Difference between revisions of "Beyond the Gods - The Strongest Hinokami"

Revision as of 00:05, 2 September 2023

The Thirteenth Hinokami

I watched the last offering go up in flames in the shrine at Arii.

"Rest in peace, all of you," I muttered, as I turned my back at the keepsakes that I had given to Squad Four.

My second family, that I had lost.

I made my way across the town, gazing at the distance.

"Hey! Old Man Yeling! Hello? Are you listening?" A girl's voice called out to me.

My gaze darted around passively, as my subconsciousness created an image of a young high schooler with unique purple hair who was waving, trying to get my attention.

"What are you spacing out for?" Shia pouted, crossing her arms.

"We're supposed to be picking out groceries for tonight, you wanted to eat curry, right? I can't make curry with only rice you know!"

I slowly raised my hand to the hallucination of Shia Megumi, one of my closest friends, only for her to disappear in the blink of an eye.

The image of my friend was replaced by another girl who was calling out to her boyfriend, as he rushed to her location.

The girl began scolding him for taking too long at a nearby shop and that they would be late for the coach.

I ignored the stabbing sensation that was welling up in my chest.

Forget her, Yeling. Forget them all.

They're all gone.

You need to forget about them.

This is your life. You're not someone who belongs anywhere anymore.

This is what it means to be liberated.

I continued walking down the trail until I reached a spot in the corner, the Shadows were huddled around, concealing a Mercedes-AMG sports car.

I was about to open the door but hesitated.

Last Son? Are you not returning to Lady Harriet's residence? The Shadows whispered in my head.

"No... there's something I need to do. Give me a few minutes."

Very well.

I turned around, following a wispy blue trail up a hill.

As I continued walking, the more my body was telling me to stay away, as if the Hinokami inside me was instinctively telling me to run away.

But there's no outrunning her. She wanted to talk. If she wanted to, she could slaughter me instantly as I was now.

I needed to play it safe.

I continued walking up the hill, the sounds of the village echoing like a drone in the background.

Until I reached the top, to see a ghostly blue apparition of a woman sitting on a bench.

She looked exactly like Anna, but I knew it couldn't possibly be her.

She manifested in the form I would expect: someone who would fill me with hope.

"First it was Loyce, now it's you. I don't understand what the point is for two of the Black Legion's biggest enemies to try and do a one-on-one when we're going to end up slaughtering each other in the end," I said to the apparition.

Vala smiled, turning around and resting her chin on her hand.

"Do not misunderstand my intentions, Hinokami. I wish to destroy you as much as I say. However, you are vital in Demon Lord Loyce's personal agenda. And with me being incomplete, I must rely on his intervention as my Vessels have yet to acquire the reasonable strength in bringing about my revival."

This was bad.

Vala had now manifested to the point where she could take physical form.

"Why are you here, then?" I asked, cautiously.

Vala tilted her head.

"You have gotten far stronger. Mahyako's blood runs prominently in your veins, much more than your sister's."

A surge of rage flooded my chest.

"Are you gonna attack me like you did with Hakah?"

"No. That fight against your sister and Outer Shadow Dainsleif was simply to gauge the strength of the enemy. As it stands, Loyce alone will be enough to crush you all. My intervention was never needed."

Vala spread her hands.

"After all, my purest nature is not to harm. I am Hope. To hurt others would go against what I stand for."

What you stood for?

The "hope" you stood for caused the divide between people who were blessed by things they didn't deserve and true, kind people to be punished to the point where they gave up, and became the scum that society despised.

I kept this to myself, but there was no hiding what I felt in front of someone like Vala.

"You believe you stand for something complex, but in reality, what you stand for is very simple. Your psychology is very simple, Yeling. In the end, you want to be accepted. Am I wrong?" Vala asked.

I made a fist.

Don't tell me...

Don't you dare tell me what I want and what I...

Vala's smile dripped with vile sympathy.

"My dearest Yeling. I want to see you destroyed. But that's the thing... as a Spirit of Hope, I don't need to worry,"

Level 1 Hinokami

Don't let your emotions overwhelm you... Yeling!

This isn't like any enemy you've faced before!

"There's no need to try and fight someone..."

Inverse

Don't do it!

"...who's already destroying himself..."

I lifted my hand at the ghostly figure of Anna.

Tsunami Rele-

"After all," Vala whispered in my ear, as my eye went wide in shock.

Vala had suddenly disappeared from my line of sight, appearing behind me.

"You were always correct, Yeling. My greatest enemy has always been one who stands opposite to Hope. Opposite to kindness. Opposite to warmth. But what can you do? When you yourself are burdened with insurmountable levels of depression, loneliness, trauma, and jealousy? Twenty-six years old and counting, you've never been loved by a woman. Every group of friends you've ever made abandoned you. And as you fall deeper and deeper into that hole of yours, the more society and everybody condemns your pain. You cannot do ANYTHING."

"VALA!!!" I roared, spinning around in a feral rage, my hand inches away from incinerating a young African American teenager.

"DUDE!" Auxiliary Shadow Hellsing yelped, stumbling back.

I breathed heavily, my eye still wide in rage.

My ragged breaths were akin to a cornered animal, my stance and body language.

This world...

Everybody will die.

Everybody will die... they will all die! I'll kill them all! I'll-

PAT.

I felt a hand against my shoulder.

"Bro, you good man?"

I blinked, my rage suddenly subsiding. The horns on my head retracted back into my skull, and the rage that was overwhelming me, slowly transformed me into my Anarchy Form faded away.

"B- Bryce... what are you... where's Vala?" I clutched my head.

Bryce looked at me, confused.

"Vala? Dude, did that fight against Grond knock out a few brain cells or something? You were talking to yourself the entire time."

"What..."

I took another deep breath, ignoring the pain in my chest.

Twenty-six years old and counting, huh...

Ever since Loyce had transplanted Shenlong's Celestial Dragon physiology in my body, I felt myself being able to do things I never thought I could do. My strength and physical prowess increased substantially.

But if only being a god could have made me lose my hormones.

Because I really... truly... can't stand what I was feeling.

"Bryce, why are you here?" I asked.

"Well... see here, Sarah and Aaron went to go look for Siggie in Master Jun's world. So ion got nothin' to do other than to check up on Shiki. Figured since you're waitin' on Vicki to recover you could help me out."

"Hmm..."

I couldn't say I was really looking forward to dealing with this idiot's shenanigans.

I already had to deal with Aaron's goofball personality, and the number of times the moron had forced me into a non-consensual hug was more times than I wanted.

I heard Bryce Jackson Jones was even more of a loose cannon than his dolt of a boss.

"Hey. Why do you look like you're staring at a piece of trash right now," Bryce grumbled.

"I'm not."

"Yo eyes could have fooled me."

"Eye," I corrected him, lifting up the hair on my right side and showing him my empty socket.

Bryce flinched.

"JEEZU- I mean, I knew that. Yeah. I ain't scared. We don't get scared in the hood. Nah."

"Yeah, sure," I smirked.

Maybe hanging out with Bryce and dealing with the whole Shiki situation was a nice change of pace.

Anything had to be better than wallowing.

"Come. Just show me the way," I beckoned Bryce to the car, as Bryce made a squeaking sound.

"AYO... this yo ride?! That a MERCEDES?!"

"Yeah, why?"

"That shit is hella expensive, dude!"

"You drive an SRT Hellcat, you moron!"

"Yeah, but a Mercedes?! Bruh you stacked. What do you do for a livin' outside Auxiliary Shadow business? You a doctor or sum shit?"

I sighed, sitting in the driver's seat.

"Yeah, just because I'm Asian means I'm a doctor. And what? You stole your Hellcat?"

Bryce choked.

"The hell you just say?! That's rac-"

"So it's okay for you to mock me for being Asian but it's not okay for me to mock you for being Black."

Bryce turned to the side, pouting. I resisted the urge to smile.

Maybe being with Bryce wasn't such a bad idea.

We continued driving down the distance, as the Shadows began to warp us to another version of Earth. Shosuke Shiki's Earth. The sides of the car windows began to turn dark, and the interior lighting of the car illuminated our faces.

We were silent for a few minutes until Bryce piped up.

"By the way, isn't your name a girl's name?" Bryce asked.

I choked.

"Wha- What are you talking about?"

"Yeling. Ain't that a chick's name?"

"And how in the hell do you know that?"

Bryce puffed up his chest proudly.

"I'm into Asians."

"I'm not interested in guys."

"Not you, jackass! I meant I'm into Asian women. Or you know, women who look Asian. Like Sigur-"

Bryce suddenly paused, putting his hands to his mouth.

As if the cat wasn't already out of the bag.

I leaned back in my seat, looking out into the distance of the horizon. There was really nothing to do as the Shadows transported us. From what Aaron had told me, ever since Vala was regaining her essence, the Shadows were becoming weaker and weaker.

Which made moments like these that much more awkward.

I glanced at Bryce, who looked like he was about to explode from embarrassment.

"My name is a unisex name. Guys and girls can be named that way, but the name has been used for more girls than guys in Canaan. My parents thought I would be a girl before I was born," I said, breaking the silence.

Bryce glanced at me.

"Oh, I see."

More silence.

Great.

I was never really the social type anyway.

And Bryce always seemed to be the more vocal of Aaron's gang. It was only natural for things to be awkward between us.

"You know, Bryce is a Scottish name?"

I raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Ye. My ma's Scottish. My pop is African American. So I'm a mix. I just take after my pop a lot in appearances. 'Cept for the eyes."

Bryce winked at me, causing me to recoil in disgust.

But focusing in detail at his eyes...

They were...

"Green eyes?" I asked.

"Yeah. I got bullied a lot for it. Back in school, my classmates would always call me 'Sweet-ass Scotty'. Because I was technically half white and, at least in my version of America, we as minorities are kinda jaded."

I looked at Bryce.

I never expected... him to experience something like that. Bryce also struck me as someone who was very talkative and liked by everyone.

I guess... everyone had their own demons.

We finally arrived at the spot, only the place... wasn't exactly...

"This isn't a village," I remarked.

The entire place looked heavily modernized, just like my version of Japan. Cities and buildings that reached the skies.

And above all else...

"MAIDS! MAIDS EVERYWHERE! YELING!" Bryce screamed, jumping up and down.

Of course.

"Bryce, we need to locate Shiki's village. We don't have time for-"

"What would you like to have on the menu, Master?" A high-pitched woman's voice said from the corner of my vision.

"I'd like you, miss," Bryce replied.

"Oh jeez! You!"

What the hell was this idiot doing?!

I dragged the next heir to Count Dracula by the collar after he had finished paying the bill for the maid cafe.

"Stop! Hey! I'm not done enjoying this!"

"You've enjoyed plenty!"

"Let me at least try going to a love hotel next!"

"With who?!"

"I'll find someone."

"Like hell, you will. I heard you've been single your whole life," I grumbled.

Bryce stared at me, his face betrayed.

"Who told you that? Did Aaron tell you that?! That little SNITCH!"

I let go of Bryce, as he got to his feet.

"I'll find a girl, just you wait. I'mma lose my V-card I swear on MA LIFE."

My hand clenched into a fist.

"Do you really believe that?" I whispered, turning around and walking in the other direction.

"If you're looking for a girl, I can fill in the role," A girl's voice said behind us.

Bryce spun around like an animal.

"For real?!"

I smacked the Auxiliary Shadow over the head.

"You can't be serious!" I snapped.

Bryce clasped his hands together like a prayer.

"Come onnnnn, gimme a chance to lose my v-card man! I'm touch starved!"

That shouldn't even be something to say out loud.

Bryce turned back to the girl, who was wearing a kimono and had her hair braided back. She looked like she was in her early twenties.

"So, missy, what's yo name?" Bryce asked.

I resisted the urge to incinerate this vampiric idiot on the spot.

The girl blinked, causing me to narrow my eyes.

Well.

My eye.

"My... name...?" The girl whispered under her breath.

"Yeah, what's yo name shorty?" Bryce asked.

Something felt off.

"Hey, do you happen to know Bryce by any chance?" I asked.

The girl quickly shook her head.

"N- No! No... S- Sorry. I must have mistaken you for someone else. I'm sorry."

"Say what?!" Bryce squeaked, stepping forward until his face was inches from the girl's.

"You was gonna go to the love hotel with me now you wimpin' out? You're not scared of black guys are you?"

...

What the hell did race have to do with this?

"Bryce, that's enough. She doesn't want to do it with you, respect her boundaries," I yanked Bryce away from the girl, who looked like she was about to cry.

The girl began running off into the distance, and I caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a patterned bow that tied her hair back.

It sort of reminded me of Hakah's earpieces. Maybe I should buy her something while I was still here.

I shook my head vigorously.

Focus, Yeling.

We need to find Shiki.

I put my hands into my pockets, walking in the direction of a village with a depressed Auxiliary Shadow Hellsing behind me.

"Stop wallowing you idiot. The mission was to check up on the Devil Monk not get laid," I scolded him.

"My once-in-a-lifetime opportunity... in shambles bruh!!!!"

"Besides," I glanced at Bryce.

"Aren't you gonna save your first time with Sigurd?"

Bryce blinked.

"Wha-"

I smirked.

"So all that talk about getting it on with girls, but the moment I mention your crush you start stumbling all over your words. How adorable."

"AYO! DON'T CALL ME ADORABLE! I'm a hard baller, ya hear?"

"Yeah yeah. I hear I hear."

We finally reached the doors of a dojo and knocked on the door.

"Hello? Anyone home? It's Auxiliary Shadows Tidalflame and Hellsing!" I shouted.

"Intention?" A voice answered back.

"We're here to check up on Outer Shadow Devil Monk."

I heard the ruffling of sounds.

"Huh. You would have thought they would be more welcoming to us colleagues at work," Bryce muttered.

That ruffling...

No.

"Bryce! Get dow-"

SWISH SWING.

Bryce yelped, as I shoved him out of the way and deflected a katana strike with Tatsu, blue sparks from my Hinokami enhanced blade illuminating the garden of the dojo.

"What the hell?!" Bryce complained as I coursed the Fire God through my veins.

Level 2 Intangibility - Hellfire Embrace

I spun mid-air, unleashing a wave of blue flames which caused the attacker to retreat.

"Yeah. It's him." The hooded figure whispered into his coms unit.

"That's Loyce's Auxiliary Shadow. Calling for backup."

Backup?

Did these guys not know that I had defected from Loyce along with Vicki?

"You came here to attack us, didn't you? We're not afraid!" A man wearing a visor shouted, powering up.

A beam shot from his mask, but I had already anticipated it, appearing behind him.

"What the, he predicted my attack!" The Visor yelped.

"Of course, I've worked with someone who had powers similar to yours," I replied, raising Tatsu, but before I could do anything, a large hand appeared from a dark puddle on the ground.

"Wha-" I exclaimed when suddenly, Bryce appeared behind me, stopping the strike with his bat. Red electricity arced across his body as his fangs began to elongate. His red aura and my flames turned the dojo purple.

"Yo! Visor! Oni Emperor, it's me! Bryce Jones! He's on our side homies!" Bryce seethed.

You came to transpire with a Shadow of Inner Shadow Empire. Your transgressions shall be answered through death! A demonic voice rumbled all around us.

"Stop the cap, you old man! You just here cuz you think we comin' after Tokiko! Well, we ain't!" Bryce growled, swinging his bat and disintegrating the arm, causing the voice to growl in agony.

The two of us landed on the ground, narrowly dodging a katana swipe from the hooded figure.

"Bryce, you know these guys?" I asked.

Bryce positioned his bat, and his green eyes turned red.

"These three are Auxiliary Shadows to Outer Shadow Dagrun. Aux Shadows Visor, Oni Emperor, and Iaian. We gotta clear up this misunderstanding," Bryce replied.

Visor glared at us, his mask glowing with energy again, but I deflected the strike with Tatsu and raised my hand.

Level 1 Hinokami - 2% Inverse Tsunami Release

"YELING! DIDN'T YOU JUST HEAR A SINGLE WORD I JUS' SAID?!" Bryce screamed.

"Yeah. But sometimes, we just gotta use force to make em' listen."

"What kinda advice is that?! Bossman was right! You a straight-up arsonist!"

I fired the blast, which was sliced in half by Iaian but with great difficulty.

Iaian's katana melted into a puddle of goo.

We were in control of this fight.

A SS Rank and a S+ Rank, we were about as powerful as it was. I alone should be more than enough to take-

SWOOSH.

"What the-" I gasped, clutching my side. I took a step back, suddenly feeling extremely cold.

Bryce turned around to see a man in a dark blue yukata stand between us, his foot cocked back, which launched Hellsing away.

The man then spun back to me and tried the same thing, but I raised Tatsu.

Rain Style Kenjutsu - Form 1: Surface Slash

Green rainwater swirled around the blade, slashing at the man point blank, but to my disbelief, the attacker leaned back, dodging the slash with incredible dexterity, and aimed his fist right at my face.

I instinctively went Intangible, a blast of wind completely decimating my head.

I materialized through the opponent and took a step back.

That technique... those movements...

Everything was calculated.

Almost like everything was set up for another-

SWIFF

The man appeared in my vicinity again, this time in my blind spot.

Shit!

I didn't even have time to exit my Intangibility!

Another punch ripped my wispy form again, smashing and leveling an entire field of trees.

All the kinetic energy was directed at my fire avatar... but to have the residual shockwaves do this much damage...

This had to be-

I took another step back.

One Strike Kill.

"SHIKI YOU LITTLE SHIT!" Bryce growled, red electricity booming from his body.

"Perfect matchup, bitch! I'm all fired up!"

Bryce shot forward, as Shiki materialized away with that same blinding speed.

I watched as The Devil Monk's fist connected with Bryce's face right away, causing his eyes to roll into the back of his head, but Bryce hung on, clutching against Shosuke's wrist and shedding blood.

The blood began entering his mouth, making his red aura glow more violently.

Shiki seethed, twisting and turning out of Bryce's hold with unparalleled fluidity, then launched another punch that caught Bryce square in the head, smashing him into the ground and leveling it.

Shiki raised his fist again, as I shot forward, but Shiki didn't flinch at all.

As if he knew I wasn't gonna make it.

KABOOM.

I yelled in pain, my eye enlarged as I stared at my side.

A red patch had formed.

"What-" I smashed into the ground, clutching my side in agony.

No way...

That hit he had landed earlier... that chill...

It was a delayed response!

Shiki swung his fist again against Bryce's face, but suddenly, the Devil Monk recoiled, his body wracked in pain.

"Ya like that, don't cha'. Eh. Shiki?!" Bryce snarled, getting to his feet. Blood poured from his head, but a violent grin plastered his face.

"I call it the Blood Link. Hit me all ya want. The damage gets split in two. I take half, you take half. You can't take hits can ya? Yo little frail ass body!"

Shiki limped back, bracing himself again for another punch.

"Ya got better fighting skills than anyone in The Black Legion. But yo durability is weak as shit!" Bryce chuckled, putting his bat against his shoulder.

"Aight. Fun's over. We gotta talk, homie. Yeling ain't on Loyce's side no more so-"

"No. You traitor. You die. Shi-ne!"

"The hell you on about?! Just listen to me, dude!"

No. Oni Emperor grumbled, towering over the dojo and glowering at the two of us.

We cannot take that risk. My daughter... I cannot risk anything else.

"That's right. Loyce's Shadows have destroyed the Black Legion beyond repair! We're all on our own now! We can't take any risks, Bryce. You just being with the Tidalflame is already bad enough news!" Visor shouted, appearing by the Emperor's shoulder.

"As long as Tidalflame is here, we can't let anyone near our Lady!" Iaian said.

Shiki raised his fist at me.

My blood began to boil.

"I'm not with Loyce... did Aaron not tell you idiots nothing?"

The Shadows maintained their hostility. Vala's words began resonating even stronger.

Every group of friends you've ever made abandoned you. And as you fall deeper and deeper into that hole of yours, the more society and everybody condemns your pain.

No...

"You can't be serious... I can't believe it..."

I've been shunned again.

Rage began coursing through my body, my aura growing more violent.

"Wa- Wait, Yeling! Lemme talk to them! Don't do anything drastic man!" Bryce pleaded, but we were far beyond bargaining.

"SHUT UP!" I roared, the flames causing everybody to recoil.

Level 1 Hinokami Stage Two - COBALT ASSIMILATION

A horn sprouted from my head.

"I will show you just how powerful I am. You didn't listen to Bryce. Maybe you shouldn't need to listen again."

Visor blasted a beam right at me, but the beam instantly disintegrated from my flames.

"Did he just... incinerate light???"

Oni Emperor growled, launching a punch at me, but his fist melted on contact, causing him to roar in agony.

I turned to Shiki, who appeared in front of me, but his stance became weaker, and his breathing suffocated from the intense heat my Stage Two was emitting.

I raised my hand in front of The Devil Monk.

Level 1 Hinokami: Demon's Prison

Shiki became trapped in a blue and purple fireball, suffocating and retching for air.

"I'll kill... I'll kill..."

"Yeling, stop!" Bryce shouted at me, but the voices began to fade away.

I'm never allowed anything.

Never.

And as you fall deeper and deeper into that hole of yours, the more society and everybody condemns your pain. You cannot do ANYTHING.

If I'm not allowed anything.

If even living is considered a sin...

Then no one is allowed to live anymore.

2

"I made some tea," I brought the cup to Hakah, who was resting on a bed.

Hakah took the tea and sniffed it, frowning.

"These aren't the tea leaves Mama used to use."

"I missed the part where I'm supposed to give a shit!" I snapped, putting the tray to the side.

Hakah glared at me.

"You're the only person in this entire organization who can speak to me like that and you're milking it way too much!"

"Says the brat with Princess Syndrome complaining about the tea I spent so long steeping!"

"You literally just put a tea bag in and played on your phone!"

"How in the hell would you know that?"

"The Shadows? My Hachi? Are you stupid?"

I brought my face close to Hakah's as we continued seething at each other.

Ever since I reunited with my little sister, we had become used to each other's company. And from then on, we had returned to being normal siblings. I suppose I had Aaron to thank for bringing her back, but part of me missed the time when Hakah was actually docile.

Now we were bickering like siblings just like so many years ago.

"Stop stop stop! Come on, guys. Really?" Twilight Bolt said, exasperated at the two of us.

"You're brother and sister, It hasn't even been a month and you two are already going at each other's throats!"

I turned away.

"Whatever."

Hakah relaxed in the bed.

"I am still in disbelief that my fight against Vala has rendered me in this state. I would have thought I would still be able to fight."

I glanced at my bedridden little sister.

"What were you honestly expecting? That you would be able to fight for hours on end when you spent pretty much your lifetime never exerting yourself? SSS Rank or not unless you train those muscles you're not going to have god-like endurance out of the blue like that."

Hakah clenched her fist.

"I know that... but... part of me wants to fight again. So I can help Aaron."

A vein popped on my forehead.

Carlton sighed, sitting by Hakah's side.

"Lady Hakah, I understand your desire to help Dainsleif, but you can't overexert yourself like this. That fight against Vala has caused immense muscle degradation in your body. You need at least several months to recover that strength, and even then, when you battled the Spirit of Hope at full power you were barely able to get a hit in. Let's assess things again once everybody has regrouped."

Hakah pouted.

"Hang in there Aaron, I promise you I will be by your side-"

I spun around.

"You can't be goddamn serious, sis. Really? That guy?!"

Hakah glared at me with piercing purple eyes.

"Huh? Do you have a problem with that? He's hot. He's sweet. And he's over six feet! Everything he has that you don't have."

"NO! I won't accept it! I already moved past the fact that you had a bunch of dudes who've made moves on you, this I cannot accept! The guy's married for Chrissake!!!"

"Well, I can't help it! Didn't you have similar feelings to that Berserker girl?!"

The auras of Susanoo and Hinokami began to clash violently in Hakah's Barracks, causing Vicki to convulse in her comatose state.

"Guys! Harriet's gonna go into cardiac arrest if you keep this up! We're already down a bunch of people as it is!" Carlton pleaded as we calmed down.

I glanced at Vicki.

"Our chances to beat Loyce are about as good as they are to beat Vala. Aaron went to rescue his Auxiliary Shadow from Aran, he's seriously underestimating the power of that Supreme Primordial Demon."

Hakah pursed her lips.

"And you will go after him?"

"No. My help is needed elsewhere."

I kept the rage from overtaking me.

"Besides, he has his wife. He'll be fine."

Carlton tended to Vicki, wiping her down. He looked like he was intentionally concealing the space between his legs.

Hormonal idiot.

I sat next to Hakah, swiping through my phone.

"Goh goh, how are you feeling?"

I sighed.

"It's gotten worse. In layman's terms. But whatever."

Hakah brushed her hand over my hair.

"The way the gods of The Great Akuma operate is through exchange. It limits our power so as to not keep it from going out of control. But your Hinokami is unbound. The flames are tearing your neurons apart. Fits of psychological rage and paranoia are just the start."

"Thanks, Miss Sunshine."

"I'm serious, Yeling. I know the path you and I have taken... it'll end in our destruction. But... I still don't want to see the only family I have left work himself to death."

I closed my phone.

"I know that..."

I know that.

I knew it all along.

While I was saved from the fate of being consumed in reviving the Great Akuma...

I knew all this time.

Hakah was never once spared. Her role, as The Devil's Fury.

Even if I got what I wanted, that is, the revival of The Great Akuma to create a fair and just world by destroying Vala's twisted concept of Hope, I still lost.

Hakah would be consumed, along with the rest of the Akuma Grade Dogma holders.

I had tried my best to ignore this and to move forward.

But each time it came back it came back like a massive iron rod poking my heart.

I looked at Hakah again, who had fallen asleep.

If Hakah dies...

I have no one left to live for.

Aaron had Sarah.

Sigurd had Bryce.

Vicki had Carlton.

Kon had Rya.

In the end... I would be left alone, to watch everybody be happy, and to indulge in things I could never have.

Hakah placed an object in my hand.

"What is this?" I asked.

"I figure you're too stubborn to do anything about your situation. If you ever feel like you're losing control, take this talisman and squeeze it. I injected a bit of my Susanoo into it. The shock should send you back to your senses."

I bit back my lip.

"You act like I still have something to live for."

Hakah shook her head.

"There's always a reason to live, Goh goh. Always. And even if you can't find that reason, then think of it this way. There are still many people out there like us, oppressed by Vala's ideal. Are you going to die before you can stop Vala for good?"

To die before I could stop Vala...

Was something I could not accept.

I fought back my bloodlust and reached into my pocket, pulling out my talisman and squeezing it. A purple jolt of electricity ripped into me as I roared, throwing my head into the sky.

I stumbled backward, the grip I had on Shiki loosening and releasing the Outer Shadow. Bryce broke free of the holds and ran up to me, grabbing me before I could collapse.

Steam rolled off my sleeves while my Stage Two transformation dissipated.

"Get out of there, Bryce! You just saw what that monster could do!" Visor shouted.

"SHUT UP, ANDY," Bryce growled, shielding me from the Shadows.

"You're right. I did see. So did you. The guy's SS Ranked and could have slaughtered us if he wanted to. Y'all serve no purpose in this fight against Loyce so if he wanted to he coulda just killed y'all for shits and giggles and he didn't! He's on our side!"

Andy hesitated, glancing at Oni Emperor, who began to shrink into the size of a tall muscular man with a large bushy beard.

"Wh- What should we do? Absalom?" Andy muttered.

Absalom/Oni Emperor regarded me.

"We don't have a choice. If we choose to battle Tidalflame we will lose, even with the assistance of The Devil Monk. There's also the matter of him being a relative to Inner Shadow Apocalypse."

I tried to bite back the resentment that was growing inside me. These guys...

These guys wanted to ostracize me from the get-go.

Bryce sighed with relief.

"Can't believe you jokers got me to be so goddamn involved! Bein the diplomat is an Aaron job, not a Bryce job!"

Shiki and the others disarmed themselves, as Bryce and I stepped into the dojo.

"Ayo, my man Shiki. So how's training comin along? That was kinda the reason we showed up, was to check up on you," Bryce said.

Shiki inspected his hands.

"Technique incomplete."

"Technique? Oh ya, you did mention you were working on your technique," Bryce commented.

"You saw. Earlier in fight."

Bryce raised an eyebrow.

"I did?"

I put a hand to my chin.

"You hit me with a blow that had a delayed response. Was it that technique?"

Shiki nodded.

"Strikes that hit before sending a strike. Zero Strike Kill."

Zero Strike Kill...

As if One Strike Kill wasn't already overboard enough.

"And this Zero Strike Kill thingy is gonna help us how?" Bryce asked.

I raised an eyebrow. As stupid as Bryce always made himself out to be, had a point.

Loyce wasn't the type of enemy that could be beaten through brute force alone.

Martial artists like The Devil Monk relied on brute physical strikes to fight.

Even if he somehow increased the speed of his punches, there was no point in using them against an enemy that could completely bypass physical damage.

Shiki sighed.

"I no speak English too good. I speak my tongue."

"What?! We won't be able to understand you bro," Bryce protested.

"I can though. As a Celestial Dragon all tongues of communication come together. I'll translate it for you later," I suggested, causing Bryce to cross his arms.

"And what the hell am I supposed to do here?"

"Maybe catch up with those Shadows who tried to kill me? And their whack boss?"

Shiki suddenly shifted, his face looked solemn.

Did I say something wrong?

Bryce shrugged.

"Whatever. Imma catch up then. You better listen well man. I don't need Aaron up my ass once he comes back for havin' a shitty report."

I watched Bryce leave the room until it was just me and Shosuke Shiki.

Shiki cleared his throat and began speaking in Japanese, which my mind instinctively began to translate.

"We were attacked," Shiki said, causing me to look at him in surprise.

"Attacked?"

"Yes, a few days ago. Vessels of Vala struck my dojo while Outer Shadow Dagrun trained with me."

The Vessels of Vala...?

As in... like Metron and Guardian?

But those guys were long dead, and even if they were alive there was no way they could have been strong enough to impart this much damage.

"Are you sure? The Vessels of Vala shouldn't be strong enough to leave Black Legion members this critical in condition."

Shiki eyed me.

"I do not kid you, Mah-san. It is as I say it is; several marked people attacked us with strength that rivaled my One Strike Kill style. And though the Auxiliary Shadows of Marin-chan had come to aid their Outer Shadow... she..."

Shiki's voice cracked, and I could feel the surroundings turn dark.

"Where is Dagrun?" I asked quietly.

Shiki closed his eyes.

"She is comatose. She has been comatose ever since the attack."

Vala...

So it was true. Shadows of the Black Legion were being hunted down, and not just that, but the Vessels of Vala that were initially fodder had now grown strong enough to contend against the same threats who made Danny look like a cakewalk.

"I apologize for attacking you, Mah-san. However, you must understand. Our circumstances."

"Because I am technically an Auxiliary Shadow of Loyce?"

"You are half correct."

Shiki got up and walked to a nearby cupboard, taking out a piece of fragmented metal.

My heart began beating faster and faster, but I had no idea why.

Looking at that metal...

"When you were in the Contingency Initiative... you fought alongside them. Yes?"

"Them?"

Shiki approached me with the piece, which caused images to flash in my mind.

Of a man...

With one eye.

And one arm.

He can defeat his enemies from both power and wits. He is the most complete operative in this organization. Learn from him, Tidalflame, and you will see yourself grow in ways unimaginable.

Taras's voice boomed in my mind. I clutched my head, stumbling back.

"Wha- What the... you're... you're kidding..."

Shiki continued regarding me with empty eyes.

"The Leader of the now deceased Squad Four. Your Squad Leader. Matthew Vistara was the one who sent Tokiko Marin into a coma."

"No... that doesn't make sense," I grabbed the mask fragment. Memories of my time in Squad Four flooded my mind.

"Loyce had said that everybody had their minds erased. He used Alogigenesis on them. He created... he created..."

Shiki sat back down, peering out of the window of his dojo.

"Dogma Holders... are immune to reality warping and destroying abilities. This is common knowledge. And Matthew Vistara is no exception."

Meaning this whole time...

Loyce had been using Squad Leader Matt as a puppet.

As Vala's puppet.

"When you entered our premises, Marin-chan's Auxiliary Shadows were not familiar with you, aside from three things: you were the older brother of Inner Shadow Hakah Mah, you were the Auxiliary Shadow of Loyce's faction, and lastly, you were the subordinate of Matthew Vistara, an artificial vessel of Vala. Given the circumstances of their Outer Shadow, do you now understand why we did what we felt compelled to do?"

Squad Leader Matt...

What did Loyce and Vala do to you?

"Using One Strike Kill, I could not defeat him. Vala has enhanced his body far beyond what was imaginable. This prompted me even further to develop the Zero Strike Technique. It may ultimately prove useless against Loyce's Infinite Regeneration, but perhaps it will be enough to serve as a distraction. But among those reasons..."

Shiki clenched his teeth.

"I don't want to see what happened to Marin-chan happen ever again. When The Mirage brutalized her, rage overtook my body, and I became increasingly reckless."

I sat in silence.

"Leave Squad Leader Matt to me. I'll deal with him."

Shiki blinked.

"The power you displayed earlier was strong, but it won't be enough to defeat Mirage-"

"Trust me," I smiled sinisterly.

"I can manage far more than just Stage Two Hinokami."

I left Shiki's room, but not before being stopped by the Outer Shadow.

"Mah-san."

I glanced at the Devil Monk.

"What's up?"

Shiki regarded me.

"If I leave The Mirage to you, do you promise to eliminate him?"

My heart stopped.

Kill Matt?

Did I have it in me to do something like that?

Images of my time in Squad Four flashed in my mind.

Matt was like an older brother to me. The only family I thought I had.

The thought of even trying to kill him...

How could I even look myself in the mirror after doing something like that?

"I-" My voice caught against my tongue.

Shiki got up and approached me until we were face to face.

His lizard-like green eyes contrasted with my glowing blue iris.

"Family is a bond pivotal in one's judgment. I know, because I lost mine. It was through the death of my older brother and father was I forced into pursuing martial arts. I never asked to be a martial arts practitioner. My dream was to be a carpenter like my Uncle. But even so... there are things that we cannot control. Even if every fiber of our being objects to our decision, we as members of The Black Legion must recognize this urge to be the will of Vala."

I clasped the edge of my shirt, glancing at my missing ring finger, from when I had it amputated in my fight against Danny.

A lost finger and a lost eye. Both of them were nothing in comparison to losing Lewis that day.

"I sense that you are still in disarray, Tidalflame."

"No," I cut Shiki off, recollecting myself.

"I know what needs to be done. You can count on me."

I made my way to the entrance and found Bryce standing outside of an infirmary.

Absalom was sitting beside a young bedridden little girl, who was covered in blood-stained bandages. Her Auxiliary Shadows surrounded her, worry lines marked their faces.

"To think Tokiko ended up like that... the fastest damn Outer Shadow in the whole Black Legion! Dammit... dammit!" Bryce whispered.

I watched as Bryce kicked a rock across the garden of the dojo in frustration.

"Bossman and Sarah are in Master Jun's world, God knows what they're going through. Your lil sis is out of commission, Vicki's comatose, and Shiki's loli crush is comatose as well! This is fucked! What are we supposed to do??? And... Robbie..."

Robbie Fernandez...

Auxiliary Shadow Assault, who was under Aaron's command, had tried to sacrifice himself in a last-ditch effort to weaken, if not kill Vala, to no success. I knew his death had shattered Aaron, but it never occurred to me just how much turmoil it must have caused the other Auxiliaries.

And it was clear as day, that it had affected Bryce just as much as it had affected Aaron.

I was used to hopeless situations.

And I could tell a hopeless situation when I saw one.

"Get up, Bryce," I said, standing before the Auxiliary.

Bryce mashed his teeth together.

"For what? This whole mission is messed up! We should never have agreed to accept Vicki's request! We're so boned it's not even funny! Goddammit Aaron. This has got to be the craziest mission you've given us!"

A wave of anxiety crashed into me, as Lewis' voice echoed what Bryce had said.

God dammit, Matt. This has got to be the craziest mission Taras has given us.

I clenched my fist.

"You call yourself a Hero of Philadelphia?" I whispered, causing Bryce's eyes to widen.

I stepped forward, passing him.

"From the very start, I've always made it clear to Aaron and all of you. None of you were equipped to fight Vala in the first place. You all have your place in this world."

I glared at my reflection from the waters of the koi pond.

The bangs of my hair parted away, revealing a missing eye, my reflection momentarily flickering to Matt's.

One eye.

But enough to emit the animosity needed to destroy our enemies.

"I will take her down."

My voice mixed with Matt's in my head.

"Alone if I have to."

Bryce scraped the ground with his fingers, getting up.

"Can't believe I had to get a pep talk from someone like you of all people."

I turned to Hellsing, in surprise.

"That... was fast."

Bryce smiled, baring his fangs.

"You're right. You're the only one qualified to fight Vala, but that doesn't mean I get an excuse to watch you handle everything yo-self. I worked my ass off to reach S+ Rank. I ain't gonna just sit on the sidelines. Once Bossman rescues Siggie, I gotta impress my girl."

A smirk appeared on my face.

"Since when was she your girl? As far as what Aaron had told me, she still sees you as a shut-in nerd."

"Just wait, she'll see just how much of a badass I am!"

Our little exchange didn't last long, as Andy suddenly appeared before us.

"You don't have to wait any longer, Bryce. The chance is up for grabs. I used my evo and pinpointed Mirage's location."

I narrowed my eye.

"Where is he headed?"

Andy's face turned grim.

"He intends to slay the Akuma Grade Dogma holders. He's going after the Warp Collider at Harmon Industries."

Bryce scratched his head.

"Huh? Ion get it."

Andy gave Bryce an irritated expression. I guess Bryce's reputation as an idiot extended far beyond Aaron's cohort.

"It means, he's going after the Fujin. The one that Inner Shadow Empire had created a world for. We know James Harmon had been experimenting with alternate worlds before, that's how he accessed Multifaria."

"But why Fujin? We have a Susanoo, Suijin, and Hachi right here," I asked.

Andy adjusted his sleeves.

"Only one Akuma Grade Dogma holder needs to die for the ritual to be broken. Though assembled, Jay Hellion's Suijin hasn't developed enough for the ritual to happen. But every single one of the Akuma Dogma Holders has unlocked at least Stage Three... except for Katsuya and Marcela Greene, the latter having already been replaced. Meaning..."

I gritted my teeth.

"Urca is the weakest Akuma Grade Dogma holder now. If he dies, it's over. The Dogma will need to search for another Fujin amidst the awakening of Vala."

I turned to Bryce.

"My sister's Shadows have weakened a lot, I don't know if they can even port us all the way to the Champions Universe. How are Jun's Shadows?"

"Master Jun's state is critical cuz of Ar-"

Bryce stopped himself, shooting Andy a glance.

"I already know about the situation of Loyce's broken Outer Shadow. The Apocalyptic, right? Lady Dagrun's mother, Toyotama blessed us with divine resistance already."

"Oh. Great. Wait not so great. Wait, not so-"

"Basically, because Jun's been affected by Aran's power, his Shadows, by extension, have been weakened too," I answered Bryce for him.

The three of us stood in silence until Shiki broke it.

"Shadows you need. Shadows I have. I come to avenge Dagrun, alongside Tidalflame and Hellsing."

Andy blinked.

"But Shiki, if another attack happens... Absalom, Iaian and I won't be able to-"

"You must protect my dojo, Roy-san. For Dagrun's sake."

Absalom appeared by Shiki's side.

"We will do whatever is necessary to protect my daughter and this dojo. And for you, Shiki, I entrust that she is avenged. The Mirage is to be disposed of."

Shiki nodded, glancing at me and summoning the Shadows. Headed straight to Millennium City.

"The Mirage will die."

Darkness surrounded us, as Shiki's last sentence resonated in my head.

The Mirage will die.

Squad Leader Matt will die.

I will be the one to destroy Squad Leader Matt.