Kiyozawa: "What are you talking about?"
*He asked the goat cult leader, stopping his attack immediately. He was deeply confused by the Cult Leader's words.*
Axel: "In this world full of darkness and sadness, there are a few others who don't belong here."
*The goat cult leader said calmly as he looked at Kiyozawa. He continued.*
Axel: "This world is supposed to be where the links meet once they gain full power. You need time to gain that power."
*As the goat cult leader spoke calmly to Kiyozawa, his thoughts drifted to the former second link – a young man of eighteen years, just like Kiyozawa. This former link had endured a terrible past, but ultimately succumbed to a devastating mental breakdown that led to his demise.*
Axel: "You were chosen for greatness - a tool to help me achieve my plans, Kiyozawa."
*He stated, his eyes gleaming with ambition.*
Axel: "Though I crave destruction, the book requires your power. I'll wait for you, no matter how long it takes."
Kiyozawa: "The book chose me?"
*He echoed, his brow furrowed in confusion. He turned his gaze to the goat cult leader, genuine curiosity and a hint of wariness in his eyes.*
Kiyozawa: "But why me, out of all people? What makes me so special that the book picked me?"
Axel: "The book chooses those who have suffered a terrible past."
He explained calmly, his eyes never leaving Kiyozawa's face.
Axel: "Individuals who have lost everything, whose lives have been shattered by unimaginable hardship. It is to these broken souls that the book extends its power."
Kiyozawa: "I haven't lost everything."
*He began, his voice barely above a whisper. He paused, his mind drifting back to the memory of his father's attempted murder – an event that had forever changed his perspective on life. The words caught in his throat, and he found himself unable to continue speaking.*
Kiyozawa: "..."
*Realization dawned on Kiyozawa's face, and his voice caught in his throat, preventing further words from escaping. Tears began to well up in his eyes as he finally acknowledged the depth of his pain – the devastating truth about what he had truly lost. His silence spoke volumes.*
Axel: "You have a choice in the matter."
*He said calmly, his eyes never leaving Kiyozawa's tear-streaked face.*
Axel: "I know your comrades don't belong here in this town. They are not part of my plans, and they will not be harmed if you choose to stay."
Kiyozawa: "I guess so..."
*He whispered softly, his voice breaking as he began to cry tears of blood. The goat cult leader remained unfazed by the gruesome sight, having expected this symptom from those chosen by the book. He simply nodded solemnly, acknowledging Kiyozawa's acceptance of his fate.*
Axel: "Well then..."
*In a snap of his fingers, he sent both Ashton and Mochizuki away, returning them both. He glanced over at the other side of the town, his gaze lingering on the dark tunnels before turning away and leaving everything in the hands of the three cult members.*
(In his mind).
"I don't need these people in this world."
He declared, snapping his fingers. In an instant, he teleported everyone out of the town except for Hiromi, Hayden, Kai, and Zentarō, who remained behind.
(Out of his mind).
(At the tunnels).
*In the blink of an eye, dozens of people were teleported out of the tunnels, leaving only a few behind. As the dust settled, the remaining individuals realized that someone else was present in the tunnels with them.*
Ira: "You're the remaining ones who shall be killed by me."
*He announced coldly, his voice echoing through the tunnels. The few people left standing froze in fear, their hearts pounding as they realized the grim fate that awaited them. Hiromi, Hayden, Kai, and Zentarō exchanged anxious glances.*
Hayden: "I'm terrified, but that's to be expected,"
*He admitted, his voice steady despite the fear that gripped his heart. With a calm precision, he withdrew his sword from its sheath and, in a swift motion, drew it across his palm, letting the blood flow freely. The blood began to form into bullets and immediately shot straight towards the cult member. The cult member swiftly blocked the attack with an iron shield. Hayden and the cult member locked eyes, each assessing the other's resolve.*
Zentarō: "I shall help you."
*Zentarō declared calmly, though fear lurked beneath his composed exterior. He knew he couldn't just sit by and watch Hayden fight alone. With determination, he drew his sword and charged towards the cult member.*
*Hayden and Zentarō immediately engaged the cult member in a fierce duel. The cult member wielded his double swords with deadly precision, parrying their attacks and countering with swift slashes. The sound of clashing steel filled the tunnels as the three fighters moved with lightning speed, their blades a blur.*
*Hayden's blood control suddenly seized the cult member, freezing him in place, Zentarō noticed the opportunity and swiftly moved in for the killing blow. But even in his frozen state, the cult member managed to block Zentarō's sword at the last moment, the blades locking with a harsh metallic ring.*
Hayden: "Damn he's good."
*He smirks confidently, activating his ultimate move, Blood Loss. He concentrates his blood control, attempting to rapidly drain the cult member's life force. A torrent of blood flows out from the cult member, but surprisingly, he remains standing, the bleeding slowing to a trickle.*
Ira: "Is that the best you've got?"
*The cult member taunts, effortlessly replenishing his lost blood. Just as Hayden is about to respond, Zentarō lets out a powerful sonic screech. The cult member's face contorts in pain as the sound waves hit, momentarily disorienting him.*
*Both Hayden and Zentarō seize the moment of vulnerability, their swords flashing through the air. With synchronized strikes, they slash through the cult member's defenses. The cult member's body falls to the ground with a heavy thud.*
Ira: "Soltado."
*The fallen cult member's body convulses violently before transforming into a monstrous demon embodying wrath. Its eyes burn with infernal fury, and cracks of dark energy radiate from its form. The tunnel shakes intensely as the demon stands upright, towering over Hayden and Zentarō.*
Hayden: "Oh shit."
*He mutters, his face paling as he witnesses the terrifying transformation. He channels fifty percent of his energy, causing blood to flow rapidly from his body as he forms powerful blood bullets. Meanwhile, Zentarō's angelic black wings unfold dramatically, enhancing his abilities to support Hayden.*
*Both Hayden and Zentarō launch themselves at the demon wrath with unmatched speed. Hayden fires a barrage of blood bullets, each one aimed precisely at the demon's weak points while Zentarō swoops down with his black wings extended like deadly blades slicing through the air towards the demon's massive form.*
*In the shadows of the tunnel, another cult member emerges from hiding. She watches the fierce battle between Hayden, Zentarō and the demon wrath with a cold smirk. Seeing her chance to strike, she slips away quietly towards Hiromi and Kai.*
Lujuria: "Such innocent faces... how rare."
*She purrs, her eyes gleaming with sinister intent as she appears suddenly in front of Kai and Hiromi. Without hesitation, she activates her teleportation ability, enveloping the two children in a swirling vortex of energy.*
*Hayden glances back, realizing that someone has taken them, but he is too engrossed in his battle against the demon wrath to act immediately.*
(At the other side of the town).
Lujuria: "Your courage... it's almost cute. But alas, today really is your last day among the living."
*She hisses, lowering herself to Hiromi's eye level. A twisted smile plays across her face as she gazes at Hiromi's defiant eyes.*
*Hiromi, without a moment's hesitation, channels ten percent of her energy into a powerful punch, aiming directly at the cult member. However, the cult member's reflexes are swift and precise; she dodges the blow with ease, leaving Hiromi's fist to swing through empty air.*
*Kai, seeing Hiromi missed punch, lunges fearlessly towards the female cult member, aiming to touch her. But she reacts faster than he can process. In a blink, she withdraws a hidden dagger and plunges it deep into Kai's stomach, stealing his breath away.*
Lujuria: "Too slow."
Hiromi: "Kai!"
*She screams, her voice echoing with desperation as she sees Kai bleeding out. She channels her strength once more, but this time a vibrant rainbow energy envelops her fist. Hiromi charges at the cult member, her rainbow energy-fused fist aimed straight at her face. The punch lands with a deafening crack, shattering the cult member's mask and sending her reeling backwards. Blood sprays from her broken nose as she stumbles, momentarily dazed by the impact.*
Lujuria: "She activated God's power... it's glorious,"
*She murmurs, a twisted smile spreading across her face.*
Lujuria: "I'll be the first to experience this divine might."
*She closes her eyes briefly, and her nose heals instantly, the blood vanishing as if it never existed.
But before she can fully savor the moment, she senses Hiromi's sudden movement. In a blur of speed, Hiromi disappears and reappears instantly, driving her rainbow-energy infused fist into the cult member's chest with brutal force. She coughs up blood, her eyes widening in shock as she feels Hiromi's fist pierce through her chest. The cult member looks up at Hiromi, her gaze locking onto the glowing eyes that radiate with an intense rainbow aura—seven vibrant colors swirling like divine energy.*
Hiromi: "..."
*She trembles, her heart heavy with guilt and shock as she realizes she's taken a life in the heat of anger. Tears stream down her cheeks, her eyes filled with remorse. Meanwhile, the cult member's expression remains eerily calm, her obsession with destruction consuming all rational thought.*
Lujuria: "Unleashed Lust."
*She hisses, her body contorting and twisting as she embraces her dark transformation. Dark energy swirls around her, and in an instant, a monstrous demon takes form—Lust, a creature of insatiable desire and destruction.*
Hiromi: "..."
*Realizing that these cult members are not easily killed, Hiromi focuses on finding a non-lethal way to defeat her opponent. She watches intently as the female cult member completes her transformation into the demon of Lust.*
Hiromi: "I won't kill you."
*Hiromi declares, her voice steady.*
*The female cult member, now transformed into the demonic entity of Lust, stands tall, her form pulsing with dark energy.*
Lujuria: "You think you can defeat me without taking a life? How naive."
*She notices Hiromi's hesitation, a cruel smile spreading across her face.*
Hiromi: "I know I can!"
*She declares firmly, maintaining eye contact with the demonic form of the cult member. Her voice carries both certainty and calm determination, revealing her resolve not to take another life. She tightens her grip on her fists, rainbow energy still pulsating around them*
(At the Underground Facility).
*Mochizuki awakens abruptly as he finds himself in the medical room. He breathes heavily, having finally snapped out of the memory. He looks over to see Klaudia and Ashton sitting nearby.*
Mochizuki: "What happened?"
*He asks groggily, glancing first at Ashton, then at Klaudia, noting Kiyozawa's absence.*
Mochizuki: "Where's Kiyozawa?"
*He asks, his voice still thick with sleep. His eyes dart around the room, confused but becoming more alert.*
Ashton: "I have no idea..."
(In his mind).
"It's probably have to do with the links."
(Out of his mind).
Klaudia: "Honestly, I don't know."
*She replies calmly, making eye contact with both Mochizuki and Ashton.*
Klaudia: "He didn't return with you two, but we need to get back."
Ashton: "Yeah, let's go."
*He nods in agreement, his expression serious.*
Mochizuki: "How the hell are we going to get him back if that godforsaken town can mess with our minds?! Dammit!"
*His voice cracks with pain and frustration. A surge of dark flames erupts from his body, fueled by his anger and the agony of relived memories.*
Mochizuki: "I keep reliving those memories... The rape by that bastard Heaven Orb King, over and over..."
*His voice trails off, haunted by the traumatic recollections. He clutches his head in his hands, dark flames flickering dangerously across his skin.*
Mochizuki: "The sounds of his voice, the pain..."
*He remembers being chosen as Heaven Orb King's sex slave instead of his sister, because she was too perfect. The thought makes his blood boil with anger towards both Heaven Orb King and his sister, Fire Orb Queen.*
Mochizuki: "Why did it have to be me?!"
*He screams internally, dark flames consuming his body.*
Klaudia: "Mochizuki, CALM DOWN!"
*She shouts, rushing towards him. She uses her blood control abilities to try and stop his dark flames from consuming him completely. Mochizuki bursts into tears, his black flames growing even stronger as the memories overwhelm him.*
Mochizuki: "Don't waste your time trying to stop me."
*He snaps, dark flames whipping around him like a storm.*
Mochizuki: "Go find Kiyozawa without me. I need to see my sister..."
*His voice drops to almost a whisper.*
Mochizuki: "This pain... It won't go away. I need revenge."
Ashton: "Let him go, Klaudia."
*He says calmly but firmly, his eyes reflecting a deep understanding of Mochizuki's pain.*
Ashton: "He needs to confront this. We can't stop him from seeking his sister."
*He turns to Klaudia.*
Ashton: "Focus on finding Kiyozawa."
*Klaudia hesitates, seeing the raw pain and determination in Mochizuki's eyes. She knows he won't listen to reason right now. With a heavy sigh, she nods to Ashton.*
Takumi: "I'm coming with you both."
*He states calmly as he enters the room, his eyes filled with determination.*
Takumi: "Kai is there as well, and I can't leave him alone with those bastards any longer."
*He stands by Ashton's side, showing his support for their shared goal.*
Kaito: "I suppose I'll be generous and help you three return to that hellhole."
*He says with a smirk, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and malice.*
Kaito: "I've got my own reasons for wanting to be there, after all."
*He stretches lazily, his smirk widening.*
(At Holy Corporation in the meeting room).
Rin: "Damn."
*Rin remembers being abruptly teleported away from the town, along with a few others. She recalls going with Zentarō initially to search for Kiyozawa. Her brows furrow as she realizes that whatever force sent them back has brought them right back to where they started.*
(In her mind).
"Why was it only Zentarō who was allowed to stay and not me?"
*She wonders, her voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of frustration.*
"Was it Kiyozawa himself who wanted this, or is there someone else manipulating the situation behind the scenes?"
(Out of her mind).
(At the Town That Never Stops Bleeding on top of a roof in an abandoned building).
Kiyozawa: "Why has my father stayed behind?"
*He asks the cult leader directly, his voice carrying an unsettlingly calm undertone.*
Kiyozawa: "What purpose does he serve here?"
*His usually gentle eyes narrow slightly, studying the cult leader's face for any tells but it's covered by a goat mask to even tell.*
Axel: "I'm going to take your father's power,"
*He states calmly, his gaze fixed intensely on Kiyozawa.*
Axel: "And you're going to help me do it."
*His voice is devoid of emotion, cold and commanding. He reaches out a hand towards Kiyozawa expectantly.*
This will continue in the next chapter.