Queens, New York
"Sir, the double gate... it's opening!" One of the researchers called out.
Jackson turned with a shocked expression on his face. He approached the gate.
The realm gate turned from white, back to the usual blue.
"It's... been cleared?"
Shadows of the incoming hunters came into view. Kingston was first out.
"Kingston... you fucking survived, you bastard." Blake said, grabbing his shoulder.
"...By the skin of my teeth, sir." He felt the weight behind his words, as Jackson looked upon his frightened and tired face.
One of the soldiers with a notebook came over, as he checked the list of the survivors.
"Senior Field Agent Chris Kingston."
"Trainee Pedro Hernan."
"Trainee Hailey Yvette."
"Trainee Grant Maxwell."
"Trainee Kiara Lee."
And finally, David exited the realm gate as it swiftly closed behind him.
"Special Field Agent David Reece."
"Six out of the eleven." The soldier wrote down, as he began writing the letter X next to the names that did not survive the training operation.
"We lost five rookie C-Rank Hunters... that's not entirely surprising, but that is not what I wanted to hear today." Blake spoke.
He then looked toward David, as he saw his uniform was practically torn apart. His shirt was missing, revealing his vastly muscular chest and his pants had been stretched out. All of his gear and equipment were missing.
Not interested in the conversation, David began walking off as he prepared to leave the combat zone.
"Hold on for a minute, Reece. I need to have a w-." Blake caught up with David, as he attempted to put his hand on his shoulder. He instinctively felt he shouldn't, as if his hand was being repelled, but it wasn't.
"...If you need to debrief, speak with the section leader you put in charge."
"That wasn't a request. I'm-."
Jackson felt a wave of energy he had felt before, one from a high-ranking A-Rank monster.
"I know who you are, Special Field Agent Jackson. Task Force White Leader."
"...Then you know I have the right to question you about why I lost five C-Rank Hunters."
"I was able to rescue the other five... shouldn't you be giving me your gratitude instead of your hostility?" David stared the man in his eyes. Jackson saw the flash of green in his eyes, sending a chill down his spine.
Despite the height difference and Blake literally looking down at him, he felt as if David was truly the one looking down at him. Blake felt that he shouldn't tangle with him or he would surely die.
"...My apologies. You can go."
David then walked off, as he then rushed and leapt across the surrounding buildings, immediately disappearing from view.
"...Fast. Even for an A-Rank Hunter... and that aura..."
"Kingston."
"Yes, sir?"
"...What did you think of him?"
"...You felt it yourself, didn't you? I think that tells you everything, sir."
"In a battle, who do you think would win? Between me and him."
"...In all honesty, sir... he would." Kingston said with a stern look on his face, serious and unrelenting in front of his boss.
"I appreciate the honesty." Blake sighed. "...He's a goddamn monster then."
***
"Heirs... Rulers... Seraphims... Avatars... God... what do they have to do with each other..."
"...There's a big fucking piece, or pieces, of this story I'm missing and it's frustrating... it's actually pissing me off."
"...It is time for your next trial, Heir."
"And you hear me trying to figure out this story and offer no insight... When will you tell me the truth, Desim? I am tired of being rung around in some game played by you."
David stared at Desim.
"...Complete my trials and you will soon learn the truth. You have two more to complete before you are mentally and physically ready to bear the truth you wish."
"You will emerge both with the truth, and the strength to match it."
"...Nilfheim."
***
Los Angeles, California
Inside a Realm Gate, Task Force Gold Operation
Whimpers and screams were heard, as one hunter saw several of his comrades being thrown around like ragdolls. They weren't killed, but severely wounded and knocked unconscious.
"...A... humanoid, draconic monster... that can't be the priority beast... can it?" The hunter's whimpers were heard by the man she was addressing.
"...It doesn't make sense... the monsters here aren't even reptilian... what the fuck is happening?!"
The hunter seemed to be on the descent to madness as she was further exposed to the energy that was emitting off of the mysterious man that wiped out her entire squad.
The man was a handsome, light-skinned, African-American descent young man. He had long curly black hair with a golden strand of hair and prominent golden eyes. He stood at 6 feet tall. A brief golden aura surrounded his body, even though he wasn't intentionally activating his energy.
His most stand-offish features was his draconic appearance, as he possessed characteristics of a Dragon. Instead of clothes, his entire body was covered in white and gold biological armor that had scales within it. He also had large draconic wings that sprouted from the backside armor.
"Hey."
The man spoke. While he spoke English, his words raged inside of the hunter's ears, paralyzing her. She was oddly frightened by the fact that the man that she thought was a monster, was speaking fluent American English.
"Your comrades are just knocked out. Their injuries should heal with the right treatment."
"...Is this America? I want to find someone. Can you take me home?"
***
"Thanks for coming out, guys."
"Of course, cheers to our savior!"
"Cheers!" The group said, hitting their alcoholic drinks together. They were sitting in a steakhouse.
"When I heard you wanted us to meet, Reece... I just had to bring us to an expensive place." Kingston said, as he drank a shot.
"...That doesn't mean I'm paying for everything, so watch it."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah... so why did you call us out here?"
"...Did you guys see me transform?" David got straight to the point. The other five sat there, slightly nervous as they all nodded.
"What's with the glum faces? I'm not going to kill you." Everyone sighed in relief.
"...I've had this conversation before with someone else who found out my secret..." David began remembering Yana, Jackson's daughter.
"...Shit. I hope she doesn't eventually tell him I slept with her."
"There's also a reason why I chose this corner out of the steakhouse since it's the most discreet." He said, as he pulled out his badge and let the others read it.
"...Emissary to the Director of... Adverse Realm Intelligence?!" Hailey was shocked.
"...So that explains it. You're also a Special Agent with Intelligence... no wonder you became a Special Field Agent in the span of minutes in the official federal database..." Pedro spoke up.
"...We have been through hell together, quite literally. I trust each and every one of you here. Kingston, I know you have an obligation to Task Force White, but the rest of you don't."
"I want you to join my Task Force, when I'm authorized to make one."
"...That battle against Dane... made me realize I can't fight alone anymore... while I'm fighting high-ranked majins, I can't focus on others. That's why I need to build a solid foundation now."
"And these hunters... they've already witnessed what it's like to be in a high class realm, not just a rift... that experience will keep them alive."
The others glanced at each other.
"Seeing as you guys know my secret, of course I'd want to have those I already trust in my Task Force when I make it."
"...I just have one question, Reece." Kiara spoke up.
"Are you actually a monster?"
The table got quiet.
"...I don't know what I am, if I'm fully being honest. But if I had to give you an answer, I have the potent blood of a monster flowing through my veins."
"So if that's what you count as a monster, I am one."
"...But that doesn't matter, since it seems you made your side perfectly clear to that elf... that conversation didn't seem hostile until you told him you were frustrated about not revealing some truth..." Pedro said, as he remembered the exchange.
"Whatever you are, and whatever fate or path you're in, it doesn't really matter to me. My answer is a hell yes." Grant said, as he nodded.
"Me too, I'm in." Kiara said, smiling.
"...Ain't fate something?" Kingston said, smirking.
"I wouldn't have gotten this far if I didn't want to stick with you, sir." Pedro said, raising his glass.
"I'm in too, you technically saved me twice this far." Hailey laughed.
"...This feeling... it's been awhile since I've felt this way since..."
David began remembering his old comrades...
"Jessica... Kevin... Patrick... Sloane... it seems I've found my new group..."
***
Reporters then began filing outside of the security blockade around the former double gate, as ARC was currently in construction of another security site due to the realm gate's presence.
ARC soldiers formed up in front of the blockade, as the reporters were briefly intimidated by their presence, as well as the military vehicles that formed most of the blockade until the walls were constructed.
ARC Construction Crews were a popular presence as well, contracted by the Department of Defense and watched the onslaught.
"Agent Jackson! Please give us a comment!"
"Back the hell up!" A soldier yelled out as he shoved a reporter back.
"Is it true that ARC recently lost five newly trained C-Rank Hunters in a C-Rank Realm Gate?"
"Does this spark worry and concern in our safety against the monsters you fight?"
"Has the skill level of our protectors diminished?!"
"...Would you care to comment about the new A-Rank Hunter that has been briefly seen in ARC operations? No one seems to know him nor his history, Agent David Reece?"
"It has been found that the realm gate turned rampant and became a double gate. That is why we lost so many C-Rank Hunters. The double gate was deemed an A-Rank Gate. Our skill level, nor our capability, to protect you all from harm has vanished."
"On the topic of David Reece, he is a new outstanding agent that will surely be beneficial to the Adverse Realm Control's field operations. If that is all, thank you."
Jackson began walking away, as he entered a government Sedan and vacated the security blockade.
*
U.S. Hunter Branch: Brooklyn Metropolitan
Field Operations Wing
"...I hate having to respond to reporters. I never know what to say." He sighed, sitting on his chair.
"David Reece... how has his position already been leaked?... Unless it was done on purpose... those Intelligence agents surely know how to light a fire under the media's asses..."
A door knock was heard.
"Come in."
He saw two agents, with ARC black suits, walk in. From the way they dressed and the lapel pin, it was obvious they were from Adverse Realm Intelligence.
"I need you to come with us, Special Field Agent Jackson."
"...For what reason?"
"The possible re-emergence of the Caribbean Gate."
Jackson had a nervous and anxious expression. "As in..."
"Yes. The Gate that ruptured the entire Caribbean, the one with the Dragon, sir."
"...Mexico?"
The agent nodded.
Jackson got up, put on his blazer, and immediately approached the agents.
"Let's go."
***
The Pentagon, Washington
"Thank you all, for coming in on such short notice." A voice called out, as a large, muscular man took the floor.
Several high-ranking Department of Defense officials, ARC agents and military officers were present, sitting down in a large room made for official meetings. The room was a bit darkened to see the presentation.
"It's Director Gunner... he's giving the briefing?"
"The nation of Mexico has recently come into contact with the American Embassary stationed there about the emergence of the Caribbean Gate, a nightmare most of us do not want to remember. The Central Intelligence Agency has already confirmed it."
The room got silent.
"With the proper authorization, one of our agents in Realm Intelligence was sent in order to investigate the situation, with a full research team. The situation in the region has gotten worse, as energy spikes were reported by Mexico's own Realm Gate Research, about the potential re-emergence of the realm gate."
"A double gate... seems to be expected."
"Wait... a double gate?!"
"Isn't the Realm Gate already classed as an A-Rank?"
"What could possibly... be higher than that..."
Gunner held his tongue.
"The realm gate may already be open... as both Venezula and the Mexican Region of Quintana Roo, have reported beasts, shaped like salamanders... washed up on their shores."
"...Holy shit…"
***
~FLASH~
David appeared right before Nilfheim's Frozen Gate, as he looked upon the dead Gatekeeper that he killed.
"...Before, I was just a B-Rank Hunter with the raw strength of an A-Rank Monster... Now that I've fought Dane, I've vastly surpassed that version of myself... I'm ready."
David said, as he opened the large Gate before him. He was propelled inside, like a vortex. He seemed to have crossed over to a different dimension of the realm.
"...This looks like... Brooklyn on ice... miles and miles on end... there's no end."
"...Is New York... no, the entire United States on ice in this realm?"
"...This is a representation of what could happen to your world, if the majins do vastly invade your world through the Rifts."
"...With devastation, granted... but this power I'm feeling... this isn't from normal majins..."
"This is from the power of a Ruler, isn't it?"
"...Yes."
"...I'm assuming the Ruler of Frost... I wonder what sin he represents."
He then felt the massive amounts of bloodlust coming from ahead of him, as beasts shaped like humanoid knights but with horns and covered in frost, approached him.
"...Are they just animated? I don't feel any living presence within the actual armor... are they just being controlled through the ice itself... the actual ice is within the armor..."
"...I never knew I could manipulate Frost like that..."
Some of the knights rose up their hands, as large icicles from the ground formed, attempting to box David in. The horde of knights rushed.
"...They're at least B-Rank Hunters... all of them. Target practice."
David rushed forward through the blockade, as his hardened skin emerged. He had the power of Fangs, which granted him unbelievable durability, as he slammed right through the ice wall the knights had created.
He then launched upward, as he slammed the ground with one singular punch. It ruptured the entire area around them, as the knights fell into the ground or knocked away by the wind pressure.
He then used Fangs that emerged from the ground, piercing every single knight in the vicinity, as the armor fell down and the ice within it broke to pieces. He had used numerous fangs to break apart their structures for each knight.
"...While they can't do much physically to harm me, it's annoying to actually destroy them, considering they're not living. I have to be more thorough..."
"...Desim did say this was a trial, but for what..."
***
ARC Research Black Site
"...Is that... him?" The lead scientist asked, as he looked upon the mysterious man.
"Yes... That's the monster that was confirmed in Los Angeles, California."
"Did he identify himself?"
"...Let's see here, he said his name was Noah Reece."
"...Research that last name, it sounds vaguely familiar. Check the official federal database for all hunters, including those of ARC."
"It was reported that he speaks fluent American English, sir."
"So he appears to be American... where has he been all this time?"
"That... he wouldn't answer."
"Wouldn't answer, huh? And it seems he refused to be studied." The lead scientist looked upon the destroyed machines in the room.
"...We wouldn't be able to research him regardless... as he seems to be a high class A-Rank monster, sir."
"That means if he wanted to, we'd all be dead."
"...Did you discover anything else?"
"He may have the memories of a human he devoured, the monster seems to be of draconic origin, considering the wings and the scales... but he chose to look human."
"Is it possible he is also a hybrid?"
"Suspected, sir."
"Task Force Gold appears to have an A-Rank Hunter on his way here, considering it was their operation that was thrown in disarray."
"Special Field Agent Holly Evers."
"...They sent an uncontrollable agent to deal with an uncontrollable irregularity... what the fuck." The lead scientist put his hand on his forehead and shook his head repeatedly.
***
"...Feels like I'm crossing the entire state of New York... which isn't a problem due to my stamina, but I've been clearing these frost creatures left and right... they aren't really much of a problem."
David thought to himself as he struck down a large giant made of frozen snow, collapsing to the ground. He had finished off around 100 of them before he moved on.
He then felt the energy of a high-ranked beast, as he then expanded his vision forward.
[] GUARD OF THE OUTER INTERIM.
The outer interim guard was a giant among giants, as he was morbidly huge. He had blue skin covered in frost and ice and glowing blue eyes, menacing for any living being that was lower in strength compared to it. He had no weapons, as his size was his weapon.
"...This guy's the size of a fucking skyscraper... maybe larger."
"...A-Rank... this won't take long."
David said, as he then rushed forward, unrelenting. The guard met his charge as a large crash was heard as their forces collided.
***
U.S. Hunter Branch: Brooklyn Metropolitan
Field Operations Wing
Several intelligence agents began questioning the Field Agents currently in the Wing, as they appeared to be searching for an individual.
"...What's going on?" Jackson perked up, seeing Wesley and approached him.
"Have you seen Special Field Agent Reece?" Wesley questioned, having a serious look on his face.
"...Isn't he one of yours?" Jackson retorted.
"...That's exactly why I'm surprised we lost him..."
"No evidence of him leaving the state either... or even the country itself... the last known place he seemed to be was here and some pork belly restaurant."
"To have this many agents looking for him, I thought you were here to arrest him."
"...No, we need him to confirm something for us..."
"One of our research black sites... apparently has his sibling in custody."
"...What?"
***
ARC Research Black Site
"...What a surprise. A humanoid monster." The feminine voice spoke, sitting across from the monster she was referring to.
"And you speak fluent American English too... not that bad looking either... young." She analyzed his features.
"You don't remember me…" Noah whispered to himself.
"What?" She heard him but refused to acknowledge what he had said.
"...I assume you know what a hybrid is." The sheer will and power behind his voice shook the scientists observing. His aura was briefly noticed by them and couldn't be fully hidden.
"...That energy..." Holly felt it as well, trying to mentally withstand it as she experienced similar energy from A-Rank Monsters.
"If you need evidence of my human side, you can simply take a test to determine that fact."
"...I heard you resisted testing."
"I am not a fool. Those scientists cowering in fear behind that glass wanted to experiment and tear my body for their own pleasure first, not to investigate."
"That is what happens when you see something you both fear and are mesmerized by."
She didn't disagree with him, as he saw it in her eyes.
"...Nonetheless, you did come out of a realm gate. Regardless of what those scientists felt, they still were obligated to test you. You can just simply be a beast pretending to be a human you devoured."
"A rift."
"Excuse me?"
"Those gates you think lead to different realms... those are simply Rifts, a unstable part of an conceptualized realm."
"Why do you think you only encounter aggressive, unintelligent beasts? In environments that sentient majins cannot survive in. There is much humanity does not know."
"Majins?"
"In our language, Demons. That is what these beasts that you refer to as 'monsters' are. The race of Majins."
"...I want you to cooperate with us." She seemed surprised herself, as the information he was spouting out was something she never heard. She then pulled out a clipboard based on the information he gave her and some questions the scientists asked for.
"What interesting information... and Ms. Evers here seems to be keeping her composure." The lead scientist said, speaking to an intelligence agent, appearing to be a Lead Special Agent.
"It must be that she realizes that monster can kill her whenever it wants."
"Not just a... majin, sir. I suspect he is an actual hybrid. We've never encountered one actually capable of communication like this."
"...And what he said about demons, rifts and realms... There's no evidence proving what he is saying is true... but there is some common sense in his words too. Why have we only encountered beasts..."
"Do you think we could obtain that information from him?"
"...That all depends on Evers, sir."
"...How were you able to survive for over a decade within that gate?" She questioned him again.
"...According to this... only your birth certificate is here. No other records. You're quite literally a ghost. Did you die when the realm gates invaded Earth?"
"I was not within that rift for over a decade. I crossed into it, when I realized that it led to a familiar place. I am not undead. I will say, I have not physically been on Earth for years."
"...Then where were you? Have you had any contact with your family?"
Noah remained silent.
"Based on your misinformation about Rifts, I assume you do not know the true purpose of why those majins are actually invading Earth."
"...We do not know the answer to that question... we just believed those monsters were just hellbent on the destruction of humanity, not the reason behind it."
"If you believe those majins from Rifts are your biggest concern, they are not."
"They are the tip of a much more devastating iceberg that you cannot see."
"Powerful forces are moving. One has awakened here, and it will bring catastrophic destruction if left unchecked."
"...Is that why you came back?"
"To stop those powerful forces I have spoken of."
"What are they?"
"..."
"You came here to destroy those powerful forces from threatening Earth, but you cannot tell us about the threat? We are the one inhabiting this planet." She spoke more clearly, and got used to the brief energy that he was emitting.
"...We have stopped several of these... Rifts... from completely destroying our world. Hunters. And there are thousands of them here."
"I know you know in your heart, these hunters you speak of, will not be enough to keep stronger monsters in check. Your world was almost destroyed by an Avatar years ago, and hundreds of those hunters died just trying to halt its movement."
"Avatar? You mean that Dragon..." She began remembering the Caribbean Incident.
"...You are somewhat strong, so I am not surprised you lived."
"..." She felt ticked off, she was looked down upon, but she knew compared to him, she was a weakling.
She then looked down at the clipboard, turning to the next page.
"Now here's the fish we wanted." The Lead Special Agent spoke up.
"It seems Wesley's team hasn't found him either, sir." Another agent walked up.
"Convenient... we found his potential sibling and he's nowhere to be found..."
Her eyes widened, looking at the photo she was looking at. David Reece. She then looked back up at Noah, studying his features compared to him.
"...You are similar... why didn't I notice this before?..." She muttered to herself.
"...You are aware that you had a brother, right? All of this time you've been missing." She inquired, looking back up.
She then noticed his energy surged, his golden aura getting bigger.
"I am aware." His words had a bigger weight behind him, her mental state was then attacked again, as the scientists and agents on the other side of the room were knocked off their feet.
"...Hostility?" She didn't feel bloodlust, but anger. She also noticed the same golden aura as the Dragon, shocking her as flashbacks filled her brain. She snapped out of it.
"...You said one has awakened here... by any chance..."
"Yes. I am here to eradicate my half-brother."
"...That's not happening. He's one of ours."
"Lead Special Agent, evacuate!" She yelled, as she rose up and grabbed her war hammer. The agents and scientists behind the glass were unable to move, stricken down by the vast aura and energy that then left Noah's body.
"Then fall."
~BOOM~
***
Rachel, Nevada
Hundreds of firefighters were called in to put out a mysterious fire caused by a monster battle. The firefighters were contracted by the Adverse Realm Control agency.
Some firefighters were burnt to death by golden flames, as they continued to spread. Many civilians that were caught in the crossfire in the battle were either crushed or burnt to death as well. A large crater was seen in Rachel.
Numerous military forces from ARC were called to blockade the combat zone, as more and more firefighters were filling up the zone as they tried to put out the fire.
"Golden flames?"
"Yes, sir. Similar to the Dragon's breath from the Caribbean Gate."
"The... hybrid... was reported to have the exact same aura as the Dragon."
"Draconic features too... could he be a son of that Dragon?"
"That's suspected, sir."
"...What's the status of Special Field Agent Evers from Task Force Gold?"
"...There's no sign of her, sir."
"What do you mean, no sign?"
"I'm saying... there's only bones left... she's gone."
"...She was declared deceased before the real damage of this magnitude was done."
"...As if he was sending a message... We need a fucking miracle then."
***
"..." David then felt a wave of emotion hit him.
"...Are you alright, Heir?"
"...Something's telling me I won't be able to fulfill that promise... Hayden."
***
"So that's where you are, dear brother..."