland.'

Nowadays
''- Asami: And in those 2 decades we separated, you joined one of the worst women in mankind's history, Eckidina KnightWalker.  Asami closed her eyes disappointment.''

''- Asami: Honestly, I thought you were more intelligent back then. You and I know that Eckidina is a woman who uses everyone as a tool and dispose of them once they are no longer useful. It's not because she just want to be cruel for the heck of it. It's not because she has no use for them. It's because she knows her plans are insane, and there is a high-chance that some of them might turn against her... because deep inside everyone knows that she is out of this world.''

Lusamine nodded but did not put much credits in her words.

''- Lusamine: I think you got something wrong. I founded my own corporation as I always dreamed of. Even when I gave my services to KnightWalker Alliance during the break out of World War III, I never had intentions to help Eckidina in her own agenda.''

''Lusamine sharpened her glance and lifted the tip of her lips. Asami nodded to reassure her.''

''- Asami: Then for what reason you supported them? They promised you something?''



''- Lusamine: Not really. I did not enjoy serving them or something like that. It's because I met a person. Back then was not intelligent at all... I was just naive and innocent, and I let this man manipulate me. He was not exactly the type of man you can trust. He was not the type of man who will give you flowers or take you to a dinner. He is not romantic nor charismatic neither, the only he had was power and grand plans for the world. I followed him but before I could notice I was in love with him. And I began to work for him, and only him. I was only focused in his dreams I forgot about mine. I paid more attention to him than myself. I lost the light on my eyes when I saw the darkness on his own. He was the cruelty reincarnated yet I continued following him like if death and sorrow became such typical elements in my life. Ironic, no? No matter if you're God, an Angel, a Demon, a genius or even an animal, as long you're a woman you can easily become another person just to fit with the person you love, be they men or women. In the end, women are fragile things, Asami. I lost my way because of him, and there is no turning back for me now.''

".................."

Asami closed her eyes.

- Asami: So it was love, huh?

Lusamine widened her eyes and replied her with a difficult face.



''- Lusamine: Hard to admit but it was. A false and stupid emotion that turned me into a puppet from those who sought to use me as their tools.''

''Asami's eyes began to be filled with tears... for some reason, she felt the way as Lusamine right now. But what caused it? The Global Pact Defense? The Peace Foundation... or--''

''- Asami: I understand. I understand. ''

''Upon hearing that, Asami can feel the loneliness inside Lusamine's heart... but more importantly, the latter also felt some burden n her words.''

".........................."

''The silence between the two old friends was broken when the sound of a cargo ship arrived in the skies of the airport. It was a ship of Peace Foundation but it was disguised as a ship of Godom Empire. Only the allies of KnightWalker Alliance can adventure in their territories.''

- Lusamine: I hope you know this, but did you read my message?

''- Asami: Yes. You said you were defecting the MPS and was going to give the Ratatoskr organization the secret weapon of Unit-CM 130. But why you're going to Ratatoskr? ''

''Lusamine then showed the briefcase she was carrying and showed it to Asami. It was several capsules of the Black Gas.''

''- Lusamine: My affiliated "friends" fought Ratatoskr a few times before, so I know they are the only ones I can trust to fight the MPS and KnightWalker Alliance. And considering the state of Global Pact Defense, Stabilization Union and America, I prefer to die rather than giving CM's secret weapons in their hands. To tell the truth, I never trusted on United States and GPD, serving the KnightWalker Alliance to overthrow them was one of the best things I have ever done for sure.''



''It's true that Lusamine betrayed the MPS for sure to take down CM and the Fallen's Essence, but the methods she used to do it was based on relationships. Lusamine was an old friend of Asami Sato, so that's why she contacted her instead of the head of all organizations of GPD. She never trusted on them, always considering them to be not so different from the KnightWalkers. ''

''Lusamine was actually praying that Asami, her friend, would not betray her to continue following orders of Mina Harker. And after reading many documents of GPD, she discovered Peace Foundation was not in good terms with the STAR LABS, making it easy to say that at least the Peace Foundation has contact with Ratatoskr in some sorts.''

''- Asami: I see. You did the right choice. Right now, the rest of the board members of Peace Foundation are being forced to work to Mina Harker and her group... some suffered worse by suffering death threats and violence. If you called someone else besides me, I bet they would be kidnapping you to have the Black Gas for themselves. But... what exactly is this Black Gas that you always talking about...''

".............."

Lusamine twisted her eyebrows and continued showing the capsules.



<p style="text-align:center;">' - Lusamine: A weapon that can wipe out all life on this planet. '

Part 5 - Voice


''While Lusamine made her escape with Asami Sato from Novosic Kingdom, a strange female voice echoed all over the planet, singing like if the voice came to announce the end of times. In this strange phenomenon, Ratatoskr discovered the voices was coming from the Iron Bottom Sound, on the middle of many Japanese islands across the Pacific Ocean.'' <p style="text-align:center;">''However... Their investigation came to an end when Lusamine herself appeared before Kotori and Imperia...''

<p style="text-align:center;"> England <p style="text-align:center;"> Atlantic Ocean <p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus <p style="text-align:center;"> Imperia's Room  <p style="text-align:center;"> 5 hours later 

''The night had arrived, leaving half of the globe in darkness, allowing the people on the other side to see the darkness of the universe above them. ''

''From above, it doesn't see that the world is at war... No--the lights of the cities that were supposed to illuminate the dark side of the globe, were gone, now there are only fires... half of the globe at this moment is burning, making the orange and red light seen from space look like the world was at peace.''

At this point, any person with rational thoughts will consider the humanity is done, and there is no way to recover the planet after so many destructive conflicts.

''- (???): The Purge, huh? How can we win like this?''

The woman speaking to herself is none other than Imperia Deamonne, currently the strongest member of the Rogues and Ratatoskr.

''Right now, Imperia was located at the roof of Fraxinus very late at night. With the moon now covered by the clouds, only the lights of the ship provided a dim illumination to look around.''

".................."

''If Imperia was a human, she would have been dead a long time ago? No. We don't mean "dead" because of her death as La Folia Rihavein in Aldegyr Kingdom months ago. We mean that Fraxinus is flying almost 50 kilometers above the ground. If any normal human would be standing on the top of the ship, the ywould have died because of lack of oxygen or were probably pushed by the wind, giving the person a quick fall towards the ground. She was a Cyborg, and probably the strongest Cyborg on the entire world thanks to Chinatsu's DNA running through her veins.''

''- Imperia: Why... can't everyone see we are fighting a lost cause? ''



''Imperia looked down to stare at the murky darkness of her own shadow. While slowly lifting her leg, she trampled down with the heel of her leg.''

''- Imperia: Ahaha... even now, when I'm a Cyborg, I can still feel pain. This is probably one of the few things that is left of my mankind. Makes me feel alive. Makes me feel pride for being part of this world... but now...''

"...............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Suddenly, as Imperia was enjoying her own pain, she heard a voice on the horizon that echoed like if the entire horizon was a cave. It was a voice, a voice filled with sorrow and suffering. It was like the voice of a baby in pain.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> - (???): A̖̓ȁ̧ă̹à͍ì̳ī̲i͕͝h̪̋h̟͒h͇̿

''It was more than a simple voice that could be heard from somewhere nearby. It was a voice that could be heard in kilometers around Fraxinus' current location. Imperia used her ultra-senses of hearing to see from where that voice was coming, because it was too scary to see that a voice was louder than the winds brutally hitting her face.''



''- Imperia: This voice...? What is it?'' ''Imperia extended her ultra-senses to find the origin of the voice. But amazingly, the voice was nowhere in a radius of 100 kilometers... And seconds later...''

- Voice: I̯͝.̻̿.̲̒.͓͑ ̥̀B̪͋a̱̎c̯̈́k̬̀.͉͝.̨̋.͕̚ ͙̇Ġ̪i̭͗ṿ̚e͓̓.̡̊.͖̓.͚̅ ̪̈B̜͑ȁ̢c̰͑k̥͛.̨̕.̓͜.̺̚ ̈͜Ỉ̩ ̡̛b̯́a͕͌c͍̍k̙̏.̪̑.̥̿.͈̏ ̺͘G̝̀i͚̋v͓̌e̞̒.̞̐.͎͛.͇̊ ͙͝B͙̀á̡c͈͝k̤͗.̦̅.̗́.̯͛

''The voice that was nowhere nearby, changed its tone. Now, was no longer a baby crying but a young woman trying to speak something but the despair in her words interrupted her many times. It was like if someone was asking for help after suffering for so long. Yet, the voice continued sounding like if it was a baby-woman... for better words, like if a baby was speaking in the tone of 'a adult woman, which sounded extremely scary.''

Imperia could only think that it was the voice of giant ghost screaming on the horizon, because that voice echoed so loud that even the windows of Fraxinus shook when the sound reached them.

- Voice: G̤̊i͋͜v̲̀e̪̎.͇́.̘͘.̫̓ ̧̀B͓̌ǎ̤c͉̆k̢̇.̱̕.̗͌.̛̣ ͓̐I̖̊.͇͑.̻̽.̲͗

''Imperia felt the temperature on the top of Fraxinus dropped by 25 degrees... the sensation was like if they had entered on Antarctica zone.''

- Imperia: So cold...

''Imperia looked at her hands and saw that they were shaking. It's been a long time since she felt so scared... because that one a simple voice. It was like the voice of a tormented woman who died hundreds years ago and is asking for someone to save her.''

''- Imperia: But... what in the world... is that...''

''Imperia at least could find the direction from where the voice was coming. The voice was coming from the North, the direction where Fraxinus is flying at right now.''

''But... it was not only Imperia who heard that voice. Because, soon afterwards that scary voice disapppeared and turned into a grown woman singing on the horizon. Now, the voice was no longer from a baby seeking for help, but a lonely woman singing at the ocean.''



<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Katarina's Room '

Katarina, was in room thinking about how she is going to explain to the others that Tomas is actually becoming a Black Demon like many others fear.

''- Katarina (think): *What I should do... I can't hide the imminent transformation of Tomas into a demon. But if I tell them...*''

''Katarina is looking at the ceiling of her room with a popsile in her hands. Yet, her thoughts were so deep that not even her hunger for something sweet could drag her out of her thoughts.''

''- Katarina: Why everyone is fearing Tomas? He is our friend. Just because he is becoming another creature doesn't mean we need to lock him up away from everyone, he needs our help. But everyone... even Lucas and Kotori are looking at this situation with pessimism.''

And then...

- Voice: N̟̍o͚̚ ̹̉m̭̈́éͅ ̝̉d̝̒ė̦ ̨̋d̹͗i̟̓ȍ̫,̜̽ ̜̽H̿ͅa͎͝m̹͌a̢̐r̦̄e͋͜-̝́ǫ͝.̧̚ ͉͋N̟̐ȏ̪.

''The same voice that Imperia was hearing outside of the ship could also be heard in every place inside of the ship. Katarina's room was not an exception, because unlike all hundreds of other people listening to that song, she was the only one who reacted with such shock.''

At the moment she heard that music, she could feel every single cell of her body shaking like if an earthquake was happening inside of her body.

- Katarina: A voice?

''Katarina stopped thinking and stood up from the bed. She then walked towards the window to see the glass was almost freezing... something strange.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Japan  <p style="text-align:center;"> Tokyo 



''It was not only near Fraxinus' location that the crying voice and song could be heard. While the origin of the voice still unknown, it was loud enough to be heard by most of the globe. Currently, more than 260 countries can hear the song echoing in the skies like if the planet Earth was singing.''

''And if it was truly the Earth singing, that it's not a good thing. Humanity damaged, tortured and destroyed so much of this planet that it would not be strange to think the planet was now sentient. And if it was really singing, that would be a music of emptiness, sorrow, devastation and death. And even now, the music can be heard all over Asia and Oceania continents.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Europe  <p style="text-align:center;"> France  <p style="text-align:center;"> Paris 



''And even in Europe, the main stage of the now ended Third World War, the music is reaching the ears of all people. Somehow, even people who are living underground can hear the voice, meaning strangely this music has no bounds and can pass through any material this world has. It was not that loud, the music was actually soft and relaxing like the voice of an angel, but the fact that even in Paris, the homeland of KnightWalker Family, can hear the music, means the origin of this voice is loud enough to make every single living being hear its reach.''

''Not even the demons were spared. Apparently, the Black Demons attacking the human civilization could also hear the song, and at the same moment, all of those evil beings looked at the sky and closed their eyes like if they were about to sleep... with their mother singing a lubbaby for them.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Asia  <p style="text-align:center;"> Chronos Empire 



''The Chronos Empire, the rival of KnightWalker Family is also being affected by the music. Despite the threat of Black Demons did not reach the country yet, small cases of appearances of Black Demons began to be reported. In every place of the world, it all started with minors cases without importance.''

''In Chronos Empire, the song could also be heard even from underground facilities, that are basically fortress to keep war prisioners. Not even people 4 kilometes below the ground escaped from the song.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile... <p style="text-align:center;"> North America  <p style="text-align:center;"> United States  <p style="text-align:center;"> STAR Center <p style="text-align:center;"> Echidna's Office

- Voice: N̝̚ő̖ ̥̀m̟̂ȅ̟ ̮̆d̠̔ȩ̛ ̖̈d̲̓i̿ͅo̞͗,̳̊ ̰͑H̝͝å̩ḿ͖a̼̒r̡͘e̖͋-͍̍ọ̍.̮͂ ̲͗N͖͗o̲͝ ̪̑d͇̋e̬͒ ̫͛m͕̔e̠͂ ̭͑y̻̿o̘̓,̱̎ ͖̒S͈̈e̠̎ ̺͂y͙͝ȁ̗ ̨͘n̮͝o̼̒e̦̒ĥ̹.̝̉

''The voice also could be heard in United States in some states next to the litoral. Since the voice was more clear in Asia, it could also be heard in America but with less intensity. In the continent, the voice sounded like a bird singing on the skies so 'it was very difficult to hear.''

In Echidna's office, the secretary of Mina Harker from STAR LABS, the young woman found herself sleeping in peace until the music echoeing across the world woke her up.

''- Echidna: Ahn? Wha--What?''



''It took a few seconds before she realized that voice was coming from outside of STAR Center building. As the blurry image began to focus, her eyes could clearly see the moon on the skies. Echidna opened the window to have a better hearing of that song. She can't recognize from where the song is coming from but according to the echoes on the skies, it must be from somewhere very far away.''

''- Echidna: A music? But from where?''

".................."

''The moment Echidna got up, the door flew open as a woman came into the room. The woman gave the impression that all of the world’s darkness had compacted itself into a human shape. She a tall slender figure with long black hair. Although she looked about twenties years old, the oozing sense of intimidation and dread she was emitted wouldn’t match that assumption. ''

It was Mina Harker, the founder and director of STAR LABS of United States of America, the woman who is the protagonist of the new world's conflict, the Purge.

- Mina: I see you're awake, Echidna.

- Echidna: Director!

''Echidna quickly turned around to see her superior dressed in a formal way. She was not dressed in her casual outfit. But that was natural since she just came out of a meeting.''

''- Mina: Good evening, Echidna. Can you hear it too?''

Echidna turned her head around and stared at the sky as the music continued echoing in the horizon.

''- Echidina: Director... what in the world is this? This song...''

Unlike Echidna who was saying that in a scared tone, at that moment, Mina opened her mouth and spoke out in a very composed tone.

''- Mina: This music? It's a little complicated to say it but one thing I'm sure. Echidna, our dearest wish is coming. This music, marks the awakening of the next step our master plan. It's coming. It's coming... ''

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Mina: ...our greatest dream!

<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile... <p style="text-align:center;"> Pacific Ocean <p style="text-align:center;"> Phenex Airship <p style="text-align:center;"> Vira's Room

If there is a dark version of Fraxinus, the ship of Ratatoskr, then it must be the infamous Phenex Airship, the flagship of the unknown Black Cult, but is known by Yuri Barnes as the Revelation of Qliphoth.

''Many things still unknown about this Revelation of Qliphoth but one thing is certain: there is no doubt they are behind the current incidents happening around the world. Society is changing. Human race is ending. This is inevitable... but until now, who is the true mastermind?''

''Who is the person behind all incidents happening around the world? The unknown leader of Revelation of Qliphoth? Astaroth King, the Queen of Limbo? No... even if all Black Demons are serving one single Superior Being that is Astaroth, they are not behind the chaos and misery wrecking havoc the entire globe. Why? Why such leader is not commanding the incidents that are leading to the world's ending? For no special reason. Whoever is the leader of Qliphoth, this being is in an universe far away dealing their own business. Instead, the mastermind is not the leader but a servant, the closest servant of Astaroth, Vira Hermes.''



''That was not really a surprise, actually. Vira who is secretely commanding other minions of the Fallen's Essence like Heis, showed her face a month ago when the battle of Morte was on. But... she must have something else behind her empty eyes, right?''

''- Vira: Yes~. It feels good this way.''

''In her own private room, Vira Hermes is having her own special moment with her own servant. Vira is not a woman who sleeps with everyone she caughts on her eye, but everytime she feels "hot", she will choose anyone to be her partner on the bed, be they man or woman. In that sense, Vira is a normal person satisfying her lustful desires.''

As Vira and her minion, who is probably a mere human turned into a demon to serve her, continued having sex, the voice of the unknown woman reached Phenex Airship with a soft and kind tone.

".........."

''- Vira (think): *This voice... Fufufu... hahaha! So you finally woke up! My dearest Tyrant!*''

''At the same moment, Vira stopped kissing her servant and turned her back on him. Yet, the now charmed man was deeply in love with Vira and tried to continue to have sex with her.''

''- Servant: Lady Vira? I'm so happy you finally recognized my importance to you. I have waited a long time for this: the night I could make love with you and be someone special beside you. Someone who would be always there to make your desires come true. That's why, I want you to accept my love! ''

''The servant, dominated by lust, grabbed Vira's buttocks... but at that point, Vira was facing the other side of the room with an insane grin... the usual face she always have. And when that happens, it only shows that Vira is now focusing in ONE SINGLE GOAL. A single objective she always have in mind. And that voice that was echoing in the world is part of her worldwide conspiracy that will bring down mankind's pathetic existence.''

"...................."

''Vira's red glowing eyes turned at his direction and stared deeply in his very soul... if he ever had one.''



''- Vira: You're annoying me, scumbag. Begone.''

Vira, who had enough of that delusional servant who was deeply in love with her, immediately used her mental problems to control the gravity around him and launched him against the wall of her room.

- Servant: L-L-LADY VIRRAAA!!!!!

''The servant's body hit the wall with the impact strong as a planet falling from the sky and exploding on the floor. His body literally exploded on the impact and nothing was left from but internal organs that remained intact.''

''Now that she got rid of a nuinsense, Vira stood up from the bed and began to wear her clothes. Killing henchmen for her was so normal that she was no longe bothered by the fact that her room was full of rotten meat. But like it was said before, Vira is not really a "slut" as many people say. Actually, it was the first time that Vira slept with a man for a night... the truth is that she just wanted someone to play with. There is also the fact that she was "horny".''



''Vira then put her boots and her hair tie. Until now, the voice continued to sing all over the world.''

- Voice: N̟͛o̧͂ ͎͗m͎͗é̗ ̩̓ḓ̅e̛̻ ̲̚d̪̃i̙͝o̜̓,͎̅ ̳̋H̢̿a̟̕m͖̐a̫̿r̫̕e͎̒-͚̃ö́͜.̥̃ ̡̈N̯̓o̝͗ ̣͂d̦̓ẽ̮ ̜̀m̨͛e̠͠ ̣͝y͘ͅo̲͘,̰̿ ̲́S͔̈́e͍͝ ͉͒ỵ̈a̖͂ ͎̇ň̳o͉͠e̫̅h̺̋.̺̚ ͙̓N͎͊o̬̓ ͚͘m̰̈o̫̊ ̰̅d̠͋e̯̐ ̨̕ẏ̖ȏ͚,̰̅ ̛̥Ȟ͜a̤͒m̬̑ȁͅr͖̚e̦͐-̩͠ǫ̕,͓͛ ̢̏O̤͐v̝̑ą̀ḿ̯i̮̓ẹ̀ḧ̜,̤̕ ͔̍ ͈̕s̠͂ẻ̡ẏ̙a̙̍h͓̏ ̩́n̟̄o͖͋ḙ̓h̪͐.̤̑

''- Vira: Fufufufufu... Kuku. Hahaha! How you're feeling my beloved Tyrant? I guess this is going to be the first we will meet, right? Everything happened according to my desire... the Purge did its part after all. And I thought it would take longer for you to wake up. Maybe a few billions more? I see that was not the case. Only 2 billion, 500 million and 201 thousand souls were enough for you, huh?''

''Vira smirked as she left the room and saw the "origin" of the voice using her own mental problems. It was someone in the darkness, singing like a ghost seeking for help.''



- Vira: I'm coming to pick you, my beloved Tyrant. Just wait for me.

<p style="text-align:center;"> Europe  <p style="text-align:center;"> Ireland  <p style="text-align:center;"> Badrick  <p style="text-align:center;"> STAR LABS Artificial Island  <p style="text-align:center;"> 1 minute later 

''STAR LABS has many bases around the world. Even before the Purgue, this group already had many secret military bases spread in the Pacific and Atlantic ocea. They had some a few countries under the cover of an American military base. ''

Until now, the existence of STAR LABS was a secret to the public so they did their best to cover all traces of their presence while using America's flag to blind the eyes of the public.

''The STAR LABS often uses artificial islands as one of the bases. An artificial island or man-made island is an island that has been constructed by people rather than formed by natural means. Artificial islands may vary in size from small islets reclaimed solely to support a single pillar of a building or structure, to those that support entire communities and cities. Early artificial islands included floating structures in still waters, or wooden or megalithic structures erected in shallow waters.''

Pretty clever, huh?



''Just as the base was intensely movemented, a small dropship arrived and landed on the middle of the runway. Moments later, several men in black universes left the ship, one of them was a young-blindfolded boy with silver hair and pale skin. Somehow, that boy, that looked more like a child, was being followed by the adult agents that came out of the ship with him... like if he was their commander or some kind powerful authority.''

''That boy is Typhon, the agent expert in the termination of Black Demons. Despite his looking and age, that boy is really someone special. So special that Mina Harker sent him to deal with a big threat even STAR LABS could not defeat.''

- Typhon: Where is our contact?



''The men in black uniforms one by one spread out as Typhon continued walking around the base until another man approached the young boy with a serious expression. ''

"................"

''It was one of the founders and executive directors of Peace Foundation, Nick Fury. A man who exhaled the smell of blood on his hands.''

''- Nick: Agent NV-C2, right? More known as Typhon. Good to see you. ''

''Typhon, who was a robot inside of human skin, continued "staring" at Nick's face for a long time like if he was analyzing his identity... or worse, looking at his very soul.''

''- Typhon: Blood... I... I smell blood.''

''Nick then looked at his hands and put them in his pocket. Apparently, that boy has a nice sense of smell. Almost like a dog.''

- Nick: This is...

- Typhon: This is?



Nick shook his head to encourage himself and reaffirm his willpower.

''- Nick: Blood of a traitor. Just as the new regime ordered us, we, from Peace Foundation are hunting down traitors and civilians who go against the new regime's administration. Reporters and activists are not necessary so I took my time torturing them to death.''

''It's just like he said. Since STAR LABS took over the power over the Stabilization Union and its allied nations, freedom of expression was abolished by Mina Harker, using them as excuses for being one of the many reasons why humans are becoming Black Demons. However, there were seconds intentions behind it as well; Mina hated people who can't join the line without questioning like an annoying spoiled brat.''

''- Typhon: I see. So that's it. ''

''Typhon was a fanatical allied of Mina Harker, so it's clear to say this boy is a human being who can barely think to himself. He follow orders like a machine and basically doesn't know the difference between good and evil. A pure sociopath.''

"...................."



''- Nick: So what bring you here? The STAR LABS gave this base to us to keep the civilians in line. Yet, our stay here is temporary.''

''- Typhon: Oh, sorry for that. Mina and her advisors did not inform you. I was sent to hunt down a dangerous humanoid Black Demon with potential to become a new global threat. We put this demon in the SSS+ Class of danger.''

''A SSS+ Class Black Demon is the strongest rank of dangerous demon. In comparison, it is on the level of Black God, who is sealed in the moon right now. The only way to defeat this kind of demon is to kill them before they can power-up and become more than a supernatural or physical threat. In terms, they might became the Devil himself on this world, bringing the Apocalypse like if it was the most common thing on the world. ''



''And now, this Black Demon who have the potential to destroy the world, is weak. But eventually, killing more innocent people and devouring their souls will turn him stronger.''

''The STAR LABS is so afraid of this demon that they are now looking for them around the country of Ireland. Shooting thousands in the hope their victims must be him. ''

''- Nick: Do you wish my assistance in this matter? The Peace Foundation have enough firepower to defeat an army of Black Demons.''

Typhon nodded and looked at the sky.

- Typhon: I'll be greatful in having your help.

''This boy is aware of Peace Foundation's massive firepower. They have a private army composed of million of soldiers and thousands of military vehicles... but aside from that, he knows all of their failures and incompentenes. And just like Mina Harker, this agent sees them as a bunch of idiots who don't know how use their own power.''

''- Typhon: Speaking of which, captain Nick Fury. Did you heard that voice too?''

''The voice he was referring is that strange female voice that echoed all across the globe. Even in Ireland, the voice could be heard with clarity.''

''- Nick: Yes... We received reports from other facilities claiming they heard the same voice. And also...''

''Nick and Typhon looked at the water below the artificial island and clenched their fists... because...''

- Typhon: Following the music sang by that voice, the waters of all oceans... ''The water of the ocean was... red like blood.''

''- Nick: Yes... not only the ocean but rivers too... They're becoming... scarlet.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus <p style="text-align:center;"> Atlantic Ocean <p style="text-align:center;"> Strategic Room <p style="text-align:center;"> 6 hours later

''And so, 6 hours had passed since Typhon arrived on Ireland. Despite the high-threat of this humanoid SSS+ Class Black Demon, Ratatoskr still isolated from the world.''

''Everything that happens outside of Fraxinus is unknown to Ratatoskr since all their allies were arrested, their spies executed, their contacts outside of Fraxinus tortured and killed. There is nothing left of Ratatoskr out there. Yet, they are aware of the unknown voice that echoed on the globe.''

Currently, this voice is the central matter that Kotori and the intelligence sector of Ratatoskr are focused.

"................"

- Imperia: ..............

''Sitting down within a chair in a company room, Imperia was fidgeting with her legs while having an impatient look on her face. She has pale skin, black hair and a pair of yellow eyes resembling the collective moonlight. As young as she is, it's difficult to imagine her having a daunting title like the World's Strongest Cyborg. She was beautiful girl with an appearance resembling an alluring enchantress. But the beautiful aspect of these feature were now distorted unpleasantly by excessive stress. The cause is obvious. ''



''- Atala: Hey, Imperia how was Katarina she was younger? Say, isn’t "Imperia" sounds like "empire"? Isn’t there a nickname? What would be good? Hey, what kind of shampoo do you use?''

''Etc... ''

''The inside of the normally quiet strategic room had been competently transformed into the voice an annoying-Atala teasing Imperia like if there was no tomorrow. Until now, Imperia kept herself quiet the whole time to avoid killing her "accidentally". ''

''- Imperia (think): *This is... fuc%#%% annoying.*''

For Imperia, who couldn’t be too severe in response, this was indeed an unbearable environment.

- Imperia: Atala, is there something else you can do more quietly?

''As Imperia finished impatiently, Atala replied back with a dumbstruck expression as if not knowing what they were being told. ''

''- Atala: Eh? I’m just having an ordinary conversation. I mean... having a normal conversation with you is like speak with a fish, right? So speaking seriously or just random shit is the same, right?''

''Atala is just this kind of person. She is a psychopath who do her best to not try harm anyone who is friendly because of their position. Atala holds herself to not teason (or even kill) anyone who have a dumb face... Imperia don't have this kind of face but since there is no one to tease around, she selected her as her next victim. ''



''Faced with the Atala's incessant noise, Imperia unnervingly twitched her eyebrows in frustration. Then, sitting on the opposite of her, Shido Itsuka, extended out the palm of his hand as if trying to appease Imperia before standing up and looking at Atala.''

''- Shido: Now, now... she don’t appear to be saying anything with ill intent. After all... Atala is just like you.''

Imperia was not pleased when Shido compared Atala to her.

''- Imperia: That’s the issue here. Children that aren't disciplined are no different than a monkey. You have to look at the results rather than if there is malice attached.''

'' In response to Imperia's indignant tone, Atala pouted her lips in dissatisfaction. ''

''- Atala: What’s with that tone? It looks like you seems to be the one with the issues. Tell me, how can you make through the day by looking at yourself?!''

''- Imperia: You're making me angry! You don't want to see me angry!''



''Speaking out, Imperia prepared to invoke her nano-machine manifestation device but suddenly stopped just the occasion before the launch. The moment Imperia got up, the door flew open as a Kotori came into the room. ''

- Kotori: So everyone is here.

''Imperia cancelled her attack before she could notice the hostily atmosphere there. Just to say, Atala and Imperia are both KnightWalker Cyborgs, if a fight stroke out between those it means the end of Fraxinus. In a sense, their immortality might become the end of an entire continent.''

''- Imperia: Good to see you, Kotori. I was about to lose control here.''

''At that moment, Kotori opened his mouth and spoke out in a surprised tone. She was not aware of what exactly is happening there.''

- Kotori: What you're talking about?



''- Imperia: Nothing, really. More importantly, can we go straight to the point here? The voice.''

Kotori passed her hand through her hair and closed her eyes like a lazy woman.

''- Kotori: Ahh... The voice, so you guys heard it too. Even our probe droids on the continent of Antarctica heard the voices as well. They were capable of track the origin of the voice.''

"......!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Kotori called only Imperia, Atala and Shido there to discuss about the voice. She called only 3 people to prevent many people from knowing this and avoid the leak of this mysterious and important information.''

''- Imperia: Antarctica? So the voice could even reach the South Pole of the Earth?''

''- Kotori: Yes. And apparently my first theory was wrong. I thought this voice could only some parts of the globe but apparently the voice was heard by 100% of human race. Some countries with greater latittude were less affected by the voice, making it difficulty to find the origin of the voice.''

Kotori then put a white map on the table and used a red pencil to mark around an area similar to a bunch of islands.

- Atala: And what is it?

The trio approached the table to have a better look at the map.

''- Kotori: Well, I've mapped the locations where scouts and Ratatoskr's drones on mission reported hearing the voice. Sorry for the primitive way of showing a map but mysteriously the digital maps of our computers don't work. When we tried to use digital maps to find the source, the only thing we got was that the voice was not coming from a central source but from the entire ocean... meaning that whatever it is, it's coming from the bottom of the ocean.''

''- Shido: It's totally concentric. So the scout and drones in patrol could find the origin of the sound. So the center of the cicle.''

'' Shidou made a serious expression while shrugging his shoulders. ''

- Kotori: That's right.

Meanwhile, Kyouhei Kannazuki, the vice-commander of Fraxinus, was watching the secret meeting through the cameras inside of another room.

''- Kotori: This place is called... Ironbottom sound.''

''Ironbottom Sound is the name given by Allied sailors to the stretch of water at the southern end of The Slot between Guadalcanal, Savo Island, and Florida Island of the Solomon Islands, because of the dozens of ships and planes that sank there during the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942–43. ''

''Before the war, it was called Savo Sound. Every year on the battle's anniversary, a U.S. ship cruises into the waters and drops a wreath to commemorate the men who lost their lives. For many Navy sailors, and those who served in the area during that time, the waters in this area are considered sacred, and strict silence is observed as ships cruise through. Basically, it was one the parts of the ocean with most deaths recorded.''​​​​​

- Atala: So that mean--

Before Atala could finish, Kyouhei who was watching the meeting, interrupted their meeting with the speakers installed inside of the strategic room.

[STATIC]

''- Kyouhei (speaker): [Commander Kotori. Sorry to interrupt your meeting but I have news].''

Kotori stood up and looked at the ceiling.

- Kotori: And what's it, Kyouhei?

Kyouhei sharpened his eyes and opened his mouth to speak.

''- Kyouhei (speaker): [We have guests... and not the most pleasing ones. Imperia. You might wanna come over here].''

Imperia twisted her eyebrows in confusion.

<p style="text-align:center;">' 5 minutes later...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Hangar '

''And so they came to see what was happening. Right now, in the hangar of Fraxinus, two ships with the symbol of KnightWalker Family were land on the landing zone.''

- Imperia: ...............

- Kotori: ..............

- Kyouhei: ...................

''The only thing now making sounds is the engine of the ship that is slowly fading away as the ship gets attached to the platform. Slowly, the ship's lights were turning off but somehow the ship still flying like if it was levitating.''

But then, a female robotic voice echoed in the hangar.

''- Speaker: [The process is finished. All personnel nearby, please leave now].''



''It was just a programmatic voice, not an actual human being speaking. ''

- Atala: So it's you.

''And then, the door of the ship opened, revealing several armed men of Peace Foundation leaving the ship one by one. However, they were not acting with hostility or aggression. They were mere bodyguards.''

''Atala, who had an impressive vision, could see the person they were protecting inside of the ship. And for the first time, Kotori and company witnessed a disgusted Atala staring at the ship like if she was looking at someone so despicable and miserable that even Satan would feel pit. Someone without dreams, life or even will to live.''

- Kyouhei: I think I should have told you who was coming but...

''Kyouhei, who was standing beside Kotori, changed his sight to Imperia who is now too shocked to speak something. However, this Cyborg is not a woman who freely shows her emotions around. Her shocking expression was only a calm face with empty eyes. Just like the face she was making when La Folia Rihavein was killed by Kanon Rihavein months ago.''

- Imperia: Why did you come here?

''Then another woman came out of the ship, a blonde woman dressed in white dress. It was a familiar person to Imperia Deamonne, and probably one of the most iconic human being she had ever met. Because... this woman is several points, is her creator... and mother. ''

Lusamine, with vicious eyes, stared at Imperia with nothing more than contempt.



<p style="text-align:center;">' - Lusamine: It's been how many months since we last had this emotional meeting, daughter? '

Part 6 - War of Devils


<p style="text-align:center;">''The STAR LABS was not the only organization cleaning up their homes. Trying to resist the advances of the KnightWalkers and STAR LABS in Europe, the new temporary queen of Spain, Maria Arzonia, is trying to fullfil the promise she did with the deceased Esther Blanchett and for the first time launched a military operation with the collaboration Spanish Armed Forces to clean up former Safe Districty of Barcelona from Black Demons. During the operation, Matt Butcher and Vento of the Front confronted a nest of demons in an abandoned hospital of the region that was dominated by the forces of Qliphoth... At the end of the battle Vento and Matt discovered that those Black Demons were trying to protect a mysterious blonde woman. Who is this woman?''

<p style="text-align:center;">''Meanwhile in Sleepy Hollow, Mina Harker group up the Ultimate Detectives of the fallen Global Pact Defense and request a demand from the detectives to find and arrest the lost Ultimate Detective Kyouko Kirigiri. In the reunion, Mina Harker informs that the Peace Foundation is now under her thumb, bringing up suspicions on Asami Sato...'' <p style="text-align:center;">''While in Tenguu City, Rentaro and Kyoko witness the Japanese society's hate towards the demons without noticing those creatures were once normal humans. Rather, it doesn't matter anymore if they were once good or bad people. In this cruel incident, Kyoko is cursed by God or the Devil and later discover Rentaro had became a demon...''

<p style="text-align:center;"> At the same moment... <p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus <p style="text-align:center;"> Hangar

- Lusamine: It's been how many months since we last had this emotional meeting, daughter?

''With devilish eyes, Lusamine gazed at her daughter, Imperia Deamonne. ''

''In a sense, Imperia is her daughter... However, she was not born by normal means. We may need to remind about her origins. Many years ago, La Folia Rihavein and Kanon Rihavein were killed by a disease but before they could be buried, the evil entity, the Fallen's Essence, appeared before their parents and promised them that they would revive them  But it was only hoax... the truth is they were never dead, only in coma. And apparently, it was the Fallen's Essence himself who infected them with the disease.''

''At that time, Lusamine was the founder and executive director of Sephirah Gastronomics, and aided the Fallen's Essence in his goals for 2 decades. Lusamine, using all her intellect, cloned the two infants multiple times in order to find a girl able to use the Human Purifier, a dreadful technology that can turn a normal human into an Artificial Angel. After hundreds of creations, they finally created the perfect par of sisters that could support the power of the Human Purifier but it turns out Kanon's clone was chosen to be the Angel while La Folia's clone was going to be used as a martyr to rise Kanon to power; a mere step in their plans.''

''With the clones of both sisters sent to Polifonia Rihavein and King Lucas, the rulers of Aldegyr Kingdom and parents of the two children, the Fallen's Essence killed the original sisters after using them as playthings. Many years later, La Folia Rihavein outlived her usefulness and was finally executed by Kanon Rihavein in front of the entire world in order to make herself the new queen of Aldegyr Kingdom... but La Folia was not dead yet. With the remorse of the princess of Godom Empire, Chinatsu Tathagata, she was revived as a Cyborg from Chinatsu's DNA and nano-machines, reviving the fallen princess as Imperia Deamonne.''



''No matter what happens, Lusamine is one of the responsible for making Imperia like that; a Cyborg who needs to hold herself to not bite someone to death to drink their blood. Constantly, Imperia is struggling to hold her psychotic side, something that came with Chinatsu's blood.''

- Imperia: Lusamine...

''Everyone gazed at Imperia and saw that both of her fists were clenched. She was using so much strength in her palms that almost everyone there could see her nails piercing through her palms.''

''- Kotori: Imperia... so your ghost are here again, huh?''

''After a few seconds, another woman came out of the ship, it was an Asian woman named Asami Sato, the female director of Peace Foundation that deserted the organization to help Lusamine. However, there were some motives for her to leave that faction; the new tyrannical regime of Mina Harker that literally preached the reverse of "peace".''

- Asami: Kotori Itsuka, the famous commander of Ratatoskr.

- Kotori: Asami?

''As many people should know by now, the Global Pact Defense have many military branch that were mostly active during Third World War. Peace Foundation and STAR LABS were one of them, but the most enigmatic one was indeed Ratatoskr, a military branch that no one had contact neither met their members. There were only rumors between other military branch about Ratatoskr's true objectives and nature. ''

''It was not only rumors about the organization itself but their commander as well. They heard the name of Kotori Itsuka many times, including her childish physical appearance but... like all rumors, that was only a "legend" between the GPD. However, it turns out this rumors were true; Kotori is a grow woman with the body of a child.''

- Imperia: I'm so happy to see you, "MOMMY"?

''Imperia forced a smile on her face to welcome her "creator". Even though they are enemies, Lusamine is not a fighter and not threat. In addition, she is standing beside Asami Sato, who is a peaceful and kind ally of Peace Foundation (probably one of the few in the board of members of Peace Foundation).''

''- Kotori: Asami, I have many questions about you... and Lusamine. What are you doing here? How did you find us? And why Lusamine is with you?''

Like a normal civilian, Kotori and Asami shook their hands and ended the hostility between Imperia and Lusamine.

''- Asami: Before everything, it's good to see you again, Shido Itsuka. I thought you were dead after your missing.''

''Shido Itsuka, the older brother of Kotori, was arrested by GPD many months ago after he, alongside Toshiro Hitsugaya, launched an assault to Aldegyr Kingdom to rescue La Folia... the reason? To prevent the kingdom from joining the KnightWalker Alliance. But in the end, it was all on the hands of the Fallen's Essence, who controlled the entire war under 'his thumb.''

After 3 months, Shido was released by Kotori and Jellal Fernandes to help on their cause to destroy Morte and prevent Akrak Couteau from using the Hands of Apocalypse on Earth to end World War III (which would cause the eventual destruction of mankind).

''- Shido: Good to see you again, Asami. Many things happened after my trial but I'll resume it saying in a few words. After I was released by Ratatoskr, I was brought to Fraxinus since I could no longer assume my post in Peace Foundation. Simply like that.''

''- Asami: I see... I'm glad you're okay.''

Asami then turned her sight to Kotori.

''- Asami: And now, Kotori, I'll follow Shido's example and tell what exactly brought me here. The truth is that many reasons brough me here. The first one is that I defected the Peace Foundation 2 days ago.''

Kotori widened her eyes as she released Asami's hand.

''- Kotori: You did what?! Why?!''

''Like if she was amused, Kotori started to play around with her hair... probably to hide her curiousity. When Kotori is extremely obsessed or curious with something, she will play with her scarlet hair to control her own hands.''

''- Asami: You must know by now... it's her... That woman is impossible for me to handle. She is selfish, arrogant, rude, sarcastic and extremely cruel. Mina Harker. Ever since she came, everything is upside down. Her methods are too brutal and cause more violence and brutality. I started to think she is just a childish woman who can't see the consequences of her actions and how it affects people around her. As if it was not enough, she started the purge other military branchs of GPD.''

Asami gave a loud sigh and shrugged her shoulders, she then began to remember all atrocities Mina and her army made to their own comrades.

''- Asami: To prevent rebel cells from rising in the organizations of their allies, Mina arrested or executed all potential enemies who could be a threat to her new regime. Finally, installing a new kind of dictatorship in what is left from United States. Not only that, all nations allied with the Stabilization Union suffered the same fate. Politicians, businessmen, deputies, senators, presidents, mayors, governors, councilmen, police officers, activists and reporters. ''

''- Kotori: She is going completely paranoid. She is afraid.''

Asami's breath was caught in her throat as she awkwardly turned her eyes away.

''- Asami: Mina don't trust anyone. Due to the cause that Black Demons are being born from humans' body, she fear that even her most trusted allies can become one... she is also afraid that may be people in her own alliance that hates her methods of cleanup. She is surrounded by two sides she can't control, so she reacts with violence and inhumanity, killing everyone who she thinks to be plotting against her. Even I... I was target by her. Not only me but several other directors of Peace Foundation. Half of us defected and escaped, we prefer to live outside of STAR LABS' walls, where we can try our chances to survive instead of being sentenced to death inside of STAR Central.''

''Kotori, not showing any particular reaction, shifted her eyes back to the ship to see the guards of Peace Foundation. She thought they deserted the PF alongside her.''

''- Kotori: So not even the GPD's military branchs were spared? That was already expected. The military power of all other branchs can rival their own.''

''- Asami: Exactly. And Peace Foundation was one of them. Other members of the leadership were arrested or executed. Only a few of us are active now... And... you asked me about the meaning behind my presence here with Lusamine. Right?''

Asami looked at Lusamine beside her.

- Lusamine: Show it to her.

Like she requested, Lusamine opened the briefcase she was carrying the whole time and showed the object in matter; several capsules of the Black Gas.

- Kyouhei: And what is this suppose to be?

Kyouhei grabbed one of the capsules with all possible care.

''- Lusamine: It is up to me answer this. Kotori Itsuka, I know we have been enemies for almost 2 decades considering my position as right-hand of your nemesis, the Fallen's Essence. But now, we need to put our differences aside and join a cause that might bring the end of our world.''

Kotori let out a sarcastic grin as she mocked Lusamine's determination.

''- Kotori: Hah! You must be joking! YOU! You who helped in the starting of the mankind's most destructive war, the Third World War and even helped the narcissistic princess of Aldegyr Kingdom to become a monster! You brought the death of billions and billions to this world and caused more suffering than any other combined tyrant! If you want to hide yourself behind the Fallen's Essence back to blame all your heinous actions on him, you're losing your time! You'll be arrested and rot in a cell for the rest of your miserable life!''

''Lusamine nodded her head. For amazing as it seems, that blonde "monster" was no longer acting like a cocky and arrogant person, rather, she was showing a serious attitude like if she was ready for everything to come.''

''- Lusamine: You can arrest me, torture me or even kill me... I'm ready for everything. I know all the wrongs deeds I did in my life and I'm ready to be punished by every single one of them. My sins. My mistakes. They will never be erased so easily. That's why I least want to help the people I helped to hurt and suffer with my own life at risk. ''

''- Kotori: Why did you left them? You escaped? You were banished from their council? Or you're going to tell me you realized you were on the wrong side only after 20 years?''

Kotori's eyes opened wider than ever before, her breath was caught in her throat.

''- Lusamine: None of those above, it would make me look like a coward or an undesicive woman. It was actually... because of standard morals.''

''Morals? Does Lusamine have morals to mention them?''

- Imperia (think): *Like if you ever had...*

Everyone looked at Lusamine with a mixture of surprise, suspicion, and confusion.

''- Lusamine: It was HIM. That robotic memetic monster who sees us as objects and tools to be studied and ripped like dolls. Unit-CM 130.''

''Unit CM-130. At that point, everyone in Ratatoskr knew his name... and how ridiculous scary is just the mention of that robot who is now walking among the people of this planet as a Cyborg.''

- Shido: The founder and leader of MPS? 

''- Kyouhei: The man behind Akrak Couteau and Sonia's demise in Tenguu City. There is no doubt. So YOU were working for him after all?''

''After Lusamine's last sighting in Aldegyr Kingdom, she went missing for months. But that could explained as the Fallen's Essence promoted her to secretary executive and scientist in the new weapon-dealing corporation Manufacturing Progressive Sciences, aka MPS.''

''- Lusamine: I was working to him for months as his secretery. Of course that wasn't intentional, my Mast--the Fallen's Essence put me on his group for many months. In my time serving him, I heard that the Fallen had put someone else in my place to supervise the Sephirah Gastronomics, basically meaning I lost my own corporation I worked for decades to build. But that was not the only reason that made me run away from my previous masters. No. No. Like I said, it was due to moral standards... '

Everyone paid attention to her words.

''- Lusamine: Unit-CM 130. I couldn't handle that monster... he is too much for me. His orders are out of this world. His behavior towards life cannot be understandable to anyone in this world. His existence is something that makes the Devil explode in envy. So much evil, cruelty and brutality in one single "man". Never in my life I saw hell in the eyes of a living being, be they organic or even robotic. Hell... on the eyes of a robot. His experiments, his subjects of study and even his own mentallity are things that should not exist. Listen to me, CM, the Fallen and Eckidina must die.''

''Surprised, eye eyes of everyone opened wide. There were no lies and falsity in her words; her words full of anger and repulsion were purely from genuine truth. She was not lying or faking her behavior. This is the real Lusamine.''

''- Kotori: I see... so not even you could stay with him for too long. You're not the first one. When Unit-CM 130 was alive and working to... DEM Empire, hundreds of scientists were promoted to his assistant. None of them could work with him for more than 1 year. Just be listening to your words, I can completely say you're not lying... you're here because you were exposed to the true darkness this world can provide to us. ''

''Kotori turned around and walked away, she was making her way towards a hallway nearby that lead to the inner sector of the ship. Meanwhile, the Peace Foundation soldiers all assumed their positions around the ship they used to travel to protect it.''

''- Kotori: Follow me, Lusamine. We will discuss about whatever you came here for in private.''

''Lusamine simply nodded and followed the commander without saying a word. Her old friend, Asami Sato simply closed her eyes and seated in front of the ship. She was just there to deliver Lusamine to Ratatoskr to expose the true plans of MPS, she was not there to be invited into Kotori's secret discussion about the Black Gas.''

''Imperia, Kyouhei and Shido all let out a sigh and returned to their posts since everything was under control... But then...''

''- Kotori: Ahh... before I go, can you tell me how did you find us, Asami?''

Asami then looked away and smiled.

''- Asami: Thank your benefactor, Richard John. He was able to track down your location when he contacted you via hologram. He then gave us your coodinates... it was just a conscidence that Lusamine contacted us before we could request you to allow us, defectors of Peace Foundation, to join Ratatoskr.''

''Kotori stopped walking and lowered her head, thinking about all the bad things she talked about Richard, the man she cursed like if he was a traitor... thinking about that man again, she smiled and continued her way as Lusamine followed her.''

''- Kotori (think): *Richard... you're really... an idiot.*''

''That "idiot"... was not in the bad way.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile... <p style="text-align:center;"> Spain <p style="text-align:center;"> Barcelona <p style="text-align:center;">  Safe District 

''The STAR LABS is not the only organization dealing with the Black Demons... or not at least in the regions of Spain. ''

''In the depths of Spain country, one of the few nations that stayed neutral during the entire war, the new regime estabilished by the benevolent Catholic Rebels, was dealing with the Black Demon threat on their own way. However, not even their new queen, Maria Arzonia, can fully control the actions of her people.''

''And so, Spain ended like this... in smoke, rubbles and destruction. Spain, the nation that prospered during the war is now falling like any other super-nation. In the end, this rich country fell in disgrace but not because of the government but because of their own people. ''

''Humans are imperfect creatures, and sadly, everything wrong said about humans become true when the despair comes. Only those who still have faith and kindness in their hearts can pass through the day without killing themselves. Not killing themselves in a "suicidal way". No. Killing their own humanity. The only they can still hold dearly in a world like this dominated by death and cold-hearted people. But... it's worth? Trying to become a decent person in an indecent time? The ones who do that nowadays die faster than anyone else... but you can say they died as humans, right? It's better than die like a demon, be it in physical demonic form or acting like one.''



''But whatever... what is the difference between demons and humans now? None. What defines humans now are the saverage and cruelty. But... what defines the few people who are civilized, are called as Humanitarians, the last human beings who have humanity inside of their hearts.''

''Like we were before, the government of Spain are dealing with the demon's threat in their own way, but they did not hold themselves from using the military to control the situation. ''

''Maria Arzonia, the new temporary queen of Spain is losing herself each day. Every action she takes to save her people, she only causes more suffering and death. As the queen of Spain, it's her duty to protect and serve her own people but at the same time, Maria is a saint-like woman who sees humans as equal no matter what. So what happens next when millions of refugees from all Europe migrate to one single country that was not devastated by the World War? The situation on Europe is precarious, with most of all its countries devastated and wiped out by the war. When the war ended and the Purge began, those people lost everything they had, not even their countries were sustainable to life as radiation, diseases and crimes plagued the land like a virus.''



''Thousands of other unknown diseases appeared, the crime rate increased by 95% and radiation killing thousands in less than a day. The few people who managed to survive this ordeal heard stories about the new government of Spain and how they were welcoming those poor souls in their own lands. It's a good thing to care about the well-being of other people... but at what cost?''

''Matt Butcher, one of Maria's best friends, supports her in every single one of her decisions. But as the Purge goes on, he slowly realizing her mistakes. Welcoming millions of refugees in Spain is tearing the country apart; overpopulation and chaos. There are no resources for everyone, most of the civilians are having their houses invaded by the victims of the war, the crime rate is increasing like a virus, the police and military can no longer prevent conflicts between refugees and civilians, immigrants are extorting innocent civilians... '

''There is no way benevolence can solve the problems now. You must choose which side you want to help, but you must know, once you decide to help the refugees, you're going to destroy your own home alongside all those who lived with you. ''

''This is what causing Maria to feel hopeless and useless. She is trying to save people who are like her but her actions are leading to the death of the people she was supposed to protect. People she promised to the late Esther Blanchett. And as if it was not enough, the Black Demons arrived in Spain through the refugees, causing hundreds of sightings of Black Demons to be reported... and in the next days, sightings became only a small piece of the cake as the demons now were on a rampage, killing people ramdonly like if there was no tomorrow.''



''Many towns and states of Spain fell in chaos like all other locations of United States. One of the most notable towns was the very capital of Spain, Barcelona, where the refugees were concentrated when they arrived. And the worst happened... the attacks of demons began there in small scales but each day these numbers increased by the hundreds.''

''And right now, a military train was patrolling the abandoned streets of Barcelona... to be precise, this military train is patrolling the former Safe Zone of Barcelona where the military kept the refugees during the "Immigration Crisis"; this is the name all Spain gave to those refugees escaping from a destroyed Europe.''

- Matt: Keep your eyes ope--!

- Vento: This is the 34th time you're repeating that, Matt...

''Matt Butcher, who was promoted to be the leader of a military squad of the army, was the commander of this patrol composed of 25 soldiers and 2 mages from the Catholic Rebels, 2 tanks and 5 armored vehicles. And his lieutenant is none other than Maria Arzonia's godmather, Vento of the Front... the truth is that Vento volunteered to be part of the patrol due to Matt's incompetence.''

''- Matt: I am? Oh.''

Despite the fact that Matt offered himself to be the leader of this patrol that has the duty to clean up the streets of Black Demons each 7 days he is the only one shaking in fear for entering in such dangerous place.

''Everytime he comes to this place, he always feels like if he is being watched by devilish eyes from distances. Sometimes, he don't know if it's a human or demon. However, Matt is not the only one, anyone with a small fraction of magical power inside of their bodies can sense someone watching them when they are outside. This feeling can only be sensed at 'night.''

''- Vento: Yes, you said... but putting that aside, this place is quite silently, don't you think?''

''The abandoned streets of the safe zone was filled with skeletons and cars... This is the first time they are here in this location of Safe Zone, and unlike any other place of this city, this one is abnormal. There is no soud neither sign of life.''

''However, little did they know they are being watched by demonic beings from the top of the buildings surrouding the safe zone... demons with sharp and shining fangs... hungry for human flesh.''

''- Vento: We are not alone here... keep your eyes open!''

"........................."

Matt, who was seated on the top of one of the tanks alongside Vento, stared at her with anger.

- Matt (think): *Should I start counting how many times she is going to repeat this phrase?*

''Before he could say anything, the military train arrived in a huge hospital that was only 20 meters ahead. That hospital was used to help the wounded refugees and victims of the war. Right now, the hospital is completely abandoned and filled with dead bodies... Amazingly enough, there are a few cars burning around it, meaning that some people were there a few hours ago... if they were simply vandals or people running from demons, it's unknown.''

- Sargeant: We are here, commander!

The sargeant of the squad saluted before giving his report to Matt and Vento, whom were on the top of the tank.

''- Vento: Good. Prepare your men and weapons, sargeant. We are in unknown regions so we don't know what is waiting for us inside.''

''- Sargeant: Copy that, lieutenant. You heard her, men! Don't waste your time and prepare to infiltrate in the hospital!''

''The military train stopped 9 meters away from the hospital and then all present soldiers took defensive positions by forming a 5 lines. Each soldier of the Spain'a Armed Forces were equipped with anti-magic bullets, which amazingly are effective against Black Demons.''

''- Matt: Sargeant, Vento and I are going on the front to clean the way. Watch our back, you're our vanguard here.''

''Matt and Vento jumped from the tank, the young man pulled out his sword as Vento summoned her giant hammer in her hands. Vento then walked forward and stood up in front of the soldiers alongside the sargeant and Matt.''

''- Vento: Let's go. We are here for Spanish civilians and refugees only. Any hostile civilian or demon on sight are targets. Our mission is to find survivors who are hidden in this hell on earth and bring them Madrid under the order of the new queen. They are not to be harmed... disobey this order... and you will be shot!''

''This is how things go now... the Catholic Rebels giving punishment to those who disobey orders in times like these. Before the Purge, this group was totally against violence, execution and torture, but now after suffering in the hands of Black Demons, things has changed. There is no time for kindness when it lead them to lose everything they built. Every single death in Spain, is on Maria's back... this is the dark days of Catholic Rebels and the corruption of Arzonia's Family.''

''But the most scary thing is how some of them are adapting themselves to this world, slowly breaking their moral codes for the greater good. Bringing the refugees to Spain is what caused the detruction of Esther's land, their "humanitarism" brought the death of millions of men, women and children. Vento was one of them, she was turning more and more extremist while Matt always thought bringing refugees to Spain would cause desternalized chaos and anarchy...''

''- Matt: Alright guys, we are going in. Follow my lead.''

Matt and Vento entered on the hospital as the soldiers followed them in combat positions ready to shoot at anything that moves.

''Meanwhile, let's return to Matt's opnion about the refugees... It turns out Matt was right. But he never expressed his opnion about the refugees because saying those kind of things to Maria would cause her to hate him, without doubt. ''

''Turning back on people in need is a deadly sin for Maria, but letting them die in this hell is even worse. If she do the same thing that Stabilization Union and KnightWalker Alliance did during WWIII, then she is not different from them... but like many people would say, the winner is "justice". There is no good and evil in this war, everyone is fighting for the greater good of their nations and they all know building a better country for the generations to come is without using bodies as the base of this pillar is impossible. ''

''And this is what Maria lacks... the will and determination to sacrifice innocents. While this a good thing, you must pay a high price for your kindness...''

''And as the squad slowly inspected the first floor of the hospital, Matt, Vento and the soldiers came face-to-face with consequences of Maria's decision. Right in front of them, there was the body of 7-year old child, her body was completely opened and mutilated... there is no doubt she was devoured alive by at least 3 or 4 demons.''

- Sergeant: Jesus...

''The sergeant was a military man so he was used to see brutality on the battlefield... but Matt and Vento were not soldiers, less people who witnessed the true horrors of Hell. And just as they were approaching her body, new bodies were found in the darkness of the hallway, they were in the same status of that girl; completely shattered like dolls. ''

"....................."

''- Vento: Forgive us, Lor--! ''

''Before Vento could pray for that soul, she couldn't hold herself and vomited right there. But that was only normal, nothing that Vento had saw before prepared her for this; children eaten alive.''

''Considering there were 2 adults similar to the 7-year old girl near her, it's possible they were her parents... the Black Demons forced them to watch her child being ripped apart by several demons... and after that, they freed them from their suffering by giving them the same fate of their daughter.''

''This is... Hell... ''

- Matt: F-Forward.

''At that point, Matt was losing his calm. His fear was increasing each step he went further into the hospital.''

''This is the new world where saints and innocent people don't exist anymore. The world just left from the most destructive and brutal conflict in mankind's history just to suffer in another conflict even worse where the enemies are demons... and there is no way to identify them since they are humans.''

The squad continued their way through the hallways but Matt stayed behind with Vento to comfort her.

- Matt: Are you okay?

Vento took several deep breath before cleaning up her mouth.

''- Vento: Y-Yes... Sorry about that, I just cou--''

Matt interrupted her with a smile.

''- Matt: That's okay. I understand what you're feeling. I'm scared too because this is the first time we are entering in a dangerous zone.''

''It's just like he said. This is the first time Vento and Matt are participating in a cleanup mission to rescue civilians from demonic zones... but considering their ranks in the Arzonia's Family tey were immeditally promoted to be the leaders of this squad.''​​​​​​

''Matt and Vento then followed the squad and arrived in a metal door that lead to other side of the hospital. When they opened it, a beautiful scarlet horizon welcomed them.''

''It was the ocean. Right behind the hospital, there was a beach where the hospital used to throw their biological waste. Saddly, these waters are infected with biological waste... but that doesn't mean the ocean's water will necessarily become scarlet like blood.''

- Vento: The sea is...

''The sight in front of her, caused Vento to be shocked and surprised, to the point where she could not even speak. It was indeed beautiful but not normal. Never in earth's history there is a moment where the sun and ocean are red. The result of the sun hidden behind the dark clouds must be the reflex of the red water on the skies... meaning that it's not only that area stained in red but the waters on the horizon are scarlet as well.''

- Sargeant: ...Red...​​​​​

Suddenly, the communication signal of all soldiers on the beach began to fail like if there was something interrupting their communications.

- Soldier 2: My communicator is fail--!

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Before the soldier could finish his words, a humanoid creature slowly came out of his shadow and bit his throat, eating his organs and then throwing him on the floor.

- Soldier 3: WHAT THE--!

Before his comrade could understand the situation they found themselves into, he looked at the body of his dead comrade but right behind him, he could see demonic beings cripping out of holes on the ground, rotten zombies coming out of the water and monstruous insects leaving from the corpses nearby.

- Matt: Holy God!​​​​​​

The demons like a bunch of mindless beats, charged at the squad that was now regrouped in the form of a circle.

- Vento: No time to talk, attack!

''The demons charged at the squad but the Spanish soldier were already shooting against them with all their might. They knew that might their last mission since they were outnumbered... even so, no one wants to die like that girl they saw earlier.''

''- Soldier 4: Check your right flank! ''

- Soldier 5: There too many of them!!

''Like any other military squad, they can only think rationally when they have the control of the situation. But now? They are not. They're surrounded by at least 75 demons from all forms... and despite their efforts, the bullet was killing only the demons with head exposed. Insects and monstruous demons were not being harmed since their weak points were not exposed.''

- Matt: Hold it!

''Like a furious ninja, Matt advanced through the demonic lines and fought them directly on the middle of their swarm. However, only a few of them paid attention to his presence there while the most of them continued their towards the squad in the circle formation.''

- Matt: Come at me you bastards!!

After Matt sliced open a zombie in front of him, an insect similar to a giant mosquito grabbed his both arms with giant tentacles and opened his widened like if he was about to be crucified.

''- Matt: RELEASE ME! YOU DISGUSTING BUG!! AHHH!''

''A zombie then approached Matt and prepared to eat him but before it could bite him neck off, Vento jumped on the midair and like a wrathful giant, she smashed the head of the zombie with her giant hammer against the floor, crushing it in thousand pieces. The impact of her hammer on the floor created a small tornado that made all demons nearby flew against the walls of the hospital.''

- Matt: AHHH!

Matt used this opportunity to break free and used his sword to cut in half the insect that was holding him just by throwing his sword on the midair and making it fall on the head of the insect.

- Vento: You own me!

Matt and Vento put their backs against each other to watch the vanguard of their own bodies.

- Matt: This is bad...

Not far away, the demons that were throw away by Vento's tornado stood up and changed their sight to the magical duo.

''- Vento: Group up! Everyone!''

Before Matt and Vento could jump back the soldiers who were resisting in their formation, the former used his katana cut in half a mud demon who appeared on their backs and then retreated.

The two duo landed on the middle of the formation of the Spanish squad.

''- Vento: Stay close! We can't hold them for too long!''

''Vento then bit her nails, making them bleed. She then pressioned her hands against the ground, forming a magic circle.''

- Vento: PROTECTION!

''Suddenly, a wall of rocks came out of the magic circle and formed a giant rock that engulfed the squad alongside Matt and Vento. That was some kind of Earth style's spell. Now, they were inside of the rock while the demons were outside trying to break through.''

- Mage 1: This is...

The soldiers and mages looked around in curiousity and noticed they were inside of a small cave made of old rocks.

''- Vento: My magic. We are inside of a magical rock similar to an artificial cave. We are outnumbered, which means they will break through my magic soon enough. That's why, I want w--!''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Demons: H̖̊Û̡M̟͠Á͙N͚͗ ̙͘F̨̈́Ĺ̬Ë̲́S̝̒Ḣ͈!̘̓!̯̈́!̜̆!͍̋!̯̈!͔̉!̠̾!̫͋!̗̒!̣̾!̨̋

''It was too late. Before Vento and her group could discuss a strategy to escape from that place, the demons had already breached the cave. The demons were already close. The door made of a giant magical ock began to shake; then there was a dull sound of something being slammed against it. The first thump produced no effect, but then there was a second, and a third. The rock began to groan under the impacts. ''

''At last, part of the door gave way with a great cracking noise, and a dirty yellow eye peered in. ''

- Matt: Look out!

Even as he shouted, a female mage of the squad let her magical arrow fly.

- Demon: GRRB?!

''The bud-tipped arrow threaded through the rent in the rock and pierced the demon through the eye. The creature fell backward with an ear-rending screech, but its companions quickly filled the void. ''

''The demons, of course, were not going to stand around to be shot. As soon as they realized the Catholic Rebels in the cave were fighting back, bones began flying through the opening. Those bones were being fired from their own bodies.''

- Mage 2: 'Earth Mother, abounding in mercy, by the power of the land grant safety to we who are weak! Protection Style Light!'

''The Earth Mother protected her humble magician disciple as fiercely as any mother would her child. Protection had saved them from a hail of sharp bones before; sporadic potshots weren’t going to get through. As long as the girl clung to her staff and prayed, the bones would never reach them. ''

''- Vento: They’re coming... They’re coming... A swarm of 'em!''

''Vento muttered with a frown as she looked around and saw that the cave they were in was 14 meters long and 15 meters wide. It was large enough for a battle. ''

''Her hands moved with blinding speed and prepared to use the stones inside of the cave as her counter-attack. The second mage beside Vento used telekinesis and used the stones inside of the cave to throw them at the demons. ''

''Arrows and stones, wails and bellows, all mixed in the air. But the back and forth through the stone door didn’t last long. The magical rock that was the door may have been ancient and magical, but even it could not stand forever against crude weapons and brute strength of dozens of Black Demons hitting it. After many attacks, it finally gave a great death rattle. ''

- Demons: F͙͌O̤͆O͉͂O̜͆D̥͝!̡̓!̧̾!͈͌

''Demons flooded into the cave amid a shower of wood splinters. Although the implements were roughhewn, they carried swords and spears made of bones. Some of them even wore leather armor and chain mail. ''

- Sargeant: They're well equipped!

''The Sargeant noticed one exceptionally large creature with horns who seemed to be leading them. ''

- Vento: I don't know much about demons but...

''With a soft grunt and a flash of her right arm, she flung a dagger at the creature. It struck true, piercing the vital point of an exposed shoulder, but the wound was clearly not fatal.''

''The horned demon held a club. The ugly smile on his face was certainly that of a demon, but...''

''- Vento: A leader demon... a special type of demon that controls all others. ''

The leader demon had stumbled slightly when the dagger struck him, but now he pulled the blade out and gave a gaping grin.

- Matt: I’m going in!

''- Mage 1: Indeed! Let me add a blade to your number!''

''The howling mage drew his fang-sword. Swords rang out, and shouts, and screams. The small cave was soon drenched in the stink of blood. Demons pressed into the field of battle in swarms. Cut them down, and more would only come. They had to strike the head. Sword firmly in hand, Matt prepared boldly to move forward. ''

- Mage 2: U-um!

''A voice came from behind him. It was the female mage, still clutching her staff to her chest. She looked up at him, shielded by the bullets of the soldiers. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. ''

''Matt didn’t look back. Instead, he waded directly into the fight, and soon she could no longer see him. He moved constantly so that he could not be taken from behind, aiming his sword at the demons' throats. He thrust his sword backward and skewered another one. What he could not cut, he pierced with his iron claws and sent tumbling. He wasn’t alone. The sargeant, the male mage and Vento fought beside him. '

- Insect Demon: ORARAGA?!

- Matt: Five are down!

''If he was forced to cross swords with every monster in the room, he would probably wind up as mincemeat himself. There was no telling how many demons there were in this horde and to deal with them all squarely would leave him exhausted. Well, he wouldn’t deal squarely with them, then. ''

''Matt and his comrades were willing to use any and all tactics. ''

- Vento: Give them everything you’ve got!

''- Soldiers: Gladly! ''

''- Mage 1: Ahhh! See my deeds, my forebear!''

''With his own arms, the male mage swept aside an enemy approaching from behind, then grabbed one in front and spun it around before flinging it into a wall. ''

- Soldier 6: Geez, there’s so many!

''- Vento: That’s why it’s called a horde! Keep shooting!''

''The soldiers launched their projectiles at any opponents the melee combatants had missed. On the middle of the battlefield, Vento quickly jumped on the middle of the horde and spinned around with her hammer, crushing 9 demons to death.''

- Mage 1: How are you holding up, little lady?!

''- Mage 2: I'm... managing...''

''The miracle that mage had called down from the Earth Mother was still in effect, and the Catholic Rebels were doing rather well for themselves against the demons who pressed in through the door. But it couldn’t last forever. Vento and Matt knew that better than anyone. ''

''Matt moved across the battlefield, crushing a demon skull with the club in his right hand. He used his claws to deliver a blow to a monster who came charging at him with a longsword, then broke the creature with his club. Then he threw the club, finishing off a third monster, before picking up the longsword from the one he had just killed. ''

''- Matt: Seventeen are down! ''

''Finally Matt stopped, covering himself with his claws, and dashed along the wall behind the protection of the stone door. He was heading straight for the demon leader who was protected by several of his underlings. ''

''- Matt: In the end, though, demons are demons! And I have killed a plenty of them before you!''

"................"

- Demon Leader: Y̙͝O̭̊Ù̠'̫̈Ḻ̎Ḷ͘ ̧̎B͓̑É͈ ̡̓S͖̀T̰̎Ą̍I͕̔N̰̎E̲̿D̻́ ̡͠Ǐ̻N̳̕ ̦͊B͉̕L̪͝Ã̫C̞̐K̹͆ ̹̾T̨́Ö́͜Ö̟́!͐ͅ 

''The demon leader shouted something intimidating to its trembling henchmen to encourage them to greater feats of valor. ''

''Matt, who had successfully slipped around behind the creature, lightly adjusted his grip on his sword. He intended to stab it in the back, straight through its vulnerable brain. He readied his blade to strike. ''

- Demon Leader: ..............

He felt the yielding answer of flesh, saw the geyser of blood… 

- Matt: Hrm!

''But Matt suddenly grunted. He had pierced something certainly. But it was a different demon, one that had been thrown toward him. ''

"............!!!!!!!!!!"

''The demon leader had used one of his allies as a shield. Not that this was surprising. Matt found it perfectly normal. There is nothing in this world so selfish as a Black Demon. ''

''All they wanted was to win. If that meant sacrificing their companions or their horde, even their entire race, so be it. This was one crucial point of difference between the thinking of demons and of those who had words. This tendency, combined with the altogether unjustified anger they felt when their companions were killed, made them quite unpleasant.''

- Demon Leader: I͍̅T̙̎'̚ͅS̝̚ ̹͌U̬͂S̺̚Ḛ̒L̘̏E͍̓Ṣ́Ş̀!̜̾ 

''He had pierced the demon through the stomach, in between the pieces of the creature’s armor, and the beast yammered something as blood erupted from the wound. ''

- Matt: Feh...

''Matt imediately pulled his sword out and prepared for the next attack. The devil's dirty yellow eyes saw the warrior who had meant to ambush him. Perhaps he recognized the man who had thrown the dagger at him earlier, for an ugly smile spread over his face. ''

- Demon Leader: P̮̅i͖͊ť͉f͓̊u̟͌l̞̃ ͖̀m͉̈́o̓ͅr̞̄t͎̊a̲͆l̩̿

''His powerful arms brought his club up from below in a scooping motion. ''

- Matt: Hrggh?!

 Metal, flesh, and bone twisted; there was an awful rending sound.

''Weightlessness, impact, nothingness. A warmth that rose up from his innards. Pain.''

''In an instant, Matt took in the situation. The sword he had instinctively thrown up to protect himself had been sent flying. And he himself had slammed against one of the coffins that lined the room. The stone shattered with a great crack, dust flying everywhere.''

''- Mage 1: Mister Matt! ''

''The male mage called out to him from where he was fighting. ''

''- Vento: Matt! Are you all right?!''

''Vento looked toward him at the mage's shout. But there was no response. ''

''- Mage 2: No! Someone help Matt! ''

''The mages' legs trembled under her, as if she were on a rocking ship. Soon afterwards, Matt coughed blood.''

- Matt: [COUGH]

''He was all right. He had to be. He had even come back from the blow from that monster. He would say some bad joje just like he always did. ''

"....................."

''But he only lay there in the cloud of dust, like a discarded doll. With a hacking sound, thick blood came out of his mouth. There was no mistaking it; it had been a critical hit. ''

- Mage 2: N...!!

''Her staff rattled weakly as it slipped out of her grasp and fell to the floor. She brought her shivering hands to her face. Her delicate features twisted. ''

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Mage 2: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

''The girl’s weeping echoed throughout the room. The demons cackled horribly; that was one of their favorite sounds. The vanguard was wounded. The magic user's spirit was broken. The hated Protection of Vento and the female mage would vanish as well. The party had lost its leader—that was what mattered. ''

- Demons: A̧͠H̪̏A̝͋H͍̅A̫͛H̦̀Ạ͊H̟͠A̟̔!̜͒!̮̌!͇̎

''The Black Demons, of course, would not let this moment pass. This was how they had buried many mages before. ''

- Vento: What is this thing?!

''Vento cried, even as she battled with the sort of strength only she possessed. Though it had killed quite a number of the demon horde, more than 5 soldiers were suddenly struck down. It was only a matter of time to that squad be cornered. ''

''- Vento: Stay calm! Keep your concentra--! Grk?!''

''Thus, Vento became the first catch of the day. She had been smashing the demons' head without pause, and no demon or insect had been able to get near her. But when her pace slackened for an instant, just the blink of an eye, a humanoid demon took advantage of it to jump toward her and punched her in her face.''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Vento is inherently thin and slim but her agility is immense and her physical strength is multipled with her hammer... but she lack brute strength in her own arms and fists. ''

- Soldier 6: Lieutenant!

''She struggled to shake the demon off her back, but it was a futile gesture in the face of the encroaching horde. ''

''- Vento: Lemme go! Get off—huh?! Ahh!! Ahhhh!!''

''She was dragged to the ground, and with a scream, she vanished under a black mountain of demons who began to tear apart her clothes. ''

''For a second, one thin leg stuck out from under the mound, kicking at the air. ''

- Sergeant: Lieutenant!

''The sergeant was the first to notice what was happening, and the only one able to respond. He tossed aside his pistol and, with a yell, took a hand ax from his belt. ''

''- Sergeant: You beasts! By the gods, get off her!''

''His judgment was beyond question; there hadn't been time to use a magi-tech spell. If the Sergeant hadn’t leaped in immediately, Vento might well have been carried off to who knew what fate. But without almost any left ranged attacks to support the lone close combat fighter, there was nothing to hold back the demon onslaught. This was critical. Now, most of the soldiers armed with assault rifles were falling to the floor one by one.''

''- Mage 2: No... ''

''Now there was nothing between the female mage of the squad and the demon leader. ''

''- Mage 2:No... Please... No...''

'' Her teeth chattering and her entire body quaking with fear, she could barely stand. There was a soft thump as she slid to the ground; then she felt something warm and wet spread across her legs. She had just pissed herself.''

- Demon Leader: A̧͠H̪̏A̝͋H͍̅A̫͛H̦̀Ạ͊H̟͠A̟̔!̜͒!̮̌!͇̎

''The smell of it caused the demon leader to grin mockingly at her. It would be so much easier if she could just lose consciousness. The demon leader's meaty arms stretched out and grabbed her waist. ''

''- Mage 2: Hrr?! Ahh!!''

''She groaned as the creature crushed her internal organs. She was terrified. What if he simply squeezed until her bones broke? ''

''- Mage 2: Hrr...?! Wh-whaa...? Whaaat...?''

'' But that wasn’t what happened. The demon leader pushed his face close to her. His breath reeked of rotting flesh. ''

- Demon Leader: E̝͛r̥̈r̮̊ȳ̙a̺̽a͍̓ǎ̳ä̤́a͇̐a̮͒a̪͘r͓̒ğ̱h̛̥!̿ͅ ̛ͅ

''And then he took a great bite out of her shoulder, vestments and chain mail and all. Blood gushed out, running red across her white skin. ''

- Mage 2: 'Agggh! Ahhh!!'

''She had never known such pain. She was at the limits of her endurance. The color drained from her vision. She couldn’t speak, but only wept like a child. She was in an awful state, her eyes running with tears, her nose with snot, spittle hanging from her lips. ''

''- Vento: Stop!!! Let... me...go...! Ahhhh!!!''

''Vento added her own shouts from beneath the pile of demons. There was the sound of tearing clothing. Beating. Screams. Groans. ''

''- Sergeant: This will not do! I fear that if we do not gather the few survivors and withdraw, we will all be lost!! ''

''- Mage 1: Whaddaya think I’m?!! COME---''

Before the male mage could save Vento from the Black Demons, several spikes flew towards him and impaled his entire body, making him fall dead to the floor in a gruesome scenario.

- Demon Leader: .............

''The demon leader and his demons  pointed at them and chortled loudly enough to rouse the dead. This was the fate of anything brought low by Black Demons, be it an human or a mage.'' ''Its fate, its destiny. Due to chance. ''

A roll of the dice.

''Right now, that squad is doomed. More than 18 soldiers were now being devoured alive, one mage is dead, the second mage is about to be eaten, Matt is down with terrible wounds, Vento is going to be violated, the sergeant is surrounded by zombies, the last few soldiers are out of ammo and about to be slaughtered.''

''But where did they go wrong? What happened? Why they are in such situation? Nothing really happened and nothing went wrong. What happened is... they overstimated this new threat by bringing only a few soldiers and mages with them. Unlike any other enemy they had faced before, this threat is totally different, these enemies are out of their world, nothing can be compared.''

- Matt (think): *This is the end?*

''Matt closed his eyes and waited for the end to come... there was nothing he could since his left arm was broken and had several of his internal organs crushed. The last thing he heard was the screams of his comrades.''

Matt's Subconsciousness


'' - (???): Do you think you can slay demons? Do you think you save people's lives when you couldn't save me? You just sat and watched. You were powerless. You didn't do a thing. Because you're weak and a coward. I see how Maria manipulated you, she wants people around her to feel worthless, she wait until after they've lost everything so she can approach them as a friend, just like she did to me. And you fell for it... because when you're at the bottom, you'll follow anyone, that makes you feel like less of a failure! Why? Because you don't want to be forgotten as a trash! And you know why people will forget you! Because you're USELESS! ''

Real World
"......................."

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Matt: Bullshit...

All of it resonated with something deep inside him, impacting his mind with the words of his former best friend he failed to save.

Matt stood up and grabbed his sword as he slowly made his way towards the Demon Leader but when he looked at his weapon, he noticed it was broken and completely useless.

''Several demons that had noticed he was still alive and moving came toward him. Each had a weapon in their hand and a cruel laugh in their throat; no doubt they came with thoughts of finishing him off. ''

''But so what? ''

"..................."

''He swung the broken part of his sword with all his might and cut the few demons and zombies to death... Now... Matt seemed to be like another person... like if there was something awakening inside of him... something similar to what happened to Maria Arzonia many months ago...''

- Demons: !!!!!!!!!!!!!

''The sharp part of the broken sword was weapon enough. He cracked their skulls, blood and brains flying everywhere. Forward. ''

''Forward. ''

''He wouldn't shout until the last moment. He couldn’t. Just like before. He must not be noticed. The demon leader was focused on tormenting his new catch. He seemed oblivious to the fact that the interloper he had thrashed earlier was standing behind him.''

''Matt then looked behind him and saw a dead female zombie with blonde hair... her hairs were long enough to cover her face. And so, this twisted man slowly walked towards that corpse and grabbed her hair, pulling it with all his strength as her scalp was being ripped off.''

".........................."

''The female mage had gone limp in the demon's embrace, only twitching now and again. Her lips, turned even redder by the blood that flowed down from her white neck, moved two or three times. No voice came out. ''

- Matt: Y-yaaaah!

''Matt leaped on the demon leader from behind. At first, the demon leader surely had no idea what was happening. Something wrapped around his neck... ''

''The creature reached up in annoyance to brush away what had been, for him, only bait... But in the next instant, the thing was pulled tight against his throat. ''

- Demon Leader: Ȯ̹-̨̐O̡͠Ṙ̞Ȓ̭Ṛ͑R͉̓B͇͝B̟͝B̦͠B̫́?̙̀!̹̊?̜͂!̮̅?̺̍!̘̆?̀͜!̤̈́

He could not quite get the scream out of his throat.

''The demon leader scrabbled at the bones, unable to breathe. A few hairs broke, but it didn’t change anything. He could no longer see the female mage he had been about to have his way with. ''

- Matt: Did you know hair can be used as a weapon too, disgusting creeper?

''The demon dropped the female mage he was holding and she had rolled onto the ground like an abandoned toy. ''

''Assassins were said to make wire out of human hair and use it to kill; this was the same principle. It was not easy to untangle oneself from. ''

''The demon leader twisted his own body, struggling. He rammed backward against a wall. ''

''- Matt: Hrk!! ''

''Blood flowed from Matt's mouth again. He gave a cry as his insides were crushed. Even so, his grip did not loosen. The Demon Leader had grown terrified. ''

''Naturally, the other demons were not simply standing by and watching their leader get throttled. Several of them had raised their weapons and begun to advance to kill this resurrected enemy. Until suddenly, their heads went flying off, replaced by spouts of blood. They had been killed by the demon's club as he swung it about in his desperate struggle. ''

''The headless demon corpses slumped to the ground. This was too much, even for them. Demons showed no fear of death when they believed they could win. If loot and debauchery awaited them on the other side of victory, so much the better. ''

''But here... could they win? ''

''- Sergeant: EAT THIS! ''

''A great roar. A moment’s indecision, an instant’s hesitation, spelled the demons' defeat. With a bellow to honor his dead men, the sergeant, now free once more, set upon the monsters. His combat knife, drenched in demon and zombie blood, whirled like a storm in his scaly hands. ''

With each flash of the blade, a hand or a foot or a head went flying.

''Thrown into confusion, the demons rushed to surround the sergeant only to have their heads crushed by a giant hammer. It was Vento, who was saved by the last few soldiers during the confusion.''

- Vento: Go!

Vento was covering her exposed chest and drenched in demon blood, but she was there.

- Vento: I’ll handle these guys!

''- Sergeant: My thanks! Take care of yourself! ''

''The young sergeant shouted and began to weave his way through the attackers. He was trying to get to where the female mage lay on the ground.''

''As Ventotried to affect nonchalance, she threw her hammer at the demon leader's, piercing his left eye and let out a shout. ''

- Vento: Get him, Butcher!!

- Matt: AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!

''Matt held the bundle of hair like the reins of a horse. He clung to the back of the demon leader, who flung him left and right like a bucking stallion. At first, each jolt had hurt him so badly he thought his body might fly apart. But now he felt no pain, nothing. All that was left was a strange lightness, like floating in the water. Some objective part of his mind was sounding a warning. ''

''Pain was proof you were alive. ''

''And now he felt no pain. ''

''Perhaps his nerves had been overwhelmed. Had he made the wrong choice? Suddenly, Matt could hear voices inside of his head... ''



'' - (???): Go forward unto death!! Pound the nail into your own coffin!! ''

''LIstening to a strange voice inside of his head, Matt let out a malicious grin as he faced the darkness inside of his own subconscious... he was accepting another being living inside of him... a being he never knew or saw before.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Matt: Hey...!

''His voice squeezed out from between his lips. Could the words that echoed in his mind have reached the mind of the demon leader? The creature struggled to turn his head and see the enemy that clung to his back. A wrathful and cruel purple eyes reflected on the eyes of the evil demon leader... eyes of another demon...''



- Matt: T̳̽a̳͗k̯͋e͖͘ ̫̆ä̙ ̜̏g̭̅ȏ̩ǒ̙d̨͐ ͉̐l̟͆ó̡o̳̿k̡͘,̞̐ ̧̅D̮̄E̬͋M͖̌Ö̬Ǹ͜!̛̫

The world around them became black and white as Matt showed his true face to the demon leader.

".............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Matt raised his broken right arm and jammed it into the eye. He grasped something disturbingly soft, scratched and clawed at it. ''

- Demon Leader: G͗͜Ṛ̅O͖̾R̥̃A̲͐R̼̾Á͖R̯̆A̺͠B̖͝?̙̅!̖̒ ̣͝G̣͒R͉̎O̧̒O̼͐Ŕ̘Ō̻R͖̀Ó͖R̜̈́O̮̚B͇͊?̱̊!̛͉?̰̽!̨̈́

''The demon leader howled incoherently in agony, bending backward. Matt went with him, rolling to the stone floor. He barely avoided being crushed by the giant body as it collapsed to the ground with a resounding thump. ''

- Matt: Ahh...

''Breathing raggedly, Matt used nearby bones to push himself up. The warrior was covered in blood and wounds, near death, but the demons  simply watched him from afar.''

''There was no good reason for them to do so. It would have been easy to finish him off at that moment. And yet they were unmistakably afraid of him. ''

''Just after Matt stood up, a dark, heavy and cold aura began to fly around him like a tornado of shadows... and that darkness was getting attached to his clothes and skin like if it was transforming him into something else... ''

The demons and zombies attacking the squad immediately stared at their dead leader and tremble in fear when they all changed their sight to Matt.

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Matt: W̤̏h̰́õ̠’̰̑s̝͘ ̥̐n͑ͅe̯͛x͔̆t͍̀?̻̓

''The voice was dispassionate, toneless, and cold as the wind blowing through a valley. ''

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Matt: Ȉ̻s̛͎ ̗͘į̈́t̡̓ ̻̌y̬̍o̦̕u͕̍?͖̊!̪̑

Matt flung the lump of flesh in his right hand.

''Screaming, the demons  forgot everything else and fled. In this, as in all things, the humanoid Black Demons led them. Each demon there were most interested in their own survival; all they wanted was to escape this place afraid from that thing awakening inside of Matt Butcher. Thus, the idea of holding their ground against impossible odds never so much as occurred to them, and the rout gained momentum quickly. ''



''First two, then four, then eight fled.... One after another, demons dove for the exit, weeping and shouting. At last, only the piles of demon and zombies corpses and the gasping of what is left from the Spanish squad were left.''

Soon afterwards, the Protection of Vento's cave was finally over and soon the walls made of rocks and stones disappeared in white particles, revealing the sunset on the horizon.

''- Vento: We... are safe...''

''No one suggested they should pursue the enemy. All of them were wounded and exhausted; they could barely think of moving. But at the same time, the darkness that surrounded Matt a few seconds ago vanished like smoke on the air, returning his outfit to its normal form.''

- Matt: What I...



''Apparently, Matt did remember what happened but has no clue of what caused that. The only thing he remember are voices inside of his head and then a strange energy took over his mind and body like a vicious drug.''

''- Vento (think): *Matt... what happened to you?*''

''Vento stared at Matt with a worried look before looking down and seeing their allies cut into in pieces by the demons. Now, there are only 5 soldiers left, one mage and the two leaders; Vento and Matt.''

''- Sargeant: What... What...''

''- Soldier 6: Thank you, God... thank you.''

''While some soldiers were seating on the floor to take breath, some of them prayed to God to thank him for saving their lives. But that's only natural because nothing they saw or experienced in life could have prepared them to this moment. The moment they confronted death so close.''



''-Vento: Everyone is okay? ''

''Everyone nodded... they had no will to talk after that as their mouth and tongue are frozen by despair and fear.''

''- Matt: Vento... I--''

''Before Matt could try to explain what happened back then, they all heard a strange sound coming from the sea. ''

''When they all looked at the scarlet waters, they saw a giant black object that was similar to a rock or a cocoon. That thing was black and huge, making it look like a mutated aquatic monster... but that was not the case here because there was a light coming from inside of that thing, and strange enough that thing sealed by metal bars on the top of its head.''

".......!!!!"

''- Vento: What is that thing? Another demon?''

''Despite being tired of the previous battle, Vento was more than ready to fight for her life again but nothing happened. The demons that attacked them were gone and now there is just that strange capsule.''

Soon afterwards, the capsule sunk on the red waters of the ocean but as it sank, the light inside of it became more intense, resulting in the iron bars sealing it to be destroyed, realeasing something that was being kept inside.

''When everyone looked at the spot where the strange demonic capsule sunk, a human body came out of the water. Apparently, that human was being kept inside of that strange capsule. At that moment, the sergeant came to the conclusion they encountered such brutal horde of demons because they were protecting it... but why they were protecting a human being when they killed millions?''

- Soldier 2: A woman?



''- Mage 2: I sensed a dark magic coming from that capsule but now that it sunk... it's gone.''

''As if it was not strange enough, the red waters of the ocean were not reaching that woman who was sleeping on the sea like a beautiful siren. The waters around her were blue with the same color of the original ocean... but why? Why the scarlet ocean is not reaching that woman's body.''

There were so many questions now...

Who is that woman?

Why the ocean is red but it's not touching that area?

Why the demons were protecting this place?

What was that strange capsule?

What was that power that dominated Matt's mind before?

''So many questions... but soon enough all those questions would be answered. Matt and Vento then sharpened their eyes as they gazed at that adult woman, who was beautiful and looked very familiar to their eyes...''

<p style="text-align:center;"> United States <p style="text-align:center;"> Sleepy Hollow - STAR Center <p style="text-align:center;"> STAR Central <p style="text-align:center;"> Conference Room <p style="text-align:center;"> 2 minutes later

''2 minutes later, on the other side of the globe, things were calm unlike the battlefield between the demons and Catholic Rebels. ''

''Inside of a conference room of Star Central, two men were seated in their chair. They were seated around a table with poker faces as their expressions. However, those men were not unknown to each other because they are close friends and partners in their own workers. ''

''They are none other than the two Ultimate Detectives of Global Pact Defense, Kenzo Tenma and Adam Jensen. If there is someone who remember them, they are the two partners of Kyouko Kirigiri who worked alongside her for almost a decade. They also were one of the detectives who took participation on the legendary case of Jack the Ripper of 21st Century, a serial killer case that happened in the town of Tenguu City, Japan. Kyouhei was on the lead of this case but after she was wounded by the killer, she went missing for almost a year.''

- Kenzo: Are you okay, Adam?

''Kenzo broke the silence as he played with his fingers on the table. Adam then replied without changing his sight from the door.''



''- Adam: Y-Yes. I'm okay. I'm just worried.''

Like if he was foreseeing something bad is going to happen, Adam looked at the table with a worried expression.

- Kenzo: Worried?

''- Adam: Yes... about many things. The Purge, the end of the World War, Ratatoskr being considered a terrorist group, the downfall of GPD and America. There are so many things happening that I can't organize my thoughts.''

''Adam is just worried with his duty and the people he was suppose to protect. But now, alongside Tenma, he is just one of the cowards who vowed to stay beside Mina to save his own skin. Even now, this man is feeling disgust of himself for letting millions die just to save his own skin behind the walls of Star Center.''

Suddenly the door opened and the leader of STAR LABS entered with a smile, Mina Harker. ''- Mina: Ahh. It seems that everyone has already gathered.''



- Adam: Good morning, director.

''As Mina walked towards the table, she stared deeply in the eyes of those men, intimidating them in a blink of an eye. Her actions were shaped by the movement of her facial muscles, a tasteless and odorless smile. ''

- Kenzo: .............

Tenma looked at the table to avoid staring too much at that beautiful woman whose could make tremble just by looking at them.

''- Mina: Good morning, gentlemen. I hope you have slept well... in the soft beds and warm rooms I gave to you.''

''Kenzo and Tenma sharpened their eyes in shame... they are ashamed of themselves.''

''Mina welcomed them to Star Central as guests as long they vowed loyalty to her and the new regime. Military, politicians, workers and officers of GPD were all invited to serve her cause with the reward they would be received in the STAR LABS' HQ as their guests. There, they had food, water, clothes, medical treatment and many other basics rights of a civilian. Those who refused to join her abandoned and left in exile outside of the walls.''



''Mina is a woman who, despite her behavior and appearance, has little use for people who can't do something. Mina is a sadist who lacked empathy for people of whom she deemed weak. She enjoyed putting her enemies through great pain, both physically and emotionally, as well as civilians who couldn't fight or stand up for themselves. She had no qualms about killing innocent people to get what she wanted. She is a like a female version of brutal dictators like Joseph Stalin who had no use for weak men.''

''And like any other dictator, she is above all others. She controls all the financial, administrative and executive groups serving the STAR LABS. And what she do to those who can't serve her no longer? She will execute them or throw them to outside of the STAR Central to take their chances to survive out there.''

''And who happens to be kicked off of STAR Central? Pregnant woman, children and elderly people who can't do nothing to keep STAR LABS working. They are just burden and dead weight and are quickly terminated.''

''- Kenzo: Yes... More importantly, director. The voice.''



''The reason why Mina called Kenzo and Adam there was to discuss about the strange voice that echoed all across the globe. The voice of a lonely sad woman crying and singing on the horizon.''

''- Mina: Ah yes. And this map?''

''Tenma then walked towards a blackboard with the map of the islands next to Japan and draw a red cirlce around a determinated area. That area was the same spot that Kotori and Ratatoskr localized; it was the Ironbottom sound, the center point from where the voice was coming.''

''- Kenzo: W-We are about to draw the same thing. We investigated the voice with the satellites of STAR LABS but everytime we tried to use digital maps to find the location of the voice they literally exploded like if a destructive virus had entered on the system of the computers. But with the drones we scattered in the Pacific Ocean, we managed to track down from where the voice was coming. ''

Adam continued.



''- Adam: The voice is coming from a stretch of water at the southern end of The Slot between Guadalcanal, Savo Island, and Florida Island of the Solomon Islands. We call that area as "Ironbottom Sound" since it was a place where many ships sunk during the Battle of Gualdalcanal in 1943. It was one of the deadliest naval battles of World War II.''

- Mina: Humph...

''After listening to their words words, Mina gave out a small groan. Then, he placed his hand beside his chin, deep in thought. To be honest, she wasn't really interested in the voice. The point is: it was Adam and Tenma who wanted to discuss about the voice with Mina Harker, she just invited them to hear their thoughts about the voice.''

''Mina was somehow aware of this voice even before the entire world could hear it, which wa suspicious since nobody knew about that voice until now. Yet, she reacted to it like if she was already expecting for it. Tenma rised the theory Mina is hiding something judging by her lack of interest in the matter.''

''- Mina: I see... ''

''Mina then closed her eyes like if she was trying to sleep... indeed, she had no interest on that matter.''

''- Adam: Dubbed "Iron Bottom Sound" due to the number of vessels sunk during the Guadalcanal campaign during the Battle of Savo Island, Battle of Cape Esperance, Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, Battle of Tassafaronga, and Operation Ke, and Operation I-Go. The wartime coordinates for many of the ships sunk in Iron Bottom Sound are only approximate because they sank at night or the positions were not accurately recorded.''

''Mina... was sleeping. With her eyes closed, her face against the table and saliva coming out of her open mouth, she was sleeping like a baby.''

''- Adam: Un.... director?''

After Adam finished speaking, Mina opened her eyes and gave another groan before raising the corners of her mouth.

''- Mina: Ahh... sorry about that. I'm just bored... let's be honest here Adam and Kenzo Tenma. You're both amazing and skilled detectives who solved hundreds of cases that normal detectives could not. However, you must be forgetting this is not a criminal case to open yourselves too much, an investigation with too many details about a "supernatural" incident doesn't make it more interesting, trust me. Moreover, I was awared that voice was coming from there and the historic behind those waters. Could it be that there is some kind of powerful demonic entity sleeping down there?''

"......................."

Adam and Kenza stared at each other and then bowed before Mina.

''- Kenzo: You're totally right, director. Forgive us.''

Mina then smiled like if she was in good mood.

''- Mina: Forget it, you two. The STAR LABS will research more about that voice so rest assured. More importantly, did you find that person?''

''After she said that, Mina sharpened her golden eyes like if she was no longer bored but interested. Whatever they were going to talk next was something of extreme importance to her.''

''- Adam: Sure... we did our best to find her but she is nowhere to be found. It's been a year since the case of Jack the Ripper of 21st Century had ended but her whereabouts sill unknown. It's hard to find her because she is... Kyouko Kirigiri.''

Mina then stood up.

''- Kenzo: Kyouko is the Century's Greatest Detective, her furtive skills are out of this world. Even when she is not in work, she covers every single one of her steps and disappear like a shadow on the darkness of society. She knows how to find suspicious people and how to avoid them. Even if you were a spy on the middle of a crowd of thousands, she would immediately recognize you as a spy and then escape without leaving any trace. This is how Kyouko works, a detective who can 'mask herself even sleeping.''

''Mina widen her eyes at those unexpected words but deep inside she was not really surprised. She was only making a reaction to avoid being compared to a emotionless woman.''

''- Mina: I know that... I know Kyouko for decades and I know how that woman is incredible. To tell the truth, I was not expecting you and my disguised forces would find her anyway. I was just trying to make an effort to find her and bring her to our side. Kyouko is a woman of gold. Her talents should not be wasted out there when the world is being plunged into darkness. ''

''Adam and Kenzo knew that better than anyone. Those three were one of the few people who met Kyouko directly and were aware of how incredible that Ultimate Detective can be. No woman alive can surpass her, no one. Even Mina, who is a pure narcissist, bows down at Kyouko's glory.''

"...................."

- Adam: So that means we must continue the investigation?

The executive director of STAR LABS shook her head.

''- Mina: No. At least we know she is in Japan. After the case of Jack the Ripper ended, she went missing for a year... but she is not totally perfect. A few mistakes here and there are common and it's up to us to take advantage from her mistakes. Several guards from Japan Ground Self Defense said she was seen many times in the town of Tenguu City... dude, speaking of Tenguu City, I wonder how one city can be the center of so many things. We did not even know such town existed before the Jack the Ripper of 21st Century's case.''

''[- Narrator: Said the woman who took over Sleepy Hollow to herself. Both cities are very similar in their respective manners].''

After saying that, Mina looked towards Kenzo for a moment.​​​​

''- Mina: Adam Jensen, I want you to change your investigation. Instead of looking for Kyouko Kirigiri, I want you to find that woman... if possible.''

''There is another woman who is a candidate to become the world's greatest detective nobody knows about. A woman who started with a normal career and had nothing to be on the spotlights. A talented person who was ignored and abandoned by her own people.''

''- Adam: Woman? Who you're talking about?''

Mina crossed her arms and turned her back to hide her evil grin.

''- Mina: How can you forget her? After all, the woman I'm talking about is your ex-girlfriend, Nami Feuer!''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Nami Feuer, when that name was spoken, Adam's spine frozen like if death was right behind him.

''- Adam: N-Nami?! ''

''Nami Feuer, the Korean agent of FBI who solved the famous KK Murder Case in Los Angeles almost 2 years ago. She was a person of great skill, intellect and perspective to the point she could be considered unique among millions. Her determination for justice was so brilliant that Mina could not keep her eyes away from her as she viewed her as a future ally. ''

''At that time, Nami was an agent of FBI who was banished from the corporation for letting a young criminal escape after so many months of investigation. She was the girlfriend of Adam Jensen who took part illegally on the investigation the KK Murder Case, a small serial killer case that was set in Los Angeles. However, due to how complex and bizarre was, no one in the country could save it... but Nami was different. Through the machinations of the killer who was testing her, he considered her to be a person worth of replacing Kyouko Kirigiri.''

''- Adam: But... she is missing for two years now. And there are enough evidences sh--''

Mina interrupted him but continued his phrase.

''- Mina: ...She joined the KnightWalker Family? I'm sure that she left us because the stupid old men from the former government abandoned her after everything she did for us. The KK Killer Case was small since only three people were killed... Opps, I forgot it wasn't only three people who died. The Killer himself killed 20 people in the final confrontation between him and Nami. Nevermind then. Anyway, the KK Killer Case was the most important serial killer of Los Angeles in this century, and Nami was the woman who solved it.''

Adam looked and clenched his fists, remembering of how futile was his attempt to free her from her unfair imprisonment.

''- Mina: If there is something that makes Eckidina KnightWalker superior to our intelligence, is that she have Nami Feuer on her side. A woman who alone, has the intellect of three Pentagons alone. But I wonder, there still a way to bring her to our side? I think not. Not after those bunch of idiots did to her. I can see why she joined Eckidina and the KnightWalker Alliance as their Central of Intelligence.''

Adam nodded.

''- Adam: I can try to investigate the whereabouts of Nami... But to bring her back to America would mean to sent a squad of assassins to kidnap her and bring her back to the continent. You and I know how dangerous this is, Nami is decided to serve Eckidina, no matter what.''

Mina turned her head to the right and opene her arms in a dramatic way as she walked towards the window of the room.

<p style="text-align:center;"> '- Mina: Then I suppose we lost this war against the KnightWalker Family. But I still want to see them both... someday, somewhere... Nami Feuer and Kyouko Kirigiri'

<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile... <p style="text-align:center;"> Japan <p style="text-align:center;"> Tenguu City <p style="text-align:center;"> Street of the Museum

''The world was changing... from bad to worse. That was something everybody knows by now, but if it was only the world itself... and not the people living.''

''It's true the demon's new reign of terror change the view of this world, but unfortunely, people changed along with it. The world is rotten, and the people who rotted with it are not different from those who caused it. ''

''Tenguu City, once one of the richest towns on Japan is deporable.The streets are abandoned, famous touristic points were burned to the grounds, corpses are everywhere, dead animals are cowering the dark alleys, children abandoned on the streets while dying of diseases, shoppings are completely looted, stores of food, magazines, vehicles, properties and gifts are closed and destroyed. There is nothing left.''

''Almost every single town of the planet is in the same situation but Tenguu City is a special place. At the night when the WWIII began, Tenguu City was attacked by the infamous Mafusa Gang, a criminal gang that was known as the most powerful and dangerous criminal group of the underworld in Japan. After the attack, Tenguu City and its people developed program to rebuild their town and help all wounded people whom were affected by the Mafusas. Victims who had their houses burned to the ground were granted with new homes, children who had their parents killed were sent to orphanage with mental care, victims of rapes receive psychological treatment and animals who lost their owners were sent to adoption.''



''Everyone worked so hard in these months just to lost all their hard work again. When the Purge began, Tenguu City fell in another state of calamity, but more painfully and slowly, giving all civilians a taste of suffering once again.''

''Rentaro Satomi, alongside his brother Jack Mitchell, took part in the reconstruction of the town by joining the police corps, keep order and justice from those who wanted to seize this opportunity to steal and commit evil acts. ''

''Since that night, Tenguu City was exposed to any threats; with the police force, military, firemen and security corps weakened. Not even with the reinforcements of Japan Ground Self Defense Forces were able to slow down the increase of crmes. But again, the randomly attacks of Black Demons destroyed everything they rebuilt... causing more deaths and destruction. Luckily, the attacks are not so intense like Mafusa's, but seeing the society they worked to much to restore being slowly teared apart is enough to make even the most cold-hearted men cry.''



''- Rentaro: Tenguu City is not the same as before. Even after our efforts, the Black Demons took everything we had. If one day this madness ends, I'm pretty sure no one will care about this city anymore. They will all migrate to small villages where they can have a peaceful life. Our lives in urban areas is just noisy and chaotic.''

''Right now, Rentaro and Kyouko are walking down an abandoned street full of stores. That place used to be a commercial street for tourists... not anymore.''

''- Kyouko: This is so sad. I remember when I first came to Tenguu City during the case of Jack the Ripper of 21st Century, this place was rebuilt. The population and people living in this area did their best to make this place a better place like when it was before.. and they did it so quickly. But now...''



''Kyouko, who was carrying an umbrella looked around to see nothing but rats moving on that street. There were papers flying away as the cold wind shook the twigs of dead trees ahead.''

''They continued walking until they found themselves in front of a military blitz. More than 4 armored vehicles, 2 tanks and 25 men were marching towards a historic street of Tenguu City located 25 meters ahead of them.''

- Rentaro: What is happening here?

- Kyouko: They are the Japan Ground Self Defense, right?

''- Rentaro: W-Well, yes. They are... but I never saw them located in one single area today. Let's check out.''



''Kyouko and Rentaro followed the military train without being caught. Normally, civilians are ordered to stay away from military operations so it's obvious they need to keep low profile...''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

When they arrived where the military train was going, they were shocked to find out the JGSDF was actually fighting a Black Demon right in front of the historic museum of Tenguu City.

- Rentaro: WH--!

''Rentaro gasped at the same moment. It was the first time he actually a demon in front of him with his very own eyes. It was not like he never believed in the existence of demons but seeing a demon with his own eyes is different from seeing them in videos, photos and news on TV. It's out of this world.''



- Kyouko: T-This is...

''Just like Rentaro, Kyoukoo never saw a demon before. It was chilling and scary to witness the presence such monsters. But even more scarier were the civilians cheering the death of that monster, making them look like demons cheering to another demon devouring or even torturing a human being. They... are so similar in many ways.''

''For being a detective, Kyouko still consider the existence of those monster to be weird, but like any other intelligent person, she always had questions about those creatures. One of her questions why those monsters appeared on this world at the same time? It was like if they had planned this for centuries, waiting for the right moment to attack at the same time. If this is true, then that means they have a leader they follow. But who is this leader?''

''- Kyouko (think): *What is happening to this world? Could it be that Michael... No. Not even Michael could accomplish something so grand with little resources... Katarina... Where are you now?*''



''Kyouko only met one monstruous person who could fall in the same category of those of Black Demons. And his name is Michael Langdon but after considering his current weakned status following his battle against Team Witness in Sleepy Hollow, there is no he can achieve such grand scheme alone. To someone start something worldwide like the Purge, it takes decades of planning with the involvement of thousands (if not millions) people from all across the globe.''

Kyouko and Rentaro left that place as fast as they could and arrived in small store of foods called Sephora after a few minutes of walk.

''One of the main reasons why Kyouko left that place without being seen is because she is doing her best to avoid being caught by STAR LABS' spies whom are trying to find her. Some days ago, she noticed she was being followed by men of STAR LABS, and so she went into hidding for a long time... Hearing her situation, Rentaro agreeded accompany her on the streets of Tenguu City to protect her.''

- Rentaro: We are here.

Kyouko nodded as she put her umbrella on the ground.



''- Kyouko: Fumu... sorry, Rentaro. I brought you along with me to attend my selfish request. Forgive me.''

After Kyouko said that fearfully, Rentaro cast his eyes down and shook his head.

''- Rentaro: Imagine, I'm a friend and you saved me once. What I'm doing to you means nothing compared what you did to me. Ask me whatever you want.''

''Kyouko smiled as a reply and entered on the store while Rentaro was going to be waiting outside. While she made her way inside, a blonde woman accompained by her pet dog arrived in front of the store.''

- Woman: Kyouko?

''Suddenly, the woman who had just arrived recognized Kyouko Kirigiri, the Century's Greatest Detective. Rentaro immediately prepared to punch her for thinking she was a spy of STAR LABS. Yes, Rentaro is not hitting woman to protect his friends. Nowadays, hitting or killing a man or woman doesn't make difference as long they are your enemies, both genres have the same potential to become a threat to society.''

- Rentaro: ...................

​​​​​​​''Rentaro slightly moved his eyes to the right to have a good vision of the woman, but she seemed to be very defenseless as she was accompained by a dog... Kyouko then turned around and recognized that woman. She was not an enemy since Kyouko did not act with hostility.''



''-Kyouko: You're... the secretary of Prime Minister?!''

The woman who is in fact the secretary of the Prime Minister of Japan then strapped the collar of the dog on the pole in front of the store and hugged Kyouko like an old friend.

''- Rentaro (think): *Ahh... it's okay.*''

''Seeing that Rentaro lowered his guard as returned to his normal state. However, he did nothing to call the attention of that secretary.''

- Kyouko: I'm so glad you're safe.

''Kyouko apparently knew that woman... When she moved to Japan to investigate the legendary case of Jack the Ripper of 21st Century, it was that woman who moved all her agency to Tenguu City to start the investigation. They are good friends in sorts despite the few moments they had together.''



​​​​​​​''- Secretary: Likewise. Since this chaos began I lost contact with mostly of my friends. Some escaped from country and are living in isolated parts of the world. Since the end of Jack the Ripper's case, you disappeared without leaving traces behind!''

''As they were talking, Rentaro changed his sight to the dog of that secretary. He was staring deeply in its flesh as his eyes suddenly started to glow red. The dog let out a scared cry.''

- Rentaro (think): *Aww...*

Something happened on the background, but the secretary and Kyouko were too distracted to notice what happened.

''- Kyouko: Shh! Do not say that loudly! I'm being spied by STAR LABS now. If possible, keep our conversation down.''

''​​​​​​​Kyouko looked around to see if there was any suspicious person nearby but there was no one. At that point, Rentaro had disappeared but she completely forgot he was standing there due to her fear of being caught by Mina Harker's men.''

''- Secretary: STAR LABS? Sorry about that...''

''- Kyouko: Do not mind that. We all are passing through difficulty moments nowadays. Let's return to our subject matter. What happened to the Prime Minister?''

The secretary spoke in low voice.

''- Secretary: He is in good health but he is being threatned by STAR LABS to force him open the borders of Japan to STAR LABS' navy. It's only a matter of time before the government of Japan open their doors to STAR LABS. And once they do it, there will be nothing to stop STAR LABS from making the country their new home. But considering our situation here, there is nothing we can do stop the birth of new Black Demons now.''

''The secretary looked behind to see if she was being spied... it turns out that woman is in the same situation of Kyouko. For being a person close to the Prime Minister, the STAR LABS is not above kidnapping and torturing that woman to force the Prime Minister to agreed with their treaty.''



''- Kyouko: This is horrible. I recommend you to escape from the country and g--'' ''Just then, Kyouko noticed Rentaro had gone missing. He was nowhere to be found nearby, which worried her.''

- Secretary: Kyouko?

Kyouko looked back at her as she walked into the parking loot of the store.

- Kyouko: Excuse me for a moment, I'll be right back.

She then continued walking into the parked cars with a worried expression.

''- Kyouko: Rentaro?! Where are you?!''

''She looked around all lines of cars but found nothing... her worry was growing because of her position of wanted. The fact that she was being followed by STAR LABS only makes thing worse if there is someone close to her. Indeed, she is in the same situation of that secretary.''

But then, after a few minutes of search...

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Rentaro: K-Kyouko?



​​​​​​​"..........!!!!!!!"

Kyouko heard the voice of Rentaro coming from a car to her left and let out a sigh of relaxment.

- Kyouko: Thank Go--!

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Kyouko gasped at the same time when she saw blood, organs and parts of a dog on the ground. The entire place was a mess with bones and flesh meat scattered on the ground like trash.''

''- Rentaro: I'm s-sorry... Kyouko...''

''Kyouko fell in her knees, scared at that scene she had just saw. More importantly, she literally became pale when she noticed Rentaro's mouth was full of blood.''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

When she looked at Rentaro, he was full of blood, his clothes were torn up, his eyes were red, his nails were sharp like tiger's claws and his canine teeth were sharp as a wolf's.

''- Rentaro: I'm s-sorry, Kyo-ouko. I really wanted me-eat. I-I couldn't help m-myself...''

''Rentaro was trembling on the ground like a child lost on the park... scared of what he had just did.''

- Kyouko: N-No way...

''Her hand began to shake as she gazed at Rentaro's red glowing eyes. She cannot believe in what she is witnessing. Not even a moment of her life she considered that one of her friends she worked and fought alongside would become something so vile... she refuses to believe that...''

<p style="text-align:center;">' ...Rentaro became a Black Demon. '

Part 7 - A Mother's Love
<p style="text-align:center;"> Europe  <p style="text-align:center;"> Ireland  <p style="text-align:center;"> Badrick  <p style="text-align:center;"> Mountains  <p style="text-align:center;"> 07:45 PM 

''The night was cold but peaceful. While many poets, novelists, artists and authors prefer a beautiful sunset to give the readers a nice romantic scenario, the night makes that even better.''

''They say the sun is moon's lover, and from the sunlight does it shine, but those that say so have never beheld the moon. Left unrestrained, the sun burns skin, scorches the land, blinds the eyes. Moonlight does no such thing. Like soft white petals it blankets the night, casting the world into mystical illumination. Never has it brought calamity or ruin, only the chance to see where once there was none. ''

''Even now, in a world in calamity, the moon, flying peacefully out there reminds some people they can still return to their peaceful world. Before Cold War II. Before the Third World War. Before all civil wars. Before the Purge. The moon represented that: peace.''



''- (???): I love you. Please, marry me.''

''In such peaceful scenario, the night was now the representation of love. In the high hills of Badrick, covered with the green of the forest, a young couple of teenagers were having a romantic moment. That couple were together for almost 4 years, and now, after thinking about their eternal pact of love, the marriage, the young boy finally decided to confess his definitive love for her.''

''- Young Woman: I... I... this is... but... why I am the kind of person you think I am! I have no power but my wishes are huge, I am not smart but I pursue impossible dreams, i can do nothing but i keep pushing myself in vane! Everyone had something good and they used that for reach their goals but I don't have anything like that but I wish for so much. It's okay? To have someone like me beside you?''

The young man looked at his girlfrriend with a expression full of love.

''- Young Man: I know all of that. But I don't care... because... I--''

- (???): O̶h̷h̶h̵.̵.̶.̴ ̶s̶o̷ ̸b̵e̴a̴u̵t̶i̷f̵u̶l̷

Before the young man could continue, a male voice echoed in their ears like the whisper of a evil spirit about to torment their lives.

''When the couple followed the origin of the voice, they saw a man with white hair and pale skin, as well as crack/vein markings that appears under his right eye which follows down to his arm that resembles a claw. Furthermore, his eyes was silver with white slit pupils. His attire mainly consists of a dark full body armor with a large cape and boots.''

- Couple: !!!!!!!!!!!!!

''The couple sensed an ruthless aura coming from that man, like if the world's darkness was compacted into a single man. Immediately, they realized that person is no normal human; his features, aura, voice... he is indeed a demon. He is different from other meta-humans and Cyborgs.''

- Young Man: Who are you?!

The young man assumed a defensive posture, putting himself in front of his girlfriend.

''- (???): My name is Trinity... a former Meta-Human from Chronos Empire. But from now on, you two will call me as "Master".''

''- Young Man: Let's run away! Quick!''

''In a world full of powerful beings, powerless humans know their place... and so the couple began to run away from Trinity as he stared at their back with an empty expression.''

- Trinity: Welcome to my kingdom.

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Suddenly, the couple heard moans and roars coming from all directions. At the same time, they saw red eyes shining in the darkness of the forest and noticed they were surrounded by monsters with human appearances... they were zombies.''

Slow but in greater numbers, the zombies rushed at the couple who were still trying to find a direction to flee from that horde of zombies.

''- Trinity: Make sure to not devour the torso and legs... I want them to walk and bite, at least.''

The zombies then jumped on the couple, pushing them to the ground and tearing them apart alive.

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Young Woman: NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

<p style="text-align:center;"> Europe  <p style="text-align:center;"> Spain  <p style="text-align:center;"> Barcelona  <p style="text-align:center;"> Abandoned Hospital of Global Pact Defense  <p style="text-align:center;"> 10 minutes later 

- Matt: So cold...

Back to Barcelona, Spain, the military squad of Spain's Armed Forces finished their mission at the hospital where they were sent to find more survivors from the capital.

''It's been almost 30 minutes since they passed through their scariest experience in their lives. Vento and Matt, two people who already saw a part of Hell on Earth, never experienced such terror in the lives until now, the moment they felt death grabbing their bodies and squeezing their very souls.''

''And right now, the military squad had finished exploring the hospital but found nothing but dead bodies and more blood. After their fight on the beach, they lost half of their forces in the most gruesome way... but even now, they are still shaking in fear, because it was the first time they faced so many Black Demons in one wave. Zombies, mutant insects, giant red demons, mutated demons... just staring at one of them was already enough to lead a normal person to insanity. Luckily, the forces of Spain had already faced many of those monsters before.''

- Vento: Are you okay, Matt?

''Matt and the rest of the military squad were seated on the outside central area of the hospital, shaking and sweating like never before. The female magician who survived this ordeal was inconscious for losing too much blood, resulting in Vento trying to prevent her from dying. Right now, Vento is tying up her arm with a bandage. Luckily, they were in a hospital and had many medical items at their disposal.''



''- Matt: Ah... sure. More importantly...''

''Like if she knew what he was talking about, both gazed at a blonde woman sleeping in a nearby tree. That blonde woman was the person who was imprisoned inside of a strange bio-organic sphere located floating on the beach water. Strange enough, the Black Demons of the beach were probably trying to protect that sphere from intruders.''

''When the squad removed that woman from the water she was naked so they dressed her with one of the patients' white dress. Indeed, she was like an angel, so much that some soldiers thought she was a pure angel sent to Earth to save mankind... in a world filled with demons, it's not strange or odd to think Gods and Angels also exist.''

''But now... no one have an idea of what is happening. The sergeant approached the duo with a worried expression. His corcern? That blonde woman.''



- Sergeant: What in the world is happening here?

''The two individuals then gazed at the sleeping beauty while Matt wore his coat. For some reason, Matt is feeling cold like if his body was inside of a bucket full of ice cubes. But slowly, his body began to low its temperature by itself.''

''- Matt: There is no doubt those demons were trying to protect her... or she was there just by conscidence. Anyway, this is bizarre. Why she was insode of the cocoon? Sergeant, did you scout the area and found more of those cocoon?''

The sergeant nodded.

''- Sergeant: Sure. I scouted the beach 5 times and I found nothing but... red water.''

''Yes, the waters of all oceans were tainted in red but Matt and his group were not aware all parts of the ocean of the glboe were tainted with scarlet. Anyway, this is creepy since the oceans were painted with bloody red after that female voice echoed all across the globe.''

''While they were speaking to each other, Vento widened her eyes when she noticed something strange about that woman... she felt like if she had saw her somewhere before. Slowly, she approached her sleeping body and took a good look at her face.''

''- Matt: I see... we must return to Madrid and inform Maria about that red water too. ''

Matt then looked out for Vento and called her attention when he noticed her next to the unknown woman.

"!!!!!!!!!!!"

''- Matt: Hey, Vento! Be careful! We don't know nothing about her yet! We can't approach her without caution!''



''Matt expected a reply but nothing came out of Vento's mouth. She was just there. In her knees. Praying. Staring at the face of that woman in sheer terror and fear.''

"................"

''That was the first time Matt saw such calm and composed woman like Vento of the Front. Little did he know, there were many things passing by Vento's head. ''

- Vento: ....................

''She was plunged in her own thoughts. Memories of her past. Emotions of the past.''

''- Vento (think): *This is... impossible. Impossible. Impossible! Impossible!! IMPOSSIBLE!! THERE IS NO WAY THIS IS TRUE!! THIS WOMAN... THIS WOMAN!!*''

''This is one of the most important memories of Vento. A memory that changed the course of her life.''

Vento's Flashback
<p style="text-align:center;"> Europe <p style="text-align:center;"> Spain <p style="text-align:center;"> Madrid <p style="text-align:center;"> 2 December <p style="text-align:center;"> 2023 <p style="text-align:center;"> 05:33 AM

''This is an old tale. A dramatic event that changed the course of two individuals. Pure individuals.''

''Returning to 2 December, 2023, almost 14 years ago. It's been a month since Maria was born. At that time, the world was at the brink of another Cold War. ''

''Fiore Kingdom was destroyed by KnightWalker Family in 2021, starting another global conflict that would later start the destructive World War III in 2036. The tensions between the nations of the world were high, and the starting of a nuclear war was inevitable.''

But even on the middle of this imminent chaos, in the town of Madrid, where millions had already evacuated to underground facilities made by the government of Spain to protect its civilizans from nuclear attacks, a blonde woman was walking down the desert streets of Madrid with a cold expression.



- (???): We are almost there.

''She is a beautiful, slender woman appearing to be in her early twenties. She has extremely long blonde hair that reaches her feet and are curly at the end. She has pale skin and her eyes are purple. She is tall as her height is 174cm. ''

''She was wearing what seems to be like a secretary's uniform... she seemed to be one of those workers who stay awake the entire night in her work to win a miserable salary. Or better, an unemployed person.''

In her arms, she is carrying a small blonde baby who seemed to be a girl.

"......................."



Slowly and peacefully, that blonde woman, who was in fact that mysterious person rescued by Vento and Matt on the beach of that hospital, approached an empty church right ahead.

- (???): We are here.

''She then opened the iron gates, that were open and made her way towards the church right ahead. As she was getting closer, she saw a person dressed in black standing right in front of door. ''

''It was a young nun with golden hair and beautiful green eyes. She was not quite young but she seemed to be around her fifties, meaning she is only young in appearance but not in age. That person was... the past Vento of the Front. A Christian woman who would later be known as Maria's Godmother. ''

''Vento noticed a woman carrying a baby in her arms and immediately recognized her. That person was a close friend to that mysterious blonde woman and was probably the only friend she had at the moment.''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!"



''- Vento: You... What are you doing here at this hour?! Go to the underground facilities now! We don't know if the KnightWalkers will bomb us!''

''Vento was a familiar person to that individual. She is almost like a motherly figure to her as she always protected her from her abusive family.''

''- Blonde Woman: Sister Vento... I...''

''Vento then noticed the baby in her arms. It was little girl... probably she had only 3 weeks of life. She was so innocent, defenseless and small...''

''Then the sound of the wind could be heard everywhere, rumbling the ground. The trees that were growing near the area shook about. When the two looked behind, they saw a storm of large-scale was coming... a hurricane. A garbage bin probably got rolled over nearby, because newspaper and empty tin cans crossed by their sights. The tension of a nuclear attack and now a dangerous storm approaching Madrid... that was the perfect scenario for the end of the world.''

- Vento: This is...

The mysterious woman then gazed at the baby in her hands.

- Vento: What's the meaning of this, Felisa?

"..................."

''That mysterious blonde woman was Felisa... a close person Vento was close in the past. Felisa. ''

''- Felisa: You... You're the only one here?''

Felisa changed the matter but with an empty and cold voice of a person destroyed by depression.

''- Vento: Y-Yes... the others fleed to the underground facilities. I'm a servant of God. If I'm going to die today I prefer dying in His house and showing my faith to the Creator. I'll not give the KnightWalkers this pleasure.''

''The truth is... Vento was afraid, like any person, but her faith is strong, so powerful that not even a destructive storm of threats of nuclear bombs will shatter it. This is what makes this woman so powerful in common sense.''



''- Felisa: I see... You're a Follower of God, after all. Unlike me, you're strong and determinated. Vento... I'm not feeling so well. I... I... am weak. I'm sick. I have no strength to continue walking in this world. That's why...''

''Vento noticed something odd. Her expression, full of despise, hatred and anger. She was... different, her eyes had cat-like pupils. Eyes of a predator.''

Felisa then put a hat in her head to protect her hair from the wind.

- Vento: Felisa?

"...................."

No sound beside the wind could be heard but then...

<p style="text-align:center;"> '- Felisa: ...I'm giving you... "this".'

''Without any warning, Felisa dropped the baby that was her arms. Immediately, Vento widened her eyes so much that her eyeballs almost popped out.''



 "!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" 



Like the storm itself, Vento jumped on the ground and held the falling baby before she could hit the ground, what would cause to the poor baby dying on the process as she was fragile and small.

- Vento: W-WHY...

''Vento held the baby in her arms as she began to cry... almost like if she could sense something coming from her mother.''

- Vento: 'WHY DID YOU THIS?!!! FELISA!!!'

''Vento stood up and gazed at Felisa with a wrathful expression. She was so angry that her eyes began to water. Her face was red and angry veins began to appear in her forehead.''

''But... Felisa was just there. Staring at them with the same empty and emotionless face she was making before. She didn't feel a thing when she drop her baby like that.''

''- Felisa: Why I did that? Ahh... So you're asking this. Like I said before, I'm sick. I don't know what I'm doing but I can't feel nothing... nothing. I can't sense my emotions. I can't feel the touch. I can't taste nothing but blood in my mouth. My vision is becoming blurred. My hearing is disappearing and I'm almost losing my voice. But to be honest, Vento... I...''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''What Vento saw next, will stay with her forever. Even in her death. She saw it. She saw the face of an once beautiful woman stained in darkness and coldness. She saw evil. She felt a presence from her. Something so heavy and disturbing that one could faint if they dared to stare at her eyes for too long.''

''Her eyes were empty and her face was stained with something black... that black thing was spreading across her entire face in mere seconds. Soon, her hands were completely black. Vento could tell it... it was not a plague, virus or disease.''



'' - Felisa: I͙̅ ̬̋h̤͝a̩͋v͓͘ë͈́ ͙̈n͉̍ó̟ ̺͆i̛͔d̲͑ë̩ä̪ ̖̏w̯̾h͉̽a̧͝t̗͑ ̼̒ẙ̬o͙̓u̘͠'̞͐ŕ͈e͓̓ ̧͂t̳̊ȧ͇ḷ̃k͚̚i̡̅n̮̐g̡͊ ̥͊â̟b̢͗o͎͂u̙͑t̙̊. ''

Nowadays


''After almost crying when remembering what happened in her past, Vento's eyes began to water. Matt noticed her tears and touched her back to see what happened.''

''- Matt: Vento?! What's wrong?!''

Matt then took a closer look at her face and saw she was really crying.

- Matt: What happened?

Vento lowered her head in sorrow and replied his question.

''- Vento: Matt... I remembered. This woman. This woman is... Felisa Arzonia.''

"...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''- Matt: F-Felisa Arzonia? You said Arzonia?!''

''Matt's eyes widened like nothing before. You heard about other Arzonia... Actually, he saw one of Maria's relatives with his own eyes, Guinevere Arzonia. And judging from what he heard about the old Arzonia's family, he came to the conclusion every single one of them were ruthless bastards. And even now, he is looking at this woman pessimism.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> '- Vento: Y-Yes... but she is not a mere relative. Felisa is... She is... Maria's mother.'

<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus ' <p style="text-align:center;"> Conference Room 

After Lusamine, Shido, Kotori and Imperia arrived at the conference room to talk about business and ask many questions to Lusamine, the door of the office closed, leaving only those four inside.

''Seeing such vile person in front of them, the trio couldn't hide their wrath. In Imperia's case, she was almost holding herself to not Lusamine, the woman who cloned her and helped the Fallen's Essence to create a monster called Heis.''

''- Lusamine: Don1t look at me like that. I'm not your enemy.''

''Kotori was touching her chin with her hand while compiling the talk she had with Lusamine just now inside in the hallways. The screen deployed in front of her was displaying the results from Lusamine's Black Gas recording data. She was checking it numerous times while compiling it in an entry and was creating a document to submit to the Rounds.''

''- Kotori: Lusamine. We have many questions to you. But before I enter in the subject of this Black Gas. Tell me... why?''

Lusamine blinked several times as if she was really confused about that question.

''- Lusamine: "Why"? "Why" what?''

''Imperia hit her fist on the table, breaking a part of it. Indeed, she is just that strong. Messing with the patience of a Cyborg is no joke.''

''- Imperia: Don't make yourself look like a idiot. You know "why". Why did you support the Fallen's Essence? Why you helped Unit-CM 130 in his research? Why did you clone me? Why did you transform my sister in an Angel? ANSWER ME!''

''- Kotori: Calm yourself, Imperia. There is no need to make a storm here. Let's do this in a civilized way. Lusamine, first of all... why did you ally yourself with the Fallen? I'm sure you were aware of his plans to destroy this world just to make himself all-powerful.''

Lusamine relaxed her shoulders and began to speak in calm mood.

''- Lusamine: First of all, yes, I was not forced to join him. I did by my own will. I choose to be with him. He was an intelligent. He was wise. He was a creature of pure intellect. He was charismatic. He was brilliant. The Fallen was a creature that no man in this world could match. He was just too superior. At first, when he appeared before me, I was afraid for witnessing what would be the first supernatural entity in the world. As an atheist, I never believe in God or in Devil, but his existence around me made me open my eyes; they exist, forces of light and darkness. He made be abandon my skepticism and ignorance. With him by my side, I could see the truth of this world, I saw its darkest secrets and the disgusting society we are living today. ''

''Imperia and the others could tell... she was in love with him.''

''- Lusamine: And with him by my side, I felt special and unique. Before he showed up, I was suffered in the hands of all those miserables. My classmates, my family and the society as a whole. They laughed at my intellect, my identity and my own creations. I was brilliant back then, and my dream was to make this world a better place by helping in need with my inventions. Mobile hospitals, teleportation, laser weapons, new medical tools. I did all of that... but they always refused to accept my position as a scientist and looked down on me for being a woman while other male scientists with less and cheap creations always won against me. I spent decades creating inventions that were never approved by those old bastards who frauded the ballots to make my position as a scientist fall in disgrace. All because I was a woman... and there is no place for women in the scientific world. But then he, the Fallen's Essence, appeared before me, saying I had the ultimate talent to be by his side. He praised my creations. He saw potential in me to become the world's greatest scientist. He helped me to make name be known worldwide. He let me be his right-hand tohelp him change this rotten world full of conflicts, lies and violence. He made me feel special and unique among all scientists and women of this world. If I could be by his side to support his dream to rewrite this filthy world... I couldn't ask for nothing more.''

''Kotori and Imperia were almost paralyzed... And Shido... was almost crying there. Like Lusamine, Shido experienced the same case, which made him see himself in her.''

- Kotori: ...................

''- Imperia (think): *Lusamine... you...*''

Kotori shook her head to continue her questions.

''- Kotori: I see... but you know you hurt many people on the process, right? And one of them is right here beside us, Imperia Deamonne... or formerly known as La Folia Rihavein. Have you ever thought about the pain you caused on her? You cloned the original daughters of the Rihavein Royal Family, you manipulated La Folia into getting a peaceful life so you could control Kanon Rihavein and turn her into a ruthless monster and finally you kidnap La Folia from her peaceful life to execute her in the front of the entire world. And what did you do afterwards? You manipulated Kanon into becoming an even worser monster, Heis.''

- Lusamine: I know the pain I caused, but if it was the orders of the Fallen's Essence I would do that again and again and again...

''Kotori immediately widened her eyes. Not shock or anger, but because Lusamine pressed Imperia's berserk buttom.''

- Kotori (think): *Dammit!*

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

And just like she predicted, Imperia rushed at Lusamine and prepared to impale her with her own hands.

- Imperia: YOU FUCKING BITCH!!

''Shido and Kotori jumped at Imperia and held her body, preventing her from killing Lusamine. Luckily, Imperia was not using so much strength. If she dared to used 1% of her true strength, she could destroy that entire room in a blink of an eye.''

''- Shido: IMPERIA! STOP IT! WE NEED HER ALIVE! IF YOU KILL HER NOW, WE WILL NEVER EXTRACT SOMETHING FROM HER! DO IT FOR SONIA NEVERMIND!''

''Hearing the name of Sonia Nevermind, Imperia slowly reduced her aura and strength until she was back to normal. Sonia Nevermind was a close friend to La Folia Rihavein in Raizen High School, and even now, she still loved her as a friend thanks to her effort in Sleepy Hollow.''

''- Lusamine: Ahh, my bad then, that was never my intention to provoke you. I'm just saying my loyalty to him was that extreme. And just to tell you, Heis was never our creation.''

Shido and Kotori released Imperia as soon as she calmed down.

''- Imperia: What? You didn't create Heis?''

Lusamine shook her head and clenched her fists.

''- Lusamine: Heis... Heis was the Fallen's Essence creation, not mine. I heard from him that he created her using a small fraction from dark essence born from a greater evil. An ancient Demon Queen who rules over this multiverse from the shadows. ''

Kotori, Shido and Imperia quickly realized about what was that "dark essence" and who is this "greater evil".

''- Kotori: That dark essence. It's the Blackness...''

Imperia continued Kotori's words.

''- Imperia: Astaroth King. There is no doubt that. So that means the Fallen's Essence always knew about his existence?''

''- Lusamine: I don't know much about this Blackness and Astaroth King but when I questioned why he would use this... Blackness to evolve Kanon Rihavein even further, he said she was not strong enough to be defeat Astaroth King. He stated her had four objectives: to create Heis using this Blackness-thing, use her body as his vessel to defeat Astaroth King, use the World War III grow even stronger and then defeat his own creator.''

Imperia put her hand in her chin and thought about something interesting.

- Imperia: If the Fallen's Essence primary goal was to use Heis as a vessel, then why he didn't do that yet?

Lusamine closed her eyes and hesitated a little.

''- Lusamine: He didin't use her as a vessel until now because... Heis is not strong enough to defeat Astaroth King.''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Shido almost gasped there, and so did Imperia and Kotori, whom witnessed Heis' true power in Aldegyr Kingdom.

''- Imperia (think): *Heis still the strongest enemy we faced so far. Compared to the Cyborgs from KnightWalker Family, Zero Numbers from Manufacturing Progressive Sciences and Brahman from Aldegyr Kingdom they are mere insects next to her. She even had enough power to destroy the whole planet as shown when she threatned to end the world during our first fight. In our second fight, she returned stronger than before... what kind of monster is Astaroth King?*''

''That's pretty much it but that was stated months ago. The Fallen's Essence primary goal was to make Kanon powerful enough to be his vessel but she was weak and then conducted her to make a pact with another demonic entity from the Black Cult, the Black King, to grant her the power of the Blackness so she could gain even more power... but in the end Heis didn't become strong enough to defeat Astaroth King. Or better, she was nowhere near her power. Heis have the power to end the entire world, but Astaroth King is 1000x stronger than that. ''

''That's why, he changed his plans; to use Unit-CM 130's Zoyineian Demonic research to convert the Black Demons attacking mankind all across the globe, into Zoyineian Black Demons, thus converting them into his own army. That was something so obvious but Kotori didn't realize it until now.''

''- Kotori: And if he couldn't use Heis to defeat Astaroth King... he then...''

''- Lusamine: Yes. He took the risky of reviving the most dreadful and cruel scientist of all times, Unit-CM 130. Some of you thought he had no consciouness to the point of reviving such vile robot but he had. When he choose Sonia Nevermind to create a body where he could download CM's file data, he always hesitated in reviving him due to the latter being to amoral, inhuman and cruel. He always feared he couldn't control Unit-CM 130 for too long but assumed this risky so he could use the Zoyineian-Black Demon research to further his hidden agenda to purge this world and defeat Astaroth King. And that's why CM is alive now... and that's why that Unit-CM 130 is working in his new research, the Black Gas, a demonic plague born from the Zoyineian-Black Demons.''

Shido twitched his shoulders when Imperia called for him.

- Imperia: Shido, if I recall, the Zoyineian-Black Demons are the same species Azul Jissele belongs to, right?

Shido nodded and opened a laptop with the information of all types of species living on the planet Earth.

''- Shido: The Zoyineian-Black Demons are a rare class of Artificial Demons living on Earth. But after the incident of 4 years ago, during the Cold War II where almost half of them were used in brutal human experiments by the Moon Terminator Company, there are only 3 of them alive. Their names are:''

The rest of the people on the room mentioned all four like if their minds were connected.

- Imperia: Azul Jissele.

- Kotori: Revy.

- Lusamine: And Haru Zageko...

''Azul Jissele, Revyand Haru Zageko. Three people who once fought alongside the KnightWalker Funeral Parlor but were used as guinea pigs in Zoyineain-experiments by KnightWalkers, Moon Terminator Company and even their own parents using the Tech of the End. Ratatoskr knew everything, including the names of all remnants of 'this race but their whereabouts are unknown.''

''- Lusamine: There are only 2 left actually... a few months ago, a duo of the Zero Numbers, under the orders of Unit-CM 130, mutilated one and took her heart. The name of that Zoyineian-Black Demon was Revy...''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Indeed, Revy, once an old friend of Azul Jissele was killed by the vicious Yuuki Terumi and his partner Vergil. The two took Revy's heart with them, which is the source of power of all Zoyineian-Black Demons...''

''- Lusamine: And using her heart, we, from Manufacturing Progressive Sciences, a base to begin the experiments with the Zoyineain virus. The source of their power are their hearts, even if removed, their hearts will continue to beat forever and so we injected their magical source into other people to see the effects of what will happen if the Zoyineian's aura infects another human being. The result was... horrible yet a success. And this is the reason why I left the Fallen's Essence and Manufacturing Progressive... I cried day and night to escape from that. The experiments were too brutal, heartless and diabolical. ''

Lusamine's pupils were dyed with fear and despair.

''- Lusamine: I couldn't hold it... to work alongside genocidal murderers and monsters in human sky. My sanity could not hold for too long... Rapes, mutilation of children, abortion of fetus, torture and the creation of deadly plagues. This is what the MPS did. No--what I saw there was not even half of what Unit-CM 130 was capable of. This is what I did. This is what I took part in.''

''Kotori opened her eyes and strengthened herself. Not because of what Lusamine did... but to what she was forced to. She was beginning to understand that she was not part of their insanity, but a victim. A manipulated victim like many other they had encountered before.''​​​​​​

Lusamine then looked at the capsules beside her.

''- Lusamine: And the results of our research was this. The Black Gas. We converted their liquid source of power into a gaseous material, a gas that could be spread not only in the air but also in water. A virus that can infect not only people but other living beings like animals, insects and plants. I don't much of the details but Unit-CM 130 told me this plague infected an entire galaxy million years ago before mankind came to exist. They called it as the ultimate weapon of mass-destruction that can lead the end of a world in mere months by turning all its hosts into mindless beasts who do nothing but eat other living beings and drink blood. We called this project as...''

"................."

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Lusamine: The Gigalomaniac Project.

<p style="text-align:center;"> Europe <p style="text-align:center;"> Spain <p style="text-align:center;"> Madrid <p style="text-align:center;"> Yuri's Temple <p style="text-align:center;"> 1 minutes later

In a place far away from Fraxinus, one of the strongest magicians of the world, Yuri Barnes, was seated inside of a small temple in a peaceful forest nearby the castle of Madrid, the current palace of Spain's new Queen, Maria Arzonia.

''This small temple located in Madrid, Spain, was built by Yuri Barnes himself to medidate and calm his own spirit. A magician on the level of Yuri Barnes is extremely sensitive to disturbance in the magic world when something bad is happening. And what is happening now? The Purge... ''

''The World War III was already destructive enough but the Purge took it to a new diabolical level where the participants are not only the army but the very innocence of humanity itself. Innocent people with pure souls are disappearing one by one each second, becoming murderers and monster with hearts stained in black. And just like that, the Black Demons continue to multiple by the millions each minute.''



- Yuri: ........................

''With his eyes closed, Yuri Barnes, peacefully meditated as the calm sound the wind shook the trees around him with kindness. The smell of fresh water, plants, grass and the wood of the trees gave this magician the sensation of peace. It was perfect. The best feeling to keep your spirit in calm and order.''

''However, Yuri was not simply meditating. He was foreseeing what will happen next. What in the world fate is saving for him? What will happen to all people he cares? Deep in his thoughts, he saw that. The future of his friends...''

The future of his world.

''- Yuri (think): *Show me... the truth...*''​​​



'' - (???): Mommy! ''



'' - (???): This isn't your fault. It's mine. I should have killed you back then... If I had done that, you wouldn't be suffering now. ''



'' - (???): Friends or foes? That's something... you'll have to decide on your own! ''

''Yuri opened his eyes with kindness and calm... trying to figure what he had just saw. Those three visions is what is going to happen in the future, or something that are related to a terrible incident that will happen soon.''

''His visions were a smilling child calling for her mother, a woman chained by the chains of evil and finally a unknown female figure stained by the darkness... so dark like if she was on the bottom of the ocean.''

''Yuri then stood up and wondered what were those visions. He could say the first girl was Maria Arzonia... but the other two... it was difficulty to tell what they represented.''

''- Yuri: Maria... and other two women I cannot name. What you're trying to say, Fate?''

''For magicians, the fate itself is almost like a sentient entity similar to Taoism in many points. For them, even time is a sentien being who can control the laws of reality at will.''

''Suddenly, a handsome man with short pale skin, brown hair and brown eyes entered in his small temple. However, he was not a strange person but a familiar one, Tres Iqus.''

''- Tres: Excuse me. ''

Tres stepped in without making a sound.

- Yuri: It's better be important.

''Yuri is always that arrogant... but everyone got used to it by now... Even Tres who holds a dislike for Yuri's sarcasm and arrogance towards everyone.''



''- Tres: It's emergency... we received a call from Matt and Vento in the Safe District of Barcelona. During their operation they found someone. ''

Yuri turned his head around but not completely.

''- Yuri: Someone? Who are they?''

''- Tres: I'm not allowed to tell the others about they but... according to Vento is a person who was believed to be dead for 14 years.''

".....!!"

He got the attention of Yuri Barnes in an instant.

- Yuri: Proceed.

<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus ' <p style="text-align:center;"> Conference Room 

- Kotori: Gigalomaniac Project?

Lusamine lifted the sides of her lips as she put two capsules of the virus.

''- Lusamine: Yes, the Gigalomanic Project. I'll repeat my old message I gave about this weapon in the manual to explain about the nature of this plan in Paris. The project is the mass-extermination of all life through a biological military weapon to be used in a local planet, in this case, the Earth. For summary, the lethal virus of the Gigalomaniac was born from the Zoyineian Black Demons, a race of artificial demons created by some alien empire located in a distant universe. According to '''Unit-CM 130... they call themselves as... Zoyineian-Sith Empire. '

''In that room, Kotori was the only who knew about this Sith Empire... If she had to tell who is the worse, the Sith Empire is among the most destructive and most dangerous empires of all existence. As an alien, Kotori can tell it since she is from another universe.''



''- Kotori: The Sith? They are behind this? Or could it be a Zoyineian-Black Demon was acting alone? Don't tell me the true mastermind behind this is...''

''- Lusamine: ...Scathach? A Zoyineian-Black Demon that was said to be on this world before us. Yes. I don't have much information about this Scathach but according to Unit-CM 130, she is the creator of the Zoyineian-Virus. She also was said to be dead for years now but if I had to choose who is true responsible for this is her. ''

''Everyone in Ratatoskr had a personal enemy in their lives. Akrak Couteau to Lucas Kellan. The Fallen's Essence to Imperia. Eckidina KnightWalker to Katarina... and for Kotori? Unit-CM 130 himself who shares some historic with her... She even stated this a month ago... the reason why she has a child-like body is because of him but the details about their relationship is unknown by many. And Azul Jissele's personal enemy? That would be Scathach herself.''

''When Azul joined Ratatoskr, she told many things about Scathach but not all in details. Even so, she still a mysterious and sinister individual.''



''- Lusamine: Thanks to the efforts of the MPS directors, we managed to convert the virus into a controllabe weapon by our scientists, a virus that can inflict damage to both allies and enemies like. Considering most of MPS' army are composed of robots, the disease doesn't seem to affect them but only organic beings suffer from the plague. The Zoyineian Virus was also a devastating virus that plagued a distant galaxy of Milky Away generations before mankind's existence. It's believed some Zoyineian Black Demon once appeared in other galaxies of this universe. In 604,000,000 B.C., it eradicated the population of the galaxy and its colonies. A galaxy that according to our research, is not known by the 'population of Earth yet...''

Lusamine took a breath as she began to drink a cup of water.

''- Shido: This is the Gigalomanic Project? To think it was possible to make an demonic aura into something infectious like a disease. This is amazing... but terrible at the same time.''

After making a soft moan, Lusamine looked at Shido's eyes.

''- Lusamine: I'm surprised you didn't know about that yet. I was expecting you all to be aware about the Gigalomaniac Project by now. After all, its primary objective is to turn all human beings into Gigalomaniacs monster to built an army strong enough to fight Astaroth King's Black Demons.''

Imperia let out a confused voice.

''- Imperia: What do you mean? ''

''- Lusamine: Huh? Well, because one of your allies invaded our secret laboratory a few weeks ago and stole our plans and even a CR-Unit of CM himself. She is a wanted vigilant of an organization called Catholic Rebels for causing great damage of their military. I thought your ally had already gave you this information. What was her name?''

Kotori looked at everyone in confusion before returning her attention to Lusamine with an awkward smile.

- Shido: Ahhh...

''- Kotori: Sorry, but we didn't send anyone to Paris... yet. We have been busy trying to cover our tracks from STAR LABS so we barely had a hand in the rebellion against the KnightWalker Alliance that is slowly being destroyed from inside. But... Catholic Rebels? ''

Imperia quickly rose her head and a star could be see shining inside of her eyes.

''- Imperia: Catholic Rebels? Arzonia's Family! It's that Stupida Bionda! Arzonia!''

Just then, Kotori remembered the most wanted person of KnightWalker Alliance right now is Maria Arzonia, the new Queen of Spain who also happens to be the leader of the Catholic Rebels and their sub-faction, the Arzonia Family.

''- Kotori: Oh! It's her... but why someone like Maria would invade the HQ of MPS with the plans of the Gigalomaniac Project and a CR-Unit?............. ''

''- Shido: Who knows... but that also means the Arzonia's Family is now at war against the MPS?''

"...................."

Just then, Kotori and Shido noticed Imperia was trash-talking Maria in some points.

''- Kotori: Also, Imperia... Don't you dare insult anyone else out of nowhere, this is childish from your part.''

She was talking about the "Stupida Bionda" which basically means "Stupid Blonde" in Italian.

''- Imperia: Why not? She looks pathetic and idiot anyway, so there is nothing wrong insulting her a little bit.''

''There were many hints to show that Imperia never liked Maria to begin with, first starting with her purity and faith... but this is how Imperia is. Imagine how annoying is to live alongside her in Fraxinus.''

''- Lusamine: I think this is her name. Maria Arzonia... but like I said, why she didn't contact you yet?''

''- Kotori: Maybe she just kept that for herself and is starting her own fight. But if she tried to contact us, it would be impossible anyway as the only who knows our location is Richard John, the men who sent you our coordinates.''

Flashback
<p style="text-align:center;"> Scenes from LOTM: Sword of Kings AA 2nd Season - The Will of Qliphoth 

"....................."

- Matt: Ugh, Ack, Ha...

''Matt and Maria stared at the screen for a long time even after the video was finished. The screen was blank and the only thing showing was a black screen with a message: "Transmission Cut."''

''The two were scared until their very core of their souls, usually they would only see that kind of scene in horror films from Hollywood but the two knew exactly that video was too real to be a fake film or a montage. The guards and scientists' uniforms are very familiar to these two since they have fought them before in Morte, the base of Akrak Couteau in Amazonas.''

- Maria: W-What did we just saw?

''Maria widened her eyes for a very long time until a hot feeling inside, burning like a hellish flame, took over her mind and her scared face changed to a serious expression... Deep inside, she was burning in wrath for what the MPS did not only to those men in the video but for all innocent civilians Akrak tortured in humans experiments for the "sake of science"... This is at least what they consider their crimes are.''

''- Matt: I think... We just witnessed some kind of mutation experiment. Something related to a biological weapon to turn people into monsters.''

''Matt recovered his calm and returned to his senses. Indeed, what he saw was so terrible that he had to close his eyes in some parts of the video but compared to all cruelty he saw in Morte, where it was a real-life experience, that video is nothing.''



''- Matt: I think I can control this console. Misogi didn't have enough to trouble to control it. The only thing I have to do is to find the central file of this video and discover more details about this experiment. It looks like what Melancholia did with Carl's blood but this one seems to be worse as it only not leave the victim insane but turn him or her in a demonic creature...''

''Putting his hands to work, Matt started to work on the console and closed the video. The codes of the MPS' system was very complex but after some time, he found several images of missiles, designs to missiles from KnightWalker class. Those missiles were almost like several nuclear warhead used by all nations of the world but they were painted with red colors and had several compartment in their backs, shining in a red color.''​​​​​​

- Maria: What is it, Matt?

- Matt: I just accessed the file of the video... These images must be the design of missiles of MPS. I don't know exactly what is the meaning of th--



''Before Matt could finish, Maria spotted a small file on the right corner of the screen with the icon of three small capsules of virus. The file had the name of "Operation Gigalomaniac. Update Version".''

''- Maria: Matt, access that file over there... I remember I saw the word "Gigalomaniac" in one of the documents of the scientists we saw in the video.''

''Maria has good eyes... Indeed, in the papers the scientists were holding. Just being able to find it in just one roll this person must be a genius.''

- Matt: Okay then...

''Matt clicked on the file and the only they saw was another video. Fearing that must be another brutal video, Matt and Maria prepared themselves to receive the impact but it was nothing related to gore or human experiments. It was like a documentary in English. The image they saw was the Earth being bombed by several nuclear missiles... However, it was only an introduction gif.''



And then, a female voice began to speak, narrating the video while a bunch of images and very well-designed plans and structures of missiles started to appear in the video.



''- Narrator: [Thank you for acessing the tutorial of Gigalomaniac Project, a scientific project and experiments performed by Unit-CM 130, the director of Manufacturing Progressive Sciences. In this tutorial, we are going to explain all steps and details of the secret project that is known only by the directors and scientists of MPS involved in the project].''

Maria and Matt paid attention to the video in total concentration.

''- Narrator: [The Gigalomaniac Project is a mass-extermination of a race through a biological military weapon to be used in a local planet. For summary, the lethal virus of the Gigalomaniac was born from the Zoyineian Black Demons, a race of artificial demons created by the Dark Empire of the Sith located in a distant universe. Thanks to the efforts of the directors, we managed to convert the virus into a controllabe weapon by our scientists, a virus that can inflict damage to both allies and enemies like. Considering most of MPS' army are composed of robots, the disease doesn't seem to affect them but only organic beings suffer from the plague. The Zoyineian Virus was also a devastating virus that plagued a distant galaxy of Milk Away generations before the World War III. It's believed some Zoyineian Black Demon once appeared in other galaxies of this universe. In 604,000,000 B.C., it eradicated the population of the galaxy and its colonies. A galaxy that according to our research, is not known by the population of Earth yet. The Virus is notorious for being able to affect every species in a planet, and is said to be completely fatal, and was supposedly incurable, so fatal that not even MPS found a cure until the time of this video. In addition, the virus was a waterborne but thanks to the advances of science, we from MPS found a way to evolve the virus to be used in the oxygen of a world, making it much more dangerous].''

- Matt: Jesus Christ...

Maria clenched her fists and yelled at the screen.

''- Maria: WAIT! This is a freaking alien disease? What we saw in the video was some virus from another galaxy?!''

Matt slowly turned his sight to her and nodded.

- Matt: It seems s--

Before Matt could finish and the video ended, she immediately searched for an pendrive entrance in the console and inserted the pendrive Misogi gave to her before he left.

''- Maria (think): *So this is what you were trying to mention, Misogi... You did not want to kill us, you brought us here because we were the only ones who you could trust!*''

Matt rushed towards Maria with a worried expression.

''- Matt: Maria! What are you doing?!''

''Maria is not an expert in technology much like Katarina but she know clearly how to transfer the data of a computer to a pendrive. Nowadays, even a 4-year old can do that. And just like that, she started to transfer all those files related to Gigalomaniac Project to Misogi's pendrive.''

''- Maria: The obvious thing! I don't need to watch more of this to understand what we are dealing with! Matt, we need to show this to Ratatoskr, they are better in dealing with than us.''

Matt also clearly knew what we was witnessing was the beginning of a worldwide apocalypse where the MPS would use those missiles he saw before as methods to transport that Zoyineian Virus to other continents but seeing Maria in that state was even more scary.

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Maria: We got to tell, Kotori.

Nowadays
''- Kotori: So that means, the Fallen's Essence is planning to put an end with the Black Demon's threat by turning all living beings of Earth into Gigalomaniacs? Humpf! That sounds just like him. Always selfish and cold-hearted. If he can't take this world for himself, then he will simply destroy it.''

''Lusamine nodded in despise. Not because of Kotori but because of the Fallen's Essence... just after decades she finally realized he never loved or even cared about her. Once he revived Unit-CM 130, she became just a prototype of scientist. ''

She is now dispensable.



''- Lusamine: So... I was used, huh? How ironic, to think I fell in love with the world's worst scumbag.''

''Kotori was not getting friendly around Lusamine simply because she was used but she could understand the meaning of being falsed loved and then discarted like trash. Those who use "love", the purest emotion people can feel, to serve their own needs, are the worst type of monster there is.''

''- Kotori: Lusamine, don't expect to get a soft punishment simply because you were manipulated into becoming such amoral person. You did all of this! You helped to wage the World War III. You brought war to Aldegyr Kingdom. You helped to revive the universe's worst robot, Unit-CM 130 and now you supported in the brutal human experiments of the Black Gas. You have the blood of billions in your hands.''

''Lusamine knew about all things she did but she had no regrets for it. But at the same time, she was not proud of them... it can be said she is only sad because she was used and conducted to do it by the person she loved the most. If she did that all by herself, there is no doubt she would feel pride in all her heinous crimes. Lusamine is not a psychopath or sociopath, but she lost her ethic and sense morality long ago when she suffered by the hands of society. ''



She is an avenger of herself, and is not above crossing any line to accomplish her goals.

''- Lusamine: I know about that. I'm ready to take my punishment and I assume full responsability for my actions. But... I'm not done yet, Kotori. More importantly, I came here to stop something else.''

Something was stragne, the way Lusamine spoke was rather faster than normal, giving the sensation she is in rush.

- Shido: So you told us everything about you, the Black Gas and the Fallen's Essence but there is more?

Lusamine nodded, making an expressione even more serious than before.

- Kotori: And what's it?

"..............."

Lusamine took a deep breath and replied.



- Lusamine: 'The Gigalomaniac Project is already in motion. '

".......!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Shido and Kotori gasped, but Imperia continued showing her smug smile of hers. After trash-talking Maria, she was in a good mood... the good thing about her is that she don't hold gudge for too long. Even now, she is slowly trying to forgive Lusamine... because if you think about it... if it wasn't for Lusamine, then she would have never born to begin with.''

- Lusamine: With the support of the KnightWalker's navy, the forces of MPS are planning to unleash an insane amount of Black Gas in the last known island of China, the Hengsha Island.

Kotori jumped from her chair and hit the table with her fists.

''- Kotori: HENGSHA ISLAND?! THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE! THE SURVIVORS OF CHINA'S COUNTRY ARE THERE! AFTER THE NUCLEAR AND TERRORISTS ATTACK ON THE NATION THE SURVIVORS ESCAPED TO HENGSHA!''

Imperia almost covered her eyes due to Kotori's loud voice.

- Imperia: What does that's suppose to mean?



Shido's eyes pupils almost disappeared from his eyes when he heard that too.

''- Shido: I-It means that Hengsha Island is the last governmental body of Republic of China. If the MPS launches a direct attack with the Black Gas, that means the Republic of China will disappear from the face of the world... much like United States, Brazil and Mexico. ''

Imperia was not really bothered but she began to feel a strange presence inside of the ship.

''- Lusamine: From my report, there are more than 300 VTOLs and planes flying towards Hengsha right now. Each transport is carrying a portion of missiles filled with Black Gas. One missile is already enough to bring down all three Americas but Unit-CM 130's orders are to let no one survive. ''

''No matter what... they have no time. They are out of options too. Not to mention... the strange feeling that Imperia felt inside of the ship is growing stronger. It's not an emotion... it's a person.''

<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus ' <p style="text-align:center;"> Hangar 

- Katarina: This is...

Arriving at the hangar of Fraxinus where the frigate of Peace Fondation landed, Katarina looked around to see many security guards of Peace Foundation surrouding the ship while the security forces of Fraxinus were just looking at the ship with their weapons in hands.

''While the atmosphere is not really tense or hostility, both factions are ready to enter combat at any suspicious activity. ''

''Why? ''

''The reason is rather simple. ''



''Peace Foundation is a military branch of Global Pact Defense like Ratatoskr, however, they side of PF never declared an official dissolution between their department and the new regime, STAR LABS. That also means they are part of STAR LABS, even if Asami Sato's forces are separatists, they should never give them openings.''

- Katarina: Peace Foundation...

''After seeing the symbol of Peace Foundation drawn on the ship, Katarina quickly lost her cool and reacted to their presence there with hostility. But it's only natural, Peace Foundation are a like a bunch of puppets, always acting with military strength and ignoring what could be considered as the best option. Even now, Katarina holds a grudge against them, because a month ago, when the Rogues went to save Lucas Kellan's father from a Walker Base of MPS, they bombed the base, killing Yen Kellan in the process.''



''As if it wasn't enough, the Peace Foundation still part of STAR LABS, meaning they are their allies even now... but... now...''

''- Asami: It's been 20 minutes now... we need to start it now.''

''The usual attractive, calm and cold face of Asami disappeared in an instant after she said that. For some reason, people could sense an aura of trouble coming from her. Soon, her eyes were sharpened like a knife, showing a part of her that no one else saw before.''

''- Katarina: You! Peace Foundation! What are you doing in our home?!''

Katarina approached the ship, calling the attention of Asami Sato who seemed to be rushed to something.

''- Asami: I'm sorry miss, but we are in here for a private meeting. My name is Asami Sato and our presence here is confidencial.''

''Katarina slightly raised her eyebrows, when she saw her face and heard her name. Asami Sato. If she recall it well from the news and TV, it's the name of one of the executive directors of Peace Foundation.''

''- Katarina: Asami Sato? You're one of the top-executives of PF? ''

Suddenly...

- (???): [HAHAHAHAHA! She knows how to play around!].



''Katarina heard a female voice coming from inside of the ship Peace Foundation was protecting. But it was not a mere voice, that voiced echoed like if it was a robot programmed to be a serial killer. Something vile and dark was inside of that ship.''

".................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Soon, a pure black smoke left from the ship and infected everyone around it, making the soldiers of Ratatoskr fall one by one while coughing blood. Seeing that, Katarina jumped backwards, almost 23 meters from where the ship landed.''

- Katarina: What the hell?!



''The strange black gas continued to spread around in an absurd speed. And meanwhile, the soldiers nearby the ship who managed to survive the black gas began to run away from the place while Asami Sato and her own forces were intacts like if they were immunes to the gas.''

''And indeed they were, because the thing who released that gas was someone who was inside of their ship. Soon, Katarina could clearly see several human figures standing on the darkness of the ship with red glowing eyes. Cyborgs? Meta-Humans? Magicians? ''

No. 

''Nothing of the sort. What was inside of that ship was not only two of four but ten entities with an insane dark power who could make a normal human faint at the same moment they stared at them.''

'' - (???): Remember when you asked who I was back in Aldegyr Kingdom? I said it once and I'll say it again! You wanted to know who I am. This is who I am, the Apocalypse is not coming in the form an Angel, Meteor, Anti-Christ, Pope, God, Demon, Devil, war, Aliens, natural disasters or diseases... But in the form of a girl. Just like when Lilith gave Adam the Forbidden Fruit of life, women exist to bring disgrace. As my duty as Angel of the new world, I'll clean this planet from all heretics and build a new race, a better world from the ashes from this wicked reality. ''

''And then, the owner of that voice came out of the ship, slowly making her way towards the hangar. The power she was emitting was so dark and heavy that several people vomited there just by looking at her. Katarina managed to hold her nausea by punching her own stomach.''



- Katarina: So it's you... ''The woman who had just left the ship could only be described to give others a white impression, with long snow white hair and beautiful skin. Only her inhuman looking eyes and dress are black, the two colors drawing out her beauty, and she is mentioned to be beautiful enough that anyone would be fascinated by her... She is...''

"........."

'' - Katarina: HEIS! ''

''Katarina began to lost her balance, but not because she was weak, but because Heis' power level was higher than before. In Aldegyr Kingdom, she was just too strong. In the battle of Tenguu City's airport, she was just too powerful. But now... she is beyong a mortal's understanding. Her power is so high that Katarina felt the strength of her body fading away.''

"........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"



''Heis extended her arms like a Goddess and smiled before the fear of her victims. Seeing that, all guards of Ratatoskr pointed their weapons at her while Asami Sato and the forces of Peace Foundation stood beside her. ''

Indeed, Asami and Peace Foundation are traitors but for some reason Katarina was not really surprised.

''- Heis: Huh? So this is Fraxinus, the legendary ship of Ratatoskr? Well, nevermind. You could have ran way when you had the chance, my little goats. But you decided to stay here to be purged from your sins by me! Your GODDESS!!''

The guards, in sheer wrath, aimed their weapons at Heis and then...

- Guards: FIRE!!

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''With hundreds and hundreds of gunshots echoing at the hangar, all guards fired against Heis, and Heis alone. The PF soldiers and Asami Sato were not really important...''

- Heis: I'll admit you have courage, humans.

''All ouf nowhere, several skeletons in black armor rose from the and blocked the hundreds of bullets that were about to hit her body. By now, more than 20 skeletons covered with a black aura were now in front of her, carrying medieval weapons and ready to fight.''

''At the sight of those skeletons, all security guards stopped shooting and shook in fear. The forces of Ratatoskr never fought against demons and neither are used to fight such type of monsters. They lack the courage to fight supernatural entities and don't know how to fight them, unlike the STAR LABS' forces.''

''- Guard 1: What in the world? Black Demons?! ''

''- Guard 2: IMPOSSIBLE! HOW DID THEY FIND US?!''

The soldiers stepped back in fear but did not retreat.



- Katarina (think): *THIS IS BAD!*

Using her warrior's skills, Katarina was the first and only person to strike by summong her sword and teleporting herself right in front of Heis with an insane speed that could only be described to be fast as the light itself.

- Katarina: HOW ABOUT YOU PURGE MY BLADE?!

Katarina swung her sword, that was filled with her energy and tried to chop off Heis' head.

''- Heis: Such wicked sinner, you're Couteau. Don't forget the humilliation you gave to me in Aldegyr Kingdom. ''



Heis rose her hand and calmly held Katarina's blade with her fingers like if it was nothing but air.

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"​​​​​​

''Katarina's eyes widened in shock to see her most common type of attack did not work. But that was not something to be scared of. As soon as Heis held her blade, she pushed her sword to herself and sent a powerful kick at Katarina's belly, sending her flying almost 50 meters away from where they were, hitting a wall and causing a huge explosion.''

''Soon afterwards, more 200 Black Demons and 500 skeletons rose from the ground, forming an army of Black Demons in mere seconds. Heis was the person commanding them.''

''- Heis: Stop being such aggressive women, Couteau. I know you want to die that fast badly but you're not the only one who is going to die today... Your friends will die with you tonight!''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus' Arsenal 



'' - Heis: Doesn't matter how many punks with ambition you bring along. That only increases the risks. It's far better to have a small number of experienced elites. You will all fall before the eyes of the Demon Queen. ''

In the Fraxinus' Arsenal, Saeko Busujima, who was making her daily duties of cleaning the weapons of Fraxinus noticed a living shadow forming on the middle of the room, calling the attention of all workers who shook in sheer fear when they saw that evil entity.



'' - Heis: It doesn't matter how many allies and friends you have in this ship, everyone will fall. Praise Lord Astaroth. ''

Saeko prepared her katana to combat the bizarre figure until it took a human form.



'' - Heis: We will bring the misery you caused to everyone to this world. You mortals, are not worth of living in this world. Die for Astaroth. ''

''The shadow took form of a young adult woman with some traces of a teenage girl of 18 years-old. The shadow had a long-princess red hair, orange eyes with pupils of eagle, fangs of an animal, feet of an eagle and long ears of fox. It was like a hybrid woman.''

''- Oriax: Oriax Wheelahr. For Astaroth King.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus' Hangar 2 



'' - Heis: Accept your inferiority and give yourself to our Lord. ''

In the Fraxinus' Hangar 2, the place where the personal ships of all leaders are, Lucas Kellan and Shigure Yukimi were standing on the middle of the place as a mysterious pool of black liquid began to melt the floor, revealing a beatiful women with fox tails and a very volumous body.



'' - Heis: Embrace your destiny and accept your by the hands of Astaroth Queen. ''

- Shigure: Lucas?

''A chill ran down Shigure's back as she inhaled sharply. For some reason, that woman possessed not just the danger of being attractive and strange, or a massive power, it also possessed something frightening enough to make someone's body shiver in fear.''



'' - Heis: Rudimentary creatures of blood and flesh, you touch our mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding. There is a realm of existence so far beyond your own you cannot even imagine it. We are beyond your comprehension. We are Qliphoth. You call us "evil demons"? You dare call Lady Astaroth as "vile"? ''

''Lucas clenched his fists and powered-up as the mysterious began to fly and unleashed a power they never felt before. Just then, the alarm of Fraxinus began to ring, warning everyone in the ship about the Black Demons' attack.''

''It finally had began. The invasion of the Black Cult to Fraxinus.''

- Shigure: What in the world is happening here?



'' - Heis: A label created by the Protheans of the Ancient Earth to give voice to their destruction. In the end, what they chose to call us is irrelevant. We simply... are here for million years. ''

''- Valaine: Valaine Le Deux. A humble servant of your new Queen, Astaroth the Tyrant.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus' Factory 



'' - Heis: Mortal life is nothing but a genetic mutation, an accident. Your lives are measured in years and decades. ''

In the small factory of Fraxinus where they produce their own weapons, the former soldier of VSA, Yuuji Kazami, heard the alarm.

''- Yuuji: The alarm? What happen--?!''

''Suddenly, he felt a negative presence behind and he immediately turned around to see that a handsome mysterious man was standing behind him. Yuuji then pulled out his gun.''



'' - Heis: You wither and die after helping in the destruction of Mother Nature. ''

''- Yuuji: Bastard! Who are you?!''

Yuuji sharpened his black eyes and entered in combat position, fearing that man was a person he never saw before in the ship.



'' - Heis: We are eternal, the pinnacle of evolution and existence. Before us, you are nothing. ''

[BANG]

''Yuuji Kazami then shot at the mysterious man but then this mysterious man simply slapped the bullet away with his bare hands, making the bullet hit a tunnel above them, resulting in water coming out of it. Soon, the room was filled with water.''

''- Yuuji: Akira! A mere pawn to the Khaos Queen.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus' Lower Levels 



'' - Heis: Your extinction is inevitable. And so the human race. We are the end of everything. Your confidence is born of ignorance. The cycle cannot be broken. The pattern has repeated itself more times than you can fathom. ''

''Kyouhei Kannazuki, the Vice-Commander of Fraxinus, after hearing the alarm of the ship, immediately left the security room and began to run towards the elevator but on the way, he found two mysterious hooded figures. Beside them, there were several mutilated corpses and human limbs.''

''- (??? 1): Oh? There is one more alive in this floor. I thought we had already killed everyone down here. Primary Spirit said with a tone of surprise.''

''- (??? 2): Attention. I can feel an abnormal power level coming from this mortal. Said the Secondary Spirit with caution.''



'' - Heis: Mortal civilizations rise, evolve, advance, destroy everything they find to absorb its power and at the apex of their glory they are extinguished by their own hands; wars, destruction, pollution, diseases and plagues. ''

''Kyouhei Kannazuki sharpened his eyes as the wind of the engines of Fraxinus shook his beautiful blonde hair. He then stared at the two vicious figures whom were people with dark skin and had horns in their heads.''

''- Kyouhei (think): *A direct attack to Fraxinus? Could it be STAR LABS found us?*''



'' - Heis: This is why, we, from Qliphoth, fight to protect the existence of nature and the universe itself. The Protheans from this planet were not the first. They did not create this world. It was us, alongside our allies. They did not forge the mass relays. They mere found them - the legacy of our kind. ''

''Like if one of them had read his mind, one of the mysterious began to talk. It was revealed to be a man and a woman.''

''- P. Spirit: You're right and not. Don't you dare to compare us with those STARs pawns. I am the Primary Spirit. Like the others, I am a mere minion to our Goddess. Said the Primary Spirit with a smug smile.''

Soon, the mysterious woman beside him, whom was very similar to him, began to speak.

''- S. Spirit: You're right and not. Don't you dare to compare us with those STARs pawns. I am the Primary Spirit. A small and insignificant minion to Astaroth Queen. Said the Secondary Spirit with joy in her words.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus' Dormitory 



'' - Heis: The DNA of human civilization is based on the DNA of the mass relays we brought to Earth from other paralel Earths and merged with the DNA of other animals. Our making. By using it, your civilization develops along the paths we desire. We impose order on the chaos of organic life. You exist because we allow it, and you will end because we demand it. ''

- (???): Oh my, I didn't expect to see a Meta-Human here.

''In the dormitories of Fraxinus, the Meta-Human, Cole MacGrath furrowed his eyebrows as he heard that ice cold voice which was inharmonious with the current situation of Fraxinus. Lingering amidst the white smoke was a man wearing black Western-style clothes. The strange man leisurely walked out of the mist.''

- Cole: Who are you?!

''Cole, who was training the forces of Ratatoskr and was making his way to the cafetaria to have his dinner, found that strange man with silver hair and red eyes standing on the middle of the hallway with dozens of mutilated bodies around him. Those bodies were indeed the corpses of the Ratatoskr's staff and guards.''

"....................."



'' - Heis: You are our creations but our victims. You're our enemies but our allies. Our kind transcends your very understanding. We are each a nation - independent, free of all weakness. ''

If Cole was a normal person, he would have fleed a long time ago, but his years of experience made him a brave man, a skilled warrior with pride and strength.

''- Cole: It doesn't matter who you're. You killed my comrades and you're one of the invaders! You'll regret for making me an enemy of yours! For slaughtering my comrades and friends, I'll return the favor three times more painful!!''



'' - Heis: You cannot grasp the nature of our existence. We have no beginning. We have no end. We are infinite. Millions and billions of years after your civilization has been eradicated and forgotten, we will endure. We are a legion. We all are Astaroth. The time of our return is coming. Our numbers will darken the sky of every world. You cannot escape your doom. Your resistance are as empty as your future. We are the Vanguard of your destruction. ''

Suddenly, the blood of all his victims he killed at that hallway began to fyl around him like if it was becoming his own power.

''- Cole: Well, don't get so aggressive. My name is Burckhardt a disposable warrior of my Queen Astaroth the Supreme Leader. Nice to meet you, human.''

<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhille...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Conference Room '

- Kotori: What the heck is happening?!

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''At that moment, an intense vibration raided the room. ''

- Shido: Uwaaah?!

- Lusamine: Ooohh?!

- Imperia: Hyaaa!!

''As if an explosive had detonated nearby, the walls, floor and ceilings all violently shook. The books on the shelves were tumbling down onto the floor altogether. ''

- Kotori: Is everyone alright?

''Kotori checked Shido as the four people in the conference room fell to the ground. Impera hit her nose in the table, resulting in her nose being broken on the process but soon it healed by itself thanks to her regenerative abilities.''

''- Imperia: Yeah... what happened?!''

''Imperia stood up and helped Kotori to do the same. Lusamine hit shoulder on the floor but it was not fatala.''

''- Shido: Could it be... the KnightWalker Family again?!''

''Lusamine gave out a timid voice. ''

''- Lusamine: STAR LABS? You mentioned you were being hunted down by Mina Harker.  Suddenly, the laptop of Kotori on the table rang and a transmission between the laptop and the bridge of Fraxinus was formed. A middle-aged man who is part of Fraxinus' crew, Masaomi Mikimoto, was the man on the screen of the computer.'' ''- Kotori: Masaomi! What is happening? ''

''Kotori wished for the less worse scenario. She was cheering to be just an engine exploding or just Katarina accidentally blowing up something in the kitchen again... but that was not the case.''

''The furried radio broadcast sounded within the room in response to Kotori. ''

''- Masaomi (screen): *Commander Itsuka!! Emergency!*''

Kotori grabbed the screen of the laptop.

- Kotori: Calm down, what's the matter?



''- Masaomi (screen): *A surprise attack! Aerial warship confirmed above Fraxinus. We are detecting similar magical source of power similar to that ship that attacked us in the aftermatch of Morte's battle! Even worse! An army of Black Demons appeared out of nowhere at the Main Hangar! They are being controlled by that woman! HEIS!*''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Kotori and everyone in the room grasped in shock, mainly Imperia when she heard the name of her vicious twin-sister, Heis. The woman who almost brought the end of the world months ago with a small fraction of her power. The feeling she felt minutes ago about something strange inside of the ship was expanding insanely... there is no doubt, the strange presence she was feeling inside of the ship is Heis... and now that she unleashed her energy, Imperia can feel how poweful she is.''

''- Imperia: There is no doubt! It's them! The Black Cult!''



''Shido and Lusamine widened their eyes in shock while Lusamine began to shake in fear... she heard about this "Black Cult" before thanks to the Fallen's Essence who told her his plans to use Unit-CM 130's Zoyineian research to overthrow Astaroth King. She knows. This Black Cult is the mysterious demonic organization wrecking havoc the world in large scale and the secret cult that even the Fallen's Essence fear so much.''

- Lusamine: Wha...?!

Lusamine shuddered at the warning.

''- Shido: Black Cult--No, according to Yuri Barnes they are the Revelation of Qliphoth... Really, they even discovered this place in such short period of time.''

''Shido stated before pausing in route as he remembered something important. Concealment meant nothing now. The mastermind...''

''- Shido: Of course! The woman who attacked us back in Morte... that insane psychopath who killed Gravik and killed half of our forces! Not to mention, she was there in Rio de Janeiro! The whore who brought all of this upon us! Vira Hermes!''

Shido swallowed and smiled sarcastically...

''- Kotori: Damn it! Masaomi! Situation!''



''Kotori asked to Masaomi on the other side of the screen as the danger alarm echoed through the hallways of Fraxinus. Outside of the room, they could hear several sounds of military boots running, meaning the security force was ready to combat.''

- Masaomi (screen): *The situ--!*

[BANG]

Before Masaomi could reply, several soldiers of Peace Foundation who arrived with Asami Sato and a few officers of Fraxinus shot at the computer, ending the transmission between Kotori and the bridge.

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Just then, more than 15 PF soldiers and 4 bodyguards of Fraxinus entered in the conference room armed with assault rifles and pistols. The military group aimed their weapons at the heads of the four people inside: Lusamine, Shido Itsuka, Kotori Itsuka and Imperia Deamonne.''



''- Lusamine: Damn you! What do you think you're doing?! I'm on your side!!''

''Suddenly, the pilot of the ship Lusamine used to travel to Fraxinus entered in the room with a devilish smile, clearing showing he took part in this invasion. He then locked the room with the keys in his hands and ate them... much to the horror of the four hostages.''

''- Pilot: No suspicious movements, dear Executive Director Lusamine and Commander Itsuka. This place is now under the control of STAR LABS of United States of America!''

"................!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''As Kotori made a worried expression, Imperia enraged her expression. Not only because she came to notice the Peace Foundation was involved in this attack but because even some officers of Ratatoskr were actually working to Mina Harker, the managing director of STAR LABS.''

''- Kotori: We were betrayed? Even you... Lusamine?''

Lusamine's eyes widened in sheer shock as the security guards giggled maliciously.

Part 8 - Downfall
<p style="text-align:center;"> Atlantic Ocean  <p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus  <p style="text-align:center;"> Conference Room 

''- Kotori: We were betrayed... even you, Lusamine?''

''At Fraxinus's conference room, a warning alarm which signified an emergency situation rang throughout the room. ''

''An urgent scene, captured by a surveillance camera, was clearly displayed on the large LCD screen in front of Kotori while several armed men of Peace Foundation aimed their guns at Kotori, Imperia, Shido and Lusamine. A sketched schematic map of Ratatoskr's ship which was marked with a multitude of flashing red dots was shown on the monitor, inciting chaos amongst the disordered crew members up there in the bridge.''

''- Shido: This is an attack from STAR LABS?! ''

''Shido wanted to think it was STAR LABS as their enemy in front of them are actually a few traitors of the security and soldiers of Peace Foundation. Only STAR LABS could order the PFs around or bribe their officers into committing treason. ''



''- Kotori: Although the aerial bombs have stopped from outside, it seems like a gunfight has broken out at the base. Which means the enemy is already inside of our ship... and you must be a participant in this assault. ''

''Lusamine looked at the guards with a expression full of sorrow. But why, exactly?''

''- Lusamine: You too? Don't tell me even Asami Sato betrayed me?''

''Lusamine gazed at the middle-age man in brown suit, the only one who was grinning like a lunatic. From that point, he seemed to be one of the main players behind this military assault. That man is one of the chief of security of Fraxinus, and probably one of Kotori's most trusted men.''



''- Kotori: So, what's the meaning of this? If you ans--!''

''- Traitor: Silence! Don't try any trick, Commander Kotori Itsuka, for this place is now under the control of Revelation of Qliphoth!''

''Everyone gazed their sight after listening to his words. If they said "STAR LABS", then it would be only natural... but if the Revelation of Qliphoth, Astaroth's army, is directly involved in this assault, then things changes drastically. However, they mentioned that place now under the control of STAR LABS but now Revelation of Qliphoth.''

The traitor yelled at Kotori as the soldiers of Peace Foundation and traitors of Ratatoskr let out evil grins.

''- Kotori: STAR LABS and Revelation of Qliphoth? I thought you mentioned it was STAR LABS' work. Just one question: why? Why did you abandon humanity to serve demons? ''

"........................."



''- Traitor: Because I could switch sides while I still had the chance. Because humans are limited, because we are inferior. A new power is rising, I could sense it, commander! Humans will lose this war, all humans' weapons will fail and all civilization will crumble! When 'they' came to me I could see it... mankind's ending is near! And I--I mean, us, humans who joined them to serve their cause, will live to tell the tale! And in this world where a new order will take over, we will be part of it!''

''The traitors of PF and Ratatoskr giggled as Shido noticed their eyes were glowing in red, clearly showing they were no longer humans. If they were serving Qliphoth, that means they are already becoming Black Demons but one still wonder if they are becoming demons with consciouness who are just being used by Astaroth.''

''- Traitor: I fear we cannot tell you who contacted us inside of this ship but since you're about to die, I'll give you a hint: there is a traitor inside of this ship, right now. A spy who is leaking informations to STAR LABS and the KnightWalker Family. ''



Kotori sharpened her gaze and bit her lips.

''- Kotori (think): *We already knew there is a traitor among us but this traitor not only sold out our location to MPS and KnightWalker Family in Tenguu City but also is involved with the Revelation of Qliphoth. Moreover, the STAR LABS is the only organization that controls the Peace Foundation to a political and military degree. But why Peace Foundation is working with the Revelation of Qliphoth? Judging by their eyes, they are indeed becoming demons. I could have easily mistook them with KnightWalker Cyborgs but Revelation of Qliphoth are clearly not into human technology... unless STAR LABS and Revelation of Qliphoth.*''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

- Traitor: WH--!

''As Kotori was busy in her own thoughts, the traitor and all soldiers of PF and Ratatoskr gasped when they felt they were no longer feeling their arms. And as if to follow that, the soldiers also distorted their faces. ''

"..............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''When they looked at the arms, their arms were missing. They then looked at Imperia and saw she was already up and maliciously staring at the floor... looking at something on it... it was their arms.''

- All: UUAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!

''Feeling pain the first time they saw it, the soldiers and traitors raised a shout and sink down on the spot. And as if to match up with that, a large amount of fresh blood spurted out from the clean sliced section. The entire conference room was painted in scarlet. ''

<p style="text-align:center;"> '- Imperia: I don't care if you shoot them here and right now... but don't you dare point a gun at my face.'

''- PF Soldier 1: IT HURTS! IT HURTS!''

''- PF Soldier 2: ARGH!!! FUCK IT! FUCK IT!''

''- Ratatoskr's Guard: DAMMIT! DAMMIT!''

''Imperia got in her knees and gazed at the traitor mourning in pain on the ground. When they rose his head, he ended facing Imperia's insane eyes that were widen open and lifeless... it was almost like if she was a dead fish grinning at him with a psychotic look.''



"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Next, he noticed that something was cut in her neck. At the time he looked at his subordinates, he saw their heads were already rolling on the floor. With his hands shacking, he put his left hand in his neck and felt blood.''

- Traitor: Huh?

The last thing he saw was that the world was rolling in front of his eyes, but that was only natural, for his head was already on the floor at the time he touched his neck.

''Imperia then stood up while drinking the blood from her hands. Lusamine and Shido saw that whole scene in shock and terror. Without hesitating, Lusamine vomited for remembering from all human experiments she had to do in the building of MPS. Her days as a scientist of MPS left a terrible traume in her mind. ''

''- Imperia: Ugh... it's taste so freaking disgusting.''

''Kotori, on the other hand, was still thinking about what was really happening between STAR LABS and Qliphoth. From her behavior, she was used to see atrocities like that for watching the brutal war crimes during the World War III and the Purge, and besides, she was used to see Imperia drinking blood for being a Cyborg.''



- Kotori: Imperia, can you please do that more lady-like?

When we said she was used to see Imperia drinking blood, we meant she was used to see her drinking blood from the kitchen of the ship that had several blood bags made especially for her and Atala, two Cyborgs.

- Shido: That's so awful.

Shido tried to look at the corpses on the floor but it was impossible, for the floor was stained in blood and there were more than 9 heads on the ground.

''- Imperia: I went easy on them... Aahh! I remember what I'm suppose to do.''

Imperia then grabbed the head of the traitor of the ground and began to speak with it like if he was alive.

- Lusamine: ..................

Seing that, Lusamine stared at her own "daughter" with an face filled with disgust and repulsion.

''- Imperia: Did you know? A decapitated head stay conscious for 30 seconds. That means, even if you can't move or talk, you can still hear me clearly. So here is my message for you, who abandoned your humanity in exchange of becoming a demon: "If at some point in life, you made a mistake or keep failing over and over again, and you can't help but think it's useless and you're a good for nothing; Remember, you're only taking a detour. And I'm sure further along your path will come a day where you think, "It was a good life experience". That's why it'll be fine." Oh yeah... you're dead.''

Kotori stood up while Shido did his best to reach the door without looking at the corpses or Imperia acting like some serial killer.

- Lusamine: Disgusting...

''Kotori then walked towards the door but replied Lusamine in a low voice. ''

''- Kotori: Don't you dare talk to her like that. Remember, Lusamine: it was you who made her that way.''

"..........................."

Seeing Imperia dropping the head on the floor like if it was a ball, Lusamine closed her eyes and remembered how innocent and pure La Folia Rihavein was before her transformation in Imperia.

''- Lusamine (think): *She is... right. I don't have the moral to talk about this woman... for it was me who made her like that. I'm one to blame.*''

''Imperia then fired a blast at the door and destroyed it as it was closed from outside. The four stepped outside to see the hallways being illuminated by the red light of the alarms.''

''- Kotori: Let's go, everyone. We need to make our way to the bridge! Imperia, go help our main force in the Hangar! Shido and Lusamine, with me! Now! Let's start out war!''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus <p style="text-align:center;"> Hangar <p style="text-align:center;"> 1 minute later

It's been only a few minutes since the assault of Revelation of Qliphoth began but the damages caused by Heis' Black Demon Army are awful. ''In a few minutes, almost 50% of the ship was filled with demons everywhere. With the alarm active, all security droids were alreadya activated and fighting the horde of Black Demons alongside the security guards.  In this battle, the status of both sides are:'' ''In normal situations, the Revelation of Qliphoth would have greater numbers of 2,000,000 as Heis was capable of summoning billions of Black Demons during the battle of Aldegyr Kingdom. Taking down that ship with a single attack would be a piece of cake to Heis but her orders are... a mystery.''
 * Ratatoskr: 700 security guards, 100 elite soldiers and 2,000 droids;
 * Revelation of Qliphoth: 2,000 Black Demons from Heis' army and 5,500 Black Demons;

''Right now, the battle between human's technology and demons already began in the ship, causing much of destruction as possible. Explosions and gunshots could be heard everywhere, covering the screams of death of all human personnel of Ratatoskr and creepy demonic roars of Black Demons of different species.''

That was the first time Ratatoskr faced such threat since the KnightWalker Family's invasion to Fraxinus back in Tenguu City but compared to that, this assault was way more brutal and dangerous than the KnightWalkers'.

''But aside from that battle, while a bloodshed was happening in the main hangar of Fraxinus, there were two individuals whom were the center of all attentions in the main hangar. Two women who were actually the strongest fighters at the moment... it was Katarina Couteau and Heis, two of the world's strongest beings. Despite there were hundreds of soldiers and demons killing themselves around them, the two only stared at each other as if they were preparing to fight mentally rather than physically.''

- Heis: ...............

- Katarina: .................

''As the two continued to stare down each other, everything else seemed to be frozen in the moment. ''

''Despite this being a death battle where everything was exploding and dying around them, the pressure the two were giving off were too much for the other soldiers and demons to continue their own fights, everyone were frozen, their attention locked on the imminent epic battle. ''

''After a few mere moments into the staredown, which seemed like an eternity, Katarina finally made the first move, lunging forth as her red aura erupted from her body and flared while she flew towards Heis in a spiralling fashion, before landing her charged cork screw blow directly on Heis' chest. Unfazed by the attack, the latter continued to glare at the ExKrieg, silently deriding her attempt to hurt him.''

''- Katarina (think): *What in the world?! She is hard as metal! She was not like that before!*''

- Heis: Is that all?

''However, Katarina was undaunted, she had several more abilities in store, after all, attacking with her bare hands was just the tip of her power. ''

''With a smirk, Katarina withdrew her fist and strafed to a side, clenching her fists in anticipation, expressing her eagerness for the challenge outwardly. She then summoned her magi-tech sword and swung it at Heis but the blade immediately stopped when it touched her shouder, like if she was made of a powerful material.''

''- Katarina: I can tell. From my fight with you in Aldegyr Kingdom, that single punch and attack with my sword was enough to hurt you. But now, you're more resistant.''

Heis let out a grin and opened her arms.

''- Heis: Did you really think I would be doing nothing during those months? It was my first time using my powers in Aldegyr Kingdom but now I can control them with perfection thanks to my friends of Qliphoth who sent me to paralel universes where I could train my own energy and powers.''

''Following Katarina's serious expression, she expelled a huff, steeling herself for her second attempt, before lunging forth again, powering up and launching a flurry of punches at Heis, finishing with a mid-air roundhouse kick to the latter's head. ''

Still smilling sarcastically, Heis seemed unfazed but there were minor signs of flinching from Black Demon woman, which did not escape Katarina's perception.

Flashing a death glare while her heel was being driven into the fork of Heis'neck, which moved to the side ever so slightly from the impact, she withdrew once more and flew back a few metres away, conjuring her ExKrieg's first form immediately.

''- Katarina: After long training sections with Lucas and Tomas I managed to control a little of my ExKrieg energy, Heis. My first form is just a transformation that gives me access to use a small fraction of my inner power (Elesis) so I can't count much with it but it's better than letting "my sister" take over my mind again.''

''Acarlet-bloody aura, along with arcs of electricity appeared around her, it was a crimson aura similar to her hair's color. Her pupils flashed red as she clenched her fists. She then summoned her magi-tech sword once again and prepared to strike Heis again.''

''- Katarina (think): *This is my first using it in combat... I tried my best to not use it in Tenguu City and in Morte for fearing I could kill those around me but I'll trust in Lucas and Tomas' training! This is my only transformation so I need to keep myself calm. If it comes to this, I'll try using Elesis' energy.*''

''Upon transforming, her ExKrieg Form 1 promptly charged forth in another attempt to earn a reaction from Heis, this time succeeding. Instead of allowing the blows to pepper her like before, Heis raised her arm to block all of the blows from the former, effortlessly with a finger.''

- Katarina: !!!!!!!!!!!!

''Katarina swung her sword several times in an impressive speed that the human's eye could not follow. The impact of her sword clashing with Heis' finger formed several waves of wind around the hangar, causing Black Demons and soldiers be sent flying away.''

''Showing a hint of concern via micro-expressions, Katarina ceased her barrage and stepped back a metre, powering down to her base form, slowly lifting her gaze to meet Heis'. Seeing that her sword was useless against this monster, Katarina threw it away and decided to focus her strength in her own fists. ''

''- Heis: What's the problem, mortal? Have you give up? This is part of human nature as well--No, it's instict of survival. A feeling that turns out to be human's greatest weakness.''

''Katarina lifted her arms 90 degrees and balled her fists again, conjuring her energy for a more dramatic transformation this time, her final form... No, it was not her final form... but her former form... or better, her base form. ''

A red aura covered Katarina's body and revealed her physical appearance had changed--She returned to be what she used to be before her transformation; her hair was free, her skin was pale and she was now using another battle outfit; it was the same outfit she wore to fight Heis in Aldegye Kingdom.

''- Heis: What? A transformation? How this is exactly a transformation? You just... changed your outfit.''

Katarina looked at her hands and clenched them.

''- Katarina: You're wrong, this is not a transformation, Heis. I just borrowed a small part of my inner power. Did you know, your consciouness is what you are? Before I joined Ratatoskr, I was a delinquent, a criminal hunter. At morning, I was a student at Raizen High School but at night I was a vigilante who hunted down gangsters from Mafusa Gang. I spent my entire life beating criminals to train my own abilities and have fun fighting others. When I formed bounds with this group, mainly my new family, the Rogues, I became another person. Each time a person suffer from changes, her persona changes to some degree. I did not tell this to anyone but I can simply change my outfit to what I used to be in the past using 'her' power.''

''The power she was reffering about is Elesis', who happens to be Katarina's old persona. No--Elesis only uses Katarina's past self to have a physical form she can be relaxed around with. Actually, it happened in battle of Tenguu City when she faced Aki Honda and saw her sister, Eugen Katsuragi being slaughtered in front of her. Elesis took over her body and it caused her to regress her old character; a brutal, aggressive and hostile woman. ''

''- Heis: So you only returned to be your past-self. This is not a transformation, only a character regression. ''

''- Katarina: It may be, but I'll not deny this outfit fits better to fight you. Not to mention, when I return to my past-self I regain my lost traces. For example, since I joined Ratatoskr, I stopped fighting with my own fists and used a magi-tech sword to replace my own brawl movements. During my training, I was told using fists in combat is more risky than using a meele weapon like a knife, sword or axe. Back then, I was used to use my fists to solve all my problems but more importantly, I was also a battle strategist. I knew winning with strength was not enough so I had to use my brain at times.''

Heis twisted her eyebrows.

''- Heis: So you're saying you were superior before? You're basically saying your bounds made you weak.''

"............................."

''That was one of the many facts that Katarina refused to tell the others. Katarina was way more powerful in the past than right now. ''

''Why? ''

''Because at the time she was free from all responsabilities holding her; responsabilities like saving the world, preventing innocent people to die in front of her, refusing to use her full power out of fear of hurting people around her and so go on... back then, she had nothing holding her. She always held herself after she joined Ratatoskr... because she was a heroine.''

''- Katarina: I'll not deny that finding a new family and friends weakened me... but I'll also not deny I have nothing against it. I, who lost everything when my parents died, found a new place to return. A place I can call home. They care about me as do I love them! That's why, Heis, I cannot let you cause harm to any of them!''

''That means Katarina did not gain more power, she just regained her lost physical abilities she had before as a vigilante. ''

''Katarina began to power as red sphere of energy formed in her hands... the sphere disappeared inside of her hand.''

''- Heis: If I had to tell your power level without a proper scanner right now, it would be not less than 50,000,000. An energy strong enough to destroy a small island. I think the reason why you had your way with me in Aldegye Kingdom was because of my sister and my own careless nature back then. What... there is nothing to worry about. But, I refuse to let such low mortal like you explaining the meaning of strength for me...''

".............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

<p style="text-align:center;"> '- Heis: That's why... Couteau!!! You'll regret of making me pass through that humilliation!!!'

''Still far from the peak of her power, Heis, in a few moments of gradually ascending screaming, sparkling, azure energy erupted about her, as a black aura was formed around her. Her eyes began to change to a red demonic pupil and claws began to 'replace her delicated nails.''

''- Heis: Back then, I overstimated you all and continued to be fighting only in my base form! But now, I'll let you witness the power of my true and final form!''

''The surrounding rubble gave way into even smaller pieces, along with the ground on which she was standing upon as Heis continued to power-up. A black tornado was being formed around her, exposing an cold and evil aura that could only be matched by the Blackness itself. ''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Heis: A̢̝͔̰̥̯͚̲̳͙͌͊͗͊̊̏̐̉̽̕A̧̳͕̝͓̤̝̲͙̫̅̉͗̅̐͋̐̔͝͝Ą̨̡̛̛͚̠͙̫̬̹̜̈́͋̎̂̌̾̏͝A̡̜͇̜̲͍͕̮̭͑͑̓͛͆̈̾̉̇̾͜A̢͕̳͉͈͉̦̘̳̫͛̉̑̈́͊̋̄̈́̚͘A͉͍̲̺̟̞̦̤͙̋͆̓̌͌̊̈́̒͛̕͜A͓̱͎̼̦͔̳̝̖̍͌̊̎͐͂͗͗͗̅͜Ā̘̰̙͓̞͉̊͗͂̒͛͗̆̾̀͜͜͜ͅA̡̛̲̮̞͍̩̤̳͍̤͑̽̀̓̃͋̎̅̅A̡͈͕̜̯̪͓̪̤͂̅̽̑͗̈̎͑̑̄ͅĀ̢̗̘̮͇͔̱͎͍͚̀͑̃̇̂̌̀̕͠A̧͕̝̱̘̯̻͉͈̽̏̏̓͐̓́͑͛̇͜A̢̰̗̘̼̠̝̰̟̓̅̌̍͌̋͆́̈́͝ͅÁ̢̧̛̠͇̬͓̳̬̺̼͋͒̅̂̇̂͝͝Ā̪̟̻͚̞̖̲͇̘̂̔̇͗͐̈̒̕͜͝Ą̡̛̗̻͉͓̫̳̭̞̾̈̑̍͌̀̾̋̅A̛̮̹̭̲͖͕͚͉̻͒̒͌͑͂͐͆̒͘͜Ä̢̡̘͉͙̰̠͔̠̟́̋̍͊̒̇͌̂͝͠Á̢̯̭̪̣͍̫̯̲̿̓͐̓̈́̐̂̍͠ͅA̢̧͕̻̰̝͇̹͎̲͋̒̓̈͂̊͐̀̕͠Ä̢͍̠̭̰̣̠͍͉̟͂̇̈́̈́̈̃̀̎͝H̞̰̲͍̠̬̬͕̟̙͒́͂͑͊̍̓̐̏́H̡̡̧͉̺͈̘͇̟̥͐̒̾͆̔̈̊͂̚͝Ḩ̦̼̖̯͉͕͇͎̱̃̍͊̾̋̔̍̏͝͝H̢̡̡̖̥̹̲͓̹͈͂̀̑̉̾̽̄̄̾̕H̞̥̙̬͉̬͖̺͖̪͋̈́̀̿̒̈͝͝͝͠H̢̢̧̗̳̹͙͖̤͖̿̈́̾͛̅͊̑̀́̾H͎̥̦͙͎̻͔̰͕͆͑̒͛͋͐̚̚͘͘ͅḦ̡̱̝͓͙̞̼͖̘͙̀͑̊̅͛̒̌̕̕H̜̯͖̻̼̩̼̠̝͔̔̔̂̑̾͐̅̓͒̚H̲̼̠͉̦̭̜̹̟̙̄̍̽̈́̄̊̔̾̍̕H̡̡̼͇̰̗̯̺̺̪́̓͋̇̅̅̒̆̕͘H̳͙̼̲̙͔̭̥̣̮̔́͆̄̉̔̐̚̚͝H͉̲̖͙̥̻̺̳̖̮̀̍́̔̅̉̈́̊̿͐H̫͕̭̣͎̹̘͙̓̀̃͒͂̂̆̋̓͜͠ͅḨ̺͉̜̫͍̯̩͙̠͗͗̾́́̎̍̓͛͝H͍̦̯̱̥̦̳͙͎̟́̽̌͊̇̔͒̃̏̚H͇͇̤̮̩̬̮͔͕̰̎̈́͆̈̅̈̅́͑̓Ḩ̡̨͇̳̩̺͈̠͙͊̿̇̏̾̔̈̇̚͝!̨̢̲̜̭̯̙͙̣͚̋̐͑͒̒̏̚̚̚͝!͎̱̥͈͚̣͕͍̭̙̈́̉̑͛̀̎̿̆̂̀!̦̫̱̯̙̣͙̯̀̏̊̎̉̄͑͘͜͝͝ͅ!͔̮̬̲̤̗̹̰͎̻̐̔͂́͂͆̐́̈́̕!̧̛̭̦̼̟̭̲͕̃̓̔͛͛̈̍̓̀͜ͅ

''- Katarina (think): *Holy Jesus... she got that stronger?! Compared when she was in Aldegyr Kingdom, this is nothing! Her power back then was only heavy and tense but now it's loudy, cold and hard to breath. It's like her energy alone was trying to rip off my heart! To tell the truth, I don't even know if I can defeat her!*''

''Heis stopped powering-up and looked at the ceiling with a malicious grin. She was now in her true form, the same form she used to fight she and Imperia in Aldegyr Kingdom; her strongest form that almost destroyed the world.''

''The surroudings were completely destroyed, with all Black Demons and soldiers killed just in her ritual to power up. Everything was burning while pipes of gas began to explode around them.''

''- Heis: No one can stop me anymore. Look here obediently! I have become a perfect being! A sight that will smear change onto this world! I've become the Perfection! The Divine Perfect Form that will show mankind their sins and purge their world! Fufufu! Compared to your low transformation--Or better, regression, you're nothing more than trash! What do you expe--!''

''Katarina knew Heis to some degree and knew she was going to give one of those boring and long speeches of how perfect she is compared to mankind. Before she could something like that, she kicked off it and flew towards her adversary, this time, engaging the latter in an exchange of blows. ''

''- Heis: You little--! How you dare stop me fro--!''

''Katarina landed a powerful punch in her face but then Heis opened her eyes widen and created a gravitational camp that sent Katarina flying. Leaving from the blue camp, Heis gazed at her enemy with a empty expression.''

''- Heis: Nice work, human. You managed to hold me for 5 seconds in this form. I applaude y--!''

Katarina once again interrupted Heis.

''- Katarina: Can you please DON'T?! I'm freaking tired of hearing your annoying speeches!''

"..................................."

''Heis bit her lips and clenched her fists with all her strength. Katarina noticed there was an angry vein being formed in her forehead, showing how much she was pissed off.''

- Heis: You son of a bitch.

"..............!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Katarina blinked several times in surprise. Heis is a... holy-than-thou entity so saying such kind of low language does not fit her personality and character.''

- Katarina: Did you just...?

[- Narrator: Did she just...?]

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Heis sharpened her eyes in rage and flew towards Katarina with an inhuman speed and exchanged powerful blows with her at the speed of the sound. But Katarina managed hold most of them with her bare hands.''

''- Heis: You stopped my attacks with your bare hands? So this is your regressive character. Your physical strength from the past combined with your Exk-something is really something.''

''With the massive power up from the regressive transformation, Katarina seemed to be able to keep up with Heis, unlike before, however, the truth was that Heis was still toying with her. After a few minutes of exchanging more blows with Red Haired Demon, Heis decided to get a little serious, catching both of the former's fists with ease in the midst of their heated fight, earning a dazed expression from her, before landing a knee in her gut and releasing her fists. Katarina doubled over from the pain, momentarily incapacitated, while Heis took the chance to tackle her, sending her flying towards a mountainous heap of rubble.''

- Heis: It's over, human!

''Upon impact, an impressive shockwave ensued, along with dust clouds rippling from the epicenter. Trapped under the rubble, Katarina groaned in pain, struggling to regain her mental faculties as soon as possible, before unleashing the peak of her power with a scream...''

- Katarina: 'I'll not let all efforts Tomas and Lucas had training me be in vain! I'll not let my heart feel the same pain I felt when I was forced to kill Sonia! If I can't defeat you, how I'll kill Vira?!!'

''As Heis turned towards the rubble, in response to the ExKrieg's spirited cry, beams of red light from her ExKrieg's red power, interspersed with a pinkish hue from her Regressive Character technique peeked out from the gaps of the rubble, leading to another explosion of energy. The rubble was mostly blown away, revealing Katarina, wreathed in her regressive energy she had in the past, with a concerned, grave look upon her once cocky visage.''

- Katarina: It it doesn't work, I'll have to use that "technique".



''Finishing her inward monologue, she charged towards Heis yet again, before stopping just a few metres short of her then vanishing with her usual teleportation technique and appearing behind Heis, kicking her in the side of the head. ''

''Managing to catch the monstrous demon woman off guard, Heis was sent flying, recovering quickly by stopping hrtself mid air and landing back on her feet with a side somersault. Just as her feet touched the ground, however, Katarina materialized before her with blinding speed, against with the instant teleportation, engaging Heis in another fist fight. Showing little sign of struggle this time, she overwhelmed Katarina easily and kicked her to the ground.''

- Katarina: AAARRGRHHH!

''Wracked with pain, her bruised ego didn't help much either. Laying flat in Heis' front with her bruised cheek against the dirt, Katarina shakily pushed herself up, resting on her hands and knees as her absent gaze wandered about the floor, mind reeling in shock. ''

''- Katarina: Even with my physical skills back... what power...''

''Interrupting her outward monologue, Heis stomped hard on Katarina's back, earning a strained gasp from the defeated ExKrieg. She then raised her hand and shot a laser beam at the ceiling that was split in thousand smalls laser beam that fell over Katarina's body for almost 2 minutes.''

''- Heis: You are a fool, Katarina Couteau. You willingly seek to challenge an opponent so much more powerful than you that it strikes a primal fear into your being. Incomprehensible. If this is the work of the 'heart' that you people speak of, then it is because you possess this 'heart' that you humans bring hurt upon yourself, because you possess this 'heart' that you lose your lives.''

When the dust wiped out, Katarina was still on the ground mourning in pain.

''Her elbows buckled as she was pushed down by Heis' foot again, quivering from supporting her weight and Heis'. The latter twisted and drove her foot sadistically into the ExKrieg's back, while the same stoic face still adorned her face, before lifting her foot off to offer her brief respite, only to grab a handful of her red hair and lift her up. ''

- Heis: It's over.

With her usual farewell, she lifted her arm and spread her fingers, aiming her palm at the defeated's abdomen then firing a volleyball sized sphere of orange energy, pushing her away swiftly, sending him crashing through rock after rock, before lifting her several metres up and exploding in a massive tower of fire that destroyed the ceiling of Fraxinus, exposing the hangar to the moonlight.

''Heis turns his back on her, crossing her arms and closing her eyes as the explosion ensued, a trademark display of Heis' cockiness which followed every 'power impact' she executed. As the smoke billowed from the explosion, Katarina's limp body fell out of the cloud of smoke, plummeting on the Fraxinus' grounds below. Of course, she was in her base form, seemingly unconscious.''

''- Heis: Pathetic, mortal. Did you really believe I was taking you seriously in Aldegyr Kingdom? I'll admit that in my base form, you can take on me but once I unleashed my true power, your fate was already sealed.''

''Opening her eyes and furrowing her brows as she sensed that there was still an abundance of life in the ExKrieg, Heis unfolded her arms and turned towards her. Heis then clenched her right fist and shot a sphere of blue energy at Katarina that hit her face and sent her flying against the wall, breaking at least 3 ribs.''

- Katarina: AAAAHHHH!

Heis let out a sadistic smile.

''- Heis: I see. Your body is really tough. Killing you is not an easy task even for the Zero Numbers of MPS.''

''Katarina slowly rose to her feet with difficulty, debris falling off her body as she did so. She flashed a forced grin with gritted teeth, before slowly raising her trembling arms, pointing her palms upward. ''

''- Katarina: This is my final attack, Heis! My trump card! Take it if you can!''

''Katarina taunted, hoping Heis would accept. And she did, enfolding her arms in arrogance once more, glaring at Katarina.''

''- Heis: I'll wait. Give me everything you have and I will crush with absolute power. Instead of killing you, I'll make sure to break your ego and sanity and force you to lose your spirit and identity. What's the name of this attack, human?''

'With a triumphant smirk and her trademark chuckle as she prepared to test her most new and powerful attack yet.

''- Katarina: Hehehe... I see. So be it. To tell the truth, I did not give a name to this attack yet. I learned this ability with my intense trainings with Azul who managed to control her Zoyineian-Black Demon particles inside of her body and push energy out of them to materialize them in the form of a physical attack. I developed this technique specially for you as its only works against demons and supernatural beings like demons, ghosts and wraiths.''

''Heis sharperned her gaze when she saw that a red and black sphere of energy was formed inside of her palm. The sphere was slowly increasing by sucking the blood from all corpses around them. Now, after a minute, it was on the size of a car but it got bigger and bigger to the point that not even Katarina could keep her cool. It was the first time she was using that technique as she vowed to use it only against demons like Heis.''

- Katarina: Amazing....

''During those 3 months after the battle of Aldegyr Kingdom was over, Lucas and Tomas trained her for almost 12 hours all days. And this is the result, the ultimate ability she worked 100 hours to finish. This ability consists of launching a dark red energy blast from her right hand and eradicate all evil beings of the existence such as demons, unholy creatures, vampires, ghouls, zombies, ghosts, evil spirits, wraiths and many other creatures that wander the night.''

''- Heis: A haemokinetic ability that gathers your energy and blood? That's a worth ability for someone called as Red Haired Demon. Maybe deep inside you're truly a demon.''

Heis looked around her and saw all the blood that was splat on the ground and walls began to fly towards the red sphere.

''- Katarina (think): *A name for my attack... Oh! I have an idea!*''

''Katarina thought about a name that is not really a nice name but it was worth of it. Why? Her ability is not really a kind power, it's a power that makes all evil creatures suffer in agony before dying.''

Katarina opened her eyes with a smile in her bloody mouth.

''- Katarina: I know! Heis! I'll call it as... Pillar of Agony!''

''Heis widened her eyes a little and giggled with a malicious expression. ''

- Heis: Did you really thin--!

Before she could continue, Katarina, who was already annoyed by Heis' long speeches fired her ability before she could open her mouth.

- Katarina: [Pillar of Agony!]

''With a loud roar, Katarina threw her  arms forth, launching the massive energy bomb towards Heis. It flew towards Heis swiftly, gradually descending upon her, before stopping for a few moments. The ball soon started to move back, revealing the unscathed Heis behind it, standing in a crater formed from the sheer shockwaves the energy of the ball created, with her arms crossed, pushing the Pillar of Agony back towards Katarinaat a steadily increasing pace with her telekinetic prowess.''

''- Katarina: This is a joke, right?! How powerful is she?!''

''The pression of the two around the sphere caused to ship to explode from inside from all directions. Outside of Fraxinus, explosions could be saw everywhere, shaking the ship from inside.''

Appalled at Heis' inexplicable power, she powered up and desperately tried to push back the Pillar of Agony, futilely as it continued to advance towards her despite her power up, barely slowing down.

- Katarina: Dammit!!

''Mustering whatever little energy she had left, worn out from the battle so far, she peaked at Elesis' energy once more, managing to stop halt the approach of her own attack. Continuing to struggle with pushing back the Pillar of Agony, Heisdecided to stop toying around, unfolding her arms and extending them, in order to channel her telekinetic prowess better, causing the energy ball to move towards Katarina at an even faster pace than before. ''

- Katarina: Damn it!

''Everyone who survived this far looked on in horror as the sphere swiftly collided with Katarina, exploding in mid-air, her silhouette briefly appearing before vanishing in the flash of light. The light soon waned along with the dispersion of the smoke, revealing a huge crater that covered the whole West ​​​​​​​side of Fraxinus. ''

''- Heis: So that was your best attack? I'm disappointed, Couteau.''

''Heis then lowered her arm as she waited the dust to be wiped out by the wind of the ocean. Silence hung in the atmosphere of the colossal ship for a moment. The gunshots had stopped and all fights inside of the ship were interrupted by the huge explosion of the Pillar of Agony, an ability Katarina made only to beat Heis after their first confrontation but ended being useless against Heis' overwhelming power.''

Silence hung in the air for a good few minutes, the surviving soldiers of Ratatoskr bowed their heads in morose, already starting to grieve while some still looked towards the the roof of the ship with false hopefulness that the ExKrieg was still alive.

''- Soldier 1: You're kidding? That kid... the kid said to be Ratatoskr's second strongest was killed... just like that?''

''Unlike the other soldiers, Heis was not calm or thinking she had won, because she knows her enemy is Katarina Couteau, she is a person full of surprise and knew she was not dead. ''

''- Heis: SHOW UP! YOU MONGREL!''

Heis yelled at the sky only to hear someone falling from the sky above her, it was Katarina Couteau who was covered in dust and blood but her spirit of fight was burning as ever.

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Katarina: I'M HERE, HEIS!!! 

''Katarina then rushed at the Fallen Angel at an incredible speed. ''

​​​​​​​''- Heis: I knew of it! An insect like you never die so easily!! AAAAHHHH!''

''Katarina had only took a few seconds to get near Heis, but, to inferior beings, it would've looked like Katarina had instantly appeared there. ''

''Katarina sent out a punch filled with red energy that exploded when came in contact with Heis' skin, causing an explosion of magma to cover the entire area. Katarina was moving at the speed that Goku had moved. ''

''Their fists were connected everytime they clashed against each other, creating a ripple across the entire ship. Of course, there were other battles taking place but the chaos and destruction caused by their fight was preventing the others from fighting their enemies below.''

''- Katarina: I don't like being called as a Red Haired Demon but I'm greatful I may be one! Because now I can be proud of my own race that gave me powers to crush your face!''

Katarina and Heis would then begin punching at each other, only to have their punches connect once more, causing many powerful ripples throughout the ship, their fists that were covered with their energy formed a protection of their energy around them everytime their fists were connected, sending the aura they used in their fists to fly behind them.

Katarina's red energy formed a powerful red shield in the format of a star with heat enough to melt a plane while Heis' blue energy formed a cold energy that froze everything that was behind her.

''The force of their punches had increased to 500 tons. ''

''- Heis: You don't know when to give up?! Persistent insect!''

''Then, Heis would sent another punch filled with her dark energy but Katarina simply dodged it so fast that no one around them could see how they were dodging hundreds of their punchs without being seen. Yet, Goku hadn't expected this. ''

- Katarina: Tsk!

''Katarina felt her strength fading and caught a dead soldiers's body from the ground, and use her hand to suck his blood to gain more energy. This is how ExKrieg recharge their power. Katarina only discovered this ability in her assault to Morte.''

- Heis: DIE ALREADY!

''Heis charged at Katarina but the ExKrieg's body had then moved out of the way at the same speed, as Katarina had then appeared standing on 20 meters away from where she was before. Because of Katarina's retreat, Heis only punched the corpse of the soldier on the ground.''

''- Katarina (think): *I don't have more time... but I can clearly see I'm losing. I still did not even caused a scratch.*''

''She stared at Heis as she had then retreated from her punch. Her red eyes stared at Heis' red glowing ones, before Katarina opened her mouth to speak.''

''- Katarina: You're still as strong as ever, Heis. I'm impressed that you became so powerful during those months. I'm clearly very below your level... but even if I'm losing, I can't let myself let you defeat me! Because you're in my home now! I'll protect this ship, no matter what!''

Her voice had a demonic echo to it, as it had done whenever she spoke or screamed the last two times she used her Regression Character.

- Heis: Don't compliment me just because you are now realizing you will not prevail, human.

''Heis said coldly as she flew above the ship and prepared to use one of her most powerful techniques: [Final Judgment]. That ability... it was the same ability she was going to use to destroy the continent of Europe when she came to the realization Katarina and Imperia were going to defeat her in Aldegyr Kingdom. It was her most powerful technique capable to erasing an entire continent in a super explosion.''

Suddenly, a spher of energy of mixed colors was formed in her hand.

''- Heis: Did you remember this ability? I was going to use it on you but the Master Fallen stopped me from doing so, fearing I could destroy the globe. But now! There is nothing stopping me from using it! However, don't worry, I'll not destroy this planet, but I'll cause a great impact in its gravitational rotation.''

Flashback
<p style="text-align:center;"> Scenes from LOTM: Sword of Kings AA 2nd Season - A Place to Return (Sub Arc Finale) 

- Heis: WVY I CAM'D HIAL IZ?

Heis meant "Why I can't heal it", she was talking like that because her mouth was literally cut in two, exposing her throat as well.

''Heis' hands was now painted with her blood while she is trying to heal it. ''

''- Katarina: Looks like I made it... I found your weakness.''

''Katarina smiled as she raised her body from the ground. A few seconds later, Heis' healed by itself but it took too much time like the previous times she used her regeneration to heal her injuries.''

''- Heis: So you found it... The device in my brain? No matter, you'll never hit me again.''

Heis tried to hide her fear that her core was found by Katarina.

''- Katarina: Fufufu. Don't try to play the badass. Behind this calm, cold, emotionless and cool face, you're afraid! You have something inside of your brain.''

Heis powered-up and clenched her fists.

''- Heis: No matter if you heal too, if I take your heart off from your chest you'll die. I can sense your power getting weaker. Actually, enough, it's time to end all life in this planet. I wanted to destroy all living beings one by one instead of destroying the entire surface of the planet.''

Katarina's eyes widened in fear.

- Katarina: WHAT?!

''Heis powered-up and focused all her energy in her hand. She created a sphere of energy using both of her hands started to fly away. As she was getting far away, the sphere of energy was getting bigger and bigger.''

''- Katarina: WAIT! HEIS! STOP IT! IT DOESN'T HAVE TO END LIKE THIS!''

''Katarina tried to stop Heis from destroying the world but she was too far away to hear the red warrior. Even if she could hear Katarina, she would never stop.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> '- Heis: It's too late. Now, the world will know punishment! This is the Final Judgment!' 



''It seems that Katarina could not defeat Heis from her insanity. But it was normal, Heis was too powerful, she could easily destroy the planet if she wanted but she was just playing around to test her powers.''

As Katarina fell in her knees and watched Heis charging her attack with an evil grin, something shine was falling from the sky and was going towards Heis in an amazing speed.

- Katarina: What is that?

''Katarina saw a red light flying towards Heis and something massive came out of that light. It was a spear with two points. The spear flew towards Heis as she was charging her energy attack, piercing her chest and stopping her energy attack.''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

- Katarina: WH---!

''Katarina was now confused. Something attacked Heis and stopped her attack. At first she thought it was a new ally but she was wrong, she felt an extremely dark and evil energy coming from the light that threw that spear.''

- Heis: M-Master...

''Katarina continued to look at the red light in caution. She knew that something more powerful had appeared, it was a new type of energy she never felt before.''

''- Katarina: What is that thing? Why that light attacked Heis? What is happening here?''

''Suddenly, the red light disappeared, revealing a tall skeletal figure with several horns, black bones, yellow glowing eyes, claws of wolves... There were many words to describe that thing but Katarina could not explain what was that.''

Heis looked at the skeletal figure as she spat blood.

''- Heis: My Master... Fallen.''

The thing that attacked Heis and stopped her energy attack was no one but her own Master and the mastermind behind all that incident happening in Aldegyr Kingdom, The Fallen's Essence.

''- The Fallen: [Look at yourself, Kanon. You're losing control of your power. Oh, you're not Kanon anymore... So you're finally awake, Heis.]''

''Heis smiled at her Master while blood came out of her mouth. That spear had some type of unknown energy that was preventing Heis from healing.''

''- Heis: Y-Yes... Kanon is now sleeping in my mind while Heis, in other words, myself, is taking control of this body and trying to complete my goals.''

The Fallen continued to stare at Heis for several seconds before he answered back with its dark and deep voice.



''- The Fallen: [No. Not yet, it's too soon for that. I still need this planet for my own personal reasons. I still want to raise my reign in this planet and keep it under my control so I can get strong enough to defeat my original vessel. The Original Fallen must fall before me.]''

''Suddenly, Imperia appeared beside Katarina with dull eyes. Katarina noticed her and tried to talk with her but she stopped it when she saw that Imperia was powering-up and was preparing to attack.''

''- Imperia: YOU'RE FALLEN! I KNOW IT! COME DOWN HERE, YOU BASTARD!''

Imperia's voice was so loud that Fallen and Heis could hear her voice even if they were more than 2 kilometers away from the ground.

- The Fallen: [Who is that girl with black hair?]

''The Fallen asked Heis as he removed the spear from her chest, allowing to regenerate herself. ''

''- Heis: Trust me, Master. That girl is La Folia Rihavein, my sinner twin sister. She was revived by the princess of Aldegyr Kingdom as a Cyborg. ''

The Fallen clenched his fists when he heard that Chinatsu was the one who revived her, it was the last drop of water for him.

''- The Fallen: [So this is what that girl was planning. For one girl, she invaded the stage of my first master plan. Looks like I was right to ask Tathagata Killer to execute her.]''

The Fallen and Heis slowly disabled their flight magic and reached the ground, staring at Imperia and Katarina.

''- Imperia: Fallen... You started all of this! You did this to my kingdom! You killed my parents! You killed me and made Katarina suffer! You'll pay for this!''

Imperia prepared to attack Fallen as Heis and Katarina watched.

Nowadays
''Katarina widened her eyes in panic as she saw the light coming from Heis' hands. It was her attack shining in the skies, it was so bright that it illuminated the entire horizon with a white light.''



- Heis: It's time to say goodbye, Katarina!!!!

''Heis then fired the Final Judgement at Katarina but the latter knowing that technique will destroy Fraxinus with a single shot, she flew towards Heis before the sphere could fall in Fraxinus' roof. ''

''Seeing that sphere of powerful energy coming at her, Katarina grabbed the sphere that had the size of a bus and used every last of her energy to change the course of its direction. At the same time she held that sphere, some parts of its power exploded in several super explosions that were bigger than Fraxinus itself, and 'worse, most of those explosions were affecting Katarina.''

''- Katarina: I-I WILL NOT LET-T YOU D-DESTROY THIS SHIP! HEIS!''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"



Seeing Katarina struggling against that sphere that was pushing Katarina towards Fraxinus, ready to destroy it and everyone inside of it, except for the Black Demons, Heis widened her eyes and let out an evil grin.

''- Heis: HAHAHAHAHAHA! Did you not know? You're struggling only against that sphere alone! But what will happens if I use my own energy to help it push you back to Fraxinus?!''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Katarina grasped while trying to push the sphere back at Heis in the mid-air.

- Katarina: WHAT?!

''Heis then extended her palm and used telekinesis merged with her dark energy to push it against Katarina with an insane gravitational strength. The sensation was like if Katarina was trying to a plane without the strength of Superman.''

- Katarina: AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!



''With an immense power, the sphere of energy was pushed against Katarina, sending her flying towards Fraxinus at the speed of 50 kilometers per hour. Realizing there was nothing that could be done stop the imminent destruction of Fraxinus, Katarina bit the sphere of energy and began to drink Heis' energy to decrease its destructive power. ''

".............................."

"............................."

".............................."

''Katarina admited her fate as she prepared herself to meer her doom. And then... ''

"..............................."

- Katarina: Don't forget me...

' - Katarina (think): *No... No... I don' want to die... I don't want them to forget me... Please... Don't forget me!* '

''Just like that, the sphere hit the rooftop of Fraxinus and caused an huge explosion that melted the entire Fraxinus' roof and created a sea of magma that extended for 5 kilometers. ''

''Thanks to Katarina, who drank Heis' energy to suck its destructive power, the explosion was not so powerful as Heis predicted. The explosion was suppose to be 5x times stronger than Tsar bomba; an explosion that would maybe not destroy a continent like Heis promised (it was probably a bluff) but would cause a great and terrible impact on Earth's rotation and atmosphere. Katarina drank more than 45% of its energy, reducing its power of destruction. However, thanks to the explosion from above Fraxinus, the ship was pushed down to almost 12 kilometers below until the crew of the ship managed to put recover it to its normal flying mode.''



- Heis: ........................

''Heis descended from the skies and landed on Fraxinus. When the magma above the ship fell at the sea below the ship, she saw Katarina lying on the floor. Part of her skull was destroyed and one of her legs were ripped off during the explosion. Not to mention, her arms were completely melted during her attempt to stop the sphere and she had several sharp rubbles pierced in her stomach...''

''- Heis: Hehehe... I did it...''

''A devilish smile appeared in Heis' face as she gazed at Katarina. If she was alive, she would be very angry... but it did not happen. Because...''

".........................."

''At the same time, another person appeared there, at that moment,a person who sensed the battle happening above Fraxinus and came out to see what was happening. It was Imperia Deamonne, Katarina's foster sister and her childhood friend. ''

''Imperia walked towards Katarina and stared at her for a long time... until she noticed she was not moving at all.''

- Imperia: Katarina?

Because of the darkness of the night, Heis could not see Imperia's face clearly but it looked like if she had nothing in her face.

- Heis: HEHEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

Like a lunatic laughing at her victim, Heis let out a loud laugh that echoed over the entire Fraxinus' hallways.

- Heis: 'I DID IT! I DID IT! I DID IT! I DID IT! I FINALLY DID IT! I KILLED HER! I FINALLY KILLED HER! THAT INSECT WHO REFUSED TO STAY DEAD! GOD FINALLY BLESSED MY AND ALLOWED ME TO KILL THIS WITCH! YES! YES! YES! SHE IS DEAD! SHE IS DEAD! DO YOU HEAR ME?! SISTER?! I KILLED KATARINA COUTEAU! WHERE EVERYONE FAILED, I SUCCEDED! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! PRAISE ME! GOD! MASTER FALLEN! ASTAROTH!! I DID IT! I ENDED THE LIFE OF YOUR WORST ENEMY!!'

Never in her life, Heis laughed so hard, the sight of Katarina's lifeless eyes and her body lying on the floor with many limbs ripped off was a beautiful scene for Heis, a scene she dreamed for a long time.

''While Heis was enjoying her happiness, the world seemed to lose its colors and sense to Imperia, who now saw the world in TV statics, morover the world around her was in black and white. She could tell she was inside of some kind of empty world with no sounds or colors, it was dead, the world around Imperia was vanishing, but all of that was only happening inside of her head.''

''- Imperia: Katarina...................................... Help me...''

' There was no one besides Imperia around. The rest of all soldiers watching the fight between Imperia and Heis were dead. No one survived Heis' incredible attack... not even Katarina Couteau... who was now, finally and officially dead. '

''Imperia's face grew pale as she began trembling. Sorrow. Loss. A sense of helplessness. No language could express the emotion invading her heart.'' - Imperia: Help me...

''Imperia looked at sky but she felt like if she was looking at the ground, the reason is that now the world was spinning. She could not tell which direction she was looking at.''

''- Imperia: Can you hear me? H-Help me.''

''If one were to describe it what Imperia was like being filled with bottomless despair. Ever since she saw Katarina's corpse, she didn't say a word, only trying to understand what is happening but no matter what she did, the world continued to lost its sense. She refused to believe Katarina was dead.''

- Imperia: H-Help me...

''Imperia held her head with her fingers but held it so strong that her nails pierced her skull to the point of breaking through her brain. At last, there was a sharp alarm ringing throughout Fraxinus again, but it was already too late, for that alarm was warning the crew about another incoming threat... and this threat was alrady above them. Slowly, the world seemed to be in slow motion as the moon was covered with a dark smoke that was not dark clouds.''

- Heis: Eh?

- Imperia: Help me...

''Heis felt something coming from Imperia and teleported away as the latter continued to stare at Katarina in despair. Heis watched Imperia screaming like a mentally disturbed person as she fell in her knees beside Katarina's corpse.''

- Imperia: 'HELP ME! HELP ME! HELP ME! HELP ME! NO! NO! NO! DON'T LEAVE ME! HELP ME! WHERE I AM?! HUH?! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! SOMEONE!!! HELP ME!! KATARINA!! WHERE ARE YOU?!!'

''With a single action, Imperia's ego was shattered in million pieces. The façade of a cold-hearted psychopath was broken in mere seconds as she lost control of her emotions. For Imperia, Katarina was her only family and the only person she truly cared about. For her, Katarina was her meaning of existing in this world where everything was taken away from her by the Fallen's Essence. Without her reason to exist, Imperia could not find herself anywhere, she lost herself in the abyss of the forgotten.''

''- Imperia: SOMEONE!!!! HELP ME!!!!''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''A huge tornado weltered around the rooftop of Fraxinus, which had been reduced into rubble, exposing the insides of Fraxinus, magnifying the damage to the surrounding structures of Fraxinus one after another. ''

''Then, a condensed jet-black light expanded radially from the center of the Fraxinus' roof as a powerful and loud lightning began to fall upon Fraxinus. As far as one could see, the tornado was opening a hoge hole in the sea. When Heis looked at the ocean below, she noticed the ocean was being opened around Fraxinus. If one looked down very well, they would see the sea's deep abyss and rocky grounds.''

''- Heis: This is more than 20 kilometers below! What is happening here!''

''Heis flew backwards as she looked up and saw the ship of Revelation of Qliphoth was retreating. At that point, even the Black Demons had already noticed something terrible was going to happen.''

''The soldiers, Rogues and Black Demons who had access to the view above them could only see a tornado engulfing Fraxinus from above... nothing else... Even though they were talking at such a distance, there was an illusion of their skin being attacked by acupuncture needles. ''

''Despair. ''

''Fury. ''

''Hatred. ''

''It was a sense of unleashing all those negative feelings from the body into a weapon. While Imperia continued to scream like a crazy person, she suddenly stopped when she realized no one would came for her.''

''- Imperia: I see... I always knew. This world was a living hell. I did my best be the worse so I could find a place for me in this new world with nothing but war and death. I always knew it. I tried to live with it by becoming one with it, I became that bizarre monster everyone calls me... but then I realized I couldn't do it because I loved someone, someone who kept my sanity intact. There was someone holding me back from becoming the worst of the worsr. It was you, Katarina. My dear friend.''

"........................"

''Imperia gazed at Katarina's corpse once again. Her vision had its colors altered. She saw the world stained in red with blood. ''

''- Imperia: You were the only one who came for me. Back then in Tenguu City, to Aldegyr Kingdom and even now... you sacrificed yourself for me. In the end... I never returned the favor. You died for this world, Katarina. A world you always said to hate for being full of disgusting people. Yet, you saved it more times than we can count. You saved Tenguu City, Sleepy Hollow, South America and now us, Ratatoskr. How many times you caused us trouble but saved our skins in this war? I lost the count... the only thing I know is it was you who saved us... yet you blamed yourself for being too weak to protect us. What a pitful woman you were, Katarina.''

"....................."

''Imperia closed Katarina's eyes with her fingers. ''

With Katarina dead, and only Imperia standing before her, Heis returned to her base form and smiled sadistically when she saw Imperia mourning for Katarina.

''- Heis: This reminds me of what happened in Aldegyr Kingdom! You may not know since you were dead but Katarina whined just like that when she saw your body, sister! Seeing that again, it reminded me of how HILARIOUS IT WAS! HAHAHAHAHAHA!! Do you care if I tell you in details?''

''Heis was obviously overstimating Imperia as she used only her transformation against Katarina, her arch-nemesis. From their battle in Tenguu City, Heis could tell Imperia was not such big deal as she almost defeated her in Tenguu City with her Black Demon army in her base form.''

"......................................"

No response came from Imperia.

''- Heis: Ignoring me just like how she did to Kanon? Scumbag.''

''Imperia stood up and grabbed her main weapon, her battle staff which was soaked in Katarina's blood. Not only her weapon but her hands and legs were full of her blood as well.''

''- Imperia: You saved us again. From that wench... how many times you must make me suffer until I can repay the debt, Katarina?''

Suddenly, the tornado made of that darkness began to surround Imperia's body, involving her physical body in a dark cocoon.

''Like stars inlaid onto the night sky, the darkness swirled coiled and swirled as it converged onto a single point. A phantasmal sight as if coming from a nightmarre. If one didn’t know any better when gazing, surely it would undoubtedly be described as the arrival of Satan himself. However, the expression of Heis and other Black Demons watching on from the exterior of Fraxinus were not one of awe or adoration as they were demons themselves, but rather a look of trepidation and fear.''

'' When Heis caught the sight of Imperia inside of the tornado, she saw that she was actually... smilling... smilling like if she was truly happy.''

''- Imperia: Now... there is nothing holding me back, Katarina. I can become the monster I always wanted to be. I can be the evil-doer who will show all those ungreatful humans the true meaning of pain. Their world is already ruining but I'll make it even more painful! If this rotten world is the cause of your death... THEN I'LL DESTROY IT!''

Imperia then let out a laughter that echoed across the sky like if her voice became the wind itself.

''- Imperia: Hehehe... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!''

''Imperia's loud laughter resounded through the night sky. ''

''- Heis: This... the Blackness? Why she is dominating it?! Usually, it's the Blackness that infects people against their will! But she is controlling it! She is commanding it! How this is even possible--No! She is accepting it! Her own sorrow and suffering, she ENJOYING IT!''

''Heis gritted her teeth as she tightened her fists in fear. THhe Blackness around Imperia was forming a spiral of endless spikes and were being absorbed by her body... she is becoming a...''

''- Heis: Don't tell me you are becoming... a JIKININKI! NO WAY! HOW COULD YOU?! I THOUGHT YOU LOVED KATARINA! BUT YOU'RE ONLY USING YOUR OWN SUFFERING TO GAIN POWER OVER THE BLACKNESS!''

''Jikininki... such name was unknown by Imperia but that don't matter... because... right now, the only thing she is thinking is to kill and destroy. Nothing else. ''

''- Imperia: [Don't commit mistakes, Heis... Katarina was the only thing that kept me existing in this world. The only reason why I did my best to be part of this group. I joined Ratatoskr only to live by her side so I could protect her. But in the end, this world that kept us suffering for so long is rotten. In the end, the others were right. Humans don't deserve to live. She died because of them, so there is nothing wrong to finish what the foolish humans started. Now that she is gone, I'M FREE! I can finally... be myself! And the truth is that I always wanted to plunge this world in endless darkness! The people living in this place are more disgusting than heinous sluts like you].''

''- Heis: This is nothing more than a sore excuse for you to kill them! You don't have a motivation like me!''

''Heis yelled at Imperia while her hands began to shake. Imperia spread out her hands in a playful manner as her body flew into the sky. ''

''- Imperia: Now... Who knows... Kuku...''

''When the Blackness disappeared, Heis shook in panic when she saw what had just happened to Imperia... She surrended herself to a power so vile and perverse that when the darkness disappeared, no human trace that lived in Imperia survived... She was no longer a human neither a Cyborg. Only a demon could see the true abomination living inside of Imperia right now... because for humans, she is nothing more than an extremely attractive seductive women grinning like some mafia-lady.''

''- Heis: You have... become one of us...''

''Heis clenched her fists to stop her arms from shaking. She was a monster... Heis was so frightened that she stabbed herself with her own hands to stop shaking. But it was useless, just like Katarina who accepted her inner demons before, Imperia finally did the same and accepted the Blackness... and that resulted in the birth of a monster, a damned creature and abomination who will bring about the end of all reality... ''

''For she is not in the side of anyone. She is not with Astaroth neither with humanity. She is herself. She is on her own side.''

- Heis: Reveal yourself, damned sinner.

"..........................."

''It happened exactly what Mana suffered... a new evil is born. Covered by the darkness of the night, the malicious woman in the skin of Imperia smiled with her yellow glowing eyes. But unlike Mana, she was not suffering nor being forced to become a monster. She accepted it, the pain and terrible feeling of being corrupted by a dark power.''



' - Imperia: Achyllys... '

Otherworld
<p style="text-align:center;"> ??? <p style="text-align:center;"> ??? <p style="text-align:center;"> ??? <p style="text-align:center;"> ???

''She lay face down, listening to the silence. She was perfectly alone. Nobody was watching. Nobody else was there. She was not perfectly sure that she was there herself. ''

''A long time later, or maybe no time at all, it came to her that she must exist, must be more than disembodied thought, because she was lying, definitely lying, on some surface. Therefore, she had a sense of a touch, and the thing against which she lay existed too. ''

''Almost as soon as she had reached this conclusion, Katarina, the Red Haired Demon who was just killed by Heis, became conscious that she was shining like if she was now a star. Convinced as she was of her total solitude, this did not concern her, but it did intrigue her slightly. She wondered whether, as she could feel, she would be able to see. In opening them, she discovered that she had eyes. ''

''She lay in a bright mist, though it was not like mist she had ever experienced before. Her surroundings were not hidden by cloudy vapour; rather the cloudy vapour had not yet formed into surroundings. The floor on which she lay seemed to be white, neither warm nor cold, but simply there, a flat, blank something on which to be. ''

''She sat up. ''

- Katarina: What happened?

''Her body appeared unscathed. She touched her face and felt her hand passing through her face, like if she had no longer a physical body but a ghost. ''

".........!!!!"

''Then a noise reached her through the unformed nothingness that surrounded her: the small, soft thumpings of something that flapped, flailed and struggled. It was a pitiful noise, yet also slightly indecent. She had the uncomfortable feeling that she was eavesdropping on something furtive, shameful.''

''She stood up, looking around. Was sbhe in some great Room of Requirement? The longer she looked, the more there was to see. A great, domed glass roof glittered high above hier in sunlight. Perhaps it was a palace. All was hushed and still, except for those odd thumping and whimpering noises coming from somewhere close by in the mist...''

''Katarina turned slowly on the spot, and her surroundings seemed to invent themselves before her eyes. A wide open space, bright and clean, a hall larger by far than the Fraxinus' Hangar, with that clear, domed glass ceiling. It was quite empty. She was the only person there, except for – She recoiled. She had spotted the thing that was making the noises.''

- Katarina: !!!!!!!!!!!!!



''It was coming from a hole in the middle of the empty floor. She looked into it and saw a place reigned by darkness, filled with red and inhuman creatures wandering across the place. That world she was looking down that hole was filled with screams of agony, pain, anger and sorrow. She was afraid of it, for deep inside she knew that place was...''

''Nevertheless, she drew slowly nearer, ready to jump back at any moment. Soon she stood near enough to touch the hole, yet she could not bring herself to do it. She felt like a coward. She ought to comfort it, but it repulsed her. ''

<p style="text-align:center;"> - (???): You cannot help them.

''Katarina spun round and saw a beautiful woman in her twenties. She gave off the feeling she was powerful and above all incredibly attractive. She had long red hair very similar to Katarina's and is long and reached until her feet. She also had also large breasts, red eyes and white skin. ''

''That woman was walking towards her, sprightly and upright, wearing black clothes that was similar to a military uniform. ''

- (???): Katarina...

''She spread her arms wide, and hier hands were both soft and white. That woman... there was no doubt, it was similar to Katarina's.''

''- (???): You wonderful girl. You brave, brave woman. Let us walk.''

''Stunned, Katarina followed as the strange woman strode away from where millions souls were screaming, leading her to two seats that Katarina had not previously noticed, set some distance away under that high, sparkling ceiling. The unknown woman sat down in one of them, and Katarina fell into the other, staring at the face of that beautiful woman that made Katarina blush.''

''- Katarina: Un... who are you?''

''Being scared to listen to her answer, Katarina averted her eyes in silence. But that was natural since Katarina was indeed killed by Heis but now is in another reality. She fears that woman must be the manifestation of death itself... Death... something that turns out to be her greatest--''

''- (???): Good question but for now you can call me whatever you want. My identity is not important for now.''

''Katarina then decided to refer her as "Scarlet Woman". In the old days, she was referred as Scarlet Demon as well... so it was not really a good name to a strange but that was the only name she knew for someone with red hair similar to hers.''

- Katarina: Can you tell me where am I?

"............................"

''Katarina came to the conclusion she was in another world... and she remember clearly when Heis killed her. But just to be sure, she asked that.''

''- Scarlet Woman: Ah, yes. You died on Earth, that's for sure. This is the Otherworld, or better, Afterlife.''

''Katarina nodded as if trying to convince herself but for some reason she was not surprise. Probably because she accepted her fate before she passed away.''

''- Katarina: Then... you're dead too?''

''The Scarlet Woman put her hands in hips as she walked... The only thing Katarina could notice at that moment was the fact that scarlet woman had a voice similar to her but more deep and mature.''

''- Scarlet Woman: Ah. That is the question, isn’t it? On the whole, dear girl, I think not.''

'' They looked at each other, the scarlet woman still beaming. ''

- Katarina: Not?

- Scarlet Woman: Not.

-  Katarina: But...

''Katarina raised her hand instinctively towards her head to feel that the part of her skull that was blowed up by Heis was intact. ''

''- Katarina: But I should have died – I didn’t defend myself! I meant to let her kill me!''

''Yes, Katarina sacrificed herself to protect Fraxinus. By bitting Heis' Final Judgment, she drank her energy to the point the attack became smaller and had less destructive power compared to before. Not to mention, drinking her energy killed her from inside as many of her organs exploded like if several mini-bombs of neddles were implanted inside of her.''

- Scarlet Woman: And that will, I think, have made all the difference.

''Happiness seemed to radiate from the Scarlet Woman like light, like fire. Katarina had never seen someone so utterly, so palpably content. ''

- Katarina: I don't understand what you're trying to say.

Gazing at that woman with red hair and mysterious identity, Katarina grew more silent.

- Scarlet Woman: But you already know.

''- Katarina: I let her kill me. Didn’t I?''

The person she was talking about was Heis, who proved to be 100x stronger than Katarina even after she released her true power and even her most powerful technique to end Heis.

''- Scarlet Woman: You did. You let that Fallen Angel kill you so you could save the rest of your friends. You ate her energy to the point you weakened her attack and blowed up only yourself... for the sake of others. While committing suicide is a grave sin, as long it's worth sacrifice then everything else doesn't matter. But I must admit, that woman was too powerful for you. ''

While Katarina was not really surprised by the fact she died, she still can't believe she is another world, a world where all souls go after death.

''- Katarina: So this is... the Afterlife? I'm not really dreaming!''

''The Scarlet Woman nodded still more enthusiastically, urging Katarina onwards, a broad smile of encouragement on her face. ''

''- Katarina: Are... they alive? I mean... the rest of Ratatoskr and my friends.''

''The woman nodded but hesitation, while Katarina stopped Heis' attack, she and the rest of her allies still invading Fraxinus at this moment. Even as they speak, they don't have idea if someone is dying right now as Heis and her powerful allies prove to be superior in numbers and strength.''

''- Scarlet Woman: Ah yes, they are. This world, Katarina, is the way to afterlife. The Paradox Tunnel that connects both the world of living and dead. ''

''Katarina glanced over her shoulder, to where the hole full of damned souls and monsters/demons were. ''

- Katarina: What is that hole?

The scarlet woman stopped walking and looked at the hole with pity as she heard the screams coming from it.

''- Scarlet Woman: Something that is beyond either of our help. What lies down there is small dimension that is part of Hell, the place to where all damned souls go. Speaking in dimension, you asked me where you're. The Tunnel of Paradox is located above Hell but below Paradise but they are trillion years distant from each other... it's very confuse to explain but all I can there is no laws of physic in this world we call Astral World.''



''- Katarina: A-Astral World? You mean... the world of all dead?''

Katarina's eyes changed into blank dots as she was unable to understand this intent.

''- Scarlet Woman: Basically, the Paradox Tunnel is the tunnel that leads all souls to their destiny. If they are pure, they go to Paradise, if they are vile they go Hell. This is the most basic thing of the Astral World.''

"!!!!!!!!!!"

Katarina may be stupid but she was a wise person and knew all of her sins back in life.

''- Scarlet Woman: You have some bad historic of cruelty, Katarina. Not only killing criminals but inflicting pain in your victims back then when you were a vigilante. You caused mayhem to young children merely for being next to you, you cursed adults for no reason beyond hatred and even tortured evil-doers for no reason at all beyond sadistic pleasure. But after you met that woman, you regained your humanity and was rescued from the abyss of insanity.''

''Katarina thought. She let her gaze drift over her surroundings. If it was indeed a palace in which they sat, it was an odd one, with chairs set in little rows and bits of railing here and there, and still, she and the unknown woman and the hole filled with damned souls were the only beings there. Then the answer rose to her lips easily, without effort.''

''- Katarina: If I'm dead then why I'm not being sent to somewhere else? If possible... just send me to Hell, I'm not worth of being received in nowhere else.''

''- Scarlet Woman: I'll not do it because I don't have authority to do that nor have reasons to do that because it's not your time yet. Remember? You were killed one time when you fought that angel for the first time? You were brought back by your twin sister living inside of you. Elesis, this is her name, right?'' Katarina blinked several times and touched her chest.

''Indeed, when Katarina was transformed into that giant Beast that fought Kanon Rihavein in Aldegyr Kingdom and was defeated, she died temporarily but back then her soul was intact and inside of her body. And so, the only thing she had to face was her evil twin sister, Elesis, inside of her mind, the latter who was trying to take over her body.''

''- Katarina: This is a curse? I'll never die? I live... while Elesis live? I thought we both had to die so we can finally cease to exist. Or is it the same thing?''

The Scarlet Woman touched Katarina's shoulder.

''- Katarina: Elesis is the original you, Katarina. She lives inside of you, not only in your body and mind but in your very soul. You can't kill a soul unless you're cast a powerful forbidden demonic spell. As long she continues to exist in your body, you will live no matter what. The same can be said to her, if one day she dies, your soul will continue to exist in her body, allowing her to awak again. In this sense, you're too people who share the same soul but not at the same time. This is your curse but your nigh-immortallity as well... for there is no true immortallity in this world.''

Katarina was distracted by the whimpering and thumping of the agonised people behind them and glanced back at the hole again.

- Katarina: Are you sure we can’t do anything?

''- Scarlet Woman: There is no help possible. If the soul of a person committed heinous crimes, they will be sent through the Gates of Hell instead of Paradise, the place to where all pure and good souls go. If the person was between good and evil, they're sent to Purgatory or Limbo. You can't save the dead from their destiny because they already had their chances to redeem themselves in life. A black soul, the soul of a sinner, is beyond salvation, therefore they decided their path and can't be saved from themselves, for they refused the help of others.''

''The scarlet woman miled at Katarina, and the latter stared at her. ''

''- Katarina: That means I'm going to that place? I'm beyond salvation... despite my good deeds, I did them all out of... fear. I never wanted save them because I truly loved them.''

"...................."

Katarina closed her eyes in shame.

''- Scarlet Woman: That is a path you must decide. Are you fighting for yourself or for the sake of others? Even if you fight for yourself but thinking this is the right thing to do, then there is nothing to fear... Are you sure you saved all those people from fear? Fear of what?''

The scarlet woman happily said and they sat in silence for what seemed like a long time, while the voices behind them continued to scream in pain and eternal agony.

- Katarina: I...

''Katarina hesitated to tell but somehow that woman in front of her already knew the answer. She was only testing Katarina.''

''- Scarlet Woman: You don't have to tell me that, because you're going to tell everything that is hidden in your heart very soon. I don't want to force yourself as you need all of your mental strength to face your next challenge. Even yourself don't know much about your yourself but after you leave this place everything will be done. Actually, you can say I'm a Spirit so I know what is going to happen to you from here on.''

Katarina remembered about the word "Spirit" and the first thing that came in her head was Maria Arzonia, a young girl who passed away but came back to Earth as a Guide Spirit.

''- Katarina: Spirit? Like Maria?''

''The unknown scarlet woman seemed to be omniscience as she knew pretty much everything of Katarina, including the people she knows. When she said she knew she everything that was going to happen in the future, she was not lying.''

''- Scarlet Woman: Maria Arzonia? Ah, yes. The Spirit Guide. Actually, I'm not the type of Spirit she is, you can call me a Arc-Spirit, the superior form of Spirit Guide. I'm dead for a long time but I finally found my redemption in the afterlife and ascended to a higher plane of existence. That's why, I look over you.''

Katarina felt like if she was being protected. ''- Katarina: But why me? ''

The scarlet woman closed her eyes and shook her head.

''- Scarlet Woman: As a Arc-Spirit, I can tell the past, present and future of everything that exists, this is our power. This is the power of Paradise, the power of God. I know what is going to happen to you after you leave this place.''

"........................"

Katarina widened her eyes and clenched her fists as she looked down.

- Katarina: I’ve got to go back, haven’t I? If I cannot die, that means I'll just come back to life.



''- Scarlet Woman: That is up to you! If you're tired of living and fighting, you may choose your destiny from here! You have done too much of those people but if you wish to continue helping, you're free to return!''

The scarlet woman stood up with a cheerful smile but Katarina continued in her emotionless mood.

- Katarina: I’ve got a choice?

''- Scarlet Woman: Oh yes. I think that if you decided not to go back, you would be able to... let’s say... board a train, a train that guides people to their destiny.''

''Katarina looked around and could finally notice train tracks not so far away from where they were standing. Actually, there were two of them, one in the right side and another one in the left. And right now, they were in the middle of them.''

- Katarina: And where would it take me?

Katarina asked as she stared at the train tracks with curiousity.

''- Scarlet Woman: On. Limbo? Purgatory? Tartarus? Qliphoth? Paradise? Hell? It's you who is going to decide. When you die, that means you finally sealed your role in life and will now be sent to the place that represents your soul.''

''Silence again. ''

''- Katarina: Even if I return, what chances I have against that monster? I'm weak. Weak. There is nothing I can do to stop her.''

''- Scarlet Woman: That if you choose to return, there is a chance that she may be finished for good. I cannot promise it but your friends are fighting her right now.''

Katarina glanced again at the hole full of souls doomed to stay like that for all eternity.

''- Scarlet Woman: Do not pity the dead, Katarina. Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love. Pity them so they can be saved before they fall into that dark hellish hole for all eternity. By returning, you may ensure that fewer souls are maimed, fewer families are torn apart. If that seems to you a worthy goal, then we say goodbye for the present. But I must warn your, when you return, you will face your greatest enemy so far.''

Katarina twisted her eyebrows in confusion.

''- Katarina: M-My greatest enemy? You mean Heis, the Fallen's Essence or...?''

- Scarlet Woman: No... much worse. I said before. I'm omniscient and I know what is going to happen to you in the future. Listen, Katarina, the reason why I brought you here is because I wanted you choose an option to return or ascend to a higher plane of existence. You can return to fight once more and protect those you love... however, once you choose to return, you will face your greatest threat yet. A great evil has risen. Unlike anything this world has ever seen before... and when you choose to return to Earth, "it" will appear before you and cause great pain, sorrow and agony. It will make you suffer to corrupt you... and you'll resist it, no matter what!'

''Katarina nodded and swallowed her saliva... because she knew the Scarlet Woman stopped her words because what she was going to say what was going to happen about Katarina would shock her to the core. But the reason was...''

''- Scarlet Woman: As a Arc-Spirit, I can't tell no more than that because no matter how dark things are, the timeline and fate must flow in perfect order to avoid alterations in the future. This threat will not simply kill you like everyone else wants... she will take everything from you, turn your world upside down, play with your emotions, make you her slave and throw the entire reality and dreams of all living things in pure chaos... Katarina, my brave child, you must... you must... survive this ordeal! You MUST survive!''

''The unknown woman held Katarina by her shoulder like if she was truly worried with her life and safety. It was like a...''

- Katarina: I-I understand.

''Leaving this place would not be nearly as hard as walking into a forest, but it was warm and light and peaceful here, and she knew that hse was heading back to pain and the fear of more loss. Katarina stood up as the unknown Scarlet Woman gazed at her, and they looked for a long moment into each other’s faces. ''

''- Katarina: Tell me one last thing. Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head? And more importantly, who are you?''

​​​​​​​The unknown scarlet woman beamed at her, and her voice sounded loud and strong in Katarina's ears even though the bright mist was descending again, obscuring her figure.

''- Scarlet Woman: Of course this is happening inside of your head, dumb. You're not dead neither alive, but your body and mind are alive on the world of the living while Elesis' soul is there... and you're here. With that said, you eventually return to the world of the living. I said that before, didn't I? ''

The scarlet woman clapped her hands with a tone of happiness.

''- Scarlet Woman: Katarina... after you leave this place, there will be someone waiting for you on Earth. You will suffer and feel the worst pain of your life but you must endure it. This is what fates is holding for you. The fate wants you to... bring down the man who conceived you.''

''Katarina looked down and saw that her a red strand of hair was in her palm... for some reason her were filled with tears.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> '- Katarina: The man who conceived me?........ Who are you?'

".................................."

Nothing but silence but soon the woman let out a smile and broke the silence.

''- Scarlet Woman: It's too soon to tell you but one day you will know. To be honest, I'm just here because I wanted to see you again... for the last time... This is the first and last time I'll see you... I just wanted to see how much you had grew up. I'm glad to see you're so well... Titania...''

"Titania"...

''For some reason she heard that nickname before... but she can't remember where. Where? Where was it? It was not a nickname created by her family, friends, newspapers or criminals. It was familiar, It was nostalgic, it was warm and somehow... relaxing to hear.''

- Katarina: Titania?

''Katarina then gazed at the woman fading in the mist and finally could smell something in the air. It was a familiar smell of someone she knew before, it was an unique and pure smell that only a mother bear could have.''

Katarina's eyes were filled with tears but for some reason she couldn't hold them, it was like Elesis was crying inside of her.

"................................."

''- Katarina: Heh? Why?''

Katarina then widened her eyes in shock.



'' - Katarina: Mommy? ''

 "................................................" 

''And so, everything disappeared. The myst engulfed everything, making it seem that everything was erased from existence... now there was only an empty space with nothing but emptiness.''

Real World
''At that moment. At that same time, her consciousness turned off. Imperia felt a feeling of grabbing hold on something other than the staff in her right hand. ''

No, maybe that's--The unknown feeling might be the one that grabbed her.

''- Heis: Impossible! How could this happen! A mere Cyborg controlling the power of the Blackness!''

''Heis yelled at Imperia in sheer terror and shock. ''

- Imperia: ....................

Suddenly, Imperia's body turned black and she glowed in darkness; in the next moment, a torrent of pure darkness particles flowed out from her and melted the reinforced glass of Fraxinus like mud before passing through the ship's walls and windows, scattering in every direction.

- Heis: How can this happen?!

''Heis looked at the floor and saw the blood from all soldiers and human officers of Fraxinus were being sucked by Imperia. Even if their corpses were more than 5 kilometers away from their location, the blood was being sucked into Imperia's direction and entering in her dark aura flying around her body.''

''There were many sightings of humans becoming Black Demons before, an example is Mana Takamiya who became a Black Demon at the time of the Rogues' presence in Rio de Janeiro. But that was different, Imperia was not a mere human, she is a Cyborg... A KnightWalker Cyborg whom are known for being immortal and almost near-unstoppable. Moreover, that person becoming a Black Demon is the World's Strongest Cyborg, Imperia Deamonne, a former human who became a Cyborg by the princess of Aldegyr Kingdom, Chinatsu Tathagata.''

''- Heis (think): *At this rate... not even I...*''

''And even if her body is made of nano-machines and human magi-tech, the Blackness is entering in her body and mind, ascending her to an insane and unimaginable. ''

''Black Demons are already immortals but combined with the Cyborg's immortality, Imperia had just reached the God-level of immortality, her super-strength increased in 100x, her superhuman senses were folded, her power level surpassed all living beings on Earth in mere seconds, her spiritual level was beyond the demons' understanding, her mere presence could kill someone next to her, her magi-tech was fused with the Blackness resulting in the creation of a new kind of energy... now she was a human neither a demon.''

''- Heis: M-Monster... I thought only the Blackness could infect people against their free will. But it is obeying her, being controlled, being enslaved... it's being commanded... like if she was Asta--''

As she spoke to herself, Imperia's body disappeared in the darkness of her aura and appeared above Heis in a speed so fast that not even her could follow it.

''Heis quickly raised both of her hands, and blocked Imperia's attack with her arms from her freshly new powerful staff of darkness. At the moment the two's met, a large explosion occurred, strong enough to send all debris, including Katarina's body, flying to away. ''

''- Heis (think): *What power... if I didn't put a little of energy in my arms, my head would be now...!*''

''Heis twisted her face and let out a pained wail as she felt Imperia's staff cutting through her skin and flesh. Actually, half of her arm was almost falling as Imperia's blade almost cut off her entire left arm. Heis then used her strength to push Imperia away and jumped backwards to regenerate her wounded arm.''

''- Heis: This is so much different from the stuttering Katarina earlier. If not, it would be troubling. It would be meaningless if it was a woman that could be easily dispatched by me. You should know by now what you have become, right?''

".............................."

''Imperia did not respond and continued to stare at Heis with a shaded face and empty eyes... it's almost like if the Blackness had took away her face itself.''

- Imperia: .....................

Heis' eyes sharpened as she clenched her fists for being ignored, and she raised her fists again, jumping towards Imperia.

''Imperia's left hand moved to the hilt of her fist as she parried Heis' strike. But, Heis' vicious attacks didn't just stop there. From the left, from above, from below, she continued her assault at a blindingly fast speed. ''

''To compare with the Heis everyone had known up to now, there was a significant difference in attitude and speed. To fire off multiple attacks in an instant, a Imperia in her normal Cyborg form would have been defeated by the first blow thanks to Heis' new greater power. Despite that, Imperia was not inferior to Heis at all compared to Katarina who could barely follow Heis' speed. She was able to parry every attack that was fired with an inhuman skill level. A battle between one that an Artificial Fallen Angel, and one that was a Cyborg-Demon. ''

''Even though others were not involved, it was clear that they were being crushed by an atmosphere of strong hostility and killing intent. ''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Europe <p style="text-align:center;"> Spain <p style="text-align:center;"> Madrid <p style="text-align:center;"> Catholic Church <p style="text-align:center;"> 14 minutes later

"........................."

Inside of a Church, Maria Arzonia, the new temporary queen of Spain and the current head of Arzonia Family and Catholic Rebels was seated in a bench inside of a Church located 2 kilometers away from the Palace.

''Maria was a woman of simplicity, she was never a person who loved to live in fancy places, using expensives clothes, excessive make-up, money or more even fame. She was a simply woman with a single goal in mind; to fulfill her role on Earth to save the world from the World War III and help the fighters of this beautiful world save it from the forces of evil.''

- Maria: I knew it...



''Maria touched her chest and tried to pull the Combat-Wiring Suit she was wearing. That armor she was using was a CR-Unit built by MPS in Paris in the hopes they could make one of the Zero Numbers wear it to increase their power level in 10x so they can fight Ratatoskr, the STAR LABS and other enemies they had to face.''

''But instead of finding someone, another person found it, it was Maria Arzonia, who wore it by merely curiousity. While the suit fits in her very well, she can't take it off or less make it disappear. ''

- Maria: I can't take it off...

''Maria had tried for days removing that CR-Unit from her body, including trying to burn it but resulted the CR-Unit cannot be burned as it turns fire in Maria's source of power, she tried cutting it off but it regenerate by itself, she tried to enter in her Spiritual Form but the CR-Unit also goes invisible with her... and so go. No matter how many attempts she tried, the CR-Unit was attached to her body and would never be removed. ''



''Luckily, Maria don't have the same necessities of all humans, such as taking a shower, going to the bathroom or sweating thanks to her identity as a Guide Spirit, a superior life form of humans. The MPS made this CR-Unit solely to be their tool so only they can remove it from another's body.''

''Suddenly, a woman entered in the church with a worried expression and walked towards Maria, who was quietly seated while looking at the altar. It none other than Homuncili who happens to be Adam Frankenstein's wife, Eva Frankenstein. She had a fairly tall and slender figure, being slightly taller than Maria. She also has short pink hair and pale skin. She was dressed in white dress resembling a wedding gown.''

- Eva: Maria?

''Eva sat beside Maria, who did not answer to changed her sight from the altar. When she sat, one of Maria's wings from her CR-Unit hit Eva's face, much to the latter's dismay.''

- Maria: Sorry.

Maria simply closed her eyes with a sad expression.

"........................"

Eva, who had her face covered by the artificial wings was struggling to breath but tried to keep herself calm so she would not let Maria even more unhappy.

''- Eva: No worries. Just plea--!''

''Before Eva could continue, Maria stood up and her wings hit a statue of a saint. The statue fell to the ground and was shattered in hundreds of piece.''

"........................"

''Maria tried to walk away but her wings threw another 2 statues on the floor. As she left the church, she opened the door but then she couldn't pass them because her wings were stuck in the door. Like if she had lost her symbolic patience, she continued to walk even though her wings were stuck.''

- Maria: Ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffuuuuuuuu--

Maria was red like a tomato but she managed to hold her own rage and stopped herself from saying any kind of nasty things.

[BAM!]

[BAM!]



[BAM!]

''Without caring about her wings, Maria her continued her attempts to pass through the door. Sure, she was so angry that she no longer cared about the world around her.''

[BAM!]

''Eva, who was starting to pity Maria let out a sigh. She grabbed Maria wings and tried to take it out of the door.''

''- Eva: Do you... need help?''

Maria continued to leave to the point the doors almost broke but then...

- Maria: I don't need your help!

''Eva made an annoyed expression and felt like if she was being useless there. But even Maria knew she had said something bad.''

''- Eva: *annoyed* Well, you're welcome! But if you still need help, we can contact a defector doctor of Stabilization Union. I heard many doctors and scientists of Global Pact Defense are expert in manipulating magi-tech and combat suits. I just need your I.D. and body measures so we can start the process.''

".........................."

''Maria stopped and walked backwards to face Eva with a scary face. She quickly remembered the pain and suffering she suffered when she tried to remove that CR-Unit and acted like if she was being offended.''



''- Maria: I.D.? Body measures? EVA!!''

Eva prepared her ears to listen to Maria's rage.

''- Maria: I'M SO PISSED OFF! First of all, I go to the doctor and he totally messes up my leg! I asked him to alter my legs' size so I could remove this freaking annoying suit and then I could return to my previous original appearance!! Then, he said I would be like Gwyneth Paltrow... I get off the surgery table looking like freakin' Shrek! Then I get here, and people makes me feel like I'm some dumb blonde going to a Hugh Hefner party dressed like a some kind of nasty woman thanks to the disgusting suit that tight my skin! Then, others say I look like some kind of video-game character that left a MMORPG game in the 150 level!''

Eva gasped and widened her eyes as she began to sweat intensely.

''- Eva: No, I-I didn't mean to offend you! It's just, it's... it's protocol! If we want to take off that suit, we nee--!''

''Maria then sat on the floor in sorrow. It's not like she felt great by having her power increased by 100x but it came with a high price; there was no way she could remove it.''

''- Maria: I regret wearing this. If I knew the MPS would throw a curse in me...''

"..........................."

Eva then pat Maria's head and sat beside her.



''- Eva: I know going into surgery rooms is not a good thing, especially for you who have moral standards but at least you can return to your normal form, right? ''

Maria stared at Eva with an empty look.

''- Maria: I prefer giving myself to MPS then going in a surgery room. For me, going into a surgery is only necessary when the person is in grave danger of some disease or terrible external factor. But I'm in good conditions, so it's not different from those luxurious women who sell themselves to have a better body. It makes me feel sick, Eva.''

''Eva then showed parts of her arms and Maria finally noticed she had some seam lines in her body. Actually, it was lines keeping her limbs attached.''

''- Eva: When my father made me, she collected different parts of other corpses to make me. When I was brought to this, I felt disgusted because I'm not truly myself, I was only a monster composed of different bodies. When I looked at my arm, legs, hands, feet and other parts, I felt disgusted... not even my head was from my own. I was supposed to be a monster thanks to that vicious woman, Eckidina... But I'm here, with you. We lived so many experiences, be they good and bad. When I look back at them, I could see that no matter if I have different parts of other people in my body, I'm myself, because I can say I was there with you all, to support you, including Adam. I had many memorable days and many tragic experiences during our war with Melancholia. But even those bad memoies are important because they are what makes me unique; my own memories and emotions. Even if I was a monster like some Black Demon, I could take pride for being myself. Even if I was a brain inside of a bottle, I would continue to be myself. I'm me, and you are you.''

Maria clenched her fists as she tried to pull out the suit, only to see again that thing was elastic.



''- Eva: So Maria, you don't have to fear having your body altered... not to mention, they are not going to mess up with you body considering they are not even able to modify your body because you're a Spirit yourself. With Magi-Tech, they can alter your appearance to a more slender or smaller person to the point they can create an opening and remove it. That doesn't sound so bad, right?''

''Yes, we are at the year of 2037. Before the great discovery of the incredible and all-powerful Magi-Tech, people used to go through more dangerous and critical surgeries. But nowadays, even the medics can use Magi-Tech to remove a tumor from inside a person's body. This is merely a small fraction of the Magi-Tech's true power.''



''- Maria: But... *sigh* I get it... I get it... Eva. I'll try it once more. ''

''Maria then got in her feet and cleaned her body... Eva smiled in happiness...''

And then, suddenly...

[BAM!!]

''But soon their happiness disappeared when the door of the church fell to the ground. The two looked at the wood door on the ground with fish eyes. Eva shook her head and gazed at Maria with a serious expression.''

''- Eva: More importantly, Maria, I came here to inform you something that happened in Barcelona. It's the squad of Vento.''

''Maria then widened her eyes in fear... fearing that something happened with her godmother and Matt.''

- Maria: They are okay?!

''Maria knows what is happening out there, demons and monstruous beings wrecking havoc the entire planet like if it was their playground, attacking, killing, devouring and torturing all humans, be they innocent or wicked. As such, she knows perfectly the danger when she decided to sent Matt and Vento to the previous capital of Spain in a mission of rescue.''

''- Eva: S-Sure. They had some REAL problems there but they are okay... I must inform you half of their squad are gone.''

''Maria then looked down and bit her lips. Everytime she send more squads outside of Madrid to find survivors from the demons' rampage, she loses someone... and she unlike any other world's leader, she feel like if their death was in her hands.''

''- Maria (think): *People are dying because of my decisions... it will be no different from what he used to call me... Did I made the right choice? But I don't send help, the innocent and survivors will continue to be the playthings of demons. Just yesterday, me detectives found a woman who a similar fate with Adam and Eva's... in an attempt to scare us, the demons used the body of a child with limbs of her parents. They sent it to us so we could fear what awaits us on the other side of the walls... Honestly, I don't even know what I'm supposed to do now. I need to save the people I promised to Esther I would serve and protect... but I can't continue to sent more people to their death outside of the walls.* ''

Eva continued her report.

''- Eva: There is something else. They are returning right now and will arrive in the next hours. During their leave, they found "something" in the ocean. It was a woman.''

Maria twisted her eyesbrows.

''- Maria: A woman? A survivor?''

''Eva was informed about what happened in Madrid... including the direct words of Vento who said they found someone who was supposed to be dead 15 years ago but is alive and kickin'.''

''- Eva: A survivor? That would be a nice term to describe this person, considering that person was said to be dead for 15 years. Until now, not even Vento was aware of her whereabouts but they finally came to the conclusion. Vento identified that person, who is a woman close to your family, especially you, Maria.''

''Maria opened her eyes a little bit, almost trembling to hear about the identity of that woman. It's a friend she met at some point in her life? No, she can't rememeber having any woman as her friend thanks to the abuses of her brothers, who locked up Maria in their apartment for years to make her their servant.''

''- Maria: Eva... who is she?''



' - Eva: They found her, Maria. Your mother... Felisa Arzonia, your late mother who was said to be dead for 15 years now. '

Part 9 - In Love With Your Work
<p style="text-align:center;"> Asia

<p style="text-align:center;"> China

<p style="text-align:center;"> Hainan

<p style="text-align:center;"> Coast

<p style="text-align:center;"> 9 minutes later



























<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Hengsha

<p style="text-align:center;"> Beach

<p style="text-align:center;">



<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Chronos   Empire'  <p style="text-align:center;"> Imperial Palace  <p style="text-align:center;"> Sephiria's Private Room 







Flashback
<p style="text-align:center;"> Russia 

<p style="text-align:center;"> New Sovietic Union's Area of Nuclear Test 0

<p style="text-align:center;"> 4:43 AM

<p style="text-align:center;"> 1 month ago



































Nowadays




<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile... <p style="text-align:center;"> Hengsha <p style="text-align:center;"> Beach

















<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Command VTOL of MPS 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Bridge 

 









<p style="text-align:center;"> Atlantic Ocean 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus' Arsenal 

<p style="text-align:center;"> 3 minutes later 



























<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile... <p style="text-align:center;"> Europe <p style="text-align:center;"> Spain <p style="text-align:center;"> Barcelona <p style="text-align:center;"> Catholic Rebels' Hospital





















Part 10 - Lust and War
<p style="text-align:center;"> Europe

<p style="text-align:center;"> Ireland

<p style="text-align:center;"> Badrick

<p style="text-align:center;"> Hotel

<p style="text-align:center;"> 4 minutes later















<p style="text-align:center;"> Atlantic Ocean  <p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus  <p style="text-align:center;"> Hallway  <p style="text-align:center;"> 5 minutes later 

 

















Asato's Flashback
<p style="text-align:center;"> ???

<p style="text-align:center;"> ???

<p style="text-align:center;"> ???









Nowadays




































<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile... <p style="text-align:center;"> United States <p style="text-align:center;"> Sleepy Hollow - STAR Center <p style="text-align:center;"> STAR Central <p style="text-align:center;"> Conference Room























<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Ratatoskr's Invasion Fleet Flag Ship ' <p style="text-align:center;"> Bridge 

 









































Part 11 - Twisted Love
<p style="text-align:center;"> Asia

<p style="text-align:center;"> China

<p style="text-align:center;"> Hengsha

<p style="text-align:center;"> Beach

<p style="text-align:center;"> 12 minutes later

























<p style="text-align:center;"> Atlantic Ocean 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Prison Deck 

<p style="text-align:center;"> 2 minutes later 





















Flashback
<p style="text-align:center;"> Scenes from LOTM: Sword of Kings Special: Tales of a Lost Hero - Part 2 



''Seeing the ship flying above them, all Black Demos regrouped beside Burckhardt as the soldiers from Chronos Empire and rebels did not dare to attack them again after witnessing their strength. After many minutes of fight, Vira's private army did not lose ANYONE. Her army is so powerful that all Rogues decided to not mess with them when they are leaving.''

''- Kruel: Now, we are going to leave this place. Time to summon the QG Portal.''

''As Vira's troops regrouped around Burckhardt, Vira, her knight and other soldiers stood beside Kruel while she raised her right hand and prepared to summon a portal to take everyone of her faction back to the ship from where they came from. After a few seconds, Kruel started to speak in Latin... No matter how it can be seen, she is spelling a black magic.''



- Kruel: 'Je renonce? Tous les biens tant spirituels que corporels qui me pourraient estre conferez de la part de Dieu! De la vierge Marie! Et de tous les, oui, les saincts du Paradis! Pareillement de mon patron saint Jean Baptiste! Saint Paul! Saint Pierre! Et Saint Franois! Et de me donner de corpsa Astaroth!'

''When Kruel finished her spell, she pressed her right palm against the floor while everyone, be they allies or enemy watched her ritual. At the same moment she pressed her hands on the floor, a giant portal similar to the entrance of a dark ancient temple came out of the ground, much to the shock of everyone there. ''



- Katya: Black Cult...

''Hearing those soft words, Burckhardt stared at Katya on the righ corner of the outpost. While the Black Demons from Vira's army started to enter on the teleport, ''

''- Burckhardt: Ooh... So you're there, Katya. The woman who leads a rebellion against our Astaroth King. I never thought I would see you here. What happened? I thought with your power you could easily destroy... So is it? Slayer of Demons?''

''Indeed, Katya is by far the strongest person there... Even more than Katarina, Tomas and Imperia together. When Katya fought the Black God some days ago, she proved her value and power on the battlefield where she sealed the Black God from the Black Cult (the cult wheres Vira and her allies serves) in the moon.''

''- Katya: Tsk... You are on a total different level. Your Blackness is strong that I cannot even unleash my Light Magic energy here. You all are monsters in a total different level from the Black God and other average Black Demons.''



''Burckhardt giggled after watching the prideful Katya admitting defeat... For Katya, the most prideful magician of the planet to assume defeat even without trying to fight must be a joke for the ears of those who were not next to her at that moment... Yes, Vira and her Black Demons were so superior that she could not even use her Light Magic to fight back.''

- Burckhardt: Huh.

''Burckhardt then entered on the teleport alongside Kruel and the other knights. Now, with all Black Demons gone, there was only Vira, standing on the middle of the temple.''



"....................................."

''A very sinister silence invaded the atmosphere of the outpost. Despite the Black Demons were gone, the Rogues and all other soldiers feel a strangre and uncomfortable feeling from Vira.''

''- Vira: Hmmm... I'm forgetting something...''

Vira put her right hand in her cheek and tried to remember for something she was supposed to do.

- All: ..........................

''Everyone were ready to combat because at that point they cannot trust Vira when she has such high power level. Katarina tried to grab her sword but just thinking that she might kill Vira made her change her mind and lowered her head in depression.''

- Imperia: Katarina...

''Imperia felt bad for Katarina for witnessing such shock... Yet, they still don't know who the hell in that woman known as Vira who is very similar to the deceased Eugen Katsuragi but older.''



''- Vira: I killed one of them. Check! I got the Infinity Clock hand. Check! I introduced myself to onne-san. Check! '''I found the lost Black Demon... Ohhh! That's it!'

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Like a hitwoman, Vira quickly pulled out her sword and sent a powerful wave of blackness at the Rogues. That wave was so big that it had 15 meters of height but was thin as a paper. However, the wave was so powerful that it pushed all objects where it passed by making people next to it be pushed almost 14 meters from where they were standing, even killing some guinea pigs on the process.''

''- Tomas: LUCAS! GET AWAY FRO---!''



''Before they could notice, Lucas was right on the center of the attack and would be cut in half if wasn't for Tomas' bravure. Fast like a Jaguar, Tomas moved his body towards Lucas' location and pushed him out of the way of the attack. However, at the same moment he saved his friend, he was hit by the attack and was taken away by the wave until the wave hit the wall of the outpost and vanished in dark purple smoke.''

''After a few seconds, the dark smoke was gone and Tomas could be seen exactly where the wave hit the wall. For the surprise of many, he was alive but very injured. ''

Tomas tried to get up after that brutal attack but when he looked at belly, he saw a small piece of wood stained in Vira's Blackness stuck there.

- Jellal: Tomas!

Jellal and all Rogues who were next to him rushed at him to give him medical attention.

''- Vira: My work here is done! See ya!''



''Imperia bit her lips in rage and tried to run towards Vira to hit her back while she is entering in the portal. Using her nano-machines, Imperia shots a powerful energy beam at Vira's back but before it could reach her, Vira had already disappeared inside of the portal, making the attack useless.''

''Imperia then looked around and saw hundreds of soldiers injured by the Black Demons and Vira's black wave. All of them had at least one of their limbs cut off... That was a brutal scene of a war scenary.''

- Atala: Now, that was scary.

Nowadays








Black King's Flashback
<p style="text-align:center;"> Scenes from LOTM: Sword of Kings AA 2nd Season - I Love You

<p style="text-align:center;"> Prussia 

<p style="text-align:center;"> The Black Army Castle 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Heis' Throne 

<p style="text-align:center;"> 2 days later 

<p style="text-align:center;"> 05:45 AM 



''Somewhere of the destroyed country of Prussia, a new evil was about to rise. Prussia was one of the many destroyed nations wiped out by the World War III thanks to the nuclear war that left many countries uninhabited. Yet, what really destroyed Prussia were not the nuclear bombs... Actually, it was another evil force that killed all people of the continent.''

''On the middle of Königsberg, the former capital of Prussia, there were no signals of life. Instead, the whole land around the capital was stained in black... And what was previously known as Konigsberg, was now surrounded by a black shield that had the format of giant black ball.''



''Inside of that shield the scenery was even more grotesque, sad and horrible. When the World War III started, a demonic force used the conflict to invade Prussia and took over their nation. With too many chaos happening across the planet, Prussia was forgotten by United Nations alongside many other nations.''

The whole capitol of Prussia became a rotten territory, houses and buildings became some type of black and disgusting stone that formed a spiral swirl around a giant castle made of the same substance.



''Inside of the castle that reached the clouds, the environment was dark and sinister. The entire castle was made of black stones with some kind of bright diamond to lit up the dark castle. Like all castles, that disgusting place had a Throne Hall and it was located on the middle of the castle. The Throne Hall was a very large place with many pillars stained in black. And at the end of the hall, there was a throne with a man seated on it.''

''That dark man was wearing some kind of black king clothes like if he was some type of medieval king that came out of a fantasy game. He had the face of an old man with white beard and silver long hairs.''



''- Dark Man: The Griemoire Heart... So you had this with you, Heis...''

''The king was looking at a book in his hands. He named the book as Grimoire Heart. Right in front of him, there was a girl a black Gothic dress and long silver hairs. If normal people had to compare these people, they'll probably say they're similar and are a family... But they would be wrong. That girl was Heis... The twin sister of La Folia Rihavein (now known as Imperia Deamonne).''



''- Heis: No, King! I stole it! Using my skills, I entered in the secret base of your Mistress and I took it! You said that you would give me total power if I serve your needs! Black King!''

''A long time ago, Kanon Rihavein formed a pact with that man who is a Demon King. When Kanon became Heis, she possessed the power over the Black Army, an army made of Black Demons that killed millions of people during the battle of Aldegyr Kingdom. This ability of controlling the Black Army was a skill that man gave to her as a "gift".''

''- Black King: The Grimoire Heart is the book that allows you to become an Omnipotent Demon similar to Gods. The person who created this Grimoire Heart is my Mistress, my Leader, Goddess and Supreme Creator. However, only normal living beings can use it. By becoming one with the Grimoire Heart, you'll be able to control Time and Space by your own free will.''

''Heis then stared at the Black King while in her knees. The Grimoire Heart was a book wrote by a Pure-Blooded Devil that rules over countless worlds. The Black King is a Demon created by this Devil but he desires to become even more powerful to become a Demon God.''



''- Heis: If Grimoire Heart is a book made of dark magic that can only turn people in Demon Gods, then this book has no use for us... Since you're a Demon and I'm Fallen Angel.''

Heis then stood up and touched her hair.

''- Black King: Well, I have a plan... You said that there is a man between the Rogues that has a Demonic Lineage, right?''

''3 months ago, Heis fought the Rogues in Aldegyr Kingdom. During her battle, she felt that among the Rogues, there was a man that had the energy similar of a Devil. And a few days ago, Heis met that man again.''

''- Heis: Yes, this man is suppose to be a human but I felt a strong demonic energy inside of him... His name is Mahesvara... Better known as Tomas Sev. I studied about this Tomas Sev. He is a war hero that fought many times against KnightWalker Family in the past and fought against an entire army of KnightWalkers in India, becoming a legend. However, he has a mental illness; Tomas has dual personalities. One of his two personalities is a calm and kind man while the another personality that is known as "Mahesvara" is a savage, cold, wild, demonic and cruel entity that seeks to cause pain upon his enemies... Because of his dark personality, the KnightWalkers named him as The Demon of Global Pact Defense.''

The Black King leaned his head with his right hand.

''- Black King: Ooh... So there is possibility this man is a Half-Demon.''

Heis' eyes widened in surprise.

- Heis: Half-Demon?

''- Black King: Half-Demons are a rare species of demons. Half-Demons are sons or daughters of a relationship between a demon and a mortal. The reason why this man known as Tomas Sev has two personalities is because he is human with demonic powers.''

''During the battle of the KnightWalker Airport, Nnoitra Jiruga also mentioned about Tomas' demonic energy after he finished with him. After he the Black King told the truth about Tomas, an army of Black Demons started to march outside of the castle.''



<p style="text-align:center;"> [Footsteps and screams] 





''The sounds of thousands of footsteps marching made the Black King smile in pleasure. Those demons were the personal army of the Black King and were used to wipe out the entire population of Prussia's capitol.''

''- Black King: If that man is Half-Demon that means he can support the power of the Grimoire Heart. There is no doubt this book is the most beautiful Artifact of the Past that my Goddess created. With this, you can turn a mere mortal in a Demon God with powers enough to destroy whole universes by controlling Time and Space itself!''



Heis walked towards a window and saw the Black Army marching.

- Heis: So we're going to go after Tomas Sev?

''Heis then turned around and changed her sight to her boss. Heis was working to the Black King in secret from the Fallen's Essence, who is her true God.''

''- Black King: Not yet, my dear. We'll watch the Rogues. Their battles are just starting and I want Tomas Sev to get stronger so he will become a worthy vessel for me. Once he get strong enough to support the power of the Grimoire Heart, I'll transfer my soul to his physical body and so I'll become a Demon God by myself! As the Black King, I'll become the Black God and rule upon all Divine Dimensions, universes, galaxies, planets, stars and solar systems!''

Heis then let out an evil grin and closed her eyes.

''- Heis: As you wish, Milord. The Multi-Universe will be ours. We cannot get stuck inside of this little rock called Earth forever. We'll expand our goals to other universes and rule above everything. ''



''Heis, however, had never intentions of serving the Black King and swore her loyalty to Fallen's Essence. Everything that left from Heis' mouth was a lie.''

''- Black King: Speaking of which... How are you doing with the Fallen's Essence?''

Heis then crossed her arms and used one of her fingers to touch her forehead to remember her relationship with the Fallen's Essence.

''- Heis: Pretty good... He does not even suspect that I'm working with you behind the scenes. Recently, he revived a scientist droid known as Unit-CM 130 to restart World War III. And judging by the previous battle, it seems it worked. The World War III is back and a few hours ago, a nuclear power plant in South Korea had just exploded... The radiation started to spread and the government couldn't stop the media from butting in. It'll be only a matter of time to chaos and death start again all over the planet.''



''Heis turned around and saw black trees filled with children's bones and limbs. They were kids that once lived in the capitol of Prussia... Of course, they were not the Black King's collection... They're collection of a PERSON who love to do those kind of things.''

''- Black King: Good... So now... All Demons from this planet will get stronger. This war is a real banquet for everyone.''

Heis slapped the head of one of the kids in the trees with disgust.



''- Heis: Control yourself, you slut! You're always filling this place with dead kids!''

''Heis changed her sight to her left and there she saw a very beautiful woman seated on a table. That woman has long blonde hair in a ponytail and orange empty eyes. She wears a short red and white dress, black thigh high, brown lace-up boots, and moderate armor. ''

The woman then turned stopped what she was doing and stared at Heis.

''- (???): I cannot help myself! They're just so amazing! Also... ''

''The psychotic woman looked at Heis with sadistic eyes and was heavy breathing... She seemed to be sexually excited.''

- Black King: Let her be.

The Black King returned to stare at the Grimoire Heart as Heis watched that beautiful woman doing something disgusting and cruel.

''Right in front of that woman, there was a boy between 7-years old tied up in the wall. That woman proceeded to grab a knife from inside of one the dead kids on the Black Trees and slowly opened the belly of the boy. Every time drops of blood fell in her face, she started wet in her private parts... She was getting aroused by the screams of the boy.''



- Boy: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

The screams of the young boy could be heard even from outside of the castle.

''- (???): Heis... I call you by your name... So call by my true name: Vira. Please, never call me "slut" again.''

The woman introduced herself as Vira.

''Vira took a small part of her time to talk to Heis. Heis has her own ways to kill people... And there is something that Heis hates more than pacifists and people who wants to protect the world; Vira herself. Vira seemed to be a very sophisticated and gentle woman when she is not killing someone... Yet her eyes still scare Heis because this is the eyes of a souless person... A person who is not alive but "dead".''

''- Heis: I don't know why you're here. You work for the Black King's Goddess and KnightWalker Family!''

Vira then got riled up by the screams of the boy and then used the knife to stab his mouth by piercing his chin from below; shutting him up in a brutal death.

''- Vira: I don't have sides in your war. I just want to be part of it in my own faction. I have my goals, my decisions and ideas. '''KnightWalker Family, the Black Army, Order of Terror, Catholic Church, Police Forces, Novosic Kingdom, Fiore Kingdom, Godom Empire... Nothing of it matters to me.'

Heis rarely gets annoyed but Vira is an expert in taunt people.

''- Heis: The only reason you're helping us is to test your own stupid virus. You're just like Unit-CM 130; all things you do is for the sake of your experiments. Always destroying both allies and enemies. Do not think I'll forgive you after you killed 32,000 of my Demons in your stupid biological virus test!''

''Vira is a scientist who's only purpose to create a virus to cause death for the sake of Death itself. For Vira, Death is her God unlike Heis who has the Fallen's Essence as her God.''

''- Vira: I think we are just insects, we live a bit and then die and that’s the lot. There’s no mercy in things. There’s not even a Great Beyond. There’s nothing. Even if there is a Hell or Paradise, nothing will change. Life is irrelevant... Even life beyond death sucks. My purpose to end all life in both worlds... Worlds of the living and astral. So, all souls will have nowhere to go... And finally, we'll meet Death itself. A space filled with nothing but EMPTINESS!''

Heis knew that she was just wasting time with Vira and wanted to have distance from her.

''- Heis: You're a freak. I think I was right about killing all humans from this planet... Because you're the very personification of evil from all humans... Even people like that girl have this side.''

With the same knife that Vira killed the boy, she started to cut his head off and put his head in the Black Tree.

''- Vira: 64 heads for my collection... But this is too boring... I got bored of this. Why people show value to their lives? Life's so fragile, a successful virus clinging to a speck of mud, suspended in endless nothing.''

The Black King stood up from this throne and stared and created a image with the appearance of Tomas inside of a magic eye.

''- Black King: Tomas Sev... Who exactly are you?''

Heis and Vira prepared to leave after they were done with the Black King.

- Vira: Hey, Heis, let's go eat some takoyaki...

''Takoyaki is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special moulded pan. It is typically filled with minced or diced octopus (tako), tempura scraps (tenkasu), pickled ginger, and green onion. Takoyaki are brushed with takoyaki sauce (similar to Worcestershire sauce) and mayonnaise, and then sprinkled with green laver (aonori) and shavings of dried bonito. There are many variations to the takoyaki recipe, for example, ponzu (soy sauce with dashi and citrus vinegar), goma-dare (sesame-and-vinegar sauce) or vinegared dashi.''

Heis, however, teleported away without saying a word, ignoring Vira completely.

''- Vira: Meanie... Well, Black King... I'm going to Brazil now. I have my own business in Rio de Janeiro. I requested more civilians to my experiments in Rio to your Black Demons. According to my Omniscience, the Rogues are going to Brazil in some days... '''Also, I want to see my sister. I want to hug her. Kiss her. Love her. Feel her. Embrace her. I want to feel everything of her body'.

''Vira has an ability to predict the future and so she knows exactly what is going to happen. And what she saw predicted was that the Rogues will go to Brazil in a few days to fight an evil force.''

''- Black King: I understand, Vira. Go. It'll be a nice test for my future vessel. I want Tomas Sev to show his true colors.''

Vira then let out a grin as she was about to leave.

''- Vira: If you live today, you breath in nihilism... It's the gas you breathe. If I hadn't had the life itself to fight it with or to tell me the necessity of fighting it, I would be the stinkiest logical positivist you ever saw right now.''

Vira then left the throne, leaving the Black King with a chilling feeling in his spine.

''The Black King stared at the gates of his hall closing slowly as Vira. Before the gates could close completely, he could swear he saw a devilish grin coming from Vira's mouth.''

"........................."

''- Black King: I must keep an eye on her moves... Between all people I don't want to mess up with... It's her... She is a danger to all life and death. The only human who can even make the Supreme Devil cower in fear... ''

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Black King: Vira. ''

Nowadays












<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Bridge Hallway 

















































<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile...

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus

<p style="text-align:center;"> Hallway









<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile... <p style="text-align:center;"> Outside of Fraxinus <p style="text-align:center;"> 90,000 meters above the Atlantic Ocean





























Heis' Flashback
<p style="text-align:center;"> Scenes from LOTM: Sword of Kings AA 2nd Season - A Place to Return (Sub Arc Finale) 

''- Heis: Looks like I don't have time to play with you. It's time to show you the Apocalypse. With my power, I'll send everything to hell.''

Heis raised her hand forward and pointed her finger to the ground, making Katarina and Imperia walked backward, they knew that her enemy was planning something big.



''- Heis: NOW! IT'S TIME TO WELCOME A NEW WORLD! ''

''Heis yelled at the sky and shot a small laser beam the earth, suddenly, the ground of the entire country opened in 4 lines, the entire country was being cut in 4 slices like a pizza being cut. Suddenly, the entire planet was covered in a red light and shook the planet like an egg being crushed by a black hole.''

- Heis: YES!



Imperia and Katarina looked around and saw the world around them was being destroyed and a red portal opened above them, sucking all living beings in the country.

''- Heis: This world has come to an end. It's the Final Judgement! It's time to send all sinners to hell! Sentence: DEATH to all humans !''

''The sky was engulfed by a red black hole that was sucking even entire mountains, even the ocean was being sucked, revealing sunk ships being brought to the surface of earth. The entire planet was being sucked by the black hole.''



- Imperia: This thing is cleaning the surface planet!

Katarina and Imperia looked at Heis and saw she was being powered-up by the red hole.

''- Heis: This is truly the work of an Angel! It's time to clean what the mankind destroyed! It's time rebuild a new world! A new peaceful world is coming! A world without war! A world without despair! '''A world where humans will serve us for all eternity! Final Judgment has come upon you all! Humans! Now, face the Apocalypse!'



Katarina could only watch the world being covered by several crosses created by Heis, destroying nations in just 1 second, the first Apocalypse has begun.

- Katarina: How can we defeat this?!

Imperia looked at Heis and tried to analyse her.

''- Imperia: Heis must have some weakness! If we find it, we can destroy her and stop the Apocalypse!''



- Heis: DO YOU THINK YOU CAN STOP ME?!

With just her words, Aldegyr shook and was painted with blood, even the voice of Heis had gained power, destroying everything around her.

''- Imperia: Tsk! Where is your weakness...''

''Imperia was about to fall in her knees since she could not find a weakness in Heis... But she had one... Inside of her brain...''



''- Heis: It's useless! Destruction is the fate that awaits this world! Accept it! There is nothing you can do! It's time to end your era and bring a new era upon this planet!''

Heis was logically right but morally wrong, she was now acting like a doomsday bringer.

''- Imperia: I DON'T CARE! OUR FATE WILL BE NOT DECIDED BY YOU! IT BELONGS TO US! ''

Nowadays












Part 12 - Paladin of Iscariot


<p style="text-align:center;">''While their battle took place, the few survivors of the Rogues and Ratatoskr's crew members took this chance to escape from Fraxinus that was now in the high-destruction countdown. However, while Imperia was escaping, Katarina was revived by her inner-self, Elesis Du Tirial, giving her a chance to escape together with her family. Yet, their hope are completely destroyed when Vira teleports Katarina to Limbo... Where she will personally face the architect of all pain in the world, Astaroth Queen.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Europe  <p style="text-align:center;"> Ireland  <p style="text-align:center;"> Badrick  <p style="text-align:center;"> Hotel  <p style="text-align:center;"> 5 minutes later  <p style="text-align:center;"> Outside 







<p style="text-align:center;"> Inside of the Hotel 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Hallway 















<p style="text-align:center;">









<p style="text-align:center;">







<p style="text-align:center;">

<p style="text-align:center;">













<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile...

<p style="text-align:center;"> United States

<p style="text-align:center;"> Sleepy Hollow - STAR Center

<p style="text-align:center;"> STAR Central

<p style="text-align:center;"> Hallway









<p style="text-align:center;"> STAR Central

<p style="text-align:center;"> Strategic Room

<p style="text-align:center;"> 12 minutes later

[

























<p style="text-align:center;"> Atlantic Ocean <p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus <p style="text-align:center;"> Lower Levels <p style="text-align:center;"> 2 minutes later

 <p style="text-align:center;">

















<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Outside of Fraxinus ' <p style="text-align:center;"> Ocean 

















<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus  <p style="text-align:center;"> Bridge  <p style="text-align:center;"> 1 minute later 





Part 12.5 - Astaroth
<p style="text-align:center;"> Atlantic Ocean <p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus <p style="text-align:center;"> Roof <p style="text-align:center;"> Seconds later...





























<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile... <p style="text-align:center;"> Hangar







<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Outside of Fraxinus '













<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> 203 meters away from Katarina's position '







<p style="text-align:center;">









<p style="text-align:center;">







<p style="text-align:center;">







<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus <p style="text-align:center;"> Bridge <p style="text-align:center;"> 5 minutes later

















<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus ' <p style="text-align:center;"> Hangar 







<p style="text-align:center;"> Revelation of Qliphoth's Mother Ship  <p style="text-align:center;"> Bridge  <p style="text-align:center;"> 4 minutes later 

 









<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus  <p style="text-align:center;"> Roof <p style="text-align:center;"> 9 minutes later







<p style="text-align:center;">









<p style="text-align:center;">' ???  <p style="text-align:center;"> ​​​​​​???  <p style="text-align:center;"> ???  <p style="text-align:center;"> ??? '

"................................................."

''Silence... So cold... So empty... So dead... It's been almost 4 minutes since the vicious Vira Hermes, the woman who was similar to the late Eugen Katsuragi, had sent Katarina to a strange place.''

''After Katarina was pushed into a strange portal opened by Vira, she woke up in a strange place. A place that she never saw before.''

- Katarina: T-This place...

''Katarina stood up and noticed that all her wounds were healed and even her own clothes were back on. She reminds that during her battle against Heis, she was killed by the latter but latter came back to life thorough unknown reasons. Even now, she still confused... there is so many things happening in one single night that Katarina don't know what is reality or illusion. Actually, she doesn't even know if she is alive of dead again.''

''This place, was nothing similar to any place she have been before. This place was different... it was like a dead version of Earth filled with blackness and darkness. The horizon was black and white, the skies were stained in darkness, the stars were shining in grey, the trees were dead, the earth was pure mud... ''



''She kept walking down those lands for hours and hours until she arrived in a bizarre place. It was a town, a small medieval village with a few couple of houses and a huge church on the middle. However, they were all destroyed and seemed to be abandoned for years.''

- Katarina: .......Where in the world I am?

''While look at her surroudings, Katarina noticed that village was actually inside of a huge inactive vulcano--No. She was inside of a inactive volcano with its open being probably larger than Yellowstone's.''

''Without saying any words, the Red Haired Demon proceeded to walk down the mountain where she was standing and passed by a dead forest with black trees and mud... indeed, it was like if she had returned to the past but in an alternative version of the world. A version where it was wiped out by the darkness that covers this world.''

''After many minutes walking, she came to realize that she never grows tired. Indeed, she could feel she had infinite stamina and could walk forever there without feeling exhaustion.''



''Arriving at the village, Katarina passed by the houses made of wood, which were totally destroyed and abandoned. There were no sounds beside her footsteps, what caused her to fear her situation as this world where she is in now doesn't produce any sounds besides herself.''

In sheer curiousity, Katarina walked into the destroyed church on the middle of the village and saw its insides were completely wrecked like if a tornado had passed there, ripping off the ceiling.

- Katarina: Someone?!

''Katarina began to lose her calm as she noticed there is no one but herself in this world. She thought it could be considered an illusion but she could still control her own power, which made her aware she was teleported to another unknown place.''

".........................."

Nothing but the silence was present but after a few seconds, Katarina could see someone walking out of the darkenss from the altar of the church, it was a black figure similar to a shadow but soon it took form of a human with long black hair and yellow eyes.

''- Katarina: Who are you?! ''

''While clenching her fists to prepare to combat if that thing was hostily, Katarina shouted at the unknown figure that soon took form of a young woman. The strange figure began to descend from the altar with calm. ''

''- (???): I go by many names and I kill people and I love it. I know nine million ways to kill a body and I love every single one of them. All dull day every day right up until I hit the hay I think of bodies. Bodies burst. Bodies slit right up the middle and shared across a hundred nice little gardens. And when I sleep I dream of ways to kill a body that ain't nobody thought of yet. ''

"........................"

''Katarina noticed that voice was female... and how it sounded pretty much childish like if the unknown figure was trying to break the ice with something funny. ''

- (???): I wonder if I was too simple-minded there...

Soon, the black figure was now in the form of a perfect female human.

''Katarina considered her to be beautiful and an attractive woman between 19-years old or 20-years old and had the body of a model. She had extremely long and black hair which drops to floor-level; towards the bottom her hair is plaited into big braids that are tied off by a bandage-like band. Her hair-strands curve towards the left-side of her face and she has mid-length hair which is plaited and tied by a smaller bandage-band resting on her left shoulder. Besides, she had a white skin with yellow glowing eyes. ''

''Her outfit consists of a revealing ruby-red corset which reveals her midriff and the top half of her breasts. The red corset has an insignia visible below the belt which it hinders below. The same belt rests of her hip and above her torn, black jean trousers, which now look like shorts. The jean trouser has a chain, multiple belts wrapped around her right leg and a few which spiral towards the lower half of her left. Over her corset, she wears a black jacket in the form of a robe with red-velvet lacing; the jacket is ripped towards the bottom and is tightened towards her chest by the belt. ''

''She also is wearing protective armour on her footwear as well as one extra armour plate on her right shin. She wears the same armour in the form of an arm protective gauntlet which rests above the same material as her coat; the material arches its way up to and wraps around her middle finger, highlighted by a rhombus-shaped piecing. The same gauntlet is where she rest her lance-blade in battle. Her left arm is wrapped and bandaged up for some unknwon reason.''

She was probably the most attractive woman Katarina saw in her entire life.

<p style="text-align:center;">

- (???): Well, sorry then. For starters, you can call me as... ...Astaroth Queen.

Part 13 - Human Nature (Warning: Psychologically Disturbing)


''Katarina Couteau is sent to Limbo by the vicious Vira Hermes! At that place, the devilish Astaroth King was waiting for her and show the truth of humanity. Its mistakes, its sins, its failures. The Purge of her souls continues. The focus is primarily on Katarina now, as she learns to accept the individual’s ability to shape their world, and how the self cannot exist without others to define it. Katarina learns the truth behind the Purge, the Black Demons and the existence of the Forces of Nature.''

''Tormented by her memories and darkest secrets, Katarina pushed to the brink of insanity as her true face is exposed! Haunted by her ghosts of the past, Katarina is devoured by her own inner monsters. An end always comes after the beginning. Will Katarina's hopes become her ultimate destruction? Is her hope death itself?''

'' There was no time to even look back--It was the work of an instant. Astaroth... Black Cult... Blackness... The Purge... Black Demons... I took less than a second realize what is happening around my world is because of her. And I could feel it... that she was not even trying to scare me. She was just there. Standing like any normal person introducing themselves to me. The feeling I felt when I saw her... was not like Eckidina's coldness. It wasn't like the Fallen's Essence chills. It wasn't like Michael's darkness. It wasn't like Vira's fear. It wasn't like Heis' overwhelming power. No. No one I faced in my life had that. What happened... didn't even take a second. Even so, that woman's spirit... gave me the hallucionation of death... It was like as if I was staring at the bottom of Hell itself. I could hear millions of screams of agony coming from her left arm... while her presence alone almost made I and Elesis feel our souls was being ripped off our bodies... What's it? It's not true, is it, Yuri Barnes?! You want us to fight that... Don't tell me... then that is... Astaroth King ... ''

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''Astaroth... that never echoed in Katarina's ears like if they were in an infinite tunnel of deep darkness.''

- Katarina (think): *H-Help me...*

''- Elesis (subconsciouness): *IDIOT!! RUN!!*''

- Katarina (think): *I-I can't move my legs...*

After saying that, Astaroth Queen narrowed those sharp eyes while she smiled like an innocent child.

''Katarina slightly raised his eyebrows, when she felt an insane energy of pure evil coming from that woman. Even if she was trying to hide her malicious aura behind an innocent smile, Katarina could see right through her...''

''- Astaroth: Ah... You probably don't trust me because of my energy, little kitten. Just wait a second.''

''Astaroth... that woman is Astaroth King, who was in fact a woman. She is the true mastermind behind the Revelation of Qliphoth and the one behind Vira. If anyone watched TV, watched fantasy films, read novels and net videos, it was probably a name they had heard of at least once in their lives. It was the name of one of the most powerful demons from Hell in the Jewish traditions.''



''After Astaroth said that, all energy coming from her body disappearing in an instant, making it clear that she was not hiding her demonic energy which was completely black like the Blackness itself. Seeing that, Katarina realized that she is in great danger... she is right now facing the root of all evil in this world.''

- Katarina: ..................

Astaroth made an exaggerated nod and clapped her hands.

''- Astaroth: Glad you came, Red Haired Demon. Despte my identity being Astaroth, there is no need for you to fear me. I'm not aggressive and violent like Vira. Trust me.''

''Astaroth's malicious aura disappeared, making her presence there less scary than before. When Astaroth was with her energy exposed, Katarina could barely move. Moreover, the feeling that woman gave Katarina was the feeling of death itself so it took a long time to Katarina to recover her senses.''

- Katarina: P-Please...

''Katarina's legs were trembling... it was only a matter of time to her pee herself at some moment. In the worst scenario, Astaroth's presence alone almost made her vomit her breakfast, lunch and dinner.''

Seeing that, Astaroth passed by Katarina with a bored face and walked her way to the exit of the church.

''- Astaroth: Ahhh boy! How pathetic... And I thought you were the Earth's greatest defender! I heard from Heis you fought against her and almost won in a battle that could have ended Earth! Could it be I got the wrong girl?! I think I'll slap Vira's butt la--''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Suddenly, Astaroth felt something pass right through her. It was a piece of sharp wood that was part of the church's structure. Without making much of a surprise, Astaroth turned around and saw the person who threw that piece of wood was none other than Katarina herself, who was sweating and taking several deep breaths only to break from Astaroth's feeling.''

''- Astaroth: Oh... So you can do it! I even went easy on you by hidding my energy! But you know... if I was a normal person, that piece of sharp wood could have killed me... And people die when they are killed! '''THAT MEANS I MUST ACT LIKE IF YOU WERE TRYING TO KILL ME! OOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!'

''With a loud shout, Astaroth lost her calm and began to power-up like a furious Saiyan... Seeing that, Katarina froze and lost all her senses, making her vision fade in darkness...''

- Katarina: I-I am dead...

 "!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" 

But then...

"......................................."

Astaroth stopped screaming, which oddly made Katarina return to her senses.

''- Astaroth: Nah! Just kidding! Did I made you pee?!''

''Astaroth's seriousness suddenly changed to a smug childish face of a prankster. Indeed... Astaroth had just trolled Katarina with the feeling of death.''

- Katarina: W-WHAT WAS THAT?!

Katarina was not sure if she was confused or annoyed but it was clear that woman had just trolled her like a jerk pranking his victim.

''- Astaroth: Nothing, I just wanted to make you pee or die since you're immortal here... But I'm not sure.''

''Katarina knew that in this place she had infinite stamina but something like immortality never passed through her mind. But... if it was true, that means she would have died when she laid her eyes on Astaroth when she appeared at that altar.''

''- Katarina: Wait... I am immortal in this place?!''

''- Astaroth: I don't know... Do you want to see if you're immortal for yourself? So let's make a test!''



Astaroth made another smug smile but Katarina quickly reacted to that as the moon of that world illuminated this black and white land.

- Katarina: N-NO, THANKS!

''Katarina's fear of Astaroth slowly vanished since she was not using her demonic energy like before. At that point, she could speak and move normally... as expected of an ExKrieg, she has a quick restoration of both emotions and physical strength.''

''- Katarina: S-So... you're really Astaroth King? Because... I thought you were a--''



''Astaroth interrupted her while twisting her head to the right while the church's structury began to change of nowhere. The world was slowly changing around them but not that much. When Katarina looked a the sky, she saw clouds of darkness taking different types of sizes and shapes.''

''- Astaroth: A man? I get a lot of that. Your people from Earth call me Astaroth King because saying my name is a taboo, even my own genre. The Witch Cult, for example, call me by many names but at times they can spell my name with a "Queen" at times. Of course, I can change my sex if I want but I was born as a woman so let be it. I have nothing against my own genre. But honestly, I hate when they refer to me as a man... have you ever experienced a moment where you are gay but they call you a transvestite because the two are among the same thing?'' Katarina twisted her eyebrows in confusion.

- Katarina: No?

- Astaroth: Me neither.



''Astaroth then walked out of the church while Katarina followed her. It was clear that woman had not evil intentions as she admitted she was not going to hurt Katarina.''

''- Katarina: I see... H-Hey... What is this place?''

''Astaroth stopped walking and looked at the abandoned village changing its form. The houses were actually made of some kind of black smoke.''

- Astaroth: You're in Limbo, little kitten.

''In Afterlife, Limbo is a dimension without color or shape, it is an infinite white or black reality without borders or limits. Limbo is a place to where all mages and people who formed a pact with dark magic are sent to be judge by Astaroth King... It's very similar to Purgatory in many aspects but they are totally different. Even Katarina knew that thanks to the wikia articles she read on Internet pages before the beginning of WWIII.''

''- Katarina: Limbo?! Why the hell I am here?! I am truly dead?!''



For a moment, Katarina thought she was really dead but even so she could mention many points why she still alive.

Astaroth giggled and continued walking.

''- Astaroth: Not really, you're not dead. Vira sent you to Limbo to have a meeting with me. Well, it was me who ordered her to do it. It's also hilarious that you made the same questions of your mother when she arrived here.''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Katarina almost gasped when she heard the word "mother". By mother, there is just one person who could be considered as such, Haruko Couteau, the late foster mother of Katarina Couteau who also happens to be the biological mother of the late Eugen Katsuragi.''

''- Katarina: My mother?! You said my mother, Haruko Couteau?! How do you know her?!''

''Katarina held Astaroth's shoulders but soon remembered who was this woman, making her calm herself in sheer fear. Even so, Astaroth was smilling like that smug prankster of always. She then continued walking while Katarina was more relaxed and followed her.''



''- Astaroth: Yes, your mother, Haruko Couteau. I met her almost 18 years ago when you were just a little girl. Do you remember that she died in a brutal car accident, right? ''

Katarina nodded.

''- Katarina: Yes... because of that, I never had a family... Even when Vira appeared, I saw the only face of my family being corrupted.''

''When she spoke Vira's name, she was referring about her similarities with her deceased sister, Eugen Katsuragi. For Katarina, the fact that insane monster had the same face of Eugen was an insult.''

''- Astaroth: Well, I'm sorry for that. I'm like you. I never had a family because my own mother abandoned me and exiled me in a tower for thousand years. Until now, I never forgave her... but that was almost 40 billion years ago.''

''Katarina widened her eyes when she heard Astaroth's true age... or even what was suppose to be half of it. Despite being so old, she looked so young and energetic that it was almost impossible to think she is older than the universe itself.''



''- Astaroth: In addition, I'm sorry for Vira's rudeness and violence. It was never my intention to torment you with your deceased sister's memories. All I can say... Vira and Eugen are different. They are not the same person. Your sister is living in another peaceful dimension. I can make sure of that.''

Ara touched Katarina' nose like if she was someone very close to her.

''- Katarina: Ah... A-Astaroth Queen...''

''Astaroth stopped walking and snapped her fingers, suddenly giving colors and life to the empty world of Limbo. Out of nowhere, the trees were alive, the sun appeared on the skies, birds could be heard singing, the sounds of a water from a nearby river... it was like that was the Limbo before that dead and black smoke corrupted everything.''

''- Astaroth: Just call me as "Astaroth". You're my guest here, there is no need for such formality. People fear me because of my status, power and appearance but in truth I'm not really that monster people on the mortal world say me to be. I'm an vile tyrant who destroy entire universes for no reason at all? I'm a demon who corrupts people into doing evil acts? No. I do nothing of the sort.''



Astaroth turned around and walked down the peaceful forest while Katarina continued to admire the sudden modification of the environment.

''- Katarina: So, Astaroth... why my mother was sent to Limbo?''

''Katarina had enough reasons to kill that woman right now, mainly because of what she did to the world by sending her minions to Earth, causing humans to destroy themselves but she was more curious about the mystery of her own past... or actually, she doesn't want to annoy Astaroth by pushing a fight with her.''

''- Astaroth: Your mother... she was not a normal person... Well, she actually was a normal civilian living in the Japanese society, lived like a normal girl, graduated at the GDP academy, married a kind-hearted man and was too pure for that world but at some point she formed a magical contract with... someone... to escape from poverty and misery. However, she wasn't a greedy woman who wanted easy money. All she asked was a job in which she could work to gain her own honest money. She choose the hard way instead of going to the easy path where almost all humans go. Easy money. Easy fame. Easy lives... She lived and died like a honest woman she always was. Even if she wasn't a magician herself, she formed a magical contract, which affected her soul when she died, resulting in her being sent to me, in Limbo.''

''Astaroth put her hands on her mouth as if she was thinking of something. Katarina was extremely surprised with this story about her mother.''



''- Katarina: So that means... she formed a pact with another magic user... only to find a job?''

''Katarina stopped walking and looked down. it was not like she was disappointed with her mother for forming a magic contract. She was simply surprised that she could have wished for anything but choose to difficult path to live honestly.''

''- Astaroth: Yes. What a strange woman, right? But that is what made Haruko so different from all the others who formed a magical contract with other demons or magicians.''

''Suddenly, Katarina's clothes changed to a lewd bunny girl suit. It just did, out of nowhere.''

- Katarina: WHAT?!

Astaroth laughed like a normal person, obviously laughing at her outfit.

''- Astaroth: HAHAHAHAHA! Your mother worked using this bunny suit in a bar during her years as an academic student! I kept it as one of my greatest collections about humans' memories. She was probably around your age when she first wore this suit.''

''Katarina blushed and was red like an apple. She then got in her knees and covered her breasts out of shame.''



''- Astaroth: Yes, that was her reaction when she wore this suit for the first time. She endured this same for years until she found a job in the department of Global Pact Defense. Until her life came to and end... breaking our funny contract earlier than I expected.''

''Astaroth snapped her fingers, returning Katarina's clothes back to normal. The only thing Astaroth thought at the moment was that Katarina looked very much like her late mother.''

- Katarina: "Our funny contract?"

With her face red, Katarina stood up and tried to avoid to look at Astaroth's smug face.

''- Astaroth: Yes... It's a pity she died so early. And yes, Couteau, the person who she formed a pact was with me. The reason why I know everything about you, and the reason why I ordered Vira to take you to me is because I was a close friend to you mother. She was... probably the only human I truly cared. Because, like I said, she was special and different. And even now, I could see you're different from the others. In the face of extreme fear and death, you broke through the barrier of your limits and threw that piece of broken wood righ through me. You defied my own existence while many others would run away or commit suicide before I could lay my hands on them.''

"..........................."



Astaroth continued walking unti they arrived in a very beautiful open part of the forest.

- Astaroth: That's why I wanted to speak with you tonig--!

- Katarina: I had enough of this.

''Katarina had enough of this façade... Astaroth was not really lying or trying to manipulate her, she was acting too normal when her actions on Earth destroyed the lives of billions and even her own. Astaroth's minions brough death and misery to all humans of Earth and even killed some of her friends.''

''- Katarina: Why you're acting like a sisterly figure or praising my mother when you have the blood of billions in your hands? You brought demons to our world! You wrecked our world into pieces! You killed my friends! You destroyed whole nations! You killed thousand of innocent children and infants! You killed millions of innocent people! You destroyed pure families! You caused people to destroy themselves into thinking they were demons! And now you want me the next "special human" because I am Haruko's daughter! YOU DESTROYED MY FREAKING WORLD AND IS NOW EXPECTING ME TO BE YOUR... FRIEND OR WHATEVER?!! '''DON'T MESS WITH ME! '

".....!!!"



''Ara smiled and stopped walking before staring deeply in her eyes, the eyes of a woman who saw evil and death with her own eyes. Katarina passed through tragic experiences she could not even describe... one of them being the murder of her own sister, Eugen Katsuragi, by the hands of the malicious Aki Honda.''

''- Astaroth: I see... you said I brought death to billions of humans, right? I helped in the rise of the Purge and bring down the concept of civilization. I understand you hate me because of that but first, let me tell you a story, a love story of life and death. ''

Katarina sharpened her eyes as she lost her fear of Astaroth.

''- Astaroth: Once upon a time life met death in a dungeon. That’s where death lived, unlike life who lived freely in mountains. She was instantly captivated by death, his fearless nature, his determination, his abilities, his strength and his willpower. Unlike her, he knew what he wanted and he would never let it go until he reached his goals. While she kept oscillating between what if and what can be. She kept coming to this dark place just to get a glimpse of him. He was unaware of her presence. One day he was sharpening his weapons. She was staring at him from a distance. He pulled his armour and sword and struck it with red-hot heat. She was taken aback by his valour and how handsome he looked when he raised his sword. She took a step closer to get a closer look at him. In unawareness of her near surrounding, she placed her leg on wobbling stone and fell flat on her face. She screamed out of pain and started bleeding from her toe. Death was shaken by the noise and went out with a sword and rage and anger in his heart to kill the trespasser. ''

Katarina knew that fairy tale was some kind of parable to justify her actions involving death but she paid attention to it as the birds of the forest sang.



''- Astaroth: As he entered the backyard he saw a helpless lady screaming out of pain. He pulled back his sword and asked: “ Who are you? ” She raised her head to see him. She was the most beautiful creatures he has ever come across. He was taken aback by her beauty. “ My name is life. ” She answered. Death's expression changed and in an angry tone he said: “ Walk away never come back here ever again. ” Life looked down and said “ Pardon me, I was just looking around. I had no intention of harming you. ” “ I know. ” Death said and walked away. Life went back to her mountain and cried. She wanted to forget him but all she could do was to remember him more. She decided to give it a last try and tell death what she truly felt. She walked the same lane but this time with unsureness in her heart. Instead of going in the backyard she decided to go and meet death straight away. ''

Astaroth closed her eyes and blushed like a young girl telling a love story.

''- Astaroth: Death saw her coming from the distance and ignored her. “ Why are you doing this to me? ” “ Doing what? ” “ Avoiding me! ” “ I am not avoiding you. We are just not good enough for each other. ” “ Why? ” “ Because we just aren’t. Don’t ask too many questions. ” He said. “ But I have started to like you. I don’t have any friends. I just need you to be there. ” “I told you to go away. ” “ I won’t unless you tell me why? ” “ Because if we come together we will destroy this universe. ” “ That is not true. I. ” Life hesitated and with the low voice said “ I love you. ” Death looked at her and said nothing silence filled the space between them. Death started walking away and she said: “ Don’t do this to me. ” “ I have to. ” And death went inside his room. Tears rolled down her eyes and she too walked back home with a heavy heart. Time passed hours rolled to days and days to months. ''

Katarina was now caught by that tale and was no longer acting with hostility.



''- Astaroth: One day, life in her usual attire was sitting near a treetop. Death was walking down the hill. She saw him and called him. “ Hey, you! ” She lost the balance while waving at him. Death looked up and saw her falling to the ground. He flew towards her and caught her by his arms. Life looked into his eyes and he looked back. They both lost themselves for a minute. “ Remember never fall in love. That will be the destruction of everything that ever existed ” His father once told him. He kept her back on the ground. “ What are you doing here? ” She asked. “ I came here to meet you. ” “ Why? ” She enquired back. " Because I missed you. " “ Really, you did. ” “ Yes. ” “ But you told me we are not good enough for each other. ” “ Yes, I did. We are not. But I cannot stay away from you for so long. ” “ Neither can I. ” She cried. She hugged him and they united, that very second this universe was burst into a bubble and the whole world was absorbed into a black hole. Everything turned to nothing. There was no life, no death. Just plain black nothingness. After eons, there was a big bang and it gave birth to this universe. Every being that was ever born on the existence since then has to die. And every dead being on this existence has to be born again. And in between life and death, the only thing they will crave for is love. Life and death will be eternal lovers for eternity to come. And this is the greatest love story of all time.''

''Astaroth began to cry tears of blood but soon she wiped out them with her hands... she must be a very romantic person despite her trickster personality. Katarina only stared at her with a poker face, but she will not deny she found that story to be interesting.''



''- Astaroth: Life and death are natural parts of life. They come and disappear, and so do I. As the Astaroth Queen, I'm a Force of Nature who keeps the balance of the existence. The balance between life and death. Between light and darkness. And between Good and evil. This is why I attacked you planet... simply because the time had come for you all; to be balanced in the hands of fate. Through death itself, a new life is born... this is the circle of life and my duty as Astaroth Queen. The reason why I use Black Demons is because they are also part of the Force of Nature that keeps balance between the divine and mortal worlds. If humans kill themselves for their own selfish reasons then this is not something to be praised as life and death comes naturally and go away by the hands of their representatives. Those who abuse of this natural circle are simply selfish mortals.'' She then slowly opened her eyes.



''- Astaroth: The reason why I came to Earth is because the unholy war between humans against humans, this Third World War, is vile and does not help in the balance between life and death. This is simple murder and endless destruction out of pure greed, hatred and selfishness. Nothing more than that. Life and death must come from the force of nature, by the will of nature, the very creation itself. If emotions are involved in the death of a living being, then that means this is unecessary to the world universe's elements. War is just like that too. The anger and hatred life creates destroy the very concept of death itself... and as the representative of Death of this reality, it's my duty to wipe out all humans before they can destroy themselves and leave nothing behind to grow. ''

''Katarina could understand if Astaroth was the death itself, that means she is only doing her work... but why bringing so much suffering? Why causing so much destruction? She is just making the world even more disgraceful, leaving nothing behind.''



''- Katarina: Then why you're slowly destroying us instead of giving us a quick death for our sins? Even if saints and pure people are disappearing of this world, that doesn't mean you need to bring even more pain upon us as not everyone wanted this war to happen. ''

"............."

Suddenly, the skies above them began to twist and exposed the beautiful shining stars of the infinite universe.

''- Astaroth: The answer is simply: punishment. The human race disgraced this beautiful creation, they abused of their own lands to satisfy their own needs, they killed animals not to survive but for profit, they killed irrational creatures just to adorn themselves with beautiful accessories and cloths, they destroyed whole lands with their weapons of mass-destruction just to show who is superior and finally destroyed their own world because of their stupidity. And you ask me "why?". Punishment. If the unholy evil stained the Earth by the hands of humans, then I also must stain this world with the "rightfully evil", an evil that is part of Force of Nature to keep the balance and then wipe out all human race to build a new world where peace reigns and life grows without interference. But rest assured, once it's done, a new more pure and gentle race will inhabit the planet to fulfill the role that mankind could not. Do you understand now... Couteau?''



''Katarina was out of words... that was perfect... she was right... that was the true word of a Force of Nature. She is alive in this world for many years and know the true nature of humans. Even if there are innocent people in this world, that doesn't mean their mere existence might change the world where most of them are stained in black. Astaroth was just that entity of evil, death and destruction. She is the right destruction this world needs, what all humans are doing is nothing but pure destruction without any benefits for the universe.''

''Astaroth was the salvior of this world but its destroyer. She is the killer but the good guy. She is the light but darkness at the same time. She destroy everything they built but creates a new world when the previous owners failed in making this world a proper place to live. That was it. That was the true truth no one could deny.''

- Katarina: Y-You...



''Astaroth then snapped her fingers, changing the world around them again at her command. What Katarina saw next shocked her. She was in one of the WWIII's battlefields, a town completely obliterated by bombs and artillery. ''

''In front of them, there was a squad of KnightWalker executing civilians in cold-blood. The first shoot on the kids of people who had children just to see them suffer... and after minutes of agony, they put an ending to their suffering by finishing them with a bullet in their heads.''

''Seeing that, Katarina looked away... and she thought she was used to see violence and brutality... but not like that.''

- Katarina: This is awful.



Astaroth nodded and pet Katarina.

''- Astaroth: Ahh... this is true. This is awful, but this a mere example of what mankind did in their reign over this world. And you know that very well, after you all saw the worst kind of trash rise in this world. Eckidina KnightWalker, Aki Honda, Juria KnightWalker, Michael Langdon, Terra of the Left and even Mina Harker. I could mention all types of crimes mankind did to this world, from simple murders to genocide of entire races. But I guess this is not necessary. ''

''Astaroth then snapped her fingers again, changing the reality to a calm and peaceful world above the clouds. ''

- Katarina: This is...

''Katarina's eyes shone in th beauty of this place. It was heaven but is more known as the Paradise to all Christians of the world, a place of eternal purity and peace.''

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''- Astaroth: Heaven, yes. This is the best place to see the advance of humanity throughout history. And let me tell you: the results are not good.''



Astaroth and Katarina went up the stairs while Katarina still confused about what exactly is happening.

''- Katarina: Anyway... how do you do that? I mean... change this world at will.'' Katarina continued to show some kind of hostility towards Astaroth but she at least knew this woman was not trying to hurt her or anything--Rather, she is trying to prove her point of view and show her why she is doing all of that.

''- Astaroth: It's because I control Limbo. It was me who created this dimension million years ago to judge magic users. If this magic user is a magician who did great sins but it's not a person of pure evil than this person will be sent to another floor of Limbo to be purged of their sins so they can go to Paradise... And as for the magicians who have a dark heart, they will be tormented and sent to Hell. It works like the Purgatory.''

''Katarina at least watched some fantasy and religious films to know the nature of Limbo and Purgatory. They are almost similar but different in many aspects.''



- Katarina: I think I got it.

''Arring at the top of the skies, Astaroth and Katarina looked at the ground and saw an image of an ancient village. Actually, that village was similar to the one Katarina saw back then, but that one was full of life.''

''- Katarina: Wait... this is...''

''- Astaroth: A vision of the past. In the human religions, they believed there was a God who watched over them from the skies, watching their lives, for God was everywhere and nowhere at the same time.''

''Katarina rubbed her eyes; she also pinched her cheeks and confirmed that she wasn't daydreaming. She was truly looking at an ancient village of humans, when technology did not even exist.''



''- Astaroth: Yes, this is the vision of what they would call God until the present. We are right now looking from the point of view of what they would call God. We are right now looking to the past, when mankind was vague and didn't form a society.''

''From what it seems, they are probably looking at a village of the year 100 or less. ''

- Katarina: But how?

Astaroth twisted her shoulders with a smug smile.

''- Astaroth: I told you, I can do anything down here. Limbo is my personal world I can changed at will. I can even show images of another universes and even from insides. And like that I can change my size, shape and create anything I imagine. In other words, I'm a Goddess here. Once someone enter in my reign, they are under my influence, the laws of reality doesn't work here.''



Katarina blinked several times and looked back at the ground showing the daily lives of all humans who lived at that era.

- Katarina: Why are you showing me this?

Astaroth put her hands in her hips and replied.

''- Astaroth: Simple. At that time, most of humans were under the influence of Mother Nature. They didn't have weapons of mass destruction, they didn't create wars for greedy, they built societies innocently... well, it just MOST of them, but humans were never innocent to begin with because they were blessed with the Fruit of Knowledge. In resume, mankind at that time was just like all other species of this planet, eating and getting only what is necessary to live. I'm showing it to you tho show the difference of humans from the past and future.''



Suddenly, the ground in front of them closed, leaving only clouds but soon Ara rose her hand and a miniature of Earth appeared on her hand like a small ball.

''- Astaroth: This Earth I'm holding is a miniature of Earth. The vision you saw on the ground was a village that exists inside of this Earth. My power allows me to create a perfect replica of Earth, copying its elements, geography, history, people and even time itself. So, what do you have to say, Katarina?''

Katarina stared at the Earth.

- Katarina: Say about what?

''- Astaroth: Mankind. What you have you to say about this mankind you saw earlier? At that time, they were defenseless and would commit only small sins and crimes that could be forgiven by the Gods and even by myself. They didn't destroy the Mother Nature out of greedy or for profit. That time was peaceful and beautiful. No wars. No conflicts. No violence in large scale. No drugs. No weapons. No religions and policies. It was perfect. The ideal world for a primitive but pure race.''



''Katarina did not what to answer but the answer was obvious. There was a huge difference between the ancient human race that killed and destroyed only to survive while the future mankind did all of that out of pure greedy and evil will. Killing and destroying nature for money is just one of 'many differences.''

''Without warning, the EarthAstaroth was holding began to change its colors... the blue and beautiful planet was slowly being stained in brown like if pollution was changing the colors of the world--No, it was actually pollution. What Katarina was seeing was the planet Earth advancing to the future and mankind's technological advance.''

- Katarina: The Earth is...



''- Astaroth: Yes, what you're looking at right now is YOUR Earth. The Earth you're living in after centuries of pollution and destruction. And this...''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Suddenly, the Earth she was holding began to shine in several shining points. They were small like if several towns were on fire... yes... what she was looking at was the beginning of World War III, the night KnightWalker Family waged the WWIII and began the world's most destructive conflicts.''

''Bombs were falling everywhere across Asia, Oceania and Europe. ''

''The beginning of the end. Katarina stared at this beautiful Earth burning to the groud as the days passed inside of it. The war continued to wreck havoc the world, destroying everything that was beautiful.''



''- Astaroth: Hey, Katarina, let me tell you something about me. I’m such a negative person, and always have been. Was I born that way? I don’t know. I am constantly disgusted by reality, horrified and afraid. I cling desperately to the few things that give me some solace, that make me feel good.''

''Astaroth showed the once beautiful forests being burned to the ground by the actions of man. Even if there were people who helped to save it, another fire began by the hands of the same race.''

''- Astaroth: I hate most of humanity. Though I might be very fond of particular individuals, humanity in general fills me with contempt and despair. I hate most of what passes for civilization. I hate the modern world. For one thing there are just too many people. I hate the hordes, the crowds in their vast cities, with all their hateful vehicles, their noise and their constant meaningless comings and goings. I hate cars. I hate modern architecture. Every building built after 1955 should be torn down! I hate how they get addicted to small things like internet and post false emotions and words so they can get more views and followers. Be it in videos or social media.''

''Astaroth's coldness began to disappear as she finally confessed her hatred for mankind... a justified hatred and just as she continued to speak, the beautiful world she once showed Katarina was dying by the hands of men.''



''- Astaroth: I despise modern music. Words cannot express how much it gets on my nerves – the false, pretentious, smug assertiveness of it. These goddmaned cellphones people can't simply look away for a second. They all become ignorants and divided their own society because of religion and policy. I hate all drugs who addict people into doing evil acts of murder their own loved ones just to get their money and get more vicious drugs. I hate business, having to deal with money. Money is one of the most hateful inventions of the human race. I hate the commodity culture, in which everything is bought and sold. No stone is left unturned. ''

''And the world continued to die... rivers disappeared. The oceans were rising. Whole species of anaimals were dying for the lack of food and water. Katarina... couldn't get less scared.''



''- Astaroth: I hate the mass media, and how passively people suck up to itm being manipulated by them into doing what they want or thinking in what they want them to think. I hate having to return to this planet and face another day of this insanity while I see mankind and other pathetic monsters destroying the beauty of this world I wanted to protect. I hate having to see you people eat the same industrialized trash that maintain the body – I hate your body. The thought of your internal functions, the organs, digestion, the brain, the nervous system, horrify me... To think you transform the natural resources of the world into something disgusting...''

Astaroth continued to get more aggressive and was clear she could no longer stop herself from telling Katarina what she hate the most on mankind but until now...

- Katarina: .....................



''- Astaroth: Your world is horrible. It’s not cute and loveable. It’s kill or be killed. It's all about taking opportunity to win something from behind the others' back. It’s very dangerous out there. Your world is filled with violence, poverty and false emotions of friendship. I hate the whole way that human system functions. Work to death to win a misery to survive, resulting in people becoming criminals to get an easier life which even I may understand why they choose this path. They say to all scumbags of society to learn but no one is there to teach them because everyone are just big speakers and are too lazy to get out of their pathetic lives.''

Astaroth began to bit her lips while her eyes' colors changed to red.



''- Astaroth: Sex is especially hateful and horrifying, the male penetrating the female, his genitals goes into her hole, she's impregnated, another being grows inside her, and then she must go through a painful ordeal as the new being pushes out of her, only to repeat the whole process in time. Reproduction – what could be more existentially repulsive? I could understand this is a natural part of life and nature but what it made me truly disgusted is how the mordern society turned sex into a pleasure-driving obsession. And what disgusts me the most is how people enjoy this... this dirty action of reproduction filled with juices and disgusting sexual diseases. Society is so screwed up that sex is now something like signing your suicide contract; people are infected everywhere with goddmaned plagues and virus. ''

''Astaroth's strange aura began to appear again as she continued to speak endless about mankind... and as a mere ExKrieg, Katarina could only step back in fear.''



''- Astaroth: I hate the way the human psyche works, the way they are traumatized and stupidly imprinted in early childhood and have to spend the rest of their lives trying to overcome these infantile mental fixations! And they never ever fully succeed in this endeavor! I hate organized religions! Religions that caused countless wars and used an excuse for xenophobia and racism! I hate governments that divided society in right and left! It’s all a lot of power games played out by ambition-driven people, and foisted on the weak, the poor, and on children! Most humans are bullies! Adults pick on children! Older children pick on younger children! Men bully women! The rich bully the poor! People love to dominate but flee when the cowards are overthrow! I hate the way humans worship power and fame – one of the most disgusting of all human traits is to follow false prophets, musicians, authors and people with talent because they want to be among them!''

''The ground around Astaroth began to be stained in black thanks to her dark aura... there was no doubt that Astaroth was losing control. Her hatred for mankind was immense but everything she was saying was making sense to Katarina. Now, the Earth in her hands was in flames while all living beings were falling in an endless sea of fire; the Fiery Pit.''



''- Astaroth: I hate the human tendency towards revenge and vindictiveness! I hate the way humans are constantly trying to trick and deceive one another, to swindle, to cheat, and take unfair advantage of the innocent, the naïve and the ignorant for money and profit! I hate the vacuous, false, banal conversation that goes on among people, talking like if they were friends when inside of their minds they are cursing each other! Sometimes I feel suffocated; I want to fix this world by wiping out every single one of you! To tell the truth, I'm not punishing you with the Purge because I'm following my duty as a Goddess of Death! For me, human is the most disgusting creature I can think of... No! All mortals are equal! The mistakes of all Gods! The cruelty incarnated in one single being! When I suddenly realize that I was like them in appearance, I want to scream in horror!!''

''The world continued to burn while thousand of screams could be heard coming from it. The smoke of the fire was filled with the faces of humans in agony. For Astaroth... that was the paradise. That was the ideal punishment for all humans of this planet; plunged into a fiery pit for all eternity.''

''Suddenly, Astaroth shut herself and gazed at Katarina with red glowing eyes of the doom. She was now making a hateful expression full of disgust and anger.''



''- Astaroth: You're no different from them... Katarina Couteau. You're unlike your mother in many aspects.''

''Katarina widened her eyes but she was out of words to defend herself... actually, she felt like if she was no one to defend herself. Until now, Astaroth only told the pure truth, she was not lying or trying to manipulate Katarina's way of thinking.''

''- Astaroth: Your mother was different. She was special and full of surprises... But I don't expect nothing of you and all humans, and disown the race. The only folly is expecting what is never attained; man is most contemptible when compared with his own pretensions. It is better to laugh at man from outside the universe, than to weep for him within. Look at yourself, Katarina... will you try to deny you're enjoying this?!''

Katarina stepped backwards while her vision was filled with illusions of herself killing Mafusa Gangsters and enjoying the chaos of the war during her missions in Ratatoskr.

''- Astaroth: I've to tell you your true self. This whole nonsense of saving the world your friends put on you and all things you have been doing to save the world recently... It's not you. The true truth is that you're a sadistic killer like your enemies, and that woman who killed your sister, Aki Honda. You're a woman who lives struggling in violence, chaos and mayhem. You're sadistic woman hidding behind the façade of a goofy and amazon woma. You love the suffering of your opponents. You enjoy fighting because it's fun. You live for fighting to find a reason to live on the middle of the battle, because a world of peace is not what you want. All you want is endless war so you can find yourself in the battlefield to escape from your boredom and find a reason to live killing people.''



''Katarina felt a painful headache and fell in her knees while she continued to tormented by images of her true-self. A brutal killer who inflict pain in other people to have self-satisfaction. ''

''- Astaroth: You joined Ratatoskr because they gave you missions to fight the Fallen's Essence and his minions. With enemies to fight, you had a reason to kill someone, you had an excuse to feel the blood of someone in your hands, you had a reason to live inflicting pain, Kotori gave you something you can enjoy, Ratatoskr was a place where you could break your own social chains and free yourself! Obviously, you were smarter and kept this side hidden from everyone.''

".............."

''Katarina put both of her hands in her head as many of memories of her past continued to invade her mind without control. Her sanity was being invaded by her own memories.''

''- Astaroth: Mana Takamiya was someone who let herself be corrupted because she was weak. Deep inside, you never cared about her for being a child and for being weaker than you. That is a prove of how you never considered anyone around you a true family. You only see them as comrades you can rely on to help you find new places to fight and kill.''

Katarina shouted while struggling against the pain in her head.

- Katarina: THAT'S NOT TRUE!

''- Astaroth: So you fight for something else besides your own self-satisfaction? Why do you contnue to fight?''

- Katarina: Because people ask me to fight!

Katarina's eyes began to blood.

''- Astaroth: So you fight? ''

''- Katarina: Isn't it OK?! It's for the sake of everybody! Isn't it OK?!''

''- Astaroth: You fight for the sake of others? And at the same time you find fun slaughtering your enemies in cold-blood? ''

Katarina was losing her self-control and let out her most dark secrets.



''- Katarina: Yes! That is a good thing! That is a very good thing! Everyone prases me when I fight! I find more friends and people praise me! I was never so adored by people around me before! I suffered bullying in the hands of society while everyone laughed at me! For the first time I found a place where I could free myself and be praised for it! I enjoy it while other people cheer for me!''

''The heaven around them began to disappear and there was nothing but empty darkness. An infinite space of blackness. There was nothing but Astaroth and Katarina there.''

''- Astaroth: That's a lie. ''

Katarina gazed at Astaroth's feet.

''- Katarina: What?! ''



''- Astaroth: You idiot? After all, it's for the sake of oneself. What you're doing is only for yourself. You created an image of yourself where you're a perfect heroine. You believed in this image of yourself so badly you started to see yourself like that... you lost your identity.''

"....!!!!!"

Katarina began to cry tears of blood.

''- Katarina: Eh? ''

''- Astaroth: And you excuse yourself as usual. To think that you are doing your best for the sake of others is itself an easy way to live. ''

Katarina tried to stood up, just then the images of herself acting like a savage murderer disappeared but her vision was blurred.

''- Katarina: I-Is that so? ''

''- Astaroth: In other words, you are lonely, Katarina. You're still being tormented by the ghosts of your past. The training you had with the Rogues didn't work out. Instead, it only made you worse. You created a vision of yourself. A vision where you could rely on to unleash your primal desires. ''

Astaroth slowly recovered her senses and was now calm, no longer acting with fury.

''- Katarina: ............................ Is that so? ''

''Katarina embraced herself and wiped out her tears... but now her eyes were empty like if they were dead.''

''- Astaroth: That's nothing but a dependent or symbiotic relationship. ''

''- Katarina: .......................... That might be. ''



''Katarina looked down as Astaroth continued to tell the truth about herself. ''

''- Astaroth: All you wish is that people depend on you. And while they depend on you, you think you have all rights to kill your enemies in the most brutish ways. You're a egomaniac who believe in your lies.''

''- Katarina: That might be... true...''

''- Astaroth: All you do is to wait for someone's giving you a happiness. A false happiness.''

''Katarina began to cry as her legs began to shake. If she couldn't defend herself because everything she was telling was true.''

''- Katarina: U-Useless am I. No one needs me. No one needs someone who can't fight! That's why I fight! Ratatoskr and the Rogues are the only place where I could find myself! If I continued fighting, I would be useful and adored by everyone! Lucas, Tomas, Imperia, Shigure... everyone would praise me and depend on me! At the same time, I could unleash myself in my enemies! It works for everyone so why this is not RIGHT?! HUH?!''​​​​​​



''Astaroth's strange black aura changed to a bloody red one as a strange claw came out of her bandaged left arm... It was a demonic claw larger than a human's hand... that thing was scary... and combined with the screams coming from the Earth Astaroth was holding, she could hear millions of scream of pain and agony coming from her arm.''

- (???): 'HELP ME!!! GOD!!!'

- (??? 1): 'FORGIVE ME!! MY LORD!!!'

- (??? 2): SAVE ME!!!

- (??? 3): 'WATER!!! WATER!!! IT'S SO HOT!! TAKE ME OUT OF THIS PLACE!!!'

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''So loud... so many of them...''



''And more, more, more, more, more, more voices continued to scream and cry for help. Voices of men, women and even children could be heard coming from that hand. That was the perfect vision of Hell.''

''Suddenly, the Earth Astaroth was holding exploded in a red explosion. The miniature of the once beautiful Earth, that was now turned into a hellish dystopia, began to explode into the oblivion.''​​​​​

''- Astaroth: No. This is a false happiness, Katarina. Just like this Earth here.''

".........!!!!!"



''Astaroth then released the Earth, letting it float between her and Katarina. Just like that, the Earth began to be devoured by its own core, sucking the surface of the planet into the hellish core of the world. ''

Alongside the sounds of earth cracking and explosions, more screams came from it, like if billions of souls were being throw into a single abyss.

''- Astaroth: But beside your own false happiness, you are trying to find yourself within others. ''

''- Katarina: Shut up! ''

''- Astaroth: You fear being alone. So you continue to fight so you can be acknowledged by everyone around you. You fear because you'd be erased together with others. ''

<p style="text-align:center;"> '- Katarina: Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! I don't wanna be told that by a monster like you!!'

''Astaroth stared at Katarina with pit, but more like if she was disgusted of that woman. Katarina continue to avoid looking at Astaroth's eyes.''

''​​​​​- Katarina: H-Hey... why this is happening to me? ''

Astaroth looked around with a tone of anger.

''- Astaroth: Punishment, but at the same time, it's your revelation. We are no longer in Limbo. This blackness is your mind. This is the "me" within your mind and at the same time, it's my mind within you. How do you find yourself in this world, Katarina?''

''- Katarina: In order for me to find myself, I have to feel myself in other people. I have to gaze inside of me. I have to gaze myself within me reflecting in other people. I did that when I was a child... when my parents died... Haruko and Iruka... they left me in this rotten world.''

Katarina did not look away from the empty ground.

''- Astaroth: What do you hope for? You wanna be a good child to your foster parents? When Iruka and Haruko died in tha car accident, you were adopted by another family... but this family was abusive so you had to be a good child for them. Do you remember them... Hana Langley? Why do you had to be a good child in your childhood?''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"



''This... is something that Katarina never told to no one, but Astaroth continued to bring her worst memories.''

- Katarina: Because that time I had to be a good girl!

- Astaroth: Why, my chid?

"...........'"

''Suddenly, Katarina's body was smaller... she now was in form of herself when she was a child. She was naked while crying on the floor''

''- Katarina (child): Because I don't have a daddy. Because I have to be a good girl and not bother mommy. But, I don't wanna be like my mom. When daddy is absent, mom is always crying. I can't cry! I can't depend on anyone else! So must I be a good child! That way, daddy may not hate me!''

Astaroth's eyes began to shine as the red aura around her began to disappear.

''- Katarina (child): But I hate my daddy. So I hate my daddy.. I disliked him! I'm tired of keeping myself pure, pretending to be pure. I'm tired. I want to disgrace myself. I want to destroy everything. I wished to see the true me dirty. I wanted to beat other children... because their pain would help me unleash my inner wrath and hatred. Daddy and mommy abused me... My daddy hit my mommy, and my mommy beat me... so I had to beat others... that was wrong? I am not wrong, right?!''

"..................."

''- Astaroth: So you began your own journey to become the most wicked one of Tenguu City? Beating, abusing, torturing and even killing other children and Mafusa Gangsters to break your own chains of being a good girl? So you began a outlaw to disgrace yourself?''

''Suddenly, Katarina's arch-enemy, the Fallen's Essence, appeared before Katarina while Astaroth was standing beside him. Judging from his form, it seems he is just a illusion--No, it's a memory of Katarina's past. A memory she had with the Fallen.''

<p style="text-align:center;">

'' - The Fallen (memories): [No, it's not. Be honest, Katarina Couteau. It's the 10 seconds between starting and finishing when you're not thinking in anything. No family, no responsibilities... Just you. Being free. I've to tell you: this whole nonsense of saving the world that Kotori Itsuka put on you and all things you have been doing to save the world recently... It's not you. You're a killer. You're a woman who lives fighting and see the suffering from your opponents. You live for fighting to find a reason to live on the middle of the battle. Be who you are. Be free. Do what you want to do. Why live like a dog swinging your tail behind Kotori Itsuka when you can get out from your cage and live your whole life on your own path without anyone saying you what to do? Join me, Katarina. Together, we can create a world where we can be free. Out of our duty of serving our leaders. We can create a world according to our image. Our desires. Without rules, laws or strings to control us. You're a fighter with thirst for blood and I'm a conqueror of worlds who unleash the most dark creatures living inside of humans. Think about it: we mate and our desires are similar; we want a world where we can do whatever we want... See? You're just forcing yourself to fight me. You know I can turn you to what you were before you met La Folia Rihavein... Or better, Imperia Deamonne. At that time, you were a woman who went to all places you wanted. But then La Folia entered in your life and your heart was cleaned by stupid things like "love" and "kindness".] ''

''The Fallen disappeared with an evil grin. What he said was the first time Katarina's true nature was exposed.''



''- Astaroth: He always knew about you. After all, you two are from the same species... Abyssals? I think this is the name... But I think you already knew about your ExKrieg-Abyssal lineage. And you don't even know from where you came from or even what exactly you are. And more importantly... when he called you to his side, you almost hesitated when you thought you could have a world where you could be yourself. Now tell me, Katarina... the Fallen and I are the only people in this world who knows who you truly are... but what would happen if the people who trust and love you saw that? Have you ever imagined that?''

''Suddenly, another figure appeared before Katarina and Astaroth. It was a tall, slender handsome man with brown hair and blue eyes wearing black clothes... that man was Ichabod Crane, the former soldier of United States of America who died almost 300 years ago. Katarina met this man back in Sleepy Hollow during her fight with Michael Langdon. ''

''Despite having a short interaction, it was clear Katarina and Ichabod had a friendly relationship. He was unlike any other men Katarina saw before, he was truly serious, complex and intelligent... If such man saw what she truly was... what would happen?''

- Katarina (child): Ichabod?

"........................."

Ichabod closed his eyes and held himself to not punch Katarina for being a woman.

''- Ichabod: To... To think the scarlet warrior I found back then was such wicked person. You're nothing more than hyprocrite trying to find yourself in other people. You slaughter your own enemies expecting to be praised and be adored by all people around you so you can be comforted in the image of yourself. A false image of yourself that you created, an image you wanted to be. But you were just using your image to enjoy the suffering of others while being the center of all atentions. You're no better than your enemies... you're the very meaning of TRASH! Stay away from me... you're repulsive and disgusting!''

".............!!!!!!!!!!!"

- Katarina (child): NO! DON'T SHOW THIS TO ICHABOD!

''- Astaroth: Why you're shamed? You can show to someone who trusted in you. You can show your egocentric and hypocrite side. Moreover, you wish to show this. ''

''- Katarina (child): NO! Stop! ''



''- Astaroth: You must be glad to show this to Ichabod. You want to show to everyone you're a disgusting two-faced woman who manipulate other people to receive their attention and be liked by everyone.''

Suddenly, Ichabod disappeared, leaving nothing but ashes.

- Katarina (child): 'NO! NO! NO WAY! THIS IS JUST AN ILLUSION! JUST A HALLUCIONATION! I FELT THAT BEFORE! I KNOW WHAT IS REALITY AND ILLUSION!'

Astaroth closed her eyes and smiled.

''- Astaroth: Fufufu... do you think I use the same pathetic psychological abilities of all from Earth? It's true that the Fallen's Essence and Ichabod were hallucinations. However, like Limbo, I can create my own future. Since I'm inside of your mind, I can't alter the setting of your mind but I have my own powers inside of your mind. By reading your memories, I can analyze the personality, appearance and features of all people who met you before. I can create a prototype of the future of all people who met you. In other words, if they saw your true nature in real-life, they would react like this... just like Ichabod. An ability that allows me to create the future of an individual.''

Katarina, who continued looking at the ground in sheer shame of having her secrets exposed, put both of her hands on her head and pressed her fingers against her skull.

''- Astaroth: I wonder, it's Maria Arzonia that you wanna show this. Maria is a holy woman even I'm interested. With such composed woman near you, how she would react if there was someone like you nearby? Unlike her previous comrades, you're totally lost in the abyss of your own mind.''

''And like that, another smoke of blackness appeared and form the image of Maria Arzonia... or better the Future Maria Arzonia.''

- Maria: ...................

- Katarina (child): NO! NO!

Maria stared at Katarina with a disappointed expression.

''- Maria: And I thought... you were different from him. I thought you were someone who could your own emotions and fight your own ghosts. But I was wrong, you're worse than Carl. At least he did not try to gain fame and attention from his own actions while pretending to be a hero. His actions were genuine, extremes but genuine. They were not false like yours, they were born out of true care, emotions that could make the lives of other people better while you were only thinking in yourself!''

Katarina rose her head, with her eyes filled with tears.

''- Katarina (child): NO! LISTEN TO ME! I W--!''

Before she could finish, Maria slapped her face, the slap was so strong that she fell on the floor again, with her mouth full of blood.

''- Maria: You're selfish...You tried to find a peace on our backs while making yourself the center of all while behind of eyes you delighted in the suffering of your enemies as you used your role as a heroine you gave to yourself. There is nothing more nasty than that. Never in my life I saw someone so disgraceful and dirty like you. A sadistic egocentric woman who sees herself as a heroine.''

''Maria tried to force a smile but soon she fell in tears... tears of disappointment. Maria was suffering, more than Katarina...''

''- Maria: A-And I truly love you... as part of my family...''

Maria turned around and walked away, disappearing in the darkness of Katarina's subconsciouness.

- Katarina (child): NO! NO! STOP THAT ALREADY!

''- Astaroth: Stop? You brought this upon yourself. You tried to use the friendship and genuine love of all your friends to become a heroine and later use them to make yourself the center of attention, fame and praise of everyone. You tried to find a peace in Ratatoskr as a false heroine while enjoying the misery and pain from all victims of the WWIII. Even I'm disgusted, Couteau... And so is your beloved Rentaro Satomi.''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''After hearing Rentaro's name, Katarina immediately widened her eyes in sheer terror. Now, Katarina was back to her young adult form.''

- Katarina: WHAT DI--?!

''Katarina felt a presence behind her, and saw her crush, the man she is supposed in love, staring at her with anger and hatred. That was the first time she saw Rentaro angry like that.''

- Katarina: Rentaro?

''With eyes fueled with wrath, Rentaro spit on her face. Why? He was not angry because of what she did to her friends and people who loved her. Astaroth was going to torment her... break her...''

''- Rentaro: Worthless whore... You're the worst! If I knew whom you truly were, I would have avoided you for years! I should have let yourself be killed by those gangsters!''

Astaroth touched Katarina's shoulder while the latter's eyes were empty like if she was dead.

''- Astaroth: Do you know why this boy is angry? He was not part of your violent world. He was just a mere student at Raizen High School. So... what happened for you to leave him so pissed off? Do you want me to show him?!''

''Katarina immediately let out a loud scream as if she there was something worse to be shown there... something darker than her own hypocrisy. It was a memory of her, a memory of her past related to Rentaro.''

- Katarina: 'NO!! DON'T SHOW HIM!!! EVERYTHING BUT NOT THAT!!'

''With a snap of fingers, Astaroth created a huge screen above her head, showing an immortal video of Katarina masturbating in her room while saying Rentaro's name. That memory was from a past that happened 3 years ago but more of them continued to appear one after another.''

''- Katarina (screen): [R-Rentaro... you p-pig... stronger...]''

"........................."

''- Katarina: N-No... Not that...''

With eyes full of despair, Katarina fell to the ground and looked behind to see that Rentaro was watching the video with tears falling from his eyes.

''- Astaroth: You know why he is crying? It's not because you were masturbing thinking of him. By the contrary, I think any man would  like to know that his woman is thinking of him in that way. Well, that would be great if their love would be a sexual one. The reason why he is crying is because even after 1 decade of pure love, you only saw him as a sexual object. The reason why you never accepted his feelings is because you were too busy thinking lewd and impure thoughts with him. Actually, you never considered him to be a person, only a sexual tool where one day you could use him as your sex-driving machine.''

''Astaroth continued to be even more disappointed with Katarina... the point is that Katarina is just being more and more exposed. That was different from Aki Honda's memory maker, she was noy changing her memories, she was showing her most disgraceful memories to all people close to her. It was only a matter of time until all of the Rogues, Ratatoskr, Witch Cult, Arzonia Family and even Raizen High School to came out of the darkness and watch the video...''

''Yes, more than 400 people were there, watching Katarina's masturbate to Rentaro... that was the most disgraceful memory a human can have in this plane of existence.''

- Katarina: DON'T LOOK!!

''Katarina tried to run away from the crowd that surrounded the area around the screen but a tentacle came out of Astaroth's back, holding her feet and making her fall to the ground in shame. Soon, more tentacles appeared and forced Katarina to watch the video by forcing her to open her eyes.''

- Katarina'' (screen): [I'm coming! A-Almost!]''

''Seeing that suffering, Astaroth abandoned her lady personality and finally showed her true-self... A pure malicious, sadistic, cold-hearted and cruel Demon Queen who was delighting in Katarina's humiliation and suffering.''

Seeing that face, Astaroth laughed like a monster.

''- Astaroth: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Mortals forget their foolishness and repeat their mistakes! If mortals do not redeem themselves willingly, they will not change! This is punishment, Couteau! There are more ways to destroy a mortal instead of death! And the best way to do it is breaking them!''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''While Astaroth was holding Katarina, an angered Rentaro walked towards her and grabbed her neck before starting to punch her in the face. For several seconds, Rentaro punched Katarina's face, breaking her nose and teeth.''

- Rentaro: 'This! Is! What! Whores! Like! You! Deserve!'

''From behind Rentaro, the crowd that was fully composed of people who knew Katarina, stared at her with disgust while some others avoided looking at her for being too shocked with this revelation... on the other side, people like her enemies; Eckidina KnightWalker, Aki Honda, Michael Langdon, Terra of the Left and even Akrak Couteau were laughing at her.''

''- Akrak: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! WHAT A PATHETIC SIGHT, RED HAIRED DEMON!!''

''- Michael: HAHAHAHAHAHA!! And I thought you to be a threat! I was wrong! You're nothing more than a slut! I guess I understimated you! In the end, it was just my fault I got wounded by you in Sleepy Hollow!''

Michael and Eckidina stepped forward and left the crowd that was formed from all her enemies and most personal evil-doers.

''- Eckidina: KYAHAHAHAHA!!! NOT EVEN I'M SUCH WHORE, YOU KNOW! SERVES YOU RIGHT! YOU DIRTY BITCH!''

Suddenly, Rentaro stopped punching her and everyone behind him disappeared in ashes, leaving nothing behind but  Astaroth herself who made the screen disappear.

''- Astaroth: Ahh... look at yourself, Red Haired Demon. We are away from ending like this. Look, there is someone who wants to talk to you.''

''Astaroth grabbed Katarina by the neck, and showed Sephiria Arks KnightWalker seated on a chair while gazing at her with boredom. Katarina, who had her nose and several teeth broken by Rentaro, was now fully healed and all blood on her face disappeared.''

- Sephiria: I think you got it wrong, I don't see no one here worth of my presence.

With the same prideful personality of her, Sephiria closed her eyes and stood up before turning around and walking away, disappearing in the darkness.

''- Astaroth: Opss! I was wrong! There is no one here who wants to look at your face! But I guess you parents would love to see you. Do you want to remember those days?''

Astaroth giggled maliciously and threw Katarina on the floor like if she was a trash bag.



''- Astaroth: But man... I have to tell, I never thought you would be so easy to break. Well, with all those secrets anyone couldn't hold for too long. But even myself I was getting tired of keeping that façade of a sophisticated woman acting like a holy-than-thou Goddess! I'm almost like you in a sense!''

''Suddenly, Katarina's body changed once again, returning her to her child form... But now, Katarina was almost broken. No one in her entire life made her feel such brutal and cruel psychological experience. If she was hurt physically too, then she would have been pushed to insanity by now.''

- Katarina: K..K...K..

''- Astaroth: K...K...K... HAHAHAHA! That sounds so pathetic, Couteau! KKK what? Kux Klun Klan? But yeah, I'm not done with you. Shall I take you to old days during your childhood? Maybe you can find something back then you could have avoided before becoming this trash of woman you're now.''

''Astaroth then rose her demonic hand that had the sound of cracking wood and grabbed Katarina's head, giving her visions of her past when she was a child. ''

''This memory takes place 14 years ago, almost 4 years after Haruko and Iruka Couteau's death in a car accident... that was the beginning of everything... the day Katarina was adopted by the Langley family.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Astaroth: Be a good girl, Couteau!

Katarina's Flashback - Adoptive Family
<p style="text-align:center;"> 14 years ago  <p style="text-align:center;"> Japan  <p style="text-align:center;"> Tenguu City  <p style="text-align:center;"> House of the Langleys  <p style="text-align:center;"> 09:34 PM 

''Entering in Katarina's mind, Astaroth forced her to review her most darkest memories. While she was doing that, Katarina appeared in her normal young adult form beside Astaroth.''

''- Katarina: No... Not this house...''

Now, they were standing on the middle of a street at the town of Tenguu City but no one around them could feel, hear or see their presence, after all, it was a memory.

''Katarina began to shake in fear as she went pale all ouf sudden. Yes, that house was part of Katarina's past.​​​​​​''

''- Astaroth: This is your memories from 14 years ago. At that time your parents, Iruka and Haruko had already died in a car accident. Following their death, you became an orphan for almost 4 years until a couple close to Couteau family decided to adopt you as their child. So... what do you want, Katarina?''

Katarina wanted to hide her face again but her move was not moving.



''​- Katarina: I wanted to live alone... I don't needed daddy or mommy. I could take care of myself. My only family died at that accident... but I had no option but to decide the adults choose my path.''

''That was a part of Katarina's memory. When her parents died, she was sent to an Orphanage for months until a family close to Couteau family appeared and adopted her as she was the daughter of both Iruka and Haruko. They were the Langley family, a German family involved with the Global Pact Defense.''

''- Astaroth:. You don't want to cry anymore?''

''Suddenly, a black car appeared and stopped in front of the house. ''

''- Katarina: I vowed to myself to never cry anymore because this is what good girls do. They don't bother their parents with their whinning.''

''From the black car, two people left, a man and a woman. After that, another person left the car from the back seat. It was a red-haired girl with an enraged expression. Yes, that was...''

- Astaroth: That was you, Couteau.



''Yes, that girl who left the car was a young Katarina. And that car belonged to the orphanage where she was living at. ''

''The man who was driving the car knocked on the door of that house while Katarina followed the woman who was dressing a nun's outfit. After that, a person opened the door, it was a middle-aged woman with blonde hair.''

''- Man (memory): Excuse me, Ms. Hana Langley. We brought yout child as promised.''

''The woman who looked gentle and kind-hearted saw Katarina and got in her knees before her. She began to pet the head of the red-haired girl with a kind smile.''

However, just as they were at that moment, both Katarinas could feel a sense of relaxation coming from that man and woman who were delivering her to the Langleys.

- Man (memory): ...............



- Woman (memory): ................

''Katarina spotted a grin coming from their mouths. It was not a gentle one, but a malicious one.''​​​

''- Woman (memory): Miss Hana, I must inform you that the daughter of Couteau family is... a troublemaker.''

Hana stopped petting Katarina and gazed at the nun.

- Hana (memory): Troublemaker?

''- Man (memory): Yes. She is always making confusions with other children... last time a boy stole her toy and she answered this action by throwing a rock at his head. Not even the teachers liked her too due to her rebellious personality. But I don't blame her... I guess the lack of education is the answer... but her parents are already dead so she never got the chance to be educated unlike other children who had their parents at some points in their lives.''

Seeing that, Astaroth blinked and changed her sight to Katarina beside her, who was watching that scene with extreme fear.

''- Woman (memory): It's just as you heard... Because of her aggressive behavior we couldn't keep her for too long in the orphanage out of fear of her causing a disaster. So we are happy to have someone like you and your husband taking care of her. I believe what she needs is a true family.''

Suddenly, the world around them disappeared, leaving only infinite blackness again.

''- Astaroth: And so you vowed to never see them as your family because you promised to yourself years ago to never have another family. I lived part of your childhood in an orphanage where you suffered bullying thanks to your scarlet eyes and hair. Oh yeah, they called you a Red Devil... And it turns out some Mafusa Gangsters whom were children at the time met you, and from there they grew up and nicknamed you as Red Haired Demon in the future when Mafusa Gang was formed.''

​​​​​​Katarina clenched her fists while Astaroth paid attention to her words.

''- Katarina: I vowed to never see the Langleys as my family, no matter if they were close friends to my late parents. But I had to be a good girl, because at least they gave me a home and took me out of that orphanage which I consider to be the most dreadful place in this Earth. But, my days as their daughter were counted because the couple was destabilized. They fought very often, my father was a drinker who cheated on her almost all weeks and she was a depressive person who could barely live without him. So I had to be a good girl to avoid being the center of attention. I had to be a good girl to not be a problem for her. But in the end, my own mother unleashed all her anger on me, beating me all days and night when my father was out or stopped abusing her.''

''The world around then once again began to change, now they were inside of the Langley's house. It's been many weeks later after Katarina was adopted.''

- Astaroth: And then, Hana Langley put all the blame on your existence as she noticed when you arrived at their house, tragedies and problems began to appear one after another in their lives. ​​​​​

<p style="text-align:center;"> Days later... <p style="text-align:center;"> House of the Langleys <p style="text-align:center;"> Living Room



''Days later, the couple that adopted Katarina was discussing in the living room about her. At those days, the couple was passing though difficulty days as Hana's husband was constantly being abuisng and cheating on his wife.''

''- Hana (memory): It's difficult for me to deal with that child.  Hana's husband was seated on the sofa gazing at her with a cold expression.''

''- Langley Husband (memory): You're worried? It's not like you, a doctor from STAR LABS. Could it be Mina Harker is going easy on you? A kid should be easy for you.''

''Yes, at that time, Hana Langley was one of STAR LABS' workers at their facility in the Japanese Branch. Like aforementioned, she was affiliated to Global Pact Defense. And as such, Mina Harker was her boss.''

''- Hana (memory): A Doctor is a human, as I said before. And no, Mina Harker is not going easy on us. Recently she began to some kind of new experiment called Noro... we don't know the nature of this thing but...''

The husband began to drink a beer while a young Katarina was listening to their conversation from behind the door.

''- Langley Husband (memory): But still, how can a professional like you... Well, she lost her parents, after all.''

Hana clenched her fists and felt hatred when she thought about Katarina.

''- Hana (memory): She is quite adult in some ways and rejects everything about me with tension. Sometimes she even scares me. Don't you think so? Her presence here is a curse.''

''The thing is, Hana was trying to push everything on Katarina, the abuse, cheating, aggression and distrust between the couple as it all started when she arrived in their house. She was doing that to believe in something that is destroying their marriage.''

- Langley Husband (memory): Well, you are her new mother, after all.

''- Hana (memory): I became your wife before that. ''

Hana sharpened her eyes while the husband yawned like if he was bored.

- Langley Husband (memory): Didn't you become them at the same time?

".........................."

With a false smile, the husband replied her.

''- Hana (memory): Yes, from a social standpoint. However, I can stop being her mother at anytime, though you cannot stop being her father. ''

''After listening to that, Katarina who was spying them behind the door slowly walked away, but for some reason she was not angry. She was like usual.''

- Langley Husband (memory): That might be true.

''The present Katarina closed her eyes as she saw the young Katarina walking away from the living room. She was sad for herself for taking the blame of everything happening... even though she did her best to be a good girl.''

''- Astaroth: They were jerks. Both of them. The truth is that your mother was simply putting the guilty of your father's abuses on you so she could continue to love him. She created an image of yourself where you were the villain.''

''Astaroth snapped her fingers, causing the time to advance in the speed of light. They continued standing on the living room and suddenly the time stopped. At the same place...''

<p style="text-align:center;">' Months later...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Living Room '

''At the same place where the two were discussing months ago, the husband of Hana Langley was on the top of her while cutting her face with a butcher knife... ''

- Langley Husband (memory): 'YOU FUCKING SLUT! KNOW YOUR PLACE! I DO WHATEVER I WANT SO YOU BETTER SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!'

''Seeing that brutal scene, Katarina clenched her fists and bit her lips. Astaroth simply lifted the sides of her lips.''

- Astaroth: You know what is happening here, Couteau?

"............................."



''Katarina nodded as the brutish husband continued to cut her face. The screams of Hana Langley didn't stop, what caused the husband to get more aggressive. ''

''Not far away from there, Katarina spotted a young Katarina eating behind the sofa, she was so calm... it was like if nothing was happening around her.''

''- Katarina: One night he returned home crazier than usual... when Hana said to him to stop drinking too much, he punched her on the face. She then ran to get the kitchen knife to defend herself. He then grabbed another knife and subjugated her, laughing while he continued to mutilate her face.''

Astaroth saw the young Katarina as well.

- Astaroth: Why you were so calm back then?

''- Katarina: It's because I was tired. I tries to be a good girl but they ditched me. My mother hated me... They hated me. I was nothing to them besides a burden and a bag of meat. That's why I didn't do nothing. I left her there to get what she deserved. Just then, days later, when my mother was sent to a Hospital, the medics said she was mentally disturbed by something. According to their exams, she was exposed to some kind of experiment of Global Pact Defense but the American government denied any involvement with Hana's case.''

Astaroth snapped her fingers again, going 4 days ahead in time.

<p style="text-align:center;">' 4 days later...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Hospital of Tenguu City '

''After 4 days had passed in time, Astaroth snapped her fingers again, showing Katarina a different scenario. Before anything could appear, the first thing they saw a doll with red hair hanging in a rope. That doll was...''

- Katarina: ...............

Katarina fell in tears after she saw that doll, smilling at her with like a possessed object.

- Astaroth: And so 4 days had passed since then.

''Yes... 4 days after the Langley Husband violently attacked Hana, he was sent to prison by the police. During the attack, 5 police officers arrived and invaded the house before he could kill Hana and Katarina in cold-blood. However, 2 days later he killed himself in the cell was being kept.''

''And as for Katarina and Hana... they were sent to the hospital of Tenguu City to stay for the time being. During those days, Katarina subjected to several psychological exams to avaluate her mental health. But, much to the medics' shock, she was alright. There was nothing wrong with her, and this is what shocked everyone of the hospital and media. She witnessed her mother being abused and violently tortured by her father while she watched, but she didn't feel anything. Most people didn't know if that was a good or bad thing.''



''And about Hana, things were not well. Hana had to go through a plastic surgery to rebuilt her destroyed face. Her nose was gone, her ears were ripped off, her tongue was cut off, cheeks were brutally torn off... her face was completely gone but thanks to the technology of the medicine at the era they could rebuild her face. But there was one thing they could not recover...''

''Her sanity. Her mental health was completely shattered by her social life and work. The abuses she suffered and the strange human experiment Global Pact Defense did to her completely destroyed what was left of her sanity. When her husband tried to kill her, it was the last drop of water.''

''- Astaroth: Your mother went insane afterwards. And so... she replaced you with a doll to find a comfort in something in this world that abandoned her.''

''Katarina felt sad for the young Katarina as she finally came to realize Hana decided to replace her with a doll... but that was something to be expected as Katarina never wanted nothing from her. Even so, she did her best to be a good girl for Hana, which was something she expected to be enjoyed by Hana. But in the end, it didn't work out.''

​​​​​​''The doll she was talking about was the same doll hanging in front of them. Suddenly, they were teleported to a hospital, right in front of Hana's room. In front of the window, they spotted a young Katarina looking at Hana while she was speaking with her "daughter" doll inside.''

''- Hana (memory): Your daddy now hates mommy. Your daddy left me. No... I always knew it. He never loved me from the very beginning. He never needed me, I guess. He was just using our money, honey.''

''The young Katarina felt nothing as she gazed at her insane mother speaking to a doll. Of course, that doll was given to the medics as she refused to see the real Katarina but in the end she got more attached to that doll instead of a living being. That worried the medics but they thought she was going to recover her senses soon, but never did it. She was completely plunged into insanity.''



''- Hana (memory): So, let's die together. Daddy don't need us. ''

''As Hana gazed at the doll, she imagined that this doll was actually Katarina but a more version of her she could enjoy be around. A version of Katarina she could be her mother. A version in which was her true daughter.''

''- Doll Katarina (Hana's mind): Am I in the way?! Am I useless?!''

Feeling happy that the doll was had the same reactions of a normal human being, she smiled and began to strangle the doll like if it was a real person.

''- Hana (memory): Let's die together! Be a good girl and obey what you mother say!''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"



''- Doll Katarina (Hana's mind): NO! I'm not your doll! I can think by myself, I can live by myself! ''

''- Hana (memory): This is the reality! This world don't need us! Daddy don't need us! This world abandoned us! Mina Harker used and abandoned us! There is nothing left in this world for us! So our existence is insignificant!''

Seeing that, the young Katarina could only watch in horror, reacting to her mother for the first time in weeks.

"...............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Suddenly, everything was stained in darkness. Nothing but the silence could be heard around.''

"......................................................."

- Katarina: I don't want to see what comes next.

Katarina closed her eyes and changed the direction of her eyes to the ground.

- Astaroth: But what did you feel back then?

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Without warning, a red light appeared on the middle of the darkness, revealing a corpse hanging in a rope.

​​​

''That person hanging on the ceiling was none other than Hana Langley... she committed suicide just like she promised to her doll daughter. She fell into the infinite depths of forgetfulness. No one would ever remember someone so pitful and pathetic.''



- Astaroth: At that time, Hana was hung from the ceiling...

Katarina continued her words but without looking at the corpse.

''- Katarina: She looked very happy. But I hated how she looked. She was so happy to die with her true daughter that not even death shattered her happiness. ''

- Astaroth: What you wished for back then?

Katarina finally had the courage to look at the body and yelled at Hana's corpse.



''- Katarina: I don't wanna die! I don't wanna let myself disappear! So that's why I wanted to rebel and be someone dirty and wicked! People don't remember of good deeds! I wanted to leave my mark in this world as a heroine or a villainess! Anything that could make my mark and be forever remembered by all people so I could continue to live in the minds of others! I wanted it so badly I was not above to use my own friends to do it! So I did it! I used my own weakness and sorrow into my weapons! If I don't want to die and forgotten then I'll use everything to my favor... comrades, family and friends!''

Astaroth closed her eyes and put her hands in her chin.

''- Astaroth: So you wanted to live forever even after your death to prevent from falling into the oblivion like your mother and father. And to do this, you pretended to be a heroine so you could find self-satisfaction in other people. You wanted people to depend on you so you could be useful to them to not repeat the same mistakes you did with Hana who deemed you as someone useless to this world... just like her. In order to be remembered, you were not above pretending yourself to be a heroine by being glorified by others and be respected by your allies.''

Astaroth once again snapped her fingers with her demonic arm.

Case Ended
<p style="text-align:center;"> Limbo  <p style="text-align:center;">' Seconds later... '

''After Astaroth snapped her fingers, the two left Katarina's subconsciouness and returned to Limbo, to an empty blackness that was similar to Katarina's mind. Infinite blackness.''

''Astaroth stared at Katarina while she fell in her knees. She was just tired of keeping this rhythm. At that point, Katarina finally noticed Astaroth was not that kind and soft woman she showed to be at first, she was just pretending to be innocent... But what impressed her the most was the fact this woman can hide her emotions and intentions very well, it was almost like if she was a machine who could choose her emotions.''

''- Katarina: I fear that one day I'll disappear. Yet, I can disappear because I think I'm unworthy of existence... yes, deep inside I always knew Hana was right. When I used my own friends for my own purposes I knew that would make me even more worthless. My existence is useless... So I had to pretend to be a heroine so I could be useful and leave my mark in this world! ''

''- Astaroth: Why of that? ''

''Astaroth, despite her cruelty back then, was not acting like that sadistic monster of before. But Katarina was not going to be deceived again, she knew she was trying to break her but had nos strength or determination to fight back because she was simple too superior and deep inside she knew this woman was right about all things. She was a trash. Unworthy of existence. Yet, she didn't want to die and be forgotten.''



''- Katarina: Because I am useless. After all, I am an useless child. I was replaced by a doll, showing how unworthy I am of living. Nobody cares about me if I show who I truly am. Do you think they would love an anti-social sadist who cares about nothing but cause pain for fun, a woman who thinks in nothing but lust?! NO! Look at me! I have to be the heroine the believe me to be!''

''Suddenly, Astaroth disappeared and another person appeared behind her. He just appeared there out of nowhere, like if he was invisible until now. That figure was Lucas Kellan.''

''- Lucas: You run away considering nobody cares about you. You fear to fail. You fear to be hated by everyone. You fear acknowledging the weakness within you. ''

Katarina turned to Lucas and yelled at him.

''- Katarina: You're not one to talk! You fear to be abandoned too! Did you forget how you become a soldier of VSA to hid your own weakness?!''

''- Lucas: Exactly, we are the same. ''

Suddenly, more people began to appear around Katarina but disappeared every time they finished speaking.

''- Sister Mary Eunice: Being human means that your mind lacks something. ''

- Ichabod Crane: We fear that deficiency.

''- Tomas Sev: We fear it. There is always something basic missing in our lives. That's why true happiness doesn't exist. Because the more get, we will lose something in exchange.''



''- Shigure Yukimi: That's why many humans are trying to be one, believing humans are born from the image of God so we can be one to meld with and fill each other. ''

''- Tamae Okamine: We are always trying to find something or someone who can fill ourselves. ''

''- Sonia Nevermind: Mankind cannot live without being surrounded by others. ''

''- Matt Butcher: Mankind cannot live alone. When I say alone, means that people can't live alone in their own minds.''

''- Kotori Itsuka: Although you, yourself, are always unique. And alone. ''

''- Azul Jissele: That's why living is hard. Being alone inside of your mind... trying to become something else you don't want just so you can accepted into society.''

''- Atala Arck: That's why nihilism exists... because life in truth is sad and empty.''

''- Kyouhei Kannazuki: That's why you want affection, the close physical and emotional presence of others. That's why deep inside people can't live away from others. ''

- Rindel: That's why society exists.



- Asuha Chigusa: That's why deep inside we wish to be one.

''- Jellal Fernandes: A human is made of weak and fragile materials. The mind and body are also made of brittle components as well.''

''- Sephiria Arks KnightWalker: That's why the Purge is happening. Astaroth is trying to punish mankind but at the same time trying to save it by making the world in unique form. All humans can only think in one thing: survive.''

"....................."

After that, everyone disappeared, revealing Astaroth again in the darkness.

''- Astaroth: Why do you live? ''

Astaroth's eyes began to glow in red but her voice was softer than before.

''- Katarina: Maybe I live to find out why I exist. ''



''- Astaroth: For whom do you live? There is no need to hide the truth, Couteau.''

''- Katarina: Obviously, for me. To find my own happiness in the infinite crowd of people living in this world. To find myself between billions.''

''Katarina stood up but looked at the other side of the darkness. ''

''- Astaroth: You enjoy your life? ''

''- Katarina: I don't know... sometimes I lose myself. I don't know if I'm the false persona I imagined myself to be or my own true pathetic and pitful persona.''

''- Astaroth: Are you happy for being alive? ''

- Katarina: I don't want to do anything to be happy.

Katarina disappeared again, revealing another familiar person to Katarina.



''- Eckidina KnightWalker: To escape from my own pitful and disgraceful persona, I choose the path of war, madness and despair... everything that could take me out of that boring hole of peace. You tried to do the same by pretending to be a heroine. However, you failed to do so... because that was not the true place you wanted to be... you just wanted to be admired, respected and remembered by everyone by the actions you choose to be part of your true-self. The image you created of yourself to be a heroine is the only thing you could think to be morally and ethically right... but deep inside you always knew being a heroine and saving the world wasn't the true place you wanted to be part of.''

''Despite being Eckidina herself, Katarina was just too impacted to recognize friends and enemies. Besides, it's not like Eckidina is trying to look down on her as she is part of her subconsciouness.''

''- Katarina: Yes... that's right... I deceived myself into becoming someone I didn't want to.''

Katarina sat on the floor with her knees on her face.

- Mana Takamiya: You hate being sad?

''Mana disappeared in the darkness as the random sounds could be heard... first it was the sound of one of the metros of Tenguu City.''

''- Katarina: I don't like that. ''

- Kyouko Kirigiri: Do you hate enduring pain?



''The sound of an ambulance echoed in the place... there was no doubt Katarina's small fragments of her memories were being messed up. The sounds she heard in her life are just coming out of nowhere.''

''- Katarina: I don't like that. ''

- Rentaro Satomi: Is that why you run away?

The sound of beach echoed in the darkness.

''- Katarina: Yes! I ran back then! Do you blame me?! Why not run from something that hurts?! Now I created this image of myself! I'm not allowed to run away this time! I mustn't run away!''

- Isis Maxwell: Why you mustn't run away?

The sound of a bus echoed in the darkness.

''- Katarina: If ran away, it would be more painful. I would lose everything I dreamed to be. Because escaping from the reality can be painful too!''

- Maeve: Even though you're running from something more painful?

- Katarina: I can't bear it!

The sound of a train's horn echoed in the darkness.

- Asuna: As long you know the pain then it can be endured!

- Maria Arzonia: You may run away if it's painful.



- Imperia Deamonne: If you truly hate it, you can run away.

The sound of an urban town echoed in the darkness.

''- Katarina: No! I won't! I'm tired of runnin awya and trying to become someone I don't want to be! ''

- Imperia: It's because you already know that running away results in more pain.

- Millian Gravik: That's because running away can be worse.

''- Astaroth: That's why you do not wish to escape from reality. ''

''- Katarina: It's because if I run away nobody would care about me! They will see who I truly am! I hypocrite and sadistic woman who take joy and pleasure in causing more pain and suffering in my enemies! Do you think they will continue to be my friends if I showed them this side?! Don't desert me! Don't leave me alone! Don't desert me, I'm begging you! ''

The sound another ambulance echoed in the darkness.

''- Cassie Cage: There she goes again, doing whatever others tell her to do. If you were your true-self, you wouldn't be in Ratatoskr to begin with. You never wanted to follow any rules beside following your own instinct.''



''- Katarina: That's right! Otherwise, I would be deserted! Everyone would disappear while Imperia would abandon me to fight alongside the Rogue and Ratatoskr without me! I would continue to be that small and meaningless person back in Tenguu City! I would be no one! I would be just one between billions! A normal existence in a normal world! I won my title as the Red Haired Demon because I wanted to be known! But with the beginning of something greater like the Third World War, I came to realize I would be forgotten in the darkness of this world! Who would remember a stupid vigilante in a Japanese town when there were heroes out there saving whole countries and even the world itself?!''

The sound a plane echoed in the darkness.

- Cole MacGrath: You fear being hurt.

- Toshiro Hitsugaya: You try to make yourself believe that, don't you?

''- Shido Itsuka: You're not the only one who gets hurt, Katarina. Everybody feels the pain and harship. You aren't the only one.''



- Otoya Takechi: It's easier for you to think that's true, isn't it?

''- Katarina: Shut up! I don't care! Why should I? If I was my true-self no one would care or even remember about my existence!''

- Jin Kisaragi: Once again, you abandoned all sense of self-worth.

The sound of a tractor echoed in the darkness.

- Tomas: There you go again, saying that you have no worth at all.

- Kyoji Kawagoe: Do you believe that by not expecting anything, you won't get hurt either?

- Kotori: Is that how you sustain your pathetic ego, by asking others to praise you?! The sound of birds singing echoed in the darkness.

- Katarina: Nobody accepts me the way I am.

''- Tomas: You are trying to think so. ''

"............................"



''- Katarina: So, I have to be a heroine! The world's greatest defender! If I return to be my former self, I'll be left alone! Because no one wants a idiot anti-social woman who is good for nothing but kill! I would be nothing more than a savage living in an urban area! A primitive women with no education and civilization!''

- Munechika Nakatsugawa: You've been trying to think yourself valueless since the very begining.

''- Katarina: I have to! I have to do so! Otherwise, who I am in this vast world?! I'm going to be left behind by the world and time. Forgotten in the emptiness of the past...'' - Shigure: No, it's not so.

- Lucas: No, you just believe that you must.

The sound of a ship echoed in the darkness.

''- Katarina: No, you're wrong. My life is pointless otherwise. I have nothing to be pride of. Being a warrior in Ratatoskr gives me a reason to exist, a purpose. I had no value before becoming a member of the Rogues... before La Folia was kidnapped by Kanon Rihavein... I was just the Red Haired Demon. Sure, people considered me famous but not in the way I wanted. I wanted to be praised and loved and not hated or be saw as a scary figure of violence! But I wanted to be loved through violence! Because I can't find nothing more interesting and fun than doing it!!''

Katarina put her head between her legs and cried.

''- Katarina: I have nothing. I have other values! No other value at all. ''

The voice of Astaroth echoed in the darkness.

''- Astaroth: The value to live as true-self? ''

The sound of a telephone echoed in the darkness and suddenly, an old phone appeared in Katarina's hand.



''- Katarina: No don't I have that. I have nothing that makes me proud of being my true-self. ''

Suddenly, many different male and female voices came out of the phone like if they were cursing Katarina from the bottom of their hearts.

''- Kozue Minowa (telephone): *I hate you! I hate you! You're disgusting! Die!*''

''- Masaomi Mikimoto (telephone): *I hate you... you murderer!*''

- Hinako Shiizaki (telephone): *I hate everything about you.*

- Rindou (telephone): *Sorry, but I hate you.*

''- Kei Nozaki (telephone): *I hate you... to think I was seated next to you in the class makes me want commit suicide!*''

- Tama Sakai (telephone): *Listen well, you slut: I hate you!*

''- Abbie Mills (telephone): *I hate you... kill yourself!*''

''- Katya (telephone): *I hate everything about you. DIE!*''

''- Valnir Kruls (telephone): *I hope you die! No one loves you!*''

''- Sanada (telephone): * I hate you! Disappear!*''



After the voices stopped coming, the phone disappeared while Katarina smiled sarcastically at herself.

''- Katarina: Haha. See? Everyones hates me. Every person in existence hates me. Who would love a lazy, egocentric and cold-hearted woman like me? No one would love my true persona. My own existence is hateful.''

Imperia appeared behind her while the sound of a giant engine echoed in the darkness.

''- Imperia: No, you are trying to think so. ''

''- Katarina: NO! That must be it! Because I hate myself!''

''- Imperia: Because you hate yourself, no one respects you. You don't love yourself as you wish to be. Deep inside, you wanted to be like me who loved myself as La Folia and even as Imperia Deamonne.''

Katarina smiled when she remembered how she got my friends after the battle of Aldegyr Kingdom.

''- Katarina: But, I was praised when I fought Heis! I am praised when I fight and use my strange powers! For the first time people were happy to see my abilities while people back in Raizen High School people only got friendly around me to get closer to La Folia! People began to act nice to me! They liked me!''

''- Imperia: So you're happy for having people around you... but deep inside you're sad they're not there because of your true-self. ''

The sound of cars' horns echoed in the darkness.



- Astaroth: Which are your true feelings?

''The world around Katarina began to change ramdonly in a fraction of seconds. First she was in her house, then in Raizen High School, then in the building where she fought Aki Honda, then in Sleepy Hollow, then in Fraxinus... and so go on. The most important places she was in her lifetime were returning back to her.''

- Katarina: I don't know, or, both of them are my true feelings.

- Misogi Kumagawa: So that's why you continue to be a Rogue?

''- Katarina: I have no choice! I have nothing but being a Rogue! This is the only place I can be recognized! Outside... I'm just air.''



- Kurumi Tokisaki: Otherwise you cannot keep your identity?

''- Kotori: It's true that being a Rogues is part of your mind, your sense of being. Outside from them, you consider yourself to be a talentless person. ''

''- Yuuji Kazami: If you depend on the Rogues too much, you might kill yourself internally. Because what you're doing is merely trying to find a place to live in your own dreams while your true-self is suffering. That's why you're happy but sad at the same time.''

''- Sanada: The Rogues will be your only value... and they are not eternal. You, the real you, will be erased from existence while the false Katarina you created to be will perish alongside yourself for having no nowhere to go.''

''- Katarina: It's alright! I had no other values and talents to begin with! If the only thing that keep me alive is gone than I'm no better than dead... if that came to happen one day then Imperia would be the only reason for me to live. She is the only person who accepted like I was back then... but she never saw my true fetishes, dark secrets and tendencies! I'm sure even her would be disgusted and abandon me! When that happens, then I can finally die.''

- Sephiria: You just didn't disciple yourself.

​​​​​''- Katarina: But! Now I can fight to be myself! I have a purpose to live! Kotori gave me a reason to continue existing in this world! When I'm not a Rogue, I'm just a normal and mediocre person... but if I show them my true persona, then they will hate and avoid me at all costs. Because I'm a disgusting and repulsive. I'm rotten to the core. They will laugh at me again because of my red hair, but when I show them my fury they will fear me and treat me like some kind of monster!''

"..............................."

''Suddenly, the world around Katarina changed again, but this time, it wasn't a place she knew, it was different types of horizon. The first scenario was a raining day.''



''- Katarina: Rain, gloomy mood, just like my mood. I don't like that. ''

The second scenario was the sunset.

''- Katarina: The setting sun, the ending of life, my hope. I don't like that. ''

The third scenario was a mornind day.

''- Katarina: Morning, the begining of today, the begining of a terrible day. I don't like that. ''

The fourth scenario was a beautiful afternoon with blue skies.

''- Katarina: Blue sky. Something warm, something unfamiliar, something that fills me with horror. I don't want that. ''

"............................"

Astaroth then appeared before Katarina, as the seasons of the years continued to change.

''- Astaroth: What do you hope for? What do you need? What do you want. ''

''- Katarina: I hope that people don't hate me... What I fear is rejection. What I want is acceptance and contact... I wanted to be like La Folia... she was so strong and overthrew her ghosts of the past! She was the perfect ideal for me... but I wanted to be better than her so it helped me to created an image of myself I could be proud of!''

Astaroth touched Katarina's head with her demonic claw.

''- Astaroth: Your mother, do you love her? ''

"......................"

- Katarina: No, I don't. 

Katarina continued seated like a scared child as her mind continued to be abused by Astaroth.

- Astaroth: Do you want to be with your daddy?

"......................."

- Katarina: No, I don't. 

''- Astaroth: Why not? ''

''Instead of her voice, several letters that appeared around them. Those letters were the words of what Katarina was thinking.''

BECAUSE I FEAR

''- Katarina: I'm afraid of being hated by them again... And if I returned to their side, my identity might start to disappear. I could no longer recognize myself in this world. ''

- Astaroth: What do you wish for?

- Katarina: Ending the fear.



''- Astaroth: What do you need? ''

''- Katarina: End the loneliness. ''

''Katarina began to remember her childhood, living as an outcast of society. The eyes of hundreds judging her, the girls trash-talking behind her back... everything.''

''- Astaroth: You're very insecure, aren't you? ''

''- Katarina: To become secure, I have to have... value! I want to be worth something! I need power! I want to be worth enough to attract the attention of others! In order to be appreciated! in order to not be deserted! I need my VALUE!''

''- Astaroth: That is what you must have to find for yourself. You must admit your own value.''



Astaroth disappeared again, once again introducing many people familiar to Katarina.

''- Reine Murasame: Where is your value in the world? There is no one living being in this world whose only talent is killing. ''

- Tamae: Then, without the Rogues and Ratatoskr, what you are?

"............................"

Katarina looked at the two female figures before disappearing in smoke and then she stood up and yelled at the infinite darkness above her.

''- Katarina: I don't have any value! I'm not worth living! Then what am I? Where am I? What I am in this world?! What the hell am I without them?!  ".........!!!!!!!!!!!!"''



''Suddenly, the world around Katarina was stained in white, removing the darkness from it. Soon afterwards, several photos and images of Katarina began to appear in all sides of that white empty world.''

''- Katarina: What? It's me. ''

''Katarina noticed a beautiful painting of herself in a dress with angel wings.  The sound of piano echoed in the infinite emptiness.''

''- Katarina: This is the shape that I let others recognize me as myself. The symbol representing me. ''

Katarina continued to look around as more and more pictures appeared one after another without pause.

''- Katarina: This, and this, and this! All of these are the representation of me! Nothing but things that make let recognize me as Katarina Couteau. What am I? This is me? The true me? The false me? ''

Suddenly, Azul Jissele appeared behind her but Katarina didn't look around.

''- Azul: You are you. However, there is a little difference between how you interpret yourself and how others interpret you. ''

Katarina's eyes widened when she realized something.



''- Katarina: That's right... my clothes, my shoes, my room. Those are part of myself. ''

''- Azul: These things are connected through your consciouness. ''

''- Katarina: So, what I think is me, is me. I am nothing but myself. Yet, I don't understand. Where am I? What am I? What am I? Nobody understands me!''

''- Atala: You idiot! That's matter here! Nobody ever understands you. The only one who can take care of you, and the only one that understands you is nobody but yourself. ''

''- Rentaro: So, you must take care of yourself. ''

''- Katarina: But still I don't understand myself! I don't even know what makes me myself! How could I love myself?! ''

The sound of a telephone ringing echoed in the darkness.

''- Lucas: You are unstable. ''

- Tomas: That is: the present you.

''- Asuha: And people around the present you. ''

''- Kotori: The environment that surrounds the present you... None of these last forever. Time continues to flow. ''

''- Jellal: Your world is in a state of constant change. You're capable of change anytime. Your mind perceives these changes.''

''Suddenly, everyone disappeared, leaving nothing but an empty space. Out of nowhere, Katarina began to fall as if the ground around her had disappeared... She fell... and fell... but could see no ending on the bottom of even feeling the air. It was like... she was falling into an empty world deprived of all elements of reality, including oxygen and gravity.''

- Katarina: This is...



''Pure... emptiness.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Katarina's Personal World  <p style="text-align:center;">' Seconds later... '

''Katarina is floating inside a world of nothingness. ''

- Katarina: ..............

''An empty white void. ''

A world with no obstacles and perfect freedom.

''Katarina continued to float inside of that world for endless hours... actually, every single second was like a thousand years in the real-life. She felt like if she was floating inside of that world for thousand years while only a few seconds had passed since she appeared in this world.''

''- Katarina: What's it? The world with nothing... A world with nobody in it?'' ''For Katarina, it was almost like if she was inside of a paper... if drawing something in an empty paper would mean to create a new reality where that draw could exist then she must be inside of it.''

"......................."

Suddenly, the voice of Astaroth could be heard inside of that world but she was nowhere to be found.



''- Astaroth: This is a world of freedom. ''

''Just then, Astaroth appeared beside Katarina... but she was not floating, she was standing still while Katarina continued to fall in an infinite abyss of emptiness.''

''- Katarina: Freedom? ''

''Katarina noticed she and Astaroth were colored in white and black. Even their own colors disappeared in this world.''

- Astaroth: Yes, this is a world of perfect freedom, a world in which you have no restrictions.

Katarina looked around only to see true emptiness.

''- Katarina: Is this freedom? ''

''- Astaroth: Yes. This is the true meaning of freedom. A world in which you can be whatever you want and be part of it like if it was your true-self. If I have to take an example, that would be the existence before the Creators and God appeared to create life and all creation. It's so empty. But that's what definy true freedom. ''

''The random sounds of Katarina's mind had already stopped... only the sound of their breath could be heard in that world.''

''- Astaroth: As a result, this world has nothing in it. Couteau, this is your personal world. It's like how you mind were before you could even exist as a seed inside of father. Before the existence of a sentient being, there is always a world waiting to be part of them, and this world is your subconsciouness. ''

Katarina widened her eyes.

- Katarina: Unless I do something?

''- Astaroth: Yes, unless you do or think in something to build this world. And all people build this world based in the experiences, memories and emotions they felt in their lives. But more importantly, this world is the definition of what you truly are.''

''- Katarina: But... I don't know what I should do or think.''

''- Astaroth: You are uncertain. You don't have an image of yourself to orient yourself because you feel shame of your true-self and at the same time you can't hold your heroine image for too long for being something you don't want to be. There's nothing solid here... This world is a world where you can be yourself with no obstacles.''

Suddenly, the voice of Astaroth disappeared and then familiar voice replaced hers.

''- Maria: This a world that you can do anything you wish to be true. You're own Goddess here. Your own creator and own designer.''

''- Kotori: But, you're afraid, aren't you? Don't you know what it is that you want to do?''

Katarina asked in confusion.



- Katarina: What I should do?

- Imperia: Let me give you a restriction.

"!!!!!!!!!!!"

Suddenly, a line appeared right below Katarina, making her fall against that line that extended to the infinity.

''- Katya: Now that you have top and bottom. But now you lost a degree of your freedom. Now you must stand on the ground. But now you feel easier, don't you?''

- Ichabod: You have less to trouble with your mind.

''Katarina stood up and began to walk in that world with nothing but emptiness. Indeed, it was like if she was inside of a paper as that line was the only keeping her from continue to fall in an endless abyss.''

''- Tomas: And now, you can walk. This is happening because you will it to be.''

Katarina stopped walking and looked at her hands.

''- Katarina: Is this my... will?''

''- Eckidina: This world with the floor is the only thing around yourself. But now, you can move around anywhere you wish within it.''



''- Astaroth: If you wish, you can change the position of the world. ''

''The world of Katarina changed its position by itself several times. Katarina felt as if the ground was moving around in different directions. First, she was upside down, then standing on the right side, then on the left, then on the mid air... ''

''- Matt: And the position of your world is not the same either. It changes with the passage of time You can also change yourself in many forms.''

''Katarina's body began to change in several forms... first it was a star, then a cross, then a telephone, then a car, then a laptop, then a gun, then a hammer.''

''- Astaroth: What forms your shape is your mind and its interaction with the world that surrounds you... Since this is your own world. This is the shape of your reality. ''

''Katarina then was transformed into an eye, a smoke, a pen, a TV... for minutes she changed her shape in different forms until she lied on the ground with an empty expression.''

''- Katarina: So this is my own world? A world with nothing, a space with nothing, a world with nothing within it. A world with nothing but me. With only myself, I have nothing to interact with. It's as if I'm here, but not here at all. It's as if I'm slowly fading out of existence. My existence is fading away. Why? ''

"........................"

''- Astaroth: Because there's nobody but you. You're the only one here. ''



''- Katarina: Nobody but me? ''

- Kyouhei: Without others to interact with, you cannot truly recognize yourself in this vast and empty world.

''- Katarina: My shape? My image. ''

''- Isis: Yes. In the act of observing others, you may recognized yourself. Your image of yourself is restrained. by having to observe the barriers between yourself and others. You cannot see yourself unless there are others.''

Katarina stood up and looked at the ground around her that formed several shapes of crosses.

''- Katarina: When there are others, I can perceive myself as an individual. If I am alone, then I'll be the same as everything else. There will be no difference between myself and nothing!''

- Imperia: By cognizing the difference between you and others, you form the image of yourself.

''- Sonia: The very first other person is your sister, Eugen Katsuragi. Your sister is a different person from you. ''

"........................"

''- Katarina: Yes! I am me and she is she! But are you really sure that others form my self?''

- Rentaro: That's right, Katarina.

''Suddenly, a loud female voice echoed from the top of the world. It was Astaroth's who was almost losing her patience.''

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Astaroth: GIRL, HAS IT TAKEN YOU THIS LONG TO REALIZE THAT SIMPLE FACT?! KATARINA, YOU IDIOT! ''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Real World - Earth  <p style="text-align:center;"> Japan  <p style="text-align:center;"> Pacific Ocean  <p style="text-align:center;"> Iron Bottom Sound  <p style="text-align:center;">' Seconds later... '

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Seconds after she heard Astaroth's loud voice, she closed her eyes fearing that she might have done something horrible to her... but then nothing happened. Nothing bad, actually.''

- Katarina: This is...

''Katarina felt a cool breeze around her. She felt a cold air freezing her nose, a wet sensation coming from her feet and a loud sound of something similar to a nuclear reactor. She then opened her eyes and saw that she was in another place. It wasn't that empty world devoid of all creation and life.''

It was different.

- Katarina: The sea?



''She was standing on the middle of the ocean, a vast ocean stained in red. The water of the sea was red and was filled with something dark and evil coming from it. Katarina could be feel it... the sea was smelling like... herself...''

''- Katarina: I... am in another reality?''

''Suddenly, Katarina felt a presence behind and saw Astaroth standing behind her. Astaroth was looking kinda happy now.''

''- Astaroth: You're even more pathetic than a monkey with AIDS! Why did you take too long to realize your own identity?!''

''Astaroth's voice was not sounding with many echoes like if she was speaking inside of a cave. Her voice was now normal, like a human's.''

''- Katarina: You... what?''

''Astaroth scratched her head like a sleepy and bored person and put her hands in her hips. ''

''- Astaroth: "You" what? Are you not satisfied?''

"......................."

''Katarina sharpened her eyes with hostility. Deep inside, she still hadn't forgive that monster.''

''- Katarina: Why did you do this?! Why you toyed with me?! Just to act like if you tried to help?!''

''Katarina still mentally disturbed, her head was a mess, she was feeling many emotions at the same time, her head was in pain... What Astaroth did to her was too brutal... it wasn't like any hallucination she experienced before.''

''- Astaroth: Ahh... about that... Okay! I'm sorry! Okay! I was just trying to help you by messing with your head a little bit!''

''Astaroth blushed and looked at the other way, obviously trying to avoid eye contact with Katarina. Now, she was acting like a tsundere.''

''- Katarina: Help me... Help me...''

''Katarina was quite of a dumb but even her could realize something important back then. Astaroth's intentions were not harmful at the end... She was trying to help Katarina to break free from her own chains.''

She was trying to help Katarina realize her own identity.

She was trying to show Katarina her point of view.

''She was trying to show Katarina the monster she had become without noticing it for being such delusional woman. ''

''She was so messed up that Katarina was slowly becoming someone she never intended to be. ''

- Katarina: Why?

<p style="text-align:center;"> 'She was trying... to save Katarina from herself.'

''Astaroth stared at Katarina with a confused expression. She had stated it before... Astaroth then crossed her arms and smiled like a caring person. Suddenly, Katarina's appearance began to change; her eyes were stained in empty red, she had several black tattoos in her arms that was similar to tribals, her clothes were changing, her hairstyle was the same but it was longer than before, she was wearing asymmetrical clothes and torn pantyhose, and had a tattoo on her upper chest. ''



''- Astaroth: It's obvious... because it was your mother's last wish... to keep you safe. Her magical contract with me was to escape from poverty to give you a life full of peace and fruits. A life where you never needed to suffer to survive in this vast world. I just did my part in the contract by saving you.''

''Katarina began to remember about the humilliation and suffering she experienced back then... that was horrible, inhuman and cruel... but Astaroth's ends were different. She was cruel and cold, but only enough to make Katarina open her eyes.''

''- Katarina: Mommy's last... wish... was... to save... me?''

Katarina was too shocked to speak correctly so she took many pauses between her words.



''- Astaroth: Yes. My part was that. I was looking over you your whole life. From the day that Haruko found you in a river, from the day you received your first gift, from the day you drank milk for the first time, from the day you gave your first step, from the day you cried for the first time, from the day you lost your parents, from the day you hit a person for the first time in your life, from the day you were adopted by the Langleys, from the day you met La Folia Rihavein, from the day you stepped in Raizen High School, from the day you lost Eugen to Aki Honda... Always... Always there to prevent you from doing. Why do you think the Fallen's Essence, Heis and Michael Langdon feel pain and fear from sensing your power? Because you have a part of me inside of you... a part that is combined with your two-powers; Abyssal and ExKrieg. I'm always with you. Always...''

".................."

Katarina felt tears coming from her eyes.

''- Astaroth: But in the end, I ended liking you so much that I tried to help you many times. The first time I helped was when I alerted the police officers next to Langley house by using my sensation effects. They felt like if something bad was happening inside of your house so they invaded it before your father could kill you.''

''That was a joke? No... she was serious.''

- Astaroth: When Aki Honda called for you, I made sure to let her voice reach you on the other side of the city so you could settle all things between yourselves.

''And Katarina thought she just had a feeling back then... how it's possible for a normal human yell from the other side of the town and being heard from the other side. Katarina thought it was just a sensation.''

''- Astaroth: But when you found new comrades, I thought you could save yourself from now on. But then, I began to realize you were losing yourself in your own image. When you died by the hands of Heis back then, I came to the conclusion you could be devoured by your ExKrieg's power and become a savage woman like your inner-twin sister, Elesis.''



''Elesis... at that point Katarina was not surprised. Elesis is an entity living inside of Katarina but Astaroth already knew everything about her so it was not really a surprise if she knew about Elesis.''

''- Katarina: So you knew about her... Did you made her suffer too?''

Elesis and Katarina share the same mind so it can be said if Astaroth manipulated her memories she also messed up Elesis'.

''- Astaroth: No... Elesis is Elesis. She is pure, straightforward and easy to understand. She is what she wants to be. Nothing more. Nothing less. Like an apple, she is born in a tree and choose her own fate: wait to be enjoyed by someone... or fall to the ground and become the next seed for the generation of apples to come. If I had to compare you two, you would a retarded worm trying to find a way out of the ground.''

''Astaroth summoned an apple in her hand with bandages. Soon, the apple was devoured by her hand, causing it to disappear in darkness.''

- Katarina: But did you appear only now, of all times?

''- Astaroth: I'm the Goddess of Death. Almost like death itself. I know the time of a life. I know when a sentient being is born and when they're going to die. Death is a natural part of life, you can't change or stop it. But, as death itself, I can alter the fate of the mortals fated to die from outside causes. I can't save you from age and diseases as they are definitive death, but I can save you from external threats or revert your death. When you were killed by Heis, your time of life continued to count like if you were alive so I knew you would return. Back when you returned back to life, the ExKrieg's power began to consume you, meaning your identity as Katarina would disappear eventually, leading Elesis to take over your body and mind.''

That's why...



''-  Astaroth: That's why... I can be considered your foster mother. Ironic, isn't it? The enemy of my friend is my friend.''

''Katarina the lifted the sides of her lips and cried, Astaroth made a satisfied smile while making a big nod. All of her behavior was filled with life and cheerfulness. The strange feeling she was feeling from Astaroth disappeared. At that point, she felt the experience she experienced in Limbo was like if she was punished severely for becoming a delusional.''

''- Katarina: But I am your enemy... I'll try to kill you for being a threat to my world. Nothing will change.''

''- Astaroth: I don't care. As long you survive, for me is enough. As long you're alive being yourself is already enough for me. At least I did my part in the contract, and I gave you several chances to live. My mission to end the lives of all mortals in this world continues to be the same, and you'll be there to stop me... as yourself.''

''Katarina could feel that Astaroth's eyes had some kind of complex emotion inside when she was looking at that her face. Astaroth was her ally, but her enemy as well, the two understood that fact.''



''- Katarina: When I'm gone... you'll be there. After all, you said you're death itself. And I know perfectly... there is no way for us to win against you. There is no living being in this world who can kill you... because you're death yourself. But for how long you're here in this world? And how long you'll be around here?''

Astaroth crossed her arms and looked at the sky.

''- Astaroth: I was not always here. I was chosen to be the Goddess of Death. My only mission is to continue cause deaths of mortals. For personal and professional reasons. Also, can you stop asking so many questions so we can go straight to the point here? You're look like an overgrown lizard with a tongue so big you can't stop asking more questions!''

''Katarina kicked Astaroth's legs, showing she lost the fear of death itself completely. Indeed, Katarina was different now. She had a smug smile the entire time, her seriousness disappeared and more importantly, her outfit and hair-style changed.''



''- Katarina: Oh my, sorry! And you're nothing but an overgrown that thing Kotori keeps in her drawer!''

''What is referring about must be Kotori's... yes... dildo... This is one of Kotori's darkest secrets too.''

''- Astaroth: Will you just piss off? ''

''- Katarina: I don't have to use the bathroom... now... Astaroth, can you tell me... what happened to me? Why I am so different... I feel funny... Like I could do whatever I wanted. I feel so free now.''

Astaroth touched her cheeks with a smug smile like Katarina's.

''- Astaroth: This is your true-self. This is what you wanted to be... That's why you image changed.''

''Katarina looked at her hands and noticed she was taller than before. She could describe herself to be kinda of scary. She could tell she was no longer worried to keep her true-self hidden from the people she cared the most. She can be herself without caring about attention and fame.''

''- Katarina: This is... myself? This is what I wanted to be?''

Astaroth released her cheeks from her claws.



''- Astaroth: Yes, but your loyalty and sanity are there. If you lost your sanity, you would lose control of your identity. There is nothing wrong in enjoying the suffering of other people as long you cause them on the right people... just like I feel towards mortals, but you must not forget who you truly are. In what side you're on, for what you're fighting for and what do you want. You must not let your likings and dislikings take over your true-self. If you want to fight for yourself, then fight for you. If you want to fight for your friends, then fight for them instead of fighting for them expecting to receive something in exchange. You can be yourself and show them who you truly are. Even if they find you repulsive, you know death will always accept you. If one day you decide the first option, you can always look for me! Hahahahahahah--I'm joking.''

Katarina clenched her fists and felt that her power had increased by the millions.

- Katarina: My power is...

''Astaroth touched her chest, revealing her new image. An image born from Elesis and Katarina.''



''- Astaroth: ...Overflowing? That was supposed to happen. You were lost, you couldn't find your own identity, so you lost yourself. That's why you lent Elesis' power to fight. You were weak... now that you found yourself, you and Elesis had finally became one. That's why her power belongs to you now. Elesis still living inside of you but she is asleep now but you can still talk to her if you want learn more about her power. But as expected from an ExKrieg... you're more powerful than that Oriax. She was a failure...''

Katarina rose her head when Astaroth removed her hand from her chest.

- Katarina: Oriax?

Oriax Wheelahr was one of the Black Demons who attacked Fraxinus directly but Katarina never had the chance to face her before she was dragged to Limbo by Vira.

''- Astaroth: No... it's nobody important. More importantly...''

''Just then, Katarina remembered where she was. From her normal point of view, she was standing on the waters of the sea but the waters were scarlet like the colors of her hair... ''



''- Katarina: What in the world is that... the blackness is so strong there...''

Katarina came to know about the existence of the Blackness by Yuri Barnes who finally exposed the existence of this demonic material after the ending of Morte's battle.

''What was the scariest thing was just ahead. More than 3 kilometers ahead, Astaroth and Katarina saw a dark purple light coming from a huge crater in the middle of the ocean.''

''It was a dark portal in the middle of the Crimson Sea... Suddenly...''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

<p style="text-align:center;">' - Voice: Return... to me... give... back... to me... back... '

''That female voice that echoed all across the globe spoke again. It was a weak, sad and empty voice of a young girl crying in sorrow and solitude... it was like that voice was in suffering for years. And now, Katarina could tell, that voice was coming from there, from the bottom of that abyss. That abyss that lead to the bottom of the ocean.''

''- Astaroth: Ahh... so you know about my Blackness. ''

Astaroth walked further and extended her arms like a tyrant.



''- Katarina: I heard that the source of all evil in this world, the Blackness, is part of you. This is true?''

Astaroth nodded but without looking back at Katarina.

''- Astaroth: I'm alive for billion years, Katarina Couteau. I arrived in this Earth only a few million years ago. Even so, my mere presence here was already enough to let a few portion of my power escape. The Blacknes is my source of power and the thing that keeps me alive. However, because of my overwhelming energy and presence, my power often escapes from my body and becomes the so-called demonic material you people from Earth. The Witch Cult calls it Blackness because my minions worship it... but I prefer to call it simply as "Qlipha", a word that comes from "Qliphoth". But, well, Blackness seems more famous so let's call it that way.''

"......................."

''Katarina gazed at the dark purple light that was actually a laser beam made of Blackness. For being an ExKrieg, Katarina could finally sense that all Blackness of this world is being gathered there, in one single point.''



''- Katarina: What is happening there? Why all Blackness of this reality is regrouping there? You should know about this.''

''- Astaroth: Ahhh! Girl! You ask too many questions! If you did not notice yet, we are no longer in Limbo or on your mind, we are back to Earth, the real world. Honestly, I brought you here just to make you face this.''

''- Katarina: Face this? You mean that voice coming from there. So that means we are in the Iron Bottom Sound, the place where Kotori confirmed to be the point of origin of that thing.''

''Katarina assumed a position of confusion while Astaroth turned around with a annoyed expression. ''



''- Astaroth: Yes, we are right now at the top of Iron Bottom Sound, located in the Pacific Ocean. I brought here to face your final test. In order to complete your training, you must face what is down there. ''

''Katarina sharpened her eyes when she felt a heavy and vile presence coming from down there. The fact that the sea smelled like Katarina only made her think about the worst... it was like if the Blackness was calling for her.''

- Astaroth: What lies in the bottom of the abyss is 'your past. The past you need to defeat so you can finally be free. But can you do it?'

''Astaroth was obviously the mastermind behind it, but Katarina was not sure if Astaroth was telling about her next enemy being her past itself. Indeed, the fact that the ocea smelled like her, the voice sounded like Katarina's and the Blackness of the entire world was being centered in one single point was not mere conscidence.''

- Katarina: But, can you control the Blackness?

<p style="text-align:center;">' - Voice: Come... here... help... me... '

''- Astaroth: The Blackness is myself, my own essence and my own source of power. If someone is infected with it, I can directly communicate with them with my own mind or even bring them to me. Even if someone idiot and pathetic enough use my source of power to convert it in their own weapon or personal magical plague, the Blackness will obey me, because its very existence is me. I'm the Blackness itself. If you have a small fraction of Blackness inside of you, I can simply rip it out of you and kill you on the process because once I do it the Blackness will drag your very existence to me, stealing your power, soul and even self-consciouness. Basically, you ceases to exist.''



''- Katarina: So you can do the same with me? You said I was infected by the Blackness so that's why my enemies fear me.''

Astaroth giggled before letting out a sloppy and sarcastic smile.

''- Astaroth: Kukuku... who knows? I have no idea what you're talking about. The reason because you and others are not dead yet is because it's been billions years since I returned all the Blackness back to me. I never returned the Blackness to me for years because my extension and influence continues to expand in massive scale. There is so much power that I can barely control it.''

''Katarina sharpened her eyes in anger but if Astaroth was her ally then that means she would never kill her. ''

''Playing around with the Blackness is like playing with fire. There were thousands of people throughout history who tried to use the Blackness to fulfill their own selfish goals, but if Astaroth orders her Blackness return to her, everyone infected or used it at some point die instantly by her curse that drags their very soul and even existence to her. In the end, their fate is just one: being devoured by Astaroth and increase her own energy. Luckily, it's been 1,000,000,000 years since she last ordered her Blackness return to her body. If she decided to do that now, maybe the population of Earth would be dragged to her, including Katarina herself.''

- Katarina: You little...



''- Astaroth: Well, but I'll not lie what is down there is almost like my Blackness incarnated. If one manages to steal all my source of power, this person will be consumed by it and become the Blackness itself. So what lies down there is a living part of my Blackness but I can kill it at any time. Yet, where would be the fun to kill instantly instead of letting you face the ghosts of your past?''​​​​​​

''Katarina then confirmed it, Astaroth created that thing so she could make a challenge to test her. It could be to test anything, her new identity, power and resistance.''

Katarina then let out a sigh.

''- Katarina: So I have to do it, right? You said that voice is my past but is also the Blackness, what's the connection between those two?''​​​​​​

"....................."

Astaroth made a sign and used a tentacle that came out of her back to slap Katarina's as a way to order her to go into that abyss.

- Astaroth: Just go already.

''Seeing that Astaroth was losing her patience, Katarina closed her eyes and began to walk towards the abyss of Blackness... but then she remembered about something embarassing that Astaroth made to her back then in Limbo.''

Katarina turned around, blushing in sheer embarassment while trying to hid her emotions.

''- Katarina: H-Hey... Astaroth? C-Can you please don't s-show that video to a-anyone? I-I mean... that... that one where I was.... Ahhh... That was s-so terrible... I-beg you... so please can you not?''

''The video she was talking about was that one where Katarina was touching herself thinking in Rentaro. Well, Astaroth made it clear that she was watching over Katarina for years. But right now, she is not amused.''

"....................."



An angry vein appeared in Astaroth's forehead as she clenched her fists with anger.

- Astaroth: STOP ASKING SO MANY GODDMANED QUESTIONS AND GO DOWN THERE!!

''Astaroth then grabbed Katarina's body and threw her at the hole 3 kilometers away like a trash can. She did it in a rather comic way.''

- Katarina: AAAAAAAHHHH?!!!!

''Katarina fell in the depths of the abyss as the Blackness of all the globe continued to be gathered in one single place. Soon afterwards, Astaroth began to float and stared at the darkness from the bottom of the abyss.''

<p style="text-align:center;"> '- Astaroth: May the winner be decided... Fufufu.'

Part 13.5 - Red Bloody Moon
<p style="text-align:center;"> Pacific Ocean 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Iron Bottom Sound 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Kilometers below the surface 

<p style="text-align:center;">' Seconds later... '

''It's been almost a minute since Katarina jumped into the abyss. Curious enough, at the same she jumped into that huge hole, she felt her strength fading away.''

- Katarina (think): *So cold...*

''It's been not even 5 minutes since she survived Astaroth's ordeal that sought to free her from her own prison but now she felt like if she was going to experience another ordeal. Just like Astaroth said, it's the final step for her ordeal.''

''Even now, Katarina don't know what exactly she is doing but since it was Astaroth who ordered her to face this threat that is related to her past, she had to do it. Some of Astaroth's words echoed in her head: "...your past". Katarina couldn't understand the meaning of those words but felt she was going to understand what was coming for her.''



''- Katarina (think): *This is... the ocean?*''

''Katarina let herself sink in the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean. She can't remember very well but she first thought that hole was a portal as she felt another aura coming from it. However, once she reached the bottom of the hole in a long free fall, she sunk in deep waters.''

''Katarina was now in the deepest part of the Pacific Ocean, a level that no human could reach before. All she could describe is that this place is cold, dark and silently. There is no signal of life around, there is no light, no sound but her own heartbeat.''

''Yes, Katarina is now in the abyssal zone of the ocean that is a layer of the pelagic zone of the ocean. At depths of 4,000 to 6,000 metres (13,000 to 20,000 ft), this zone remains in perpetual darkness. These regions are also characterized by continuous cold and lack of nutrients. The abyssal zone has temperatures around 2 to 3 °C (36 to 37 °F) through the large majority of its mass.''



''It is the deeper part of the midnight zone which starts in the bathypelagic waters above. ''

''The abyssal realm is the largest environment for Earth life, covering 300,000,000 square km (115,000,000 square miles), about 60 percent of the global surface and 83 percent of the area of oceans and seas. This place is where all life and creation are forgotten.''

''Just as Katarina continued sinking deep into those waters, she noticed she finally reached a level of the abyss where all darkness disappeared and was replaced with a red atmosphere. Yes, she reached a level so deep that the magma from the core of Earth illuminated the ground with a bloody color of scarlet. This is the result of the mixture of colors.''

- Katarina: ..................



''This unknown place was like a different realm that is very calm, being far removed from storms that agitate the ocean at the air-sea interface. ''

''In this place, Katarina could see sunk ships, military frigates and battleships from World War II... With the illumination around, she noticed she was falling into a vast cemetery of destroyed ships. The cemetery was so vsast and long that she lost the visual contact to where that cemetery ended.''

''It was so silently... a place forgotten by God and all living beings. There were no fish, crustaceons or seal life. Only a vast land of emptiness and destruction. In this place, billion years ago, was part of Earth's first geographic creations.''



''Suddenly, the female voice that was crying, whose voice was heard across the globe, began to talk with Katarina in her ear but she was nowhere to be found. It was a weak and depressive voice.''

Just as she began to speak, every dark memory Katarina had in her mind began to surface like a wave of nightmares.

''- Voice: So you came... to return what is supposed to be mine... Endlessly repeated wars. Across all eras, seas and emotions, the regrets grow stronger with each cycle. ''

- Katarina (think): *Who are you?*

Katarina thought while she could barely open her eyes.

''- Voice: Welcome to Savo Sound. Iron Bottom Sound. Many ships have sunk here, including you... Katarina Couteau... ''



Katarina continued sinking while the voice echoed in head.

".................................."

- Katarina: I? Sunk?

"............................"

''- Voice: I'll show you... what truly happened... with your and your mother... And why you and I are connected by the fates... of destiny...''

Everything disappeared, including her very own sense of existence as Katarina was dragged into another reality by the voice.

<p style="text-align:center;"> "!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Flashback 1 - The Pact
<p style="text-align:center;"> 41 years ago  <p style="text-align:center;"> Japan   <p style="text-align:center;"> Tenguu City  <p style="text-align:center;"> Daybrooke School  <p style="text-align:center;"> Haruko's Classroom  <p style="text-align:center;"> 09:45 PM 

''- Astaroth (narrator): From here on, I'll take this bullshit of flashback! You better be thankful! Yes, I'm your narrator now! BUT! I promise I'll not get away from the topic here! Anyway... WELCOME TO OZ, BITCH!''

"....................."

''This is a story that happened 41 years ago... before the First Poop Spacequake that hit Eurasia and China, before the Hot Cold War, before the World War III...''

''This is a flashback focused in our old friend, Haruko Couteau, the foster-mother of Katarina Couteau who died in car accident alongside her beloved husband, Iruka Couteau. An untold story of a pure mother who let her emotions turn into one of the purest humans from this world. ''



''Born in Tenguu City, Japan, Haruko Couteau was a student at MindBrooker School, or better known as Daybrooke School, a public high-school. ''

''At young age, Haruko Couteau lived alone and hard to work alone to pay her school, her apartment and even her own expenses due to a worldwide crisis that affected the lives of billions. Her private life alone was difficulty but her public one was even worse.''

''For being too depressive, exhausted and tired of working endlessly without a good salary, Haruko was target of bullying in her school. At that time, Haruko was a fair-skinned Girl, with straight black hair with bangs and pink eyes. She was usually seen wearing her school uniform for the lack of clothes in her house. She was the symbol of losing in life. A disgrace. A person without hope and dreams, but her classmates were not good people who pit her... they were annoying bastards who took every opportunity to hurt this young girl who was barely making her way in life.''



''Often nicknamed as "trash" or "piece of horse's shit" due to her gloomy and gothic look, Haruko became the symbol of disgust from her class thanks to her lack of ability to interact with others. She was anti-social, silently, extremely shy and had no skills to speak with other students out of fear.''

''Seeing that pitful person, there is no way the bullies of this class would let her pass her 3 years of high-school in peace. With eyes full of cruelty, those ruthless juvenile delinquents abused, humilliated and tortured her for 2 years, all days.''

''With no love in her life, Haruko was hopeless in all ways. She was born in United States and a was genius by nature, she is always in the top of the school in all tests, and because of her nationality and intelligence even the most kind classmates of her class are disrespectul and rude towards her.''

''A total loser... The fact that she was a Western also helped in the bully cause. Japan may be a rich country but in all parts of the world, racism is intense towards foreign people.''

''- Haruko: They did... it again.''

''With a tired expression, the young Haruko Couteau stared at her desk while she could hear some people laughing and giggling in the class. From that point of view, there is no one worth of living in this place.''

''That was just a normal day in her life, being "tortured" by other people. For her, it was just a common day. If there was a day where no one would mess with her had to happen, then she will consider it a strange and odd day. It's not like she likes it... no way, what the hell! She is just used to it.''

- (???): Hey, Horse Shit!

Suddenly, a female student of the class, accompained by othe two girls, entered in the class with a smug smile and walked towards Haruko.

''- Student 1: Come with us, Horse Shit! ''

''Those three girls were classmates... but not exactly friends. Because... they are Haruko's worst bullies. ''

''With a single move, one of the girl grabbed Haruko's hand and brought her to the outside of the class like if they were good friends. From there, they made their way towards the female bathroom of the school on the last floor of the building.''

- Haruko: R-Release me...

That poor girl knew what was going to happen.

<p style="text-align:center;"> Minutes later... <p style="text-align:center;"> Female Bathroom

''Inside of the female bathroom, another usual thing was about to happen. But from all cruelty that happens with her at that school, there is nothing worse than this.''

''Haruko was a worker, she had to sell candies in the town to survive, so knowing there was someone who had money for herself, the three worst bullies of the class abused her more than anyone else. Actually, they extorted her weeks.''

''- Student 1: Do you remember our deal, horse shit? ''

One of the students grabbed her by the neck and strangled her while the other two stood beside her friend with malicious grin.



''- Student 2: Exactly! Where is our cash?! We gave you 5 days!''

''There were three of them, but only two seemed to be actually cruel light there the third one was very passive. She was only watching them without doing nothing.''

- Student 1: We said "FIVE DAYS!"

''The student who was holding Haruko by the neck then pulled out a utility knife from her pocket and showed it to Haruko, who was now in trembling in sheer terror. ''

- Student 1: And now, the fucking consequences!

From all things that happened before, nothing could be compared to that, the moment that Haruko thought she was going to die.

''- Student 3: Hey, idiot! What the hell are you doing?! If you kill her, then we are done!''

The female bully put the knife inside of Haruko eyes while another student held her arms to stop her from fighting.

''- Student 1: That's okay! My daddy is a politician in this town! We can do whatever we want without to worry about the police! Moreover, I'm not going to kill her... but let's see... I think cutting her pulse, her legs and ripping off her tongue is enough! Hehehe! Don't owrry, she is not going to die!''

''Haruko began to cry in pure terror. And yes, the father of that female bully was an important politician of Tenguu City. With money, you can do whatever you want in this world, as long it's not in large scale. A simple abuse of another student, for example, is not that important as bullying is something normal at this era.''



"...................................................."

''- Student 2: Dude, just chill out! Once we are done with her, we ca--!''

''Suddenly, everything was engulfed by darkness. When the four students noticed what was going on, they stopped what they were doing to look around in confusion. Absolutely everything was stained in black, and when they all looked up they saw countless red eyes staring at them from above.''

- Student 1: Wh-What the fuck?!

''- Student 2: Hey! What the hell is happening here?!''

''The students released Haruko, who fell to the floor coughing. Due to her state of fear, she was not able to see what the others were seeing. The students looked around to find the exit of the bathroom but found nothing because everything was gone, they were in another world of full darkness.''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Suddenly, one of the students felt a cold presence behind her and looked at a jar of water that was now filled with red water similar to blood and saw a tall, slender and black figure behind her with red glowing eyes... it was some kind of black entity made of the shadows.''

- Student 3: A-Ah-Ah...

''The poor student tried to scream for her help but it was useless... because that thing was ME!''



''When she turned around to see what was that, she see that entity was floating on the ceiling like if it was always there, watching their little fun. And with a demonic and deep words, I introduced myself to those clows!''

<p style="text-align:center;"> Ẃ̥ḥ̿a̠͑ť̢ ̖̀a̳̽ ̠̋f̬̓u͉̐n͓͐ ͎̓g̭͌à̮ḿ̠e̳͝ ̜͝y̫̏o͘͜u̻͒'͇͛r̯̈́e̳͑ ̖̽p̩̀l̻̄a͍̒y͎̽i̙͘ñ̲g͓̑ ͔̇h̤͠e͚̚r̛͉e̠̔.̳̈́ ̥́L̰̃e̝̔t̪͐ ̨͌m̘͆e͍͝ ͇̾j̻̿o͓̅i̯͆n̳̚ ̤̚ỷ̰o̢͗u̥͋.̲̓ ̯̽T̜̈h̺͠ẽ͔ ̇ͅr̖͝u̝̍l̝̃è̤ ̭͝n͔͠ǘ̡m͕̔ḅ̕ě͙r͊ͅ ͈̓o̘̕n͐͜e̙̚:͖̀ ̭̓ṯ͝r̖̀ý̡ ̠͂t̨͆o̭̓ ̱̈ń̰õ̟ť͈ ̣͑d̲̓i̭͌e̘͝.̫̒ 

<p style="text-align:center;">' "............................................................................." '

''It was really fun. I remember it like if it was yesterday.''

























Flashback 1.5 - Salvior
<p style="text-align:center;">' 25 years later...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Japan ' <p style="text-align:center;"> Tenguu City  <p style="text-align:center;"> Riverbank of Tenguu  <p style="text-align:center;"> 09:34 AM 

''The time flows... it flows so fast that one might lost count of how many days had passed since then. And so, 25 years had passed since then.''

''Many things had happened in those 25 years. After she graduated in college, she met a man known as Iruka and married him before joining a scientific organizatio called as All Bodies with her distant sister, Akrak Couteau. ''

''However, 2 years later, Haruko left the organization when she discovered that her creations were being used as war-weapons by the KnightWalker Family and also noticed her sister's behavior was getting more and more twisted to the point of using humans in her experiments. ''

''Following those events, she escaped from Akrak's sight and returned to Japan, Tenguu City, where she tried to live normally. She joined the Global Pact Defense years later and was directly involved with Ratatoskr's project, where she helped to form the crew of Fraxinus.''

But one day...

''- Haruko: AAAAHHHH! DAMN IT! DAMN IT! WHY IT HAVE TO BE ME! THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THEY CAN!''

''Again, Haruko was involved in the creation of Ratatoskr's project, she was directly involved in the foundation of their mobile HQ that is Fraxinus... and such work is not easy to complete. ''

''Imagine yourself travelling city by city in every part of the globe searching for a potential expert pilots of spaceships without sleep or time to eat. Haruko is doing this job for 2 years now without any rest. It could be compared to a slave's job.''

''Currently, Haruko is unleashing her wrath to herself. Like I promised to her, I gave her a life with luck to find a good job for herself but what happens in her work is not part of our deal so she will obviously face many barriers on her way.''



''- Haruko: THOSE UGLY OLD MEN FROM ABOVE LOVES TO ENSLAVE WOMEN IN THE GPD! IT'S THEIR FAULT! ALWAYS LOOKING DOWN ON ME FOR BEING YOUNG! AAAAHHHHH!''

''While walking down the sideroad of the nearby river, Haruko yelled at the sky in sheer rage. This caused many people close to her stare at her like if she was some kind of crazy lunatic screaming at herself.''

- Civilian 1 (murmuring): What's wrong with that woman?

- Civilian 2 (murmuring): Totally crazy...



''Haruko then seated in the grass beside the river to calm herself. Now, she was totally alone as the civilians nearby got away from her for thinking she was crazy.''

''- Haruko: What tiresome job... but it's really bizarre to think I'm involved in an alien project.''

''The Global Pact Defense is forming many secret military branchs to protect the world from forces that humans cannot understand. Ratatoskr, for example, will be a military branch that will deal with threats that comes from other planets. ''

- Haruko: I just want a time to sleep...



''Obviously, only the most important leaders of GPD are involved in their creations but a few people who are related to the project like Haruko know about them as well since they are working in their foundation. People like Haruko was are the pillar of Ratatoskr, Peace Foundation and even STAR LABS that is under the process of expansion.''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Haruko then closed her eyes to take a nap but then she heard a loud cry coming from the front. She opened her eyes to see that there was a baby floating in river, it was a small baby of the female genre. She could swear she did not see the baby until now; the baby just appeared out nowhere.''

''- Haruko: A baby? What she is doing here? Could it be she was abandoned?!''

''Haruko rushed at the baby that was almost drowing but then she remembered MY words about loving or having a child. For Haruko's love for children is what she gave to my in exchange of a better life.''

''- Haruko (think): *Wait... no. I can't. I promised to Astaroth... I'll break the pact I did with her.*''

''Haruko stopped running and stood still in the same position for a long time, about 2 minutes as she made many decisions inside of her head; "to save or not save the baby?" That was her inner question right now. While remembering the promised she did to me, she slowly turned back as the screams of death of the baby drowing echoed inside of her ears... until the voice of her subconsciouness spoke to her.''



''"This is how you truly feel?" Her subconsciouness spoke to her about her true feelings and intentions. Deep inside, Haruko wanted to save that baby from death for that was the common sense and the best representation of humanity.''



- Haruko (think): *I...*

"........................."

''Decisions are what change the course of your life. Even if those decisions will hurt yourself in the future for the sake of another one, then nothing else matters. This is what the young Haruko thought to herself as she stopped walking and turned back to see the baby with red hair drowing.''

''- Haruko: Screw the pact! ''

''This is also one of the reasons why I was interested in Haruko. While other people would avoid breaking the pact for their own selfish gains, no matter what, Haruko had to think hundreds of times to finally break the pact she embraced dearly for too long. ''

''Haruko then rushed at the baby and entered in the water to caught baby that was already underwater. In just 7 seconds, she caught the innocent baby and brought her to the surface. She then returned to the grass on the sides of the river and wrapped the baby in a white cloth that was there just by conscidence.''

- Haruko: You're safe now...

''Haruko sat on the grass with her wetty clothes and awkwardly smiled at the sky, remembering that she broke my pact; if she recalls well, the price for breaking the pact is her life itself. But at that point, she was probably ready to have her life taken away.''

- Haruko (think): *How I'm going to explain this to Iruka?*

"......................................."

''And so the days passed in peace... but then...''

Flashback 2 - Innocence
<p style="text-align:center;"> Scenes from LOTM: Sword of Kings Special: Tales of a Lost Hero - Part 2

<p style="text-align:center;">' 4 months later...  <p style="text-align:center;"> United States ' <p style="text-align:center;"> Liberty City <p style="text-align:center;"> Haruko's House <p style="text-align:center;"> 05:45 AM



''- Haruko: Please try to not to force yourself again... I don't like to see you on the bed all day with headaches.''

''This happened 19 years ago, when Katarina was just a baby and her parents, Haruko Couteau and Iruka Couteau were alive... More importantly, this happened years after Akrak killed Carla Kellan and kidnapped Yen Kellan, leaving Lucas under the cares of Mercenary Tao.''

At that time, Haruko was living in the United States and had a house in Liberty City where she was living with her husband, Iruka Couteau, and her adoptive newborn daughter, Katarina Couteau.



''- Iruka (phone): [I understand, honey... I'll try to go back home early today. Take care of yourself.]''

''Iruka, who was working at that time, turned off the phone as Haruko was speaking with him. She then put the phone in the table of the living room and looked at the calendar... It was November 6. Tomorrow, November 7, it will be Iruka's birthday so she wanted to make a big surprise for him. ''

''Right now, she is making one of her legendary cakes. Haruko is known for being a ultimate chef and always pleases all people who eat her food.''



- Haruko: Tomorrow...

''Haruko then looked at her left side and on the very corner of the living room, there was a baby sleeping in a crib. She then carried the baby with a cheerful smile. ''

''Yes... That baby was Katarina Couteau when she was an infant... Katarina was found in an abandoned river in Japan when Haruko and Iruka were in a business trip and they took care of her as Haruko had a disease and was unable to give birth to a baby. Yet, even if Haruko had ability to give birth to a baby, she would without doubt adopt her because her heart is pure and kind, so it was impossible for her to let a baby die like that. ''



''More importantly, Katarina was a newborn, meaning that she was brought to life just 2 days ago at the time when they found her. When Haruko adopted her, she had 22-years old and was almost on the same age of Katarina nowadays.''

''- Haruko: Let's give daddy a nice welcome okay? ''

''Haruko then put a pacifier in Katarina's mouth and let her suck it. She then proceeded to put Katarina back in the crib as she made her way back to the kitchen.''



But suddenly...

"!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''The house bell of the house rang without warning. For a moment, the light-hearted atmosphere became darker and silent... The birds stopped singing and the sounds of cars outside vanished. Haruko then walked towards the front door of the house thinking it was just her neighbor. ''

- Haruko: On my way!

''Haruko then ran towards the door as the bell was ringing many times. When Haruko arrived at the door and was about to put her right hand at the knob she felt a strange sensation coming from the other side of the door.''

!!!!!"

- Haruko: What...

''Haruko's eyes narrowed in shock when she felt a cold sensation coming from outside... But then...''



"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Like a violent truck crashing in a car, the door of the house was immediately was broken open with brutality and violence. Haruko, was just a few centimeters away from the door had her entire face hit by the door and broken her nose on the process. Without forces to keep standing, she fell on the floor with a waterfall of blood. Her nose was completely destroyed.''

- Haruko: ARGH!

''When housewife looked up, she saw several people on the other side of the door... The person on the front was a very young woman around the age of Haruko, it was Akrak Couteau smiling like a happy psychopath.''

''- Akrak: Hello there, sister! We found you!''



Haruko widened her eyes in shock when she first saw Akrak's face, her sister.

''- Haruko: Akrak... You're alive...''

Immediately, several men who were standing behind Akrak loaded their weapons and rushed into the house while looting and destroying everything their eyes caught on sight, they were soldiers from the Wolf Assassin Brigade, a mercenary group working to KnightWalker Family.



''- Akrak: Indeed I am, sister... ''

''Like mentioned before, Akrak once was a student at Global Pact Defense academy but she was soon corrupted by her won racism against Christians and tried a coup in USA but she failed and fled to KnightWalker Family in Europe. Many people thought she was dead.''

''- Captain: Boss... We are looked every single corner of this house and we found no one except a baby.''

''The captain of the group approached his boss like a subordinate speaking with his superior. ''



"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Haruko immediately reacted like any mother would. When the captain mentioned about Katarina, she tried to stand up and ran towards her child but the captain knocked her and pressed his foot against Haruko's back on the floor. ''

''- Akrak: I see... Interesting, Haruko... You have a child too? You're so young yet you are throwing all your life away by raising disgusting kids. Why do you became such person? Ah... Captain, bring me the baby.''

The captain then released Haruko and walked towards the living room where Katarina sleeping.



- Haruko: WHY DO YOU CAME HERE?!

Finally, Akrak stepped into the house as she was just standing outside.

''- Akrak: Don't be so loud... Like a woman, be more calm and delicate. I'm here to bring you to Paris with me--Success, my sister! My most new project, the Hlokoust Cannon, worked with success! Just a few days ago, Eckidina KnightWalker invaded Fiore Kingdom and used my weapon against the country. The capital is totally destroyed and no survivors left! ''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Haruko narrowed her worried eyes in shock.



''- Haruko: What... did you just say... I knew it... Fiore Kingdom wasn't destroyed by a cataclysmic incident... It was the KnightWalker Family! Akrak!''

''The eyes of Akrak's sister immediately were sharpened and stared at the mad scientist with hatred it was like if Haruko was not looking at someone of her family. Rather. A monster.''

''- Akrak: So scary... You sure makes me tremble in fear sister... ''



''Suddenly, the captain of Akrak's squad arrived with Katarina in his hands. Haruko immediately noticed he was carrying her child in his arms and charged at him to bite his neck but he kicked her in the stomach, making her fall on the floor while vomiting blood.''

''- Haruko: S-SHE IS...! DON'T TOUCH HER!''

Akrak then looked at the baby with disgust before opening her mouth to speak.

''- Akrak: So this your child, sister... Disgusting.''

''Akrak then carried the baby with just one hand... She was now carrying Katarina by holding just one of her legs. The rest of her body was upside down and she started to cry in pain.''



- Haruko: STOP IT!

The captain then kicked her face once again as Akrak continued to hold a baby Katarina by her small and fragile right leg.

''- Akrak: They are adorable creatures, aren't they? I would feel bad for hurting one of them. I remember when I held Lucas Kellan, the son of Yen and Carla Kellan, just like this when he was just a newborn... Of course, I was not holding by his leg! HAHAHAHAHA!''

''Akrak started to remember when she first met Lucas when he was just a newborn baby. At that time, Akrak wasn't a insane mad scientist like she is nowadays.''

The captain, worried with the baby, spoke with Akrak.



''- Captain: Boss, there is no need to hurt her... We came to kill no one... Even in Wolf Assassin Brigade, we have rules to keep the moral agency of our soldiers. If you're willing to disobey them, then we shall kill you first.''

''Akrak sharpened her eyes in disappointment with the captain for having moral codes. The two stared at each other for a long time, but the captain wasn't the only one starting at her, Haruko had flames of wrath deep in her pupils. ''

''- Akrak: Tsk! Fine!''

''Seeing that, Akrak decided to drop the baby with ignorance. ''

- Haruko: KATARINA!!



''Haruko had faster reflexes and managed to save Katarina from having her head crushed on the floor. She then embraced her child while turning her back to Akrak on the floor.''

''- Akrak: The reason why I came here was to bring you to Paris to help me in the development of my new weapon, the Hlokoust Cannon. We had good results in Fiore Kingdom but soon we will reach new achievements using science. But I know ow that you have a daughter...''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Suddenly, Haruko could sense the smell of gasoline. When she looked forward, inside of her head, she saw that Akrak's mercenaries were pouring barrels of gasoline on the ground, everywhere. The cry of agony of Katarina continued as the young housewife was pushed to the brink of insanity.''



- Haruko: S-Sto...

Akrak smiled at the despair of her sister and got in her knees before putting her left right in her shoulder.

''- Akrak: War is about action, and what we do in the coming days will prove to the GDP once and for all, that we will not be dictated to! Death is the only lesson that they will understand! Join me, sister... Together we can reform this country using Global Pact Defense's authority! But do not worry, sister... I'll give you enough time to think about it. When the time come, I'll return to take you with me. I'll give you three months to think, if you have not decided until then, then I'll kill you precious Katarina and your beloved Iruka.''



''After Akrak finished, the mercenaries who destroyed Haruko's house started to left the house by the front door, leaving the scenery of a completely looted house. Akrak then followed the captain to the exit but she soon stopped and pulled a lighter from her pocket.''

''- Akrak: Sister, the Cold War II happened for a reason, the weak perished in Paris, leaving only the strongest Pure-Blooded KnightWalkers and so the religion was destroyed in our lovable country. Those of us that survived, were meant to. Now it is time for you to suffer that same fate. History demands it. Join me in this new era... Think about it.''

''Akrak then throw the lighter at the living room of the house and immediately flames started to rise from the floor and covered the entire house as Haruko was watching in despair. Seeing that, Akrak made her leave with her troops, leaving Haruko behind with her child.''



<p style="text-align:center;">' - Haruko: Akrak... '

''While that house was burning to the ground, there was a strange shadow-like figure standing on the middle of the fire and destruction. That shadow was Astaroth, who witnessed Akrak Couteau trying to kill a baby Katarina and Haruko.''

- Astaroth: .........................

With red shining eyes, Astaroth came to realize Haruka broke the pact they formed together 40 yearsa ago, when she saved her from death by the hands of those bullies.

''- Astaroth (think): *You broke the pact, Haruko. You adopted a child, something that you were never allowed to. With this, you broke our Qlipha Pact... and the consequence of this is... your death.*''

Astaroth disappeared in the fire while Haruko escaped from the house with Katarina in her arms.

Flashback 3 - Punishment
<p style="text-align:center;"> Japan  <p style="text-align:center;"> Tenguu City  <p style="text-align:center;"> 5 months later  <p style="text-align:center;"> Couteau's House 

''And so 5 months had passed since then. After Akrak burned her house in United States, Haruko and Iruka fled to Japan to live in Haruko's hometown, Tenguu City. ''

- Haruko: Then, I'm leaving.

- Iruka: I'm counting on you, sister.

''After Iruka and Haruko found a new house to live in peace, she brought Katarina with them in the fear Akrak could go after her. Many things had happened in those past few years. When Haruko was pregnant and gave birth to Eugen Katsuragi, she passed through many problems, mainly with financial and economic troubles that resulted in her sending Eugen to be adopted by the Katsuragi family, a family that was living in the country of Chronos Empire. ''

Due to this fact, Katarina was the solo daughter of the Couteau Family, the fact that she was adopted was rather interesting as Haruko thought if she had a biological daughter with her, Astaroth could notice in a matter of time.



- Maid: Leave her with me, I can sure you she will be in good hands.

''To prevent her family from starving and save the young Katarina from the global crisis of 2020s, Haruko and Iruka decided to travel overseas to work directly in the Ratatoskr project, a part of the project where the workers would gain 50% more than normal. That was the option Iruka and Haruko choose to survive in this new harsh world.''

''And now, the couple is preparing to leave their house and make their way to the airport to return to United States. It will be a long trip of 4 days but they are ready for it. To take care of Katarina, who will stay in Tenguu City, they called Iruka's sister who happens to be a professional maid and babysitter.''

''- Maid: I had took care of hundreds of babies before. Katarina will be no problem for me.''

Iruka's sister, who was dressed in her maid outfit, bowed in Japanese-style with a smile.

- Maid: Have a safe trip, nii-san and onee-san.

''In Japanese traditions, the wife of a woman's brother becomes her step-sister. Haruko was such to that maid.''

''- Haruko: No worries! Please, take care of Katarina and yourself! We will be back in 3 months from now.''

Then a taxi arrived in front of their house, it was their transport.

''- Iruka: Well, it depends on the airline. Hehehe. We are going now. Be safe!''

''Iruka and Haruko walked towards the taxi and entered in it. Seconds later, the taxi left from the house's front and disappeared when it turned the next street ahead. While they left, the maid stayed behind, waving at them until they were gone.''

- Maid: Now, time to work.

The maid entered in the house and seated in the sofa of the living room to think in her next job to do.

''- Maid: This house is really big. Now, I wonder what I should do now. Clean the bathroom? Clean Katarina's butt? Prepare the dinner? Clean up the basement? Kill the ants in the garden? There are so many choices. For now, let's change this outfit, this is really tight on me.''

''The young maid made her way towards the room to change her clothes that were really tight. Actually, she only uses that outfit to give a greater impact on her masters.''

''Never believe in maids, there are no maids with such outfit, they only exist in anime... Do they?''

<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Roadway ' <p style="text-align:center;"> 12 kilometers away from Tenguu City 

The airport of Tenguu City is actually out of the city for security matters, so the taxi that Haruko and Iruka were riding was making its way to borders of the town.

However...

- Haruko: Iruka, do you think it was the right choice?

Haruko and Iruka were seated on the backseat of the blue taxi while looking through the window of the car.

''- Haruko: We might return in only 5 years or even more. The creation of Ratatoskr is ongoing for 15 years now. We might never see Katarina grow.''

Iruka touched her hand with a cheerful smile.

''- Iruka: It's okay. There is no need to worry. If we can't get to see her, we can simply change posts. You work in my place while you return to Japan. And when my turn arrives, you'll work in my place while I return to Japan to see Katarina, this way, she will never forget us. It's going to be okay.''

Haruko closed her eyes and smiled.

- Haruko: Iruka...

''While they were inside of the car, a dark shadow glowing in red was watching them from distance, behind the darkness of the trees. That presence was... Astaroth, in other words, the Glorius Me!''

".................................."

''With my two hands, I formed a ractangle and prepared to cast a curse on the taxi... at this point, you must know what kind of curse it's going to spelled against Haruko and Iruka.''

''- Astaroth: I admire you to determination to betray me, Couteau. But... I have to do my part in the pact. You remember, right? I can only feel pit for your husband and the driver who are not involved with the pact but you brought them to their death... It's time to say goodbye...''

My hands were shining in red as several red eyes were formed in the shadow's body.

<p style="text-align:center;"> - Astaroth: ...Couteau.

<p style="text-align:center;"> Cutting off Astaroth's narrator.

<p style="text-align:center;"> Airport Roadway  <p style="text-align:center;"> 18 kilometers away from Tenguu City  <p style="text-align:center;"> 2 hours later  <p style="text-align:center;"> 00:23 PM 

''And so... that happened... This is where everything began. The infamous car accident that changed Katarina's life forever.''

''An accident so violent and brutal that never in Japan's history society saw such cruel accident that took not only three lives but other 43 people. It was considered as the most tragic and deadly car accident in human history.''

''For Katarina, this was the moment that turned her life upside down. And for other dozens of families, was considered as the most horrible memories they ever had. The police called it "Tenguu Hell". Why? Because the cause of the accident was the taxi that Iruka and Haruko were in. After they were only 5 kilometers next to the airport, the taxi driver had a heart attack and accidentaly invaded the opposite road, causing the taxi to hit straight into a gasoline truck. The impact was so strong that the truck's wagon full of gasoline was sent flying 12 meters ahead and exploded in a massive explosion that engulfed the whole explosion. ''

''But why such explosion was so destructive? The reporters had the answer, because right now dozens of police cars, firefighters trucks and 60 reporters were broadcasting the local of the accident.''

''- Reporter: Yes, from our last report, the gasoline the truck was carrying was fuel to the spaceships of Global Pact Defense called Rhydonium, which a fuel extracted from Earth's volcanos. When poured out of its container, rhydonium appeared like spilled chrome. It could be scraped up and salvaged, but only under a high degree of safety measures, as rhydonium was dangerous to exposed skin. It was an extremely volatile fuel for spaceships. In that sense, a mini-nuclear explosion happened back then, an explosion to powerful that even people who were 1 kilometer away were affected by the heat and had their skins burned. The police confirmed 43 deaths until now but this number might increase once the police finish a full search for the area to look for more victims who had their bodies carbonized due to the heat caused by the explosion.''

The young reporter then looked at the police officer next to her and gave him the word.

- Reporter: Good evening, do you already have the confirmation about the cause of the accident?

The officer shook his head and looked straight at the camera.

''- Officer: Good evening, everyone. For now we don't have the solid confirmation of the cause considering this is a roadway and we don't have cameras around this area but fortunely there was a car next to accident's location that had a camera installed in its front and recorded everything. From the camera's point of view, the cause of the accident was that a taxi lost control of its direction and invaded the opposite road, crashing with the fuel truck. From what we know by now, we can only say it was man's failure. ''

The officer swallowed his own saliva and continued.

''- Officer: However, this is only a theory. We fear it was actually a problem with the direction of the vehicle or even an exterior cause that caused the vehicle to change its direction without explanation; for example some animal or object. ''

- Reporter: So there is any surviver confirmed until now?

The reporter looked down thinking in an answer.

''- Officer: We fear there is not. All vehicles within a kilometer were carbonized alive. Until now, we confirmed 12 more victims that were out of the explosion's heat but were injured by the heat. Personally, I dare to day this is the worst car accident I ever had to investigate. Actually, according to the data files of the department, there was never such brutal accident in traffic's history. Right now, the Japanese government is going to mark a meeting with the Global Pact Defense ministers to talk about the use of this dangerous fuel.''

No survives were found, and that was considered the deadliest accident in traffic's history, like the officer said.

Flashback 4 - One
<p style="text-align:center;"> 4 days later... <p style="text-align:center;"> Japan <p style="text-align:center;"> Tenguu City <p style="text-align:center;"> Couteau's House <p style="text-align:center;"> Living Room <p style="text-align:center;"> 11:23 PM 











<p style="text-align:center;"> Pacific Ocean 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Iron Bottom Sound 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Seconds later 













<p style="text-align:center;">' 4 hours later... '

 





Nowadays




<p style="text-align:center;">' 4 minutes later... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Asia 

<p style="text-align:center;"> China 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Hengsha Island 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Beach 



















<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> 2 kilometers away from the Beach  <p style="text-align:center;"> Banker Gate 

















<p style="text-align:center;"> 2 kilometers away from the Banker Gate  <p style="text-align:center;">' Seconds later... '













<p style="text-align:center;">

<p style="text-align:center;">

<p style="text-align:center;"> Pacific Ocean <p style="text-align:center;"> Iron Bottom Sound <p style="text-align:center;"> ???



























<p style="text-align:center;">

<p style="text-align:center;"> ".................................................................................................................................................."

<p style="text-align:center;">





<p style="text-align:center;">

<p style="text-align:center;">





<p style="text-align:center;">





<p style="text-align:center;">





<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus ' <p style="text-align:center;"> Back Hangar 

















For Hope...


















































...In Hell
<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Asia 

<p style="text-align:center;"> China 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Hengsha 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Downtown 



 









Part 14 - Sins of the Past
<p style="text-align:center;"> Atlantic Ocean

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus

<p style="text-align:center;"> Bridge

<p style="text-align:center;"> 13 minutes later









































<p style="text-align:center;"> Atlantic Ocean

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus

<p style="text-align:center;"> On the top of the Ship

<p style="text-align:center;"> 3 minutes later















































<p style="text-align:center;"> Europe <p style="text-align:center;"> Spain <p style="text-align:center;"> Barcelona <p style="text-align:center;"> Catholic Rebels' Military Base <p style="text-align:center;"> 20 minutes later





























Part 15 - When All Hope is Lost
<p style="text-align:center;"> America

<p style="text-align:center;"> United States

<p style="text-align:center;"> Sleepy Hollow - STAR Center

<p style="text-align:center;"> STAR Central

<p style="text-align:center;"> Front Gates

<p style="text-align:center;"> 21 minutes later





















<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> STAR Central 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Top Room 

 























































































<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile... <p style="text-align:center;"> Ratatoskr's Flag Ship <p style="text-align:center;"> Bridge



































<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Battlefield '





























































<p style="text-align:center;">' 6 minutes later... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> STAR Central 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Underground Level 













Part 16 - Reborn Mafusa
<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Asia 

<p style="text-align:center;"> China 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Hengsha 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Beach 





















<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Underground Banker 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Floor 1 









<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> On the surface 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Beach 























<p style="text-align:center;">' 10 minutes later... '















<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Chronos Empire 

<p style="text-align:center;"> The Empire's Capital 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Imperial Palace 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Sephiria's Private Room 

 







<p style="text-align:center;">' 1 hour later... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Europe 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Ireland 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Badrick 

<p style="text-align:center;"> 1 kilometer away from the Hotel 













<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> At the Hotel ' <p style="text-align:center;"> Front Door 

 



















Part 17 - Goodbye
<p style="text-align:center;"> Atlantic Ocean

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus

<p style="text-align:center;"> Bridge

<p style="text-align:center;"> 12 minutes later





















<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile...

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus' Factory

















<p style="text-align:center;">



<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile...

<p style="text-align:center;"> Roof of Fraxinus











<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Revelation of Qliphoth's Mother Ship

<p style="text-align:center;"> Bridge













<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus

<p style="text-align:center;"> Back Hangar

<p style="text-align:center;"> 4 minutes later...





















<p style="text-align:center;"> Inside of the Shuttle 

<p style="text-align:center;">' Seconds later... '









<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Submarine of Chronos 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Deck 

 

<p style="text-align:center;">











<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile...

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus

<p style="text-align:center;"> Medical Hangar



















<p style="text-align:center;"> Meanwhile...

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus' Core Center

<p style="text-align:center;"> Control Room

















































<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Kotori's Shuttle '











<p style="text-align:center;">' 12 hours later... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> 500 kilometers away from Fraxinus' location 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Sea Cave































<p style="text-align:center;">' 12 minutes later... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Medical Camp 











<p style="text-align:center;">' Seconds later... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Outside 





















<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Inside of the cave '























Part 18 - A New Era
<p style="text-align:center;">' 11 hours ago... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Atlantic Ocean 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Fraxinus 



























<p style="text-align:center;">' 10 hours ago... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> United States 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Sleepy Hollow - STAR Center 

<p style="text-align:center;"> STAR Central's Roof 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Front Gate 









































<p style="text-align:center;">' 2 minutes later... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Museum of Sleepy Hollow 

































<p style="text-align:center;">' 8 hours ago... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Europe 

<p style="text-align:center;"> France 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Paris 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Ward Walker 000 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Laboratory 503 









































Part 19 - Lost Cause
<p style="text-align:center;">' 5 hours ago... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Qliphoth

<p style="text-align:center;"> Throne of Qlipha

































<p style="text-align:center;"> 2 days later...

<p style="text-align:center;"> Europe

<p style="text-align:center;"> Spain

<p style="text-align:center;"> Barcelona









<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Catholic Rebels' HQ '











<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> At the top of the HQ 













<p style="text-align:center;">











<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Inside of Maria's room 



























<p style="text-align:center;">























<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Vatican 

<p style="text-align:center;"> St. Peter's Basilica 

<p style="text-align:center;"> Pope Throne 







<p style="text-align:center;">' 1 hour later... '

<p style="text-align:center;"> Germany 

<p style="text-align:center;"> The Fallen's Essence Mansion 











​​​​​​​



<p style="text-align:center;">



Part 20 - 1 Year Later... (Final)


''And so everything was settle... And so hope was lost... A wish for hope and kindness gave birth to endless despair and darkness, friendships were broken, families were destroyed, prayers went unanswered, love was betrayed. Everything fell into an endless pit of emptiness as the world marched towards its doom like bees. And so, their future is over.''

Is it?

<p style="text-align:center;">' 12 hours later...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Asia ' <p style="text-align:center;"> Chronos Empire  <p style="text-align:center;"> Academy of Meta-Humans 

''Some hours had passed since Aryana was healed from Vira's virus. But the wounds of others would never be healed after that. ''

''So much had happened back then in Fraxinus. Tears were dropped, people lost their lives, the love was shattered and the ending was brought to everyone in the most painful way.''

''We now are at Chronos Empire, the most new nation founded and ruled by Sephiria Arks KnightWalker, a country born from a corporation. In this great country, there is one place that is reminded by everyone for its unique featurs; the Academy of Meta-Human which is the headquarters of all Meta-Humans working to Chronos Empire from the conclusion of the Cold War II. It's basically a temple where Meta-Humans are brought to train their abilities and control their power. But mostly important, its main duty to save the meta-humans from the rest of the world.''



''During all those years, it's the home to its major training, bureaucratic and dormitory facilities. Jointly operated by Chronos Empire's Parlament, the academy was sealed to all but the Meta-Humans and their allies, with very few public areas. ''

''The complex would be abandoned and largely destroyed at the time of the time of the Purge when many Black Demons appeared out of nowhere and caused chaos all around Chronos Empire. ''

''And right now, Sephiria is standing in front of the main entrance. Strange enough, she don't have any bodyguards with her. However, there is a person standing right in front of her, a woman with long blonde hair and pink eyes. She was a very familiar person to most of all Rogues... because that person is Isis Maxwell, the Meta-Human sent to Fraxinus to help in their mission against the Manufacturing Progressive Sciences in Brazil.''



- Isis: .........................

- Sephiria: ........................

In her hands, Sephiria was holding a letter in which she had just finished reading to Isis.

''The case is, Sephiria went to the Meta-Human Academy to tell Isis about something terrible that happened with her friends from Ratatoskr. At that point, the news about the tragedy that happened with them had reach the ears of the entire globe.''

''Labeled as terrorists by STAR LABS, the remaining nations were informed that Ratatoskr was finally wiped out for their war crimes by the elite forces of Mina Harker. They made it sound so good that now all humans who were deceived into thinking they were one of the responsibles for bringing the Black Demons to the world thanks to their forbidden rituals and use of magic, were celebrating...''

''It was no surprise that... right now... fireworks can be heard all over Chronos Empire. While many people hate STAR LABS as long the true "responsibles" for turning the world upside down are killed, they can put their trust in Mina Harker once and for all.''



- Sephiria: ........................

''The fireworks could be heard everywhere but it was not only in Chronos Empire. The few countries that survived the ordeal of the Purge also comemored with parties and festivals. The monsters who caused the Purge are dead... STAR LABS promised to find the enemies of humanity and punish them. ''

''They promosed it. ''

''And they did it... deceiving the whole planet into thinking Ratatoksr was the terrorist organization that was involved with the Black Demons. ''

''- Isis: ...So... it was true...''

''The defeat of one of the few defenders of the world was celebrated by billions while mankind now could see a light at the end of this tunnel of death and darkness. With Ratatoskr gone, they can can fight against the Black Demons. Their morale increased, the few cowards who had lost their hopes and cowering in fear inside of caves now began to leave their hideout to fight once again.''



''They could do it. They believed they could win against this threat.''

''- Sephiria: Unfortunely, this is true. Ratatoskr... and the Rogues... are gone.''

Sephiria tried to force a smile to hide her sorrow while Isis' smile slowly faded as soon as she heard that the rumors were true.

''Isis heard about Ratatoskr's fate through the internet, news, newspaper, TV and many other forms of communication. Actually, the topic of the day is only Ratatoskr and how they were involved with dark magic, a magic so vile that summoned billions of Black Demons to this Earth.''

- Isis: ...............

Isis refused to believed that was true so she continued to act normally for the rest of the day until Sephiria proved her otherwise.​​​​​



''- Sephiria: But, I can say for sure. The STAR LABS is lying. They were never involved with the supernatural. Ratatoskr was pure and had straight thoughts about their goals and objectives. They would never get involved with those demons. You saw it by yourself too, right? When you were attacked by them.''

''Isis knew about that already... she was never suspicious about their nature, she saw it when she witnessed Lucas Kellan's straight thoughts about his father and past. They are people with many problems and a tragic historic of experiences.''

''The only thing she cared and could remember was one person... Lucas Kellan. The image of this never disappeared from her mind since she left Fraxinus in the aftermatch of Morte's battle.'' - Isis (think): *Lucas...*

''Lucas Kellan. He never vanished from her mind not even for an instant. She even promised to herself to return to Fraxinus one day when she was stronger enough to be considered a comrade of the Rogues. A person mature enough to be able to stand beside Lucas, and Lucas only.''

''- Isis: A-nd... Lucas?''



''Sephiria was familiar with the name of members of the Rogues and most important allies of Ratatoskr so she memorized Lucas' name. When Isis and Maeve returned to Chronos Empire, they reported about Millian Gravik's death by the hands of a Black Demon named as Vira Hermes. When Isis left the room, Maeve said some unnecessary things about Isis' attachment to Lucas, causing the two to immediately realize Isis was in love with Lucas.''

- Sephiria: ....................

''With that said, Sephiria knew Isis was deeply in love with Lucas, she knew he was the only person she truly cared in the Rogues. With that in her mind, it was hard to say he perished in battle alongside many others.''

- Isis: SEPHIRIA!

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"



''That was too surprising even for Sephiria. For the first time, Isis called her for her first name without the use of "Majesty" or "Empress". It only showed how Isis was too despaired to know what happened.''​​​​​​

''- Sephiria: He was... killed in action by the Black Demons. ''

"......................."

''Sephiria was too straight saying that, she sounded really cold back then so she regretted for not choosing best words. She sounded like a cold-hearted sergeant during a battlefield's report.''

''"Killed in action". That sounded to professional and harsh even for Sephiria but Isis was not really shocked because of that, she was shocked about the news itself and not how it was told.''



''- Sephiria: I'm sorry, Maxwell. It wasn't my intention.''

Sephiria, unlike Isis, couldn't hold her tears for too long, mainly because Kotori was a close friends to her.

- Isis: I see...

''Isis looked down and almost lost her confidence and even her cool. Isis is a tough woman who experienced the worst of humanity. She was abused, tortured and repeatedly used in human experiments of the Global Pact Defense. She had lost already everything, her family and friends. Due to her position as the director of this academy, she is really rigid and barely have any friends beside Maeve. Now, she lost someone she loved and did not even have the chance to show her feelings.''

''- Isis: I already knew... everything I love disappears one day. I always had this sensation I would never be able to see him again. I knew it. Every men I fall in love disappears one day. I knew of it. ''



Isis suffers from a really bad luck (similar to the author himself) and was never able to feel the love of another person outside from her family.

''Isis took a deep breath and saluted. She was suffering but above all, she is the director of the Meta-Human Academy, and train every Meta-Human of this empire with rigidity so they can survive out there.''

- Isis: Anyway, Empress, I bring a report to you about the two agents we sent to Russia to find Azul Jissele.

''Isis was obviously mourning now but she did her best to keep her sorrow sealed inside of her. If she needs to cry, she can do it later.''

''- Sephiria: Isis... Very well, what's it? I remember we sent Maya and Weekend to Moscow to find the former warrior of the KnightWalker Funeral Parlor, Azul Jissele, right?''

Isis nodded as she lowered her arm.

''- Isis: We received an emergencial report from Maya, who died in combat during the invasion Hengsha island. As you should know by now, the defenses of Chronos Empire failed to protect the Hengsha Island but before everything could end, Maya was able to send us a voice message about what happened back then.''

- Sephiria: What was it?

Isis shook her head as Sephiria put the letter she was holding in her pocket.

''- Isis: During the invasion, we could confirm that the Manufacturing Progressive Sciences was indeed the responsible for the attacks. During the attack, they used a new type of virus we never saw before. No--Maya confirmed their weapon to be a biological weapon. A biological weapon unknown to the world of medicine. And... we the forces of Chronos Empire helped in the defense of the island, our enemies dispatched an unknown warrior to face Azul Jissele.''

''Azul Jissele was considered a terrorist by KnightWalker Alliance due to her involvement with the KnightWalker Funeral Parlor. Even so, by the records of Chronos Empire, she is the user of a powerful unknow energy that is the Zoyineian-energy. When Azul left the Ratatoskr temporary to search for Revy, her long-lost friend, Sephiria contacted Kotori to see if she was around but when the latter told Sephiria Azul was missing for a few days they searched for her around the globe until they found her signal of energy in Russia, where she was found mourning over Revy's corpse. ''

Even now, Sephiria knew Azul's goal was to find Revy's murderers who turned out to be the psychotic Yuuki Terumi and his partner Revy.

''- Sephiria: The Zero Numbers... if our spies are correct this is how the elite force of MPS is called. But... what happened with them? I thought they were returning.''

Returning to Chronos Empire after failing to defend Hengsha island was a humiliation for anyone in this majestic country but it never happened because...

''- Isis: Ahh... not that. Isis and Azul... are dead.''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Sephiria's eyes widened in shock when she listened to her words. As a Empress, she is used to lost her underlings, which is not a good thing, but what really surprised her was Azul's status. She was considered to be immortal due to her Zoyineaian-power.''

- Sephiria: W-What did you say?

''- Isis: The vital signals of Azul and Maya disappeared during the invasion. There is no doubt they were killed in action. Not to mention we lost the signal of her energy as soon after another greater energy appeared in our radars and destroyed them.''

''Isis then pulled a voice recorder from her pocket and gave it to Sephiria. Obviously, that was a mordern voice recorder.''

- Isis: This is the message of Maya she sent to us before she lost her life in combat in the aftermatch of the invasion.

Sephiria grabbed the voice recorder and turned it on, making the voice of the late Maya be heard among those two.

- Sephiria: Maya...

Flashback
<p style="text-align:center;">' Days ago...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Asia ' <p style="text-align:center;"> Hengsha Island  <p style="text-align:center;"> Bunker Gate 

''On the battlefield, the sounds did not cease as the Manufacturing Progressive Sciences was bombing and invading the Hengsha Island. ''

''Yes, this is a memory. A flashback of what happened to Maya following Weekend's betrayal. ''

''Gunfire. ''

''Detonations. ''

Screams of people being turned into Gigalomanics.

Screams of women and children being killed by the forces of MPS. 

''On the battlefield between the combined forces of Chronos Empire and People's Liberation Army against the Manufacturing Progressive Sciences were fighting, the explosive sounds of magi-tech and missiles intermingled in the air. Every scream or shriek released from here was concealed under layers of even more sounds of destruction. It was as if hell had been relocated to above ground. ''

- Maya: ...............That hurts.



''With just a seconds worth of negligence, the diligent death overseeing the field of carnage would claim the head above one’s shoulders. However, during that time...''

''- Maya: Ahaha... I guess being shot in the lung is not the best way to die here. But... I can still walk...''

After Maya was betrayed by Weekend, who later proved to be working to another mysterious organization, the former was lying in front of the Bunker's gate alongside other MPS droids that tried to take down the bunker by infecting it with the Black Glas.

''- Maya: Move... Move... You must...''

"..................."



''May slowly tried to stood up in silence in the fear that the forces of MPS invading the island could hear her. It was not as if there were no sounds within the current vicinity, nor was Maya's eardrums damaged from the sounds of an explosion heard in close proximity. ''

''It was only because her attention was snatched away by the scene unfolding before her to the point where the surrounding sounds ceased to fall into her ears. ''

Just above her, she could see hundreds of planes and VTOLs of MPS dropping missiles of Black Gas on the island while the ground forces invaded the island with the numbers of 10,000 droids.

- Maya: A-ah...

''In that unnatural silence, only the painful voice of Maya echoed around in a delicate manner. Using her last strength to walk, Maya tried to flee from that place while the of Chronos Empire were keeping the massive droid army of MPS distracted.''

- Maya: I must report this to the Empress Sephiria...

''The fact that she was betrayed by Weekend was not a trivial matter. With her next objectives in mind, Maya began to walk away from the bunker that was set ablazes.''

Just aftet she escaped from there, she heard many screams of people being carbonized inside of the bunker but since the gate of that bunker could only be opened by the security then she could do nothing but hear the screams of dozens of men, women and children being carbonized inside of it while some people were transformed into Gigalomaniacs and devoured the last survivors.



''- Maya: I must... esca--!''

''Due for being wounded and worried about her surroudings, Maya did not see that she was walking into a slope. As a result, she lost her balance and fell down until the end of that slope. She ended in a dead river that is now a sewage outlet.''

''- Maya: Ouch... that hurts...''

''Maya used her arms as a support to stand up but the injury in her chest was too painful for her to endure. Soon afterwards, she heard metalic footsteps approaching. When she looked back, she saw a patrol of 3 Battle Droids inspecting the area.''

- Battle Droid 1: Are you sure we gonna find survivors in this disgusting hole?

One of the Battle Droids said as they looked around between the trees.

''- Battle Droid 2: Sure, the central of command informed there are human life forms hidden in this place. Remember, shoot to kill.''

- Battle Droid 3: Roger, roger.

The "Roger, Roger" thing is really something only Battle Droids can say, it's most like their catchphrase.

- Maya: Damn it...

With her last strength, she pulled out her pistol and aimed at the droids before they could see her.

[BANG]

The first Battle Droid was shot down while letting out a static scream.

- Battle Droid 1: Enemy located!

The last two Battle Droids then opened fire against Maya with their blaster rifles but since she had a better cover behind the trees, they missed all shots.

thumb|400px

[BANG]

[BANG]

''The last two Battle Droids fell the ground with holes of bullets in their heads. But much to Maya's surprise, a nearby squad of armored robots and elite soldiers noticed the signals of three droids disappeared without explanation.''

- MPS Soldier: There she is!

The first two MPS soldiers in front of the squad of giant robots made the first shots but like what happened with the droids, she had a cover of trees.

''- Maya: Ahahaha... This is it... then?''



Maya rose her hand and shot at the two soldiers, sucessfully killing them.

- MPS Soldiers: AARRRGGHH!!

''The two soldiers fell to the floor while three huge robots noticed Maya on the floor and marched towards her. Howeve, before they could reach her, she began to record her voice using the radio in her ear.''

''- Maya: This is the last words of the 032 Agent Maya from Chronos Empire's Central of Intelligence. The defense of Hengsha failed. Our positions were overthrew by a force of 10,000 droids and one Zero Number... the missiles of Black Glas were launched against the island, infecting the citizens with the disease we feared to be true... My time is... ending so I'll say it now before I'm gone...''

Maya shot at the robots but it was in vain as their armor was too resistent to normal bullets.​​​​​

The first robot then slapped her hand, sending the gun meters away from her before rising its feet to step on her body.

<p style="text-align:center;"> '- Maya: Weekend... is a traitor!' 

''With one final scream, Maya recorded her voice and ended the transmission, sending this small and simple message to the central of Chronos Empire. With one single step, the giant droid crushed her body with an immense strength of 2 tons... It was a horrible way to die.''

- Giant Robot 1: Target eliminated.

- Giant Robot 2: Starting the process of extermination of survivors.

The three giant robots then left walking towards the urban area as Maya's body was seen crushed into a horrible poll of blood and organs.

Nowadays
''- Sephiria: I see. So Maya passed away... Damn it.''

''Sephiria looked down and took a deep breath before rising her head. For Sephiria, Maya was not really a friend but a subordinate, they never had a close relationship like she and Isis have... But even so, she was her loyal subordinate and unlike other global leaders, she don't have the will to use, manipulate and discard her underlings for the sake of her nation.''

''Deep inside, Sephiria considers everyone part of her family but in times of war she got used to receive news of her best agents dying one by one. She is sad but now she managed to keep her emotions aside during her work. She can always cry alone in her own room.''

''- Isis: I'm sorry to tell you this. Maya was a good agent. Not to mention, Azul Jissele who is known as a War Hero in Asia thanks to her battle against the KnightWalker Family's domain in Asian countries. They basically saved us years ago.''

Sephiria and Isis began to walk and enter in the Meta-Human Academy.

''- Sephiria: No. It's me who should be apolozing for bringing such news. I knew you loved Lucas Kellan...''

''Isis blushed and clenched her fists when she mentioned his name. She knew about her feelings thanks to Maeve who told about Isis' affection towards Lucas.''

''- Sephiria: There is no need to hide it from me. Love is a complicated thing but even I had one in the past. More importantly...''



''- Isis: Yes, what we gonna do about Weekend? ''

''Isis remembered how much she hated Weekend. Weekend was not a Meta-Human but a human agent working to Sephiria. That hideous woman arrived in Chronos Empire 4 years ago and served under Sephiria's rule for 3 years. ''

''Even so, Isis never liked her. She was arrogant, rude, narcissistic, a provoker and a childish woman who loved to provoke other people into losing their calm and attacking her just so she could get them punished for attacking her.''

- Isis: Do you think she was a sp--?

''Before Isis could finish, Sephiria shook her head and closed her eyes. She was hiding something from Isis about Weekend's true character, something she never knew... until now.''

''- Sephiria: Well, let me talk first. Before all, I always knew Weekend was not an ally, but of course that was only a theory. Even so, I never trusted in that woman since she appeared out of nowhere and joined my Elite Squad of Agents in a matter of only 2 years.''

Isis twisted her eyesbrows in confusion and stared at Sephiria in confusion as the two stopped walking.

''- Isis: But... why? And how?''

Isis paid attention to Sephiria as the latter did her best to keep low voice.

''- Sephiria: Weekend is not the woman she seemed to be. Actually, she never was. After searching for her past, I discovered that woman belonged to a criminal organization that was active in Japan for almost 10 years. However, at the night the Third World War began, they took participation in the attack to the Japanese Tenguu City. In the aftermatch of that bloody battle, they were hunted down and executed by the Global Pact Defense, Japan Ground Self Defense Forces and including my own country. Some of them escaped from Japan and continued active by committing random terrorists attack across Asia and Europe but without leadership--No, I still think they don't have a leadership.''

''As Sephiria seriously spoke, Isis wrinkled her brow in confusion. Weekend was a grown woman so it was hard to see her being a member of a Japanese criminal organization. Not to mention, she was not even Japanese herself.''

''- Sephiria: After studying Weekend's historic, I came to realize she was a member of this organization in Europe. She took participation in two terrorists attacks that caused the death of 200 people in the two airports of Portugal and Spain. After she was discovered by Interpol, she fleed to Asia... around the same time she joined our squad. So to test her loyalty, I sent her to search Azul Jissele with the assistance of Maya.''

- Isis: So you used Maya as a bait?!

Isis almost through about the worst scenary but Sephiria shook her head.

''- Sephiria: No. I would never do such things with my allies. But I needed to know if she was a spy or a comrade. So I sent her to Russia to find Azul Jissele. Why? Because from her historic she was involved with some experiments conducted by the Moon Terminator Company. And you know it. The experiments the MTC was involved 5 years ago was...''

Isis continued her words.

''- Isis: ...The Tech of the End experiment... the Zoyineian-experiment that created Azul Jissele. I heard they conducted illegal human experiments to reach the level of a God. Making their leader, Kureto Hīragi, a god-like being with the power of a Zoyineian-Black Demon.''

''The Chronos Empire had a vast intel and knew about almost everything that happened in the world of war. They had whole underground facitilies filled with secrets of war crimes. It was initially made to fight against KnightWalker Family's genocidal agenda but then their intel became a vast resource to help to end all ways of the world.''

''- Sephiria: Yes, if Weekend was involved with them that means she could be possibly after Azul's source of power as well. Obviously, that was only a theory... until now. According to my intel, Weekend was not a member of Moon Terminator Company but a spy working to the same organization she came from.''

Sephiria clenched her fists and kicked the ground.

''- Sephiria: I wanted to believe I was wrong but I was right... to think THEY were after it... I thought they were defeated as they numbers decreased by the thousands and their leadership completely obliterated. But I guess they are returning, again...''

Isis sharpened her eyes in wrath.

- Isis: Who are they?

Sephiria took a deep breath before saying the name of this mysterious organization behind Azul's Zoyineaian energy.



' - Sephiria: The name of the organization that Weekend is working to is... Mafusa Gang. And there is no doubt... they're returning! '

<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Europe ' <p style="text-align:center;"> Italy  <p style="text-align:center;"> Vatican  <p style="text-align:center;"> Iscariot's Temple  <p style="text-align:center;"> Main Hall 

If there is a group that can be called worse than the KnightWalkers but have a religion to justify their action then they must be the Iscariot Organization.

''Inside of Vatican, the Iscariot is a fanatical religious organization and rivals to the Catholic Rebels as well as the Orthodox Russian Church. Unlike the Catholic Church known by the public as a benevolent body entity, the purpose of Iscariot is to kill all demons and heretics who oppose to their God, a legal fanatical cult of murderers that even the Pope himself, Michael Langdon is wary of them.''

''But, there is a reason why Michael and the former Mother Superior, Melancholia were wary of them; they all display a violent nature, a religiously zealous mindset as well as psychotic tendencies for bloodshed in the name of God. They have existed centuries (possibly since the dawn of Christianity) and unlike the Witch Cult they kill vampires, zombies and any other supernatural creature because of what they are regardless if they are a threat or not. ''



''If the Afzonia Family is Anglican (Protestant) then the Iscariot is Catholic which acts as another reason for their animosity. The Iscariot organization is also well funded due to their well connected ties with the Vatican as well as the Pope.''

And right now, the Supreme Father of Iscariot, Leonardo Cruz, is happily praying at the altar of the Iscariot's Temple until a tall priest, Alexander Anderson, entered in the temple with a big smile in his face.

- Leonardo: Welcome back, teacher.

''Leonardo turned around and received his teacher with a happy welcome. Despite their positions, Leonardo is actually a former student of Alexander Anderson who is older and more experienced but thanks to Leonardo's amazing skills of leadership and vast knowledge of divine magic and the Christian's texts, this young man was selected to be the new Supreme Father of Iscariot almost a decade ago.''



- Alexander: I'm back, Leonardo.

''Alexander removed his glasses and cleaned them up after long journey back to Vatican... and yes, they did not even give him a transport to take him to Ireland. ''

''To be part of Iscariot means you have to use the strength the Creator gave to you. Simply like that. If you were born with two feet then use them.''

''- Leonardo: So? How was it?''

Leonardo walked down the altar as Alexander Anderson stopped walking when he arrived at the front of the big altar of Iscariot Temple.

''- Alexander: The mission is complete. The Black Demon in question was eliminated. However...''

''- Leonardo: However...? What's it?''



''Leonardo then walked away as Alexander followed him, despite the fact they are chief and subordinate, the two continues to share a relationship between teacher and student. Actually, Alexander is the only person Leonardo cares about remembering his name.''

''- Alexander: I never thought I would meet STAR LABS face-to-face. With my intellect I thought I could dispatch that Black Demon faster as I could but it seems the STAR LABS was in the move too.''

Leonardo stopped walking and looked above with hideous eyes.

''- Leonardo: Could it be that STAR LABS already began their expansion in Europe? If they arrived there faster than you that means they have already military bases installed in Ireland. Which means...''

Alexander Anderson already knew what he was going to say.

''- Alexander: Yes, the STAR LABS officially invaded our territory. Our Catholic and sacred land. That means the STAR LABS is now declaring war against not only Iscariot but the Vatican itself.''

"......................................"

- Leonardo: Exactly.



''The Vatican was already part of KnightWalker Alliance but until now, the Vatican never declared war against the STAR LABS for... well, being a military organization that fights against black magicians, demons and heretics; the old and same enemies of the Catholics for generations. ''

''The new Pope, Michael Langdon, never really liked Mina Harker for her arrogance towards her allies and how unpredictable she was. Even so, the keep his image to all his followers that are basically his army, then he must continue his façade of a Pope who is obviously against all that is bad to the image of the Creator... even if that means declaring neutrality over the STAR LABS' new regime.''

But now, that STAR LABS finally ignored their neutrality and invaded the conquered territory, that means the Pope and Leonardo now have the total rights to declare war against STAR LABS and Mina Harker.

Leonardo them let out a sophisticated grin while he crossed his arms.



''- Leonardo: Alexander Anderson, the time has finally come. STAR LABS is now our enemies.''

Alexander closed his arms as the atmosphere around them became darker.

- Alexander: The question here is: what those damned bastards will try?

''- Leonardo: They target is obviously Michael Langdon. Mina Harker told that herself: religion creates divisions and distrust between humans, and distrust between humans causes conflicts, and conflicts causes people to change, and changes cause people to become demons. So it's normal for all religions be their target as well. Putting an end to the Pope's life means they will cut the head of the snake.''

Alexander let out a psychotic smile and clenched his fists.



''- Alexander: Calling the Pope a "snake"... That does not sound like you... But I always knew you never got along with him and Mother Superior. You always knew their scheme but you never did nothing to stop them.''

Leonardo giggled and clapped his hands.

''- Leonardo: If I took actions against them that would mean they would found out about Lilith and Iscariot's true agenda in cleaning this world from all Sin and Blackness. ''

''Iscariot had their own agenda behind the Vatican's shadows... their plans are involved with that strange white figure imprisoned in the underground facility of Iscariot Temple. But until now, nothing is known about this secret project only Leonardo and Alexander are aware of.''

''Leonardo and Alexander then stared at the door of the Temple, and suddenly it closed out of nowhere. They somehow closed that using telekinesis.''

''- Alexander: Even so, I agree that the centuries of Iscariot serving the Church and their Parlament is finally over! So that means the rebellion will FINALLY start!''

''- Leonardo: The STAR LABS is not interested in us. Mina Harker should already known about the existence of Iscariot by now. Now that Ratatoskr is gone, she is completely absorbed with Michael and the Catholic Church. ''

"......!!!!"

Suddenly, a dark aura surrounded Leonardo with intensity.

- Leonardo: In which case, actions speaker louder than words.

- Alexander: When the time is right, we'll clobber them from the side.

Leonardo opened his arms like a dictator giving a speech to his people.



''- Leonardo: EXACTLY! When all is said and done, we'll be the ones standing in the ring with our fists raised! Anderson, I already issued a secret mobilization order some time ago. In secret of the His Holiness and Mother Superior, I transferred the Knights of Malta, the Knights of St. Steven, the Military Order of Calatrava la Nueva, the Brotherhood of the Cruciform Sword, the Papal Knights and the Swiss Company headquarters to our temple in Portugal. Our secret agency in Vatican, the Vatican's Administration of Holy Relics 3rd Division, Matthew, has also gone into action to prepare the stage for our coup d'etat... Not to mention, the Specialized Anti-Demon tactical arms are also being prepared.''

Hearing the names of all those armies under the service of Leonardo, Anderson giggled with malicious intentions.

''- Alexander: Kukuku! That's like a Crusade! A Crusade against our true enemy! A Crusade against the False Pope!''

''- Leonardo: Yes. That's exactly right! Only the enemy isn't Allah like our First Crusade! This time, the enemy is the False Prophet (Michael Langdon) and the Beast (Mina Harker)! ''

Leonardo rose his hands at the altar with the Cross of Christ.

- Leonardo: 'VERY WELL! IF WAR IS WHAT MINA WANTS THEN WAR IS WHAT SHE IS GOING TO HAVE! CASTLE AFTER CASTLE! TOWN AFTER TOWN! WE'LL THEIR CORPSES ON TOP OF EACH OTHER! WE WILL DESTROY ALL THOSE WHO OPPOSE OUR GOD'S WORD!'

Leonardo calmed himself by putting his hands in his back.

''- Leonardo: We have an army of 10,000,000 waiting for our command! Armed with holy relics, divine magic, advanced military equipaments, 200,000 droids, more than 3,000 tanks and countless vehicles ready to combat! And you're our trump card, Alexander Anderson. When the time is right, we will send an total invasion to Vatican and overthrow our Pope that is currently injured and too weak to command his inferior security and defensive forces! Even if there are many of his orphans at loose, we will crush them with all our might and fists that are waiting to come down with all their strength! Before Mina Harker can destroy our home, we will take over this secret place for us and set ourselves as the new rulers of this rotten place! We will clean what the Pope destroyed! And finally... with Lilith... we will wipe out all the presence of the Blackness, sin and Black Demons of this world! AND THUS, BRINGING PEACE TO THIS SINFUL WORLD!''

Leonardo then once again spoke in loud voice.

<p style="text-align:center;">' - Leonardo: In the name of the Father and the Holy Spirit! '

Alexander then summoned several of his bayonets and assumed an aggressive position of loyalty and respect.



<p style="text-align:center;">' - Alexander: AMEN! '

<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> United States ' <p style="text-align:center;"> Washington <p style="text-align:center;"> White House <p style="text-align:center;"> Roof

''It was so empty. So dark. So cold. We are right now at the capital of United States, Washington... or what used to be Washington one day. Now, it's only ruins of fallen town.''

''Back in the old days where humanity reigned over this Earth, tarket values of American enterprises were ranked from top to bottom. Despite the subtle variations depending on the year, STAR LABS would never fallout from the single digits. ''

''Back then, the STAR LABS was a super organization was involved in a wide range of developmental projections including the manufacturing of arms, aircraft, vehicles, ships, space development, semiconductors, electronic equipment, fiber industry and even travel agencies. Furthermore, the enterprise, with its wide range of affiliated companies and R&D projects, can be said that half of the residents of America lived under its grace. ''

''However, even that number did not consider taking into consideration the real developmental result behind STAR LABS' Artificial Black Demon and Anti-Magic weapons. In other words, that was just the tip of the iceberg. A private enterprise that had enough wealth to buy a small country and possessed the means of turning such behavior into reality. ''

''On one corner of such an enormous organization, such a glimpse can be seeing beside the White House, or what is left of her. ''

STAR LABS' second executive manager Echidna Bathory was seated on the destroyed roof of White House while singing to herself in low voice while she looked over the destroyed human civilization, now in ruins while a few STAR LABS soldiers below were estabilishing a parameter.

''- Echidna: No matter how I sing, it's so empty... So silently. So dead.''

''In that moment, Echidna felt her vision get a little blurry, so she wiped her eyes with her sleeves. Was it because of the excitement from finally having success in helping Mina Harker to end the scum of the world, the humans, or was it due to so much concentration that she had forgotten to blink. Although she didn’t quite understand the reason herself, but if her subordinates saw this scene they would surely misunderstand.''

''Echidna gently shook her head a little before taking a drink of the beverage within the sports bottle after she stopped singing. Right now, she is overseeing the construction of a new base at the White House, so she is the responsible to protect the workers and soldiers cleaning the White House inside.''

- (???): Echidna.

''At that moment. Having heard someone unexpectedly calling out her name, Echidna lowered the bottle and turned around. For a moment, she thought it was a soldier or a worker, but that wasn’t right. There were only two people who would call her by her first name. The first would be her subordinate, Minerva Layer and the other was--''

- Echidna: Director Harker!

''After recognizing the identity of the person who appeared, Echidna called out her name. It was the mysterioys Mina Harker, the woman who alone took down the entire human civilization. Mina then climbed in the roof, much to Echidna's worry.''



''- Echidna: Director! Be careful! This roof is still unstable!''

Mina then cleaned herself with a smile.

''- Mina: That's okay! I'm a good mood after seeing that new flag over there!'' ''Mina and Echidna then looked down and saw several new flags around the destroyed Washington Monument. Those flag were indeed America's flags but they were different... the symbol of STAR LABS was drawn in its blue part. There was no doubt...''

''- Mina: This country is now ours! Well, what is left of it... but as long I can return the favor for the problems that my old man caused to myself in the future I'll be satisfied with everything!''

''Echidna twisted her eyebrows in confusion. She had no idea of what Mina Harker is talking about and probably never will, because this woman is obviously not normal by now.''



''- Echidna: What you're talking about? Old man? Future?''

Mina Harker then giggled and hid her malicious smile.

''- Mina: Huh. I was just talking to myself. This is probably something you'll never know.''

''- Echidna: Well then... What’s wrong, or you to come to such a place?''

''Although she had asked this question, Echidna could vaguely guess why she had come here. With the Ratatoskr defeated, the decisive battle against their allies: Arzonia Family and Witch Cult are approaching. ''

''Soon, Mina Harker would bring war to Maria and Katya's doors, but they are already waiting for her. Even so, the worse is already to be expected.''

''- Mina: To tell the truth, I was just curious to see my new palace. Do you think we can create a new country from the zero?''

Despite Mina now being an industrialist required by the world's safety, her natural curiosity remained unchanged.

- Echidna: Well, if you want to rebuild America then I think it'll take decades--No, centuries!

''- Mina: Well, that was suppose to be expected. But there is no need to rush, Echidna! Because...''​​​​​​

''Mina walked over the destroyed roof and stopped at the edge only to extend her arms, like if she was declaring herself the new ruler of the world... No, she was doing it.''



<p style="text-align:center;">' - Mina: This whole world belongs to us now! '​​​​​​

And then...



<p style="text-align:center;">' 1 year later...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Earth ' <p style="text-align:center;"> 2038  <p style="text-align:center;"> September 12th  <p style="text-align:center;"> Asia  <p style="text-align:center;"> Japan  <p style="text-align:center;"> Tenguu City  <p style="text-align:center;"> 07:12 AM 

''Rain, gloomy mood, just like her mood. She don't like that.''

''The sunset, fading life and all hope. She don't like that. ''

''Morning, the begining of today, the begining of a bad day. She don't like that.''

''Blue sky. Something warm. Something she is not used to. Something horrible. She don't like it.''



''Yes, this is one of those afternoons. One more afternoon in this post-Apocalyptic world. One more sunset. It's so cold yet so warm. The sun was leaving this trashy and repulsive world again. She hates it. She hates this sun for illuminating the world that took everything from her. It's been a year since then... since the Ratatoskr and the Rogues came to a brutal ending.''



''The wind was blowing in her ears as she walked down the abandoned streets of Tenguu City, the Japanese town she grew up. ''

''Her homeland, her beautiful town that stood up to many different threats... from the invasion of United States during the World War II, from Mafusa Gang's attack, from the attacks of terrorists... but it could not rise against the Black Demon threat.''

She walked down those streets filled with destroyed cars, sewer's waters covering the ground, plants and trees taking over the former human town, that is now a ghost town.

''It was so beautiful yet scary. This is Tenguu City. A town that was abandoned 1 year ago when the Black Demons took over the world for themselves. It's only a post-apocalyptic town like many others. There was nothing special about it.''



''Yet, she continued to walk down those rotten streets as her feet walked over the waters like if she was God Himself. But that was not the case, because that woman had a very different structure of a typical women.''

''She was wearing a long black dress with a distinct side slit that shows her legs. She also ha a single pantyhose covering her entire left leg. Her outfit was complex to describe but in a sense was similar to a Chinese's mafia lady.''

''He eyes were glowing orange, like a Cyborg's... well, because she is a Cyborg--Probably, the last Cyborg of this world.''

''- (???): People's lives don't belong to anyone. Anyone, except themselves. But people have a path. The path of how to use that life. I choose my path.''

''The woman walked over several human skeletons with kindness. She seemed to light that it was hard to hear her footsteps, yet she was tall and very volumous. With an empty smile that seemed to be a robot's, she continued to walk that long street filled with nothing but destruction and death.''

''- (???): My path... I choose to accept my inner self so I could finally be myself. In order to save what is left of my life, I'll unleash my true monster. There are no strings on me.''

''She was overly excessively beautiful, it was a woman marked by many unsual traits not found in everyone. So fragile is the line between sleep and death, the difference only waking with the dawn. In that darkness she reigns, as the sun sinks below the horizon, as stalkers hunt their prey, as shadows thicken to consume the light. She is primal in a way that even the mightiest of Gods must fear, for she is the night itself, and from her was born all the certainties of human's nature. ''

''The woman stopped walking as she looked at the sky and saw the stars illuminating the dark sky. Slowly, the sun was disappearing in the horizon, leaving the sky be dominated by the darkness of the universe. It was so beautiful, yet scary. But for her, this is not a problem... because...''



' - Imperia Deamonne: You are never truly alone in the dark. '

The End

LOTM: Sword of Kings AA Final

Sub Arc 2: Unit-CM 130 Sub Arc

Saga AA 2nd Season

Kiss of Death

Episode 29

Sub Arc Finale

Thanks for reading this depressive Sub Arc...

To be continued in LOTM: Sword of Kings AA Final - Eckidina Arc: Mafusa Gang's Revenge Sub Arc

Mina Harker's Message


<p style="text-align:center;">'' "..................." ''

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Mina: Are you awake? Yes, you are. Good morning, my princess! How are you doing?! [.....] News! Why are you here and why I, Mina Harker, is talking to you? Well, the answer is simple: you're my enemy. Dear ???????, you're a political enemy that has been trying to sue me for violation of Human Rights of the American Constitution. Yeah, I see. You're right. I'm violated the Human Rights but for a good reason. ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Mina: I'll not let someone so small and idiot like you ruin my plan and my idealistic world that I'll create. A new era is at hand ... an era that will expose the concept of inter-species unity as an absolute and vicious lie. An era that will witness the advent of a human-centric consciousness that will place our world before all others. As of this moment mankind casts off the shackles of demon interference and now determines its own fate. We, from STAR LABS, will open the eyes of this ignorant society and expose the true darkness of this world. The military and state will obey us because they NEED us. ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Mina: This world war is the most deadly and cruel conflict in human history. 1 billion people dead, 120 countries wiped out and 25% of Earth infected with radiation... This crap conflict caused demons to go stronger more than ever. This world has been sick since the beginning of this war. And the demons are the disease. This planet needs healing. This world needs medicine. In fact, I'd go so far as to say...that what this world really needs, right now...is a Doctor. And what doctors do? They study and then heal. This is what I'm doing. True, I injected blood of demons inside of children but this was for the greater good to find a way to combat them. How do you think scientists create antidote to combat diseases? Using humans and animals in tests.... And what I'm doing is nothing so different. ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Mina: The world outside these marvelous walls is a corrupt rotting husk. Reason is absent. Instead of order, there is only chaos. Chaos does not punish evil nor reward righteousness. Chaos results in crimes, suffering and unpunished sins! And guess who are responsible for all those atrocities! The inner demons of all humans, who are just waiting for the moment to seduce and corrupt us! Chaos cuts innocent lives short, and we're to accept this as fate. I beg to differ. ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Mina: However, I have a dream too! That one day every person in this world will control their own destiny. A world of the truly free. A world of action, not words, ruled by strength, not committee! Where the law changes to suit the individual, not the other way around. Where power and justice are back where they belong: in the hands of the people! Where every man is free to think - to act - for himself! Damned all these limp-dick lawyers and chickenshit bureaucrats. Damned this 24-hour Internet spew of trivia and celebrity bullshit! Damned American pride! To hell wit the media! America, Asia, Europe and all continents are diseased. Rotten to the core. There's no saving it - we need to pull it out by the roots. Wipe the slate clean. Wipe out the demons and all humans' stupidity! BURN IT DOWN! And from the ashes a new world will be born. Evolved, but untamed! The weak who fell to the demons will be purged and the strongest will thrive - free to live as they see fit, they'll make the Earth great again! ...In my new world, people will die and kill for what they BELIEVE! Not for money. Not for oil! Not for what they're told is right. Every man will be free to fight his own wars! ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Mina: May the future forgive me May history judge my actions, great or small. In the final reckoning... when I have given them paradise, and the world is free... those poor dead will not seem so many. For this paradise, millions will die, even the weak and those who are not able to act by themselves. The fragile humans will perish, and those who cannot stand with us will fall by the hands of those they thought would protect them forever. ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Mina: Not only the sins will be wiped out but all POLITICAL and RELIGOUS systems... Fuh. For example: communism is based on ethical relativism and accepts no stable moral absolutes. Right and wrong are relative to the most expedient methods for dealing with class war. Communism exploits the dreadful philosophy that the end justifies the means. It enunciates movingly the theory of a classless society, but alas! Its methods for achieving this noble end are all too often ignoble. Lying, violence, murder, and torture are considered to be justifiable means to achieve the millennial end. Is this an unfair indictment? Listen to the words of Lenin, the real tactician of Communist theory: "We must be ready to employ trickery, deceit, lawbreaking, withholding and concealing truth." Modern history has known many tortuous nights and horror-filled days because his followers have taken this statement serious--! ''

<p style="text-align:center;">'' "!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" ''

<p style="text-align:center;"> [slap] 

<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Mina: DO NOT INTERRUPT ME AGAIN! Hey, cut off her tongue. ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Mina: Now. Where were we... Ah, yes. Communism. Well, screw that. No matter your ideology or religion, all of them will be erradicated in my new world. One single state. No different ideologies and religions. No conflicts. No war. Everyone will be equal. ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Mina: And this is why you're here... Gentle people of Human Rights and Lawyers of ONU and GDP. Your era is over and the only thing you gave to this world while you were in power was war and hate. Tolerance is important. Sure, it's extremely important. But too much tolerance means our children will grow up aggressive and spoiled. The same thing happens to humans. Without punishment, there is no order. And without death, there is no progress. ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Mina: My bad but I have to go now. If you need anything you can talk to this nice guy torturing you to inform me. Until then, enoy your free stay in this chamber. And from here, watch me turn this world into a new Utopia... Watch me destroy all cruelty and darkness of this world and lead mankind to a new era of peace and love. I promise you that: I'LL KILL EVERY SINGLE DEMON OF THIS EARTH! ''

In the Next Sub Arc of LOTM: Sword of Kings...


<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Oriax: Panties are an expression of a person's true intentions! Psh! Sorry mortals! ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Red: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - The Fallen: [THIS PLANET IS MINE! ASTAROTH! I'LL BE YOUR OPPONENT!] ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Artemishia: No... I don't wanted everything to end like this! This is our legacy?! This is the legacy of humans to the future?! ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Petelgeuse:You failed to stop Astaroth Queen, Kureto Hiragi... You don't only danced in the hands of Scathach but in the palms of Mina Harker. ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Wáng: Keep your wicked and sinner bodies out of my Mana World! Your world is completely filled with war and death. Not only that, you're part of it! Turn around and leave, or face my fury! ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Goddess: You're must be our heroes... Right? I'm glad you came to our world. ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Matt: I can feel him inside of me, Maria... And I can't fight him... I'm a Black Demon... ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Imperia: The difference between you and her... I see, it's not too hard to find. "Why a teenage girl think she can trade blows with the superior beings?" You're right, you and her are who think you can put all humans under your feet. She was born as a loneliest person, that's because she is the kindest person I know. She was born as a saddest person, that's why her smile is the brightest. She is a damaged person, that's why she is wisest and shows value to bounds, friendship and life. She was born on darkness, that's why she is the servant of light while fighting on the shadows. Unlike you who fight to "win", she fights to never lose and never give up until she is dead. She will cut her own limbs to kill you, even if it means she will never walk again, she will keep fighting until she see our smile. But... Katarina was crying... She gave up... And was trembling... I never want to see her like that again. Katarina Couteau is a strong and a ferocious warrior! I want to see her come back to herself when she wakes up from this nightmare! This time, I'll fight for you! ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Kyouhei: You said that I have 'debased' myself, yes? Deceiving my friends and subordinates in order to obtain power. Then let me ask you this. Joining an organisation for the sake of revenge, yet in the course of one's peaceful life there, forgetting that objective and coming to serve that organisation happily... would you not call that debasement? Though my eyes see not, they perceive the latter situation as far more self-debasing than the first. This is the new Kyouhei Kannazuki, my former comrades... And it's time to say goodbye. ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Vira: You don't miss a thing. I can not feel...sorrow...No matter what misery befalls the worlds. No matter what you think, what you feel, or how you exist. I'm just a bug... An insect... I'm a piece of trash. And I know it, that's why I really don't care what do you call me... We are just insects... A dream... And you're nothing more than a THOUGHT. ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Evelynn: Mana is... No more... ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Magilou: When people get hurt, they learn to hate. When people hurt others, they become hated and raced with guilt. But knowing that pain allows people to be kind. Pain allows people to grow... and how you grow is up to you. ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Aryana: The strong have ever devoured the weak. That is but nature's way. Yes, I know how incredibly vast the universe is. Nevertheless, there is only so much to go around. The fewer still breathing souls there are the more there is for those of us who remain among the living. It is a simply philosophy upon which I have built my empire. I come from a long line of rulers. My predecessors' outlook was planetary, mine galactic. Leaders calculate. And death always resolves the equation. ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - ???: Rise to the heavens! Allow me to change this world destroyed by the darkness! ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Crauz: I love the way you SQUIRM BENEATH MY BOOT HEEL!! ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Scathach: You had better not underestimate humans. They're greedy, cunning, and tenacious. They are worse than us, Black Demons. Why you waste time protecting them, Azul? Come here. Let's destroy this planet and destroy our Sith homeworld. Darth Hades will be pissed off. ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - ???: It feels, doesn't? Finally getting rid of that bastard who always gave you troubles and more suffering... He caused your friends to die, people whom you truly loved. You don't have to hold back... Just come to the Blackness... I can give all of your desires, Arzonia... If you wish, I can even make a world where you will be together with your parents and brothers... ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Kotori: She's enjoying the slaughter! Her face her contorted in a pleasured grin! Could that Katarina was always possessed by her ExKrieg side? Kind, gentle Katarina? Was Katarina truly successful in merging with a demon? In the hopes of creating mankind's savior, could it be that I have made their destruction instead by mistake? ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Mina: Oh my! You came to see me again! Imperia Deamonne! What a beautiful lady like you needs from an old hag like me? ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Sasha: You know... Despite all the pain inflicted on me on the past, I can still transfer my soul to another body just like this. I'm taking the body of this agent of Ratatoskr! Well will meet again, Imperia Deamonne! ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - CM: I'll not let you interfere in our world... This world may be destroyed but in the end I'll have the entire universe in my hands. All research and workd I did in this planet will be gone but I can always find more races and people to study. You, on the other hand, die with the human race. ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Imperia: Katarina... I promise you... I'll save you... ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Citizens: WOHOO!!! WE GOT THAT WITCH! SHAKE HER HEAD!! SHAKE HER HEAD!! ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Mina: Millions will die! But as long we don't move our hands to save our own race from the Black Demons, we will be the ones wiped out! Now! Fight! Your battles are your prayers and your body count are your sacrifices! Don't hold yourselves! ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Katya: Mana World fell. And so Earth. We are the last resistance of what is left from mankind and mages races... And tonight, we will strike down Mina's HQ! Then what shall we die for? Now You will listen to me. Listen! The Black Demons will still be looking here, to us, to Witch Cult to lead. And what will they see? Frightened bilge rats? No. No, they will see free men and women! And freedom! And what the enemy will see is the flash of our weapons. They will hear the ring of our swords, and they will know what we can do! By the sweat of our brows, and the strength of our backs... and the courage of our hearts! Gentlemen! Hoist the colors. We will strike Red Moon Tyrant and Mina Harker's ship today! ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Diabla: I think it's time to leave this world... That bitch took everything from me after all and I can't do anything now. Sorry, Misogi. I could not turn Eckidina's dream in reality. ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Heis: Time to continue our battle that we left on hold since Aldegyr Kingdom's battle... Don't you think, sister? ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Imperia: I'm here to stop your madness, Katarina... And when I defeat you make sure to hold your booty! Because I'll punish you when we return home! ''



<p style="text-align:center;">'' - Red: Imperia... Why I'm the only one talking? Imperia? Now... Right now, I'm feeling a pain in my chest. Tell me. What is it? Feel what I'm feeling right now. Listen to me. Imperia. Look at me. Respond me. Say something. Don't forget that you've been with me till now. Say something! No, Imperia! DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE! DON'T LEAVE ME! PLEASE BE SOMEWHERE! SAY SOMETHING! LA FOLIA!!! ''

Prologue - Overlady of Darkness
<p style="text-align:center;"> United States  <p style="text-align:center;"> Sleepy Hollow  <p style="text-align:center;"> Unknown Street <p style="text-align:center;"> 30 Octuber, 2013 <p style="text-align:center;"> 10:00 PM 

''This is not a usual type of vision. Not in the year of 2036. We are not in the year of 2030s anymore, this is a story that happened back in the year 2013 at the American town, Sleepy Hollow. At that time, there were no demons wrecking havoc neither nuclear bombs falling from the skies.''

''It was peaceful. The world was at peace, but obviously, in some places of the world there civil wars, but not so critical as the WWIII. Even in the year of 2013, the KnightWalker Family continued more than active than before, expanding their profits and territories, diabolic entities like the Fallen's Essence still out there, Mina Harker was preparing the stage for her rise, Emperor Tathagata Killer was expanding his army... even back then, the future evil was active, but there was a greater evil approaching this world, an evil that was closer to be unleashed... the Apocalypse of the ancient Demon King Moloch was approaching, the uprise of the malevolent God Hidden One was coming closer... there was a lot of different darkness about to engulf the world.''



''With the sun gone from the skies in the horizon, it was deep night and what's more; there were not bombing alarm spread across Sleepy Hollow. It was peaceful... but in this infinite silence, there was a big threat crawling in the silence. The name of this threat?''

''La Gloton... this is how they call the infamous cannibalistic Serial Killer who was terrozing the town of Sleepy Hollow with random brutal murders. In a sense, this serial killer could be considered the first Jack the Ripper of 21st Century.''

''In those empty streets of Sleepy Hollow, two male figures were walking down a long road with nothing but crickets singing to break the silence of the night. Both were using a mask in their faces.''

''As the two hooded/masked figures were walking down that street, they passed by a TV shop where all its TVs in front window were on, transmitting a TV broadcast regarding about a mysterious attack on civilians happening on the other side of the town. The broadcast was being transmitted by a reporter who was standing in front of the police department of Sleepy Hollow.''



- Reporter: (TV) [In the nearby streets, the violent atmosphere began to spread when a group of mysterious soldiers began to attack civilians, but fortunately, the police car arrived and started to control the situation.] 

''The two men stopped walking to get a newspaper located in the table in front of the shop. It was one of those free newspaper talking about the vicious serial killer La Gloton.''

''- Man 1: "Murder, disappearances, possible work of a serial killer". Heh? This place is really dangerous now. I think we are in bad luck. Don't you think the same, Master?''

The two hooded men then continued their way towards their enigmatic destination.

''- Man 2: Bad luck with what? The fact they choose this place to seal that "thing" is already good enough. There is no place in the Earth with more magic particles than this region of United States. Be more careful with your words, young apprentice. What we are going to face now is what will decide if we live or die. Besides, what happens in this town is not our business, I'm sure that illegal group can deal with the demonic entities. We must trust in their competence.''



''The two men had young voices. Soon, they removed their masks from their faces, revealing their facial appearance.''

''The first man was revealed to be a young man with dark silver-blue hair and blue eyes. He was wearing some kind of foreign school uniform which consists of a white button up shirt and black pants. He also wears a blue under shirt and a white hoodie.''

In all points, he was very handsome man but his eyes were blank like if he was too focused in something inside of his mind to act lively.

''- Man 2: Also, I told you to no call me as Master... I'm not used to this kind of thing--Teaching... I just became a Master Magician--And to be honest, I was never expected to be the chosen one to reinforce the ancient seal of the astral prison.''



''The other man, who was almost considered as a boy due to how young he was, was not so different either. He was more common than his mater, a tall and slender young boy with brown spiky hair, blue eyes and fair skin. Like his master, he was wearing a white uniform that was from the Cultus Phytonissam.''

''As he said before, that man who called himself as a "Master Magician" was his master, or, for better words, his teacher. Curious enough, both had tattoos in their arms with the symbol of Witch Cult, the same magician cult under the command of Katya in the year of 2036-2037.''

''Yes, even back then, the Witch Cult and their superiors, the Cultus Phytonissam, were active, fighting back the infinite horde of Black Demons trying to invade Earth. The Witch Cult are the only ones who will actually concern them selves with doing good and protecting the common-man from the creatures that go bump in the night, attacking humans. The Witch Cult is most related to fight against monsters from legends and myths that humans do know the existence of. They are suave and sophisticated, but are fiercely brutal and uncompromising in their crusade against darkness of Astaroth King in the world.''

''As the responsible for commanding over magical groups of Earth to control their source of power, it's the job of Cultus Phytonissam to supervise magic groups of magicians and mages to prevent the existence of magic hidden from the public. It's unknown if the mysterious Order of Flourish was connected with them, but if they were not, they would be considered an illegal group of magicians. Even so, for unknown reasons the Cultus never interacted with Order of Flourish by any means... And the reason is going to be revealed now.''



''- Master: Man... why we had to be the chosen ones? If we had contact with that Order of Flower--''

- Apprentice: Order of Flourish.

''His apprentice corrected his master's mistake. While Order of Flourish is secret, there is no organization able to escape from Cultus' eyes in this world, not even the Fallen's Essence illuminati group, Orácion Imperium.''

''As they were speaking, they arrived in an old abandoned mansion hidden in a green area. It was like a mansion that basically came out of a horror film.''

''- Master: Yes, that's it. If we had contact with this Order of Flourish they could have sent someone else to do this job. No one wants to go down there... NO ONE!''

''His master stopped walking and looked at their hands, only to see that he was sweating and shaking in fear. The motive? When they arrived in front of the mansion, they found themselves in front of a board with something in Latin written on it.''



Finit hic deus (God Ends Here)

".................."

''The two magicians felt something strange coming from that mansion. It wasn’t because of the cold night of Sleepy Hollow that was chilling. But for some unknown reason, at the moment they saw that board, she felt as if the temperature had dropped several degrees.''

''There was an indescribable feeling coming from that house that made the two magicians shake in fear. Without saying any further words, the two walked into the mansion with their pale bodies.''

''- Master (think): *This must be how Hell must feel like... So this is where they kept that person for countless millennia.*''

''The mansion itself was empty, there was nothing but rotten wood and old structures that seemed to be hundred years old. But when they walked into the living room, they found saw a magic circle drawn on the floor.''

''- Apprentice: This is... the First Gate?''

''The Master nodded and connected his hands together like if he was going to pray, but that was not the case. As soon he did that, a yellow light began to shine inside of his palms. ''



''- Master: Stay back. ''

''With a single move, the Master moved his hand towards the magic circle, making it shine in a red light, and separating part of the ground in a round format. Soon, the ground itself began to move down while the two magicians entered in the circle, only to see that ground was moving below the mansion.''

''In the underground level of the mansion, there was a HUGE cave filled with trash and old magic equipaments. The cave was so huge that one could imagine the bridge of San Francisco down there. Somehow, the ground where they were standing was floating as it slowly made its way towards the ground below that was almost 500 meters below.''

- Apprentice: Master, this is...

''The master looked around with shock for that was the first time he was at that place. This is an underground that no human reached or discovered before.''

''- Master: Yes, this is the legendary... Impact Zone. The legendary and ancient prison built by the Gods thousand years ago to keep an evil so inimitable that not even the Gods of Magic dare to "its" name. The Impact Zone, according to my studies, was built billion years ago but was used later to seal the greatest evil this world. An evil that almost brought an ending to all life and creation. An evil that could only be matched by Astaroth's... To prevent this great evil that ruled this world for thousand years from escaping this place, the Gods built this place 70 kilometers below this region of the planet. To think there was another evil entity active is this region they now call as "Sleepy Hollow" is already an absurd. I just hope they never find this place.''

"...................."

''The Master tried to say the name of that place in a normal way but it sounded too dramatic, much to his dismay. That place is not a park neither a hotel where one could call it beautiful, it was old, dark, cold and deep hole without ending.''

''- Master: My apprentice, you're alive in this world for 30,000 years. And you spent all those millinnia studying at the Mana academy. You must know by now what is the Impact Zone, right? And you must know who is that thing that is sealed down here.''

''- Apprentice: O-Of course... ''

''The master looked below to see they were still moving towards the deep hole of the cave. Now, the hole was no longer made by rocks but metal. The hole they were entering into was composed of green metal with several papers of seal, thousands of magical circles, millions of sealing spells and even energy barriers. Whatever is down there, the Cultus Phytonissam don't want it to go leave.''

''After long 10 minutes, the two magicians arrived at the bottom of that... prison called as Impact Zone. At the bottom of the Impact Zone, they were almost 70 kilometers below the surface of Sleepy Hollow, it was so deep that a normal human 'would die for the lack of oxygen.''

''- Master: Listen carefully, my apprentice. Every 10 years, two magicians are sent to this prison to reinforce the seal of that... thing. And remember, we are not expected to survive but as a magician from the Cultus Pythonissam you must be prepared for what is coming. And as always, two magicians die... no one who came here left this place alive. Those skeletons and skulls around us show as much as possible. Our Gods, our ancestors, our masters and even our comrades died to seal this person down here! This is the worse evil this world that was born in this Earth! And this white creature you seeing now is the PRISON! Our enemy is imprisoned inside of it! ''

''The master and apprentice magicians noticed the light of the place was disappearing, they felt as if they souls being ripped off of their bodies, the darkness was closing everywhere and an incredibly cold was engulfing the place. ''

- Master: We will start now!

''The master then pointed his finger at a large creature on its knees, the creature was white and seemed to be mutilated and hurt... in a sense, it was like that creature was asking for help. Moreover, that thing don't have a head and is completely torn apart. '

''The bottom of the Impact Zone was a large empty area of 2 kilometers filled with skulls. Not simply skulls, there were millions of skulls; all of them were skulls of the magicians sent to that place to reinforce and prevent whatever is down there.''

''- Apprentice: I... I...''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

''Suddenly, the felt as the bottom of the Impact Zone was getting dark as the place became colder than before. The young apprentice felt as if all his happiness was 'being sucked out of his mind and heart.''

''Seeing that, the Master Magician bit his lips and removed his gloves, revealing several tattoos of magic line in his hands. Those marks were--''

''- Master: But remember, there is possibility we might leave this place alive! Once we active the Divine Magic's Seal, we can escape this place! Nothing is impossible!''

''The place became more and more hostile as a winter wind shook the place like if they were inside of a Russian Winter. ''

''- Apprentice: I'll try! I'll not fail with the Gods and your, Master!''

''The apprentice then removed his gloves and showed that he had several lines drawn in his hand. As the two revealed their marks, their blood began to come out of that lines, staining them in red as a powerful light was flying around them.''

''- Master: Let's pray! To keep the evil inside and stop this demon from wrecking havoc this world again! Listen again! Even if we die, we can die like true magicians who gave their lives to stop this malicious entity from throwing this world in infinite chaos!''

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

''Like the explosion of a vulcano, the two magicians heard countless loud screams that echoed over the bottom of Impact Zone from all directions at the same time. Screams of pain and agony from men and women alike. Those screams were so loud that the two magicians almost lost their audition there for a second.''

''When the apprentice looked around, he discovered all those screams were coming from the skulls around them. All millions of skulls of the magicians who died to reinforce the seal over the millennia. ''

''This is the darkest secret of the Cultus Phytonissam, and Katya's worst fear; the Impact Zone... a prison made to kept an ancient evil that ruled the Earth for countless years in a long lost era.''

''- Apprentice (think): *What a tension and pressure... so this is the Impact Zone!*''

While clenching his left hand to hold his feeling of disgust, the apprentice extended his hand forward, pointing it at the giant white creature that was actually some kind of bizarre prison.

''- Master: NO MATTER WHAT YOU HEAR OR SEE, DON'T STOP THE RITUAL! ''

It was easy to say, but it difficult even for that experienced veteran.



''No... it was not that easy. Because each second, more strange things were happening around them. The skulls were crying blood, the Christian crosses around the white creature turned upside and were set on fire without explanation, the screams got louder and worse, they felt as if dozens of invisible hands were about to strange them to death.''

- Apprentice: M-M-Master!

With the ritual to enforce the ancient seal of the unknown white creature, the tattoos in their hands shot several white laser beams at the creature that slowly covered it with a yellow liquid...

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Before the liquid could seal the creature completely, a white arm with more than 15 meters long came out of the creature's leg and impaled the master magician through his guts, resulting in a pool of blood being formed in front of him.

- Master: WHA--!ARRGHH!!

The master fell in his knees moaning in pain while his apprentice couldn't keep his order to stay focus in the ritual and came to rescue him.

- Apprentice: MASTER!

''- Master: Damn it! Don't care about me! More importantly, the ritual... don't stop it or...!''

''Before he could finish his words another arm came out of the creature and charged at him with full speed. In a last chance to defend himself, he put his arms in front of his chest but in vain as the pale arms pierced his body like if it was nothing, 'putting an end to his resistance.''

''- Master: MY APPRENTICE! IGNORE MY ORDERS! T-THE RITUA--''

Before he could say his last words, another arm appeared and ripped off his head from his body with a brute strength, making his body fall to the floor while his young apprentice watched the whole scene with the face of a crying baby.

- Apprentice: MASTER!!!

The sight of his master dying the apprentice immediately fell in his knees, stopping the ritual as the hands left from his master's body and returned to the white creature's insides.

''By pure conscidence, the moment he looked at the white creature's body, he saw a someone inside of it. Since the body had many parts mutilated, it could be said there were holes one could see what is inside. Inside of it, he saw a yellow glowing eyes staring at him with no emotions. ''

''- Apprentice: My Goddess... it's her...''

With his legs shaking, the apprentice could barely move his limbs, but at that time, the only thing he could think was to escape from that place as soon as possible.

''- Apprentice: R-Report... I-I must... Report... to the High Priestess...! Move... Move...''

''When he was saying "move", he was basically saying that to his legs that were too scared to move. But after some effort, he managed to flee and ran towards the gate from where they came from using that floating ground. ''

- Apprentice (think): *This is for all humanity!*

''In his last moments, the apprentice used his magic to seal the gate using a blue magic circle that had the form of a spiral. Like a round lever, the center of the magic circle form several strings in the format of tribal tattoos and sealed the gate with a blue light.''

''That move... was basically a suicidal move. His master even said that before; being a magician from Witch Cult, in other words, Cultus Pythonissam, means you must be prepared to give your own life for the sake of the world. All magicians from this mystical group are people prepared to die and suffer for the path they choose. And even this scared little apprentice have his own solve.''

''- Apprentice: Priestess Katya... Goddess Wáng... I did the right thing?''

''As the apprentice saw the seal closing, meaning he was stuck in there with no way to escape. His eyes were now filled with tears, his noise runny, his body as cold and sweat... outside he was a child but inside he was already a man... That's why, when he turned back to see a tall black figure with eyes in its hands, he was not afraid of it... he was afraid what awaits him in this place forgotten by God.''



<p style="text-align:center;"> - (???): B͂e̿f͝ór͊e͝ ͛ẇė ́b̛ȇg̛i͋n̍ ̈́I͌'͂d͆ ͒l̑i̅k̕e̍ ̒t͑ö ̈́d͐i̊s̒c̍u͑s̛s͋ ̿t͘h̕e͊ ͆s̀u̽b̊j̄e̐čẗ́ ̅ơf̆ ̾s͒c͑r̂e͗a̓m̆i̓n̐g̛.̋ ̍B̽ỳ ̚ŝa͋ýǐn̅g̋ ̽t͠h͋i̔s̚ ͑—̎ ͆g͒o̚ ̌r̅i͆g̑h͒t͝ ̎äȟe̍ád̓.̍

''The female demonic voice that echoed in the prison was so twisted, deep and loud that even the most faithful Christian would faint in fear. Seeing his death in front of him, the young apprentice could at least say his death was not in vain.''

- Apprentice: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

<p style="text-align:center;">' Meanwhile...  <p style="text-align:center;"> Outside of Impact Zone ' <p style="text-align:center;"> Sleepy Hollow

''Meanwhile... outside of the Impact Zone, Sleepy Hollow continued its routine. Not exactly a routine but its normal events. The city continued its own trace of light and darkenss.''

''Peacefully dealing with their own threats and problems... while an ancient evil lies below their city.''

''- Reporter: [The armed conflict between the police and the strange criminal group dressed as zombies ended a few minutes ago. However, the criminals managed to escape and the police lost sight of the group that many are calling as "Halloween-Terrorists". Fortunately, there are no victims recorded until this broadcast. However, a few minutes ago we received a report from the local Police Department that more 3 people disappeared in the West side of Sleepy Hollow. Just in this month, more than 12 people disappeared while 120 missings were reported in the same are in the past 5 years. Until now, the police don't know if these missings are related to the serial killer La Gloton or to the terrorists from early. Witnesses say...]''

''Quietly, their town is being directed to Hell by demonic forces. Are they from light or darkness? One may never know, but from this side, we know...''



What lies down there must NEVER leave from there. Whoever or whatever it is. Otherwise, a new great evil will be unleashed upon this world. And right now... the world is not prepared to fight it.