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Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: Crimson Bonds and Devil Secrets

Even a hero lost between worlds cannot escape the eyes of devils. But in darkness, unexpected allies rise…

🏰 Scene 1 — The Queen's Questions

Yuji sat in the velvet-cushioned chair inside the Occult Research Club room, his posture relaxed but alert. His hands rested on his knees, fingers twitching with the subtle instincts of a fighter still adjusting to peace. Across from him sat Rias Gremory, her crimson hair catching the afternoon light like fire.

The silence between them was thick.

"You said your world had no devils," she began, her voice calm but probing."But the power that stood behind you last night… it wasn't human."

Yuji looked down at the floor for a moment.

"His name is Ryomen Sukuna. In my world… he was feared as a King of Curses."

Issei, sitting nearby, raised a trembling hand.

"Uh, King of what now?"

"Curses," Yuji repeated. "Monsters made of fear. Hate. Regret. He was the worst of them."

Kiba frowned.

"And yet he… protected you?"

Yuji nodded slowly.

"Yeah. We… made a deal. He used to want control over me. But in the end… he gave that up. Now… he's just watching over me."

Koneko, silent until now, tilted her head.

"Why?"

Yuji hesitated.

"Because I didn't kill him. Even when I could have."

Akeno leaned forward, her fingers steepled under her chin, a curious smile on her lips.

"How noble. Or foolish."

Yuji met her gaze without flinching.

"Maybe both."

Rias's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

"You said he isn't possessing you anymore?"

Yuji nodded.

"He can appear beside me now. He's… free. But still tied to me. Like a shadow I can't outrun."

"And you don't fear him?" Rias asked.

"I don't have to. He's not my enemy anymore."

Rias leaned back, tapping a finger against her armrest.

"Then perhaps… you're more valuable than I thought."

🧭 Scene 2 — A Devil's Offer

That night, Yuji found himself once again in the ORC clubroom — this time not as a guest, but as something closer to… potential.

Rias stood before him.

"I want you to join us. Not as a devil. Not yet. But as an ally. You'll work with my peerage — observe, learn, adapt."

Yuji blinked.

"You want me to be… what, like a substitute devil?"

Issei snorted.

"Man, I had to get stabbed to join. This guy just walks in with a six-pack and a demon buddy and gets offered a chair!"

"Your sacred gear is on your chest, Issei," Akeno teased. "His might be in his soul."

Yuji smiled faintly, rubbing his neck.

"I'm not sure I belong in any faction. I'm not a devil, not an angel… and the curses I knew are gone."

Rias's expression softened.

"Maybe not. But you belong somewhere, Yuji Itadori. And until we understand why you were brought here… I want to keep you close."

There was a pause.

Yuji nodded.

"Alright. I'll help."

🛡️ Scene 3 — The Mission: Interference

Two nights later, Yuji walked beside Rias and her peerage through the outskirts of Kuoh, just past a half-collapsed shrine.

"We received reports of a rogue exorcist," Rias explained. "Armed, unstable, and threatening to awaken a sealed artifact."

"Like… an evil relic?" Yuji asked.

"A cursed relic," Kiba replied. "One infused with both demonic and angelic residue. Highly volatile."

Yuji blinked.

"That's not good."

"Which is why we brought our newest asset," Akeno chimed, giving him a teasing smile. "You are an expert in cursed things, aren't you?"

"Yeah," Yuji muttered. "I've had some practice."

They reached a clearing where old stone statues stood broken among vines.

"This is it," Rias said. "He's inside that cave."

Yuji stepped forward.

"I'll go first."

Rias raised an eyebrow.

"Alone?"

"Trust me."

🌑 Scene 4 — The Exorcist

Inside the cave, flickering torchlight revealed ancient runes across the walls. A man in ragged robes stood before a cracked altar, holding a glowing blade etched with holy script.

He turned as Yuji stepped in.

"You're not a devil," the man hissed.

Yuji shrugged.

"You're not wrong."

"You reek of blood and power."

"And you reek of bad choices."

The exorcist lunged. The blade hummed with light.

Yuji ducked, pivoted, and slammed his fist into the man's side — holding back just enough not to break ribs. The man staggered but didn't drop the blade.

"You don't understand! This relic will cleanse the world!"

Yuji exhaled.

"You think power is purity. But I've seen what that obsession does."

The man roared, swinging wildly.

Then the shadows thickened.

A presence flooded the room — choking, vast, and ancient.

"This is getting boring."

The exorcist froze as Sukuna stepped from the darkness, grinning.

"You want purity? Try surviving a thousand years of filth first."

The exorcist screamed and ran.

Yuji didn't stop him. He'd already lost his war.

🌃 Scene 5 — A Queen's Concern

Back at the ORC clubroom, Rias folded her arms, watching Yuji sip water like nothing had happened.

"You confronted him alone. Why?"

Yuji looked up.

"Because I've seen what people become when they believe only they can fix everything."

He paused.

"I was almost one of them."

Rias didn't speak for a moment. Then she stepped closer.

"You carry too much for one person."

Yuji laughed lightly.

"That's what everyone keeps telling me."

"Then let me say something different," she said softly."You don't have to carry it here."

That made him pause.

"Thanks. But I think Sukuna would get bored if I rested too long."

"Damn right," the curse muttered from the shadows.

🧠 Scene 6 — Reflections

That night, Yuji stood on the dorm rooftop, staring at the stars.

"You ever wonder what we are now?" he asked aloud.

Sukuna appeared beside him, arms crossed.

"You're a boy out of place. I'm a curse without a kingdom. And yet, here we are."

"Think this world will accept us?"

"They don't have to. We'll survive either way."

Yuji grinned.

"You really are my weirdest friend."

Sukuna snorted.

"I am not your friend, brat."

But he didn't vanish.

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