The losses were severe upon the Soul Brigade community; many suffocated, many died, and many lost their loved ones, with each of the supreme leaders drowning in regret for their selfish actions.
As they stood in order, kneeling beneath their head commander.
"..." The captain raised one eyebrow, opening his eyes completely. "Here he comes..."
A pressure struck all of the leaders, forcing them to kneel. "!?" Their faces were filled with questions, unaware of the stepping person.
Their heartbeats skipped a beat; no one dared to breathe. "..." The doors groaned open as black flames went before the figure spreading inside. The wind froze, bowing for the entering creature.
Kaien stepped in, his black flames consumed the area, spreading openly in the meeting room. His eyes reflected unstoppable rage, as they both glared purplish black.
Suddenly, all the supreme commanders unsheathed their weapons as the healing group ran to the head supreme commander to protect him.
He stood still in his place, keeping his gaze in front. "Kaien..." Haruto (5th Supreme Leader) frowned, looking at the angry beast before him.
The Iron Fangs, Toru Kurogane, stood in front of Kaien. Staring into Kaien's soul.
"I can't allow you to go further...Step up!"
Kaien raised his head, "Get...out of my face..." Suddenly, the rate of his black flames rose, consuming the area even more.
The head supreme commander shouted calmly, commanding, "Who ordered you all to act!?"
Pressure struck the room, heating everything around. The leaders vanished, reappearing in their original places, bowing.
Footsteps echoed, reflecting in their ears. The flames decreased with each step, and the heat rose. The sun's rays reflected from the windows, reaching them, fading slowly.
What is he about to do..., Damn it...i wanted to kill this bastard in his place, Immature peasant...raging over nothing.
Nobody dared to raise his head, as commanded. "Speak..." The head supreme commander's words trembled the area.
Shockwaves were sent, weaving the commander's capes. When they rose their head, Kaien was kneeling beneath the head commander.
"My service has ended, may i have the retirement wish..."
In a shocking moment, they all stared, unable to comprehend the situation. "Huh...?"
"Any wish is granted...state your wish, fellow commander."
After those words spat out by the head commander, silence reigned, the world froze before the commanders, words that struck each one of them.
"Open a gate to the demon dimension...and no one is allowed to get through beside me."
Kaien's words made their lips tremble, unable to speak. Suddenly, the stealth commander shouted for Kaien, "This is dangerous, even someone like you-"
"Wish granted, return your cape." The head commander interrupted.
"How can you allow him?", "Impossible..." They all muttered, observing the situation closely.
"I will help!" The sanctum guard's leader stepped forward, requesting.
Kaien's arm moved unconsciously, while his head twisted to her slowly. "Don't worry...i will be fine."
"Selfish coming from you, Kaien!" The 2nd commander, Naomasa Fujiwara, stepped toward him. "Retiring in a sudden? And also asking for death!? What are we to you!"
The black flames master, Kaien, stood up while keeping his gaze lowered. His fist clenched as he bit his lip. "What are y'all to me...?"
"Hm?!" The commander responded in anger over his actions.
"Say...what am i to you?" Kaien's head rose slowly.
"Huh..."
Silence struck the place for a second, echoing Kaien's words.
All the commanders stepped backward and returned to kneeling for the head commander.
"Eclipse Ward's leader, step up and grant his wish."
"Yes, sir." The commander walked to the middle of the room. Raise both arms, then split them. "Forbidden Technique...Dimension Gate : Yami no Rengo!" Wind gathered at his wrists, Reikonryoku poured on his palms, spreading forward. As it left his palms, the colors twirled completely red. They formed a circle, gathering in one place, then opening upward.
Lightning came from the ceiling, striking the gate, opening a distorted gate.
Kaien's footsteps echoed, raising every commander's head. They watched, unable to take action or prevent him. Waiting for his final words.
He stopped in front of the gate, narrowing his eyes around. Black flames flew slowly, eating up his cape as it weaved mid air. "Farewell..."
"Just know they're waiting for you on the other side." The commander who stood next to Kaien stated.
"I want them to be..." The black flames were fading when Kaien's foot went through the gate. The gate closure took action as he departed. "Time to pay some debt..."
-
Armies of Demons gave their backs to an opening gate. Thousands of Demons turned to observe the opening gate. Suddenly, the demon world shook. Echoing the sound of their king laughing at the unexpected arrival. They all knelt in fear of hearing his sound.
They opened a way for the guest in order, leaving a wide path for the kneeling hierarch, with the figure sitting on a throne at its center.
Black flames erupted from the gate, heating the area surrounding it. As a leg entered, the black flames exploded everywhere.
"Shall we deal with him, my lord...?" The mysterious Hierarchs spoke, kneeling even more.
The right skull stated the permission, "Accepted. One condition should be followed...Make it fun..."
All of the Hierarchs vanished, appearing in the midst of the path. Though three wasn't there.
Morphus stood in front, "I will ask for help when needed." Then, he made his way forward, charging his fist with Reikonryoku, pouring all kinds of purple Ryoku, burning in flames.
Suddenly, the figure's leg vanished, while black flames erupted, surrounding the area in hellfire arena.
"Look...Look who is waiting for me!" Kaien stood before the closing gate, speaking proudly. "Waiting for their slow consumable deaths.."
"Heh...you're getting carried away for yourself." Morphus' fists poured more Reikonryoku, exploding.
Kaien laughed crazily, raising his arm to his face. Covering the other side, "Am i...AM I!!"
"ATTACK!!!" Morphus shouted as demons ran toward Kaien, some unsheathing their katanas, while the others already jumped on him.
Kaien spread both of his arms in a godly manner, while his demonic smile widened. "TIME TO START THE DEMON GENOCIDE!" His black flames rose to the skies, burning all of the demons surrounding him.
The flames kept consuming, destroying all sources of material or body it touches.
Kaien vanished, reappearing in front of Morphus with a slamming punch, splashing blood from his nose by a matter of seconds, while shockwaves sent all demons away. He pulled his fist back, slamming his other on his stomach, sending him miles away.
How did- Kaien reappear in front of the flying Morphus, grabbing him by the collar, sending him to the sky, when three of the other Hierarchs appeared in front of Kaien, preventing him from flying toward Morphus.
They all darted through the air, rushing at Kaien with their attacks charged. As they fell, the capes fell, showing each number. "4: Storm Demon","5: Blood Queen","8: Chaos Lieutenant"
"HMPH!" The 8th Hierarch slammed his fist at Kaien's blocking palm, then the 4th Hierarch appeared behind Kaien. "NOT TODAY!" Kaien laughed maniacally, twisting around, throwing the 8th Hierarch at the 4th one, then lunging from the air toward them, unsheathing his katana.
His black flames immediately poured into his katana, showing the shape of a circle on his palm. With a swing, his black flames rushed forward, shattering everything in front of him, causing a huge, destructive gap in the ground. "Tsk..." They already vanished, evading the attack.
"What can we do about him...?" The 8th Hierarch spoke, while the 4th stood observing.
Kaien's slash struck upon one whole army, then he appeared on the ground. Going through the demons on the ground, cutting their heads off. With each swing, his black flames fought with him, erupting from the ground, killing demons everywhere.
His maniacal smile reflected his breakdown; he had no feeling inside anymore. Jumping from there and there, hovering over demons with swings, shattering every piece of their body.
The explosive flames wiped the face of the grounds beneath, coming from anywhere.
"Hayai style..." As his Reikonryoku spiked, his pace changed, killing 100 demons in a matter of a singular second. Heads rose to the skies, blood splashed everywhere.
The black Reikonryoku flare rattled everywhere, trembling the whole demon place. His blade couldn't keep up, shattering on one of the demons' necks. Kaien landed one foot on the ground and left a remarkable smile, "Heh..."
"He doesn't have any weapons anymore. Attack him!" One of the demons screamed, notifying them.
Suddenly, a whole army rolled on the ground, jumping on him. "HAH!" Kaien's black flames gathered around him, exploding to the skies, turning the red moon to a dark one.
No more light shone on the place, though his Reikonryoku-pouring struck fists lit the area. With each slamming blow, sparks spread along with shockwaves, destroying even the flying rocks.
"Hey human, HOW ABOUT A TASTE OF MY BLOOD!?" The queen of blood Hierarch appeared mid-air, with a ready card. Blood formed on her, as they gathered on her palms, increasing in size. She then smacked her palms together, "Chi no geijutsu...Waves of blood!" The blood pierced her arms, leaving instantly, rushing toward Kaien.
The pace of her attack was high, "...H..." Kaien rotated mid-air, dodging 3 waves, pushing himself forward toward her, while floating mid-air, evading and sidestepping other waves.
What is he...A devil...? Her brain was filled with confusion regarding the individual in front.
One of the waves pierced through the tip of his right shoulder, his grip tightened on the wave, shattering the frozen blood. Vanishing from one place, appearing with a pummeling kick on his opponent's forehead, creating sparks, lighting the area up. The impact sends the Hierarch flying, crashing into a mountain, eradicating the surface. "GHHH!" Blood rippled from her mouth, splashing massively.
She fell on her face, powerless, landing in the midst of the standing Hierarchs.
"..." They all looked at her, crawling forward, then coming to her feet slowly.
"What can we possibly do...at this rate..."
Morphus interrupted, keeping his gaze on the deviloc human in front.
"There is only one way..."
They all became quiet and stared, "And it's...to perform the person teleportation."
"What!?", "Impossible!", "Only the demon king is capable of doing so!"
The last demon was slaughtered, leading Kaien to vanish. He then appeared before the standing Hierarchs, grabbing tightly two heads of their fallen soldiers, while sitting on one.
His demonic smile sent shivers down their spines, while blood of demons spilled down his head, his eyes were overwritten by blood, glaring black. His clothes had blood all over them.
"You're...next." He caught his breath slowly.
Morphus' eyes widened, and then he twirled his head at the 7th Hierarch "Abyss Howler 'Echon'".
"Prepare the ritual...we will be distracting him!" Afterward, all of the other 3 Hierarchs, including Morphus ran toward Kaien.
"A death wish...? Accepted!"
Kaien sprang up, appearing in front of Morphus, slamming his fist on Morphus' jaw, raising his flames toward him in the sky. "God...DAMNIT!" Morphus spat liquid as 5 soldiers formed a barrier against the black flames. "Take this!" The blood queen sent 3 waves of blood toward him.
His smile widened, erupting his Reikonryoku upward, with his fist hanging in the darting 8th Hierarch's stomach, slamming fired up spikes outward, exploding his Reikonryoku all around.
As blood splashed from the Hierarch's mouth, Kaien grabbed him by the neck, turning him at the waves, throwing him toward the piercing blood. He then slammed his feet into the ground, obliterating the rocks beneath, launching himself upward. With immediate action, he calmly plunged both of his fists against each other, spilling
"Dimensional abyss...Dark Hell Flames!"
Morphus darted through the air, landing on one of the floating rocks, "This bastard's flames..."
"I have to run!" The queen of blood rotated, rushing away in an attempt to escape.
"I always had a grudge against you...We shall burn in these flames together..." The 8th Hierarch member grabbed her by the cape.
"GET OF ME YOU-"
Kaien spread his arms, raising his to the sky, "RAISE MY LOVELY FLAMES!" The flames appeared from the thin air, spreading, consuming, destroying every existing object, erasing not only the existence, but the memories of it existing. The flames spread meters far ahead.
Morphus kept jumping from rock to another, attempting to escape the flames.
Two Hierarchs were wiped out by the flames as they faded slowly.
"Forgot about me?" The 4th Hierarch appeared behind Kaien after the flames' closure.
"Totally didn't...!" Kaien twirled, vanishing along with the Hierarch, reappearing all around with them, exchanging fists. With each fist Kaien threw, the Hierarch commanded the wind to decrease the impact, blocking and striking.
"How is it demon..."
"..."
"BEING OVERWHELMED BY A MERE HUMAN!?" Kaien's fist pierced his soul, aimed at his face, with an impactful blow that sent destructive shockwaves, even triggering a red lightning strike upon the demon's dimension.
The Hierarch landed crashing on his back, "GH!" His blood rose, spitting out even more. He sprang to his feet again, ignoring the pain.
"I swore on my whole life...i will avenge those who needed my light when the darkness consumed it." Kaien landed on the tip of his leg, keeping his gaze on the Hierarch.
Morphus appeared next to Brontes, "What do you mean...? The one who needed your light, accepted to help by his will."
"Whether accepted or not...You're still dying." Kaien's grin showed his hatred toward them. He darted in a pace that became unseemly.
Both Hierarchs lunged, meeting Kaien, one with a kick, the other with a charged fist. His unconscious fist went through one's stomach, landing a clean kick on the other one's forehead.
Holding their ground, they vanished along with him, reappearing multiple times in countless places, clashing with him. Brontes used his wind-lowering impact, while Morphus kept summoning soldiers to deflect the flames. The sparks of the battle reflected on the demon world, even pleasing the demon king himself.
In one clash, Kaien formed a Reikonryoku blade, piercing through Brontes' heart, with a punch that sent Morphus away. He pulled his Reikonryoku blade out, lunging toward Morphus.
"Damnit, that worthless Hierarch left me alone!" Morphus stood on the ground, staring at the rushing Kaien. "I'M DONE!" Morphus trembled.
Suddenly,
"GRHH!"
Kaien fell on his knees due to the loss of Reikonryoku as the 7th Hierarch Echon appeared with both of his hands forward, "Fūinryū Metsuzai...Seal of Teleportation..." The ground shook as two gigantic arms forced their way on the surface, catching Kaien in the midst of it.
What...i have no energy to fight back... Kaien's eyes opened slowly at Morphus, "I swear...I...will...return..."
The hands tightened on Kaien, blinding him, taking his consciousness away.
The 7th Hierarch fell on his face, with his life on the line due to the Reikonryoku usage.
Morphus observed the scene in relief, "I'm alive..."
"Help...i can't breath..."
Morphus comprehended the scene, then walked to Echon and placed his palm on his chest. "Sleep well...and become my soldier."
"You..Bastard..." Echon's body melted into a liquid, pouring through Morphus' arm.
Morphus smiled, "That was a success, now with them gone. I am the 4th Hierarch!" He then laughed victoriously.
-
"Ugh..." Kaien regained consciousness after several hours. "What...happened."
His memories were fuzzy, "Does that mean...i failed...?" He stood looking at his arms, "I am sealed from going to other dimensions now..."
As his memories flooded his head, the slaughter of the students became clear in front of him.
"Dam...DAMNIT!" He grabbed his head, "Why...WHYY!" His fist slammed into the tree.
"I failed...once again..." He kept pounding his fist on the tree. "Dam-m-m--m-m-m--m-"
"m-m-m-m--m-m-"
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A glitch suddenly occurred, bursting through the mind that dreamed the story.
Kuro observed both of his arms, floating in an endless void, "What...am i dreaming about, Kaien...?"
He fell down the void slowly, "Did Kaien go through this...Wait i'm falling!"
"WOA!" The dream changed places, showing Kuro sitting in his old living room, watching TV.
"What...? Huh!?" His confusion paralyzed his head momentarily. Is someone controlling my dream...?
The TV started, and a complete black figure stood inside. "This is creepy..." Kuro was terrified, his eyebrows raised in confusion once again.
Anonymously, the figure walked, bursting out of the screen, reaching for Kuro, "secured grounds..."
"HEY HEY I CAN'T MOVE!!!" He was attempting to move, trembling in his place.
The figure kept repeating, "Secured grounds...secured grounds...secur-r-red-g-g-grou-n-n-nds" then it ran toward Kuro, forcing him awake.
"PWAHH!" He sprang up to his feet immediately, trying to comprehend what had happened.
Chapter End.