Still holding Renjiro's body close to herself. This isn't the kind of life she asked for. She only wished she was not a member of Blackpool. She wished she lived her life like every other teenager her age.
Flashbacks.
An overjoyed Darelle could be seen dancing, pacing, hopping around through the castle as her face lit up in joy. Her attitude raised concern among the servants, who had never seen her so happy like this before. They wondered if a man was involved.
Bang!
Slamming the door behind her, overjoyed Darelle rested her back on the door with her hands behind her, facing the ceiling in bliss. Sadly, her honeymoon mood was cut short as she noticed she was not alone. Looking across her room, she saw her mother sitting with her legs crossed.
"Mother!?"
Present.
A moment after Renjiro was murdered, Darelle felt the presence of people coming. She dropped his body gently on the ground and vanished.
Katzuki and Islodin arrived at the garden and saw Renjiro's body lying on the ground, dead. Islodin covered her mouth. As they both began to mourn, they realized they had failed their mission. They had been looking for him for a long time, and now they found him, only to find his corpse.
A portal opened behind them as a wounded Sanji emerged, on the verge of death.
"Sanji!!"
They both exclaimed in joy, seeing the reigning Dragon Slayer in front of them. Sadly, things didn't go the way they expected. Sanji, who didn't have any time to spare, saw the corpse of Renjiro's body on the ground and began a mouth incantation, ripping out his own heart and implanting it into Renjiro's body.
"Do not let anyone know he was dead when you found him, okay? When he wakes up, take him to Jyotu High Academy. There's plenty for him to learn," Sanji said, making them promise not to tell anyone how they found Renjiro.
" promise!"
"Good!"
Sanji's body began to fade away until there was nothing left but wind. Both of them mourned their hearts out as the reigning Dragon Slayer now dwelled in Renjiro's body.
A few hours later.
The moon shone bright. The air was thick and refreshing. Renjiro opened his eyes weakly and slowly. The first thing he saw was the full moon shining its light directly at him. He groaned softly, rubbing his chest and slowly looking at his hand as he saw dry blood on it.
"Did I die?!"
He said, pulling himself up and scanning his environment. Memories began to flash as he remembered this was the place he and Darelle came to during their date.
"Darelle?!"
He said softly as he began to make his way home. He got home, passing through his window into his room. With his family fast asleep, no one could hear him. He dumped his torn clothes in the trash can and made his way to the bathroom to freshen up. Feeling the cold droplets of water slapping against his bare skin, memories of Darelle saying something about being a threat came to his mind.
"A threat?!"
Turning the shower off, he made his way to his room, changed into his night pajamas, and fell asleep.
Morning had fallen. Renjiro felt his left hand was limp, as he was having trouble moving it accurately. He yawned lazily as he made his way to the bathroom to freshen up. That's when he began to feel his left hand aching badly.
"Ow! Ow! Ow!"
He yelped in pain, feeling the palm of his hand stretching in two. A bluish eye ripped open in his hand, staring at him. Its iris was golden with a black slit in the center. All of a sudden, a voice spoke from it, calling his name.
"Renjiro-!"
"What is that?!"
Horrified, Renjiro panicked and accidentally destroyed the wall sink, causing a loud noise as he heard his mom calling from the living room, asking if he was okay.
"Renjiro, is everything okay in there?!" he heard his mom call.
"Yes! Everything's fine!" he said, taking a towel and wrapping it around his palm as he made his way out of the bathroom. He went to his room, slamming the door behind him. He heard his sister screaming, calling his name as she entered the bathroom and found it in a complete mess.
"Renjiro! What did you do-?!"
"Okay, first, who are you and what are you doing in my hand?!" Renjiro said, breathing shakily while looking at the bluish eye staring at him in his palm.
"My name is Belzubulb, and I'm also your guardian!"
"My guardian?!"
"Yes!"
"How did you appear in my hand, and where exactly did you come from?" Renjiro asked, still terrified.
"This might look intriguing, as it's something I cannot explain the whole day, but allow me to explain."
"Okay."
"Many years ago in Japan, demons and monsters roamed these lands freely as they liked, plunging terror into the hearts of the human race. At that time, there were people with special abilities whom we called sorcerers, warriors born with the purpose to protect. They stood up for the human race.
"These people, born with special abilities, went against the leader of these monsters, a man named Danzo Iskandar, eventually leading to a global war. It was a tough battle; many lives were lost in the process. At last, the enemy of the people was defeated, bringing peace into the human world once more."
"Iskandar! I've heard that name before," Renjiro said, remembering the name. "Which means it might be related to
Darelle."
"Renjiro, have you been experiencing any changes recently?" Belzubulb asked, blinking.
"Nope!"
"Renjiro, time for school!" he heard his kid sister screaming, thumping her shoes on the floor.
"I'll be there in a sec-" Renjiro said, unaware when the bluish eye has closed in his hand.
Nexus Point High.
"What?!"
"What do you mean you don't remember a girl called Darelle Iskandar? She's the girl you brought to my school yesterday!" Renjiro screamed at the school principal, who was unable to remember the strange girl he brought to one of his classes the other day, as there was no record of her in the school system.
"I'm so sorry, Renjiro. I'm unable to find this girl you've been asking about," he said and dismissed him. Feeling disappointed, Renjiro sighed and left the office.
"Why couldn't anybody remember her?" Renjiro fumed in frustration while walking down from the building to his class. Ouch! He began to feel his head burning as if it were on fire and started to weave side to side, stopping along the hallway to catch his breath.
"Renjiro-kun, are you alright?" a voice spoke behind him, drawing his attention.
Thalassa Ocean, his childhood friend.
She touched his forehead and saw it was burning hot. "Gosh, you're burning hot," she said, taking out her napkin, soaking it in cold water running along the school, and placing it on his forehead. He felt something cold on his skin. After a while, he began to feel better.
"Thanks, I think I'm fine now," he said, standing up and looking into her eyes. "You know, maybe we should try this sometime. Grab a coffee. It would be great."
"How sweet of you! I'll be looking forward to that…" Thalassa replied, smiling and waving him goodbye. As she made her exit, he stood there, staring at her until she vanished.
He was inside his classroom when he began to feel hot again. "Renjiro-kun, are you alright?" his class teacher asked, approaching him. Noticing his body was burning hot, the teacher took him to the school hospital, where he could get proper treatment.
Blackpool Base
This is the headquarters of every member of Blackpool, a dark secret society that grants people's wishes, both great and small. Most of the people who are successful in Japan today are part of it, where they gain power, fame, and wealth.
This society has existed since ancient times in Japan, and they have been living in secrecy until now. When a leader dies, another has to be nominated. They have a common enemy, which is the Chosens, a group of people from Jyotu High who are tasked with protecting Japan at all costs.
The current leader in charge of Blackpool is a woman named Hannah Iskandar, who is now in charge after her husband lost his life during his battle with Jyotu High's finest sorcerer's. Hannah is a very powerful sorcerer who once took down Jyotu High's finest during the last war. Now, they are multiplying in number, signing new members, and giving them dark powers.
A girl walked into her room, stained with blood. She sat on her bed with her hands trembling; she had killed someone—not just someone, but her lover. She looked to her left-hand side, staring at the picture standing beside her bed, which had a photo of her and her senior sister in it, Lisa. She was lost in thought when a guard came knocking on her door.
"Come in..."
Bowing, the guard said, "Darelle-chan, Queen Hannah requests your presence immediately."
A few minutes later.
Darelle arrived at the main hall, where thousands of members were all dressed in black costumes. They cleared a path for her to pass as she stood before their leader, who rose from her high seat and came down majestically.
"Did you do the assignment you were given?" Hannah asked.
"Yes, Mother," Darelle replied, shaking and not looking at her mother's face, though there was blood all over her body, which proved it.
"And you finished it?" Hannah asked once more.
"Yes, Mother. I killed him just as you commanded," Darelle said.
Hannah saw fear, grief, remorse, and regret in her eyes as she rubbed her daughter's face.
"My child, you don't have to be afraid. It's okay to be scared; it's just a minor thing. In time, you'll get used to it, and you'll never be filled with remorse, okay? You did what you were assigned to do, and it's not you who killed him; I did. When I was your age, I did the same task to prove myself, to see if I was worthy or not. I thought I would never recover, but eventually, I did, and in time, you will too."
She finished speaking to her daughter and stood before the congregation.
"My people, I want to let you all know that the one who has been rumored to be the last Dragon Lord has now finally been slain."
Every member began to roar in celebration.
"Now the time will come when we will destroy Jyotu High once again, just as we have done centuries ago. And when we do, no one can stand in our way."
Hannah was cut short when someone among the crowd called her name.
"My queen..."
"Yes?" Hannah replied as a young man stepped forward. He had brown hair and a light complexion. "What is it, Milo Yutakata?"
"The boy is alive."
"What?!"
"How is this possible?" Hannah yelled, turning to face her daughter, who stepped back trembling, with no idea how he survived.
"I did it, Mother. I swear I killed him," Darelle said, her voice shaking. "I did exactly what you asked."
Hannah's disappointment mingled with rage.
"And how is he still alive, huh? You've failed me. You've failed your father, Danzo Iskandar."
She moved closer; her intent was clear.
"Please, Mother..." Darelle pleaded, backing away with her hands raised.
"Do you know what you just did?" Hannah spat. "If that boy finds out he's a Dragon Slayer, he'll burn everything. Everything your father worked for will be lost. You brought chaos into our home."
Just as the Blackpool members were about to panic, a voice cut through the crowd. Making his way outs standing before the assembly
"My queen, I have the answer."
Dan Eswerld stepped forward.
"Yes, Dan?" Hannah demanded.
"Darelle followed orders; the mission was successful. Sanji transferred his life force into the boy's corpse."
Murmurs began to spread across the hall.
"There's still time," a member urged. "He hasn't shown his powers yet. We can kill him before those Jyotu runts steal him. If they do, we're doomed."
Hannah nodded, dismissing the assembly.
"Send out a Barrow, a demon from the underworld. Hunt him down." The servant bowed and vanished.
"Sigh!
Hannah sat in the visitors' room, lit with a beacon of fire, sipping red wine and lost in thought when a servant interrupted.
"My queen, someone is here."
"Send him in."
Isaac Wescot, CEO of Skyline Industries, entered, straightening up his suit as he walked in boldly. He is now an A-ranked Blackpool member. He flashed a strange ring as he took his seat.
"Isaac, if I may, what do I owe this visit?" She asked sipping a glass filled with red wines.
"It's the company. Ever since joining Blackpool, business has been booming. We are planning to launch one of our branches in North Korea," he said, accepting the glass of wine poured by a female servant.
"He's alive, Wescot," Hannah Said through anger.
"What?!" Isaac dropped his wine, sitting upright. "I thought you said he's dead."
"Sanji passed on his soul, eventually leading to his resurrection."
"How did you know this?"
"One of our servants saw him this morning at Nexus Point, alive. There are no signs he has manifested anything yet, but we need to act now. If he awakens..." Isaac got trailed off.
"I sent a Barrow. It won't fail," Hannah said, crossing her legs and sipping her wine.
Renjiro, in Nexus Point General Hospital, lay in a bed, listening to the beeping sounds of the machines beside him. He groaned softly when he heard footsteps approaching.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
"Renjiro-kun, how are you feeling?" the nurse asked.
He turned his head to the side and saw Satomi Haruma through her crisp white uniform, and his nose began to bleed.
"Renjiro-kun!" she panicked, grabbing a cloth to wipe his nose. "Are you okay?"
"Thanks..." he muttered sheepishly.
"How long was I out?"
"Three hours."
"Thanks." He flashed a sheepish grin. "What's your name, Miss...?" he asked curiously.
"Satomi Haruma," she said, smiling and checking his vitals.
Leaving the hospital, he decided to visit Thalassa in Terma Village. He arrived at the Oceane Clan, scanning the crowds of women in red and white kimonos. He spotted Thalassa sweeping. Her black hair was tied back, a cut showed on the shoulder of her white shirt, and she wore a red gown matched with white socks and slippers.
"Hey, Thalassa-chan," he said, wrapping his arms around her from behind and making her jump.
"Gosh, you scared the hell out of me! Renjiro-kun, how are you?" She hugged him. Breaking the hug, she said, "I didn't see you at school. I hope everything's fine."
"Yeah, fine. I wanted to see you," he admitted.
She led him inside her home, which had paintings of her ancestors on the wall, leaving him marveling.
"Wow, you have a nice place, Thalassa-chan," he said, amazed, sitting down on a mat.
He spotted a strange tattoo on her back and asked what it meant. She turned to face him and undressed herself halfway, leaving her back exposed. His heart skipped a beat.
Thalassa told him about the tattoo on her back, which was a mark from Athena, the Greek goddess. She explained that there was a time in Terma when her family was bedridden. They didn't have any children, so they made sacrifices to Athena to ask for one. After her birth, she carried the mark of Athena.
Renjiro's heart skipped a beat when she revealed parts of her exposed chest.
"Renjiro-kun... is this your first time with a girl?" she asked, her cheeks blushing red.
He hesitated. "Yeah, Thalassa-chan."
"Great?!"
She fell on top of him as they both lay down, with Thalassa on top. Raising her head high, she stared into his emerald blue eyes. Renjiro wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. Thalassa's lips met his in a kiss. The night was perfect; the room was lit with golden lights.
An hour later, both of them could be seen walking out of Terma Village hand in hand. as they walked side by side passing through the bridges separating terma and Shibuya, Thalassa hugged him one final time, waving him goodbye. Renjiro waved back and made his way home.
Along the way, he stopped when he felt something behind him. He turned around and saw a flaming monster with the head of a calf and a full body. The creature held a flaming spear in its hand.
"What the hell is that thing?!" Renjiro said, stunned.
He tried to run away when he felt something hot pierce through his stomach.
"What is this?!" he gasped for air.
The creature didn't hesitate, slashing its claws at him. Renjiro dodged, but he wasn't fast enough, and his gut was wounded again.
Coughing!
"No! Not... this again," he groaned in pure agony, feeling the heat scorching his stomach.
The beast raised its fiery sword and plunged the blade forward, delivering the finishing blow. A red light erupted into the sky like a comet. A shaped skeleton circled around him, protecting him.Belzubulb pulsed through his wrist.
"Renjiro! Smash the ground!"
Renjiro obeyed, smashing his fist against the earth. Flames appeared, taking the shape of a dragon and incinerating the monster.
He collapsed on the ground, panting, his wounds beginning to heal slowly. he stood up weakly and begins to make his way home.