《ANTIGOD : Reincarnated to Kill the Gods》 Pr : The AntiGod An unbearable pain ripped through his lower back, followed by an intense, almost crucifying heat that only got worse by the second. For a moment, he could¡¯ve sworn he was laid out inside a furnace. He tried to reach out to a nearby bystander, but his arm felt like lead. Though he doubted they would¡¯ve helped him anyway. (So, this is how it ends, huh? Even the world itself wants me gone.) He felt alone, like the vast world had somehow shrunk around his dying body. Until he saw the child, prodding at his cheek as he hovered above. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. He looked to be about ten or so. He was dressed in a tattered prisoner¡¯s onesie with a single metal shackle around his left wrist. But he was anything but chained. Not with those divine wings that flowed freely. (Even in my final moments, this damn thing won¡¯t leave me alone. What are you anyways? Some ghost? A messenger? If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ve got a message for your boss. Kiss my ass and go to hell... You damn twisted God.) Just when the heat became a bit more bearable, an overwhelming chill washed over him. The kind of chill that doesn¡¯t just stop at your skin but licks down at the bones too. The sudden change felt almost soothing, a relaxing numbness that distilled the previous pain. His vision began to fade, his body accepting his cruel and unrewarding fate. (And make sure¡­ I don¡¯t see you when I get there.) On this day, Akuma Tiryns¡­ has died. Forgotten like trash, abandoned by fate. Yet, the world marches on. Chapter 1 : An Ordinary Life, Part I An exhausted sigh escaped the boy as he slouched over an old bench in the middle of a dog park. The moment he did, the air shifted. Voices dropped to a whisper and footsteps hurried past him. In particular, a woman playing with her pet dog stole a glance his way, her fingers tightening around her frisbee. When he fixed his eyes on her, she recoiled back, quickly turning her gaze back to the frisbee. ¡°A demon.¡± It didn¡¯t matter how many times he heard the word, the sting never fully subsided. But it wasn¡¯t the insult itself that stung him most. It was the feeling of utter isolation that it carried, not to mention their eyes. Always those same cold and unforgiving glares. ¡°Here we go again¡­¡± He muttered to himself, rolling his eyes to the side. Akuma, a teenage boy, couldn¡¯t help but think his presence was a bother to the people around him. Perhaps it was his unnatural crimson eyes that seemed to pierce through your soul. Or maybe it was the fact that he would sometimes talk to himself, even arguing here and there. Those might¡¯ve had a part to play, but he knew what the cause was. How could he not? When he¡¯s a murderer. After another exhausted sigh, Akuma curled further in his bench. With his neck slouched over the bench¡¯s backrest, he gazed at the clouds above. Though his eyes were lasered at the clouds, he was really hoping he¡¯d find heaven. Specifically, the part of heaven where dead spirits go. Such was his favorite past time on the days he skipped class. A day such as this one. Instead, he was met with the devilish grin of a child angel. One with no comprehension of the term ¡°personal space¡±. His wings flapped as he hovered above Akuma¡¯s face, though by now, he was used to it. ¡°Should I go back to class? Nah, there¡¯s no point.¡± Now don¡¯t misunderstand. Just because he¡¯s skipping class doesn¡¯t mean he should be lumped in with petty delinquents. Believe it or not, he¡¯s the number one in his grade when it comes to academics. He would be number one in athletics too, but he¡¯s skipped too much P.E for that. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. ¡°I wonder if we had homework¡­ I hope not. I really don¡¯t want my grades to go down. Being number one has its perks.¡± For a moment, Akuma could¡¯ve sworn he heard the feint meow of a cat. The sudden shift in his posture spooked the passing pedestrians, their footsteps almost doubling in speed as they pretended to be on their phones. ¡°For crying out loud, you could at least pretend like me.¡± That was the final straw. Akuma had gotten tired of his clearly unwanted company and decided to make everyone else¡¯s days a bit easier. And so, he left, going wherever the wind felt like taking him. It was then that he spotted a black cat hopping over a brick fence at the corner of his eyes. He wasn¡¯t big on cats or anything, but he found himself wondering if that was the same cat he heard earlier on that bench. It could¡¯ve been. Or maybe it wasn¡¯t. It¡¯s not like cats were a rare sight or anything. ¡°Y¡¯know¡­ I¡¯m getting kinda hungry.¡± A few minutes later he stopped by a nearby vending machine and suddenly had the urge for some donuts. Unfortunately, the button didn¡¯t seem to work, or perhaps it was the machine itself that was broken. The answer was neither of those. It was actually the haunting apparition that purposefully jammed the donuts in between the channels. His mischievous grin gave it away. ¡°Now is really not the time for this.¡± He tried everything -kicking, punching, hell even headbutting. But the damn thing just refused to budge. Finally, after much more pounding, the pack of three donuts fell, returning Akuma¡¯s warm expression. Naturally, the people around him were convinced he¡¯d just stole those from the machine but the last thing they were gonna do was risk death. I mean these people had families to return to, lives to live for. While strolling down the city¡¯s street, Akuma¡¯s eyes were glued to a businessman hurrying past a homeless man, his phone pressed to ear and gaze carefully averted. The apparition floating nearby smiled at the sight. Honestly it seemed more like a grimace than a smile, but he wasn''t one to sweat the details. ¡°You saw that too, huh?¡± Akuma muttered to his unwanted companion. ¡°Everyone thinks they''re being neutral by just minding their business. But sometimes doing nothing is just as bad as doing something. Then again, it¡¯s not like I¡¯m helping him either.¡± If you were to ask Akuma if heroes existed, he¡¯d probably look you in your eyes, laugh and turn the other way. But if you caught him on a good day then you¡¯d maybe get, ¡°If you mean heroes from fantasy novels then no. In real life, when someone helps you, it¡¯s because they want something. Which mean anyone that claims to be a hero¡­ is just an opportunist.¡± Maybe it¡¯s that belief that brought him to his current predicament. To his left, a deafening honking as well as bright lights that obscured his vision of the fist of pure steel -a truck as some would call it. He was airborne with no way to move as he¡¯d hurled himself in the middle of the street to save a black cat from being run over. As he stared at the truck speeding toward him, flashes of distant memories danced in his mind. His training. The first time he ate donuts. And then, more important memories¡­ moments with a girl at school. The thought of never seeing her again brought a single, panicked thought to his mind. ¡°Shit.¡± Chapter 2 : An Ordinary Life, Part II His lips parted as if he wanted to speak, but the words just didn¡¯t come. Displaying his utter sincerity, the enigmatic man bowed deeply, causing the glowing white halo that hovered above his rich golden hair to dip down in sync. There were also his wings. Two magnificent arms of light that followed his upper back closely. Oh, and by the way, the man bowing right now is named Michael. Or at least, that was the name given by him. Akuma, a teenage boy who¡¯d just had his life unfortunately cut short, blinked a few times in bewilderment. For a moment, Akuma was convinced he must be dreaming or worse, hallucinating. "Wait, hold on¡­" Akuma finally spoke out, his voice hoarse and shaky. "Did I... die?" Michael sighed, folding his luminous wings back as he straightened up. "You did. Tragically so, I might add. But your death wasn''t in vain. You managed to save a life." "A cat¡­ I saved a cat.¡± ¡°Yes, you did. Some would call it foolish, but it was a noble act¡­ nonethe¡­less.¡± He¡¯d tried his hardest, but he could no longer contain it. The barrier he put up to contain his laughter had finally shattered. ¡°Oh, my goodness. No matter how many times I see it, it gets me every time.¡± A vein bulged on Akuma¡¯s brow. This would make the second angel that Akuma felt genuine hatred for. Though in this case, it was slightly less insufferable. Akuma chose to ignore Michael, glancing around at the mythical-like realm. It was like he was sandwiched between two glass walls stretching out to infinity. "Where am I anyways? Is this supposed to be Heaven?" "Not quite. This is more of a... transitional space. Like a crossroad between worlds. It''s where humans who¡¯ve died decide where they¡¯ll end up." ¡°Decide where we¡¯ll end up¡­?¡± Snap! In the next moment, Akuma¡¯s feet began to tremble. Actually, it was the realm itself that was trembling. The ground to his left foot collapsed and was replaced by a dark hole that seemed to have an infinite depth. To his right, a single door. ¡°Those who choose to go through the door will reincarnate into another life. But-¡± ¡°Reincarnated?!" Akuma eagerly interupted. "You mean like, I get to do it all over?! With an opportunity like that, I could fix my mistakes¡­¡± The air around him grew a bit heavier as he finished that thought. ¡°¡­I can finally live an ordinary, peaceful life.¡± ¡°No you can¡¯t.¡± His remark was so sudden that Akuma barely had the chance to hear it. So, he reflexively shot a, ¡°Huh?¡± Michael chuckled faintly, his playful expression returning. ¡°I said, you didn¡¯t let me finish. I was going to tell you that unfortunately, you won¡¯t be able to keep your memories. I also can¡¯t guarantee your next life will be any better than your last. I can¡¯t even guarantee you won¡¯t end up on earth again. And no, you won¡¯t get any new, mystical, cool powers.¡± An awkward silence filled the room as Akuma pondered to himself. After which, he let out a disappointed sigh. ¡°Y¡¯know, that¡¯s kinda¡­ what¡¯s the word¡­? Trash? Dog shit? Yeah, it sucks balls.¡± ¡°I am deeply sorry about that.¡± Stolen story; please report. Akuma glanced down the hole to his left, gulping as he tried to find its end. ¡°W-What about this hole? What does that get me?¡± ¡°Absolutely nothing.¡± He answered, showing a bright, albeit fake smile. ¡°That is the void. The world, or rather the manifestation of nothing. The void isn¡¯t just a place of emptiness, it¡¯s a space where existence itself is removed¡­ Souls that are discarded from the library, souls that are lost, and even abandoned souls are sent there. It is the end of all destinies.¡± There was a certain vibe to Michael that ate away at the air in his lungs. Actually, it wasn¡¯t Michael¡¯s ominous tone that sent that shiver down his spine, trembling his hands even now. It was the void. To be exact, the idea of being forgetting and alone. And yet, it was calling out to him. As if such a fate was the only thing he deserved. ¡°So, what will it be, Akuma?¡± He was left pondering to himself, weighing the pros and cons for each option. Except, no matter how hard he thought, he just couldn¡¯t decide. It was then that a sudden memory flashed through his mind. Two memories to be exact. The first was him handing a glowing book to an old sage. The second was the birth of a newborn. The strangest part was that those memories didn¡¯t belong to him. And yet, they resonated with him. So much so that he tightly clenched his chest as he shed a single silent tear. ¡°Here¡¯s the thing, Michael or whatever your name was. Both options suck major ass. No way in hell I¡¯m risking the chance of being born in a third world country. Especially when that damn apparition might just come back for me. But I ain¡¯t about to jump in some nothing hole either. Sorry pal, but if there isn¡¯t a third option then I¡¯ll kindly sit my ass right here and wait for you to make one.¡± A heavy silence fell upon them, broken by feint chuckles, as well as Michael¡¯s futuristic armor clinking against his body as he did. ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± Michael''s wings flared slightly, and his tone turned more serious. "Akuma, your death is not the end. It''s merely the beginning. Inside you, there is a power far greater than you could ever understand. The worlds need you, Akuma. Which is why I¡¯ve come to offer you another option.¡± Akuma stared at Michael, his disbelief evident. "Worlds? Like plural? You''re losing me here, buddy. And once you lose me, you won¡¯t be able to get me back." Michael took a step closer, his presence radiating an almost overwhelming sense of authority and calm. "The time has come, Akuma. To remember who you truly are and embrace your purpose." Before Akuma could respond, a sharp, agonizing pain shot through his head. He felt as if his temple had been skewered through, the pain reaching all the way to the other side. He could only grit his teeth as fragments of images, sounds and even emotions rushed through his mind. He distinctively remembered a voice calling out his name. Except, it wasn¡¯t his name. Not the one he was familiar with at least. As for the one calling out to him, he could only make out a hand. A hand reaching out to him before vanishing into darkness. Akuma dropped to his knees, gasping for air as the onslaught of memories left him reeling. "What... the hell did you do to me?!¡± Michael took a knee, placing a reassuring hand on Akuma¡¯s head. ¡°I¡¯ve shown you all that I can, Akuma. Anymore and your mind would shatter. You will have to figure out the rest on your own.¡± Akuma pushed Michael away, his eyes narrowing as he struggled to regain his composure. ¡°I don¡¯t know what kind of game you¡¯re playing at but leave me the hell out of it! Don¡¯t make me feel special. Not when I know I¡¯m just an ordinary guy¡­ And while you¡¯re at it, take that damn apparition with you. You two are both angels, right? So take him back and leave me the hell alone!¡± ¡°Whether you believe it or not, the fate of countless lives hinges on the choices you make moving forward." Akuma laughed bitterly. ¡°Thought I just told you to stop treating me like I¡¯m special. You really think I could affect thousands of lives? You really think I¡¯m that important?!¡± Michael smiled faintly, his wings shimmering with renewed brilliance. ¡°You¡¯re the only one that¡¯s that important.¡± Akuma stared at Michael for a long moment, his mind racing with thousands of questions. But deep down, he felt an inexplicable pull, a flicker of something he couldn¡¯t quite name. The truth is¡­ He wanted to be special. He wanted to matter that much. To be that important. But it was just impossible for him to be believe such a thing. "The path ahead will not be easy, but it is one only you can walk, Akuma¡­ Only you, can kill God." "Fine..." he muttered, his voice laced with reluctant determination. "¡­I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on, and I¡¯m not promising anything. But if you¡¯re saying I¡¯ve got some kind of purpose... I¡¯ll play along. For now. Plus¡­" He continued, rising from the ground. ¡°I¡¯m sort of curious what these memories are.¡± Michael nodded, his expression softening with a hint of relief. "Excellent. Welcome to the beginning, Akuma Tiryns." Snap! In the next moment, Akuma found himself back where this all started. As for Michael, the space transitioned to the state it was previously in. Then, an old man with striking white hair appearing behind him. ¡°Ah, good timing, Finral¡­¡± Michael said, turning to face him. ¡°¡­Tell me, was my smile believable?¡± ¡°You were slipping a bit at the end there, but I don¡¯t think he noticed. So, I guess I¡¯d say it was.¡± Michael began rubbing the sides of his cheeks, molding them as if his face were made of clay. ¡°Excellent. I put a lot of practice into this smile. It would sadden my greatly if he saw through it.¡± A bead of sweat dripped down Finral¡¯s forehead, his body reacting to the ominous presence Michael was producing. ¡°I-I¡¯m kind of curious¡­ The void and reincarnation. Why is it that you always show the two options before explaining it all?¡± ¡°Well, Finral. I guess¡­ a part of me is hoping that he¡¯ll pick one. Except he never does¡­ Why do you think that is?¡± ¡°Destiny of course. After all, no one can go against that.¡± Michael faintly chuckled. ¡°One hundred points. You are absolutely correct¡­ Speaking of destiny. Shouldn¡¯t you be preparing yourself? To face Solomon and his Asuras?¡± Chapter 3 : An Ordinary Life, Part III A large crowd gathered around his dead body. His lower spine was pancaked by four tons of metal. Not to mention his lifeless eyes that almost blended in with the pool of blood around him. There was just no doubting it. This guy was as dead as a doornail. He was a teenage boy who sacrificed his life to save a stray cat. Luckily, he made it just in the nick of time. Had he still been alive, I¡¯m sure he would¡¯ve loved to hear such good news. A moment of silence for our lost hero. ¡­¡­. Alright, now that we got that out the way, I guess I should be telling you about how utterly shocked the crowd was when that same dead boy slapped away the hands of the paramedics. In their bewilderment, they didn¡¯t even realize that his flattened torso was suddenly filled in. The crowd crept back, fearing that his nickname of ¡°demon¡± might not be for show. One man in particular had the balls to shout it out to him. Of course, he found himself soiling his pants after Akuma snot him a single glare. You know, the usual. Though I have to say, this was the first time anyone has ever actually pissed their pants. My guess is that the blood streaming down his face added to Akuma¡¯s usual blood lusted expression. ¡°Ugh. My head¡¯s fricking killing me.¡± After clicking his tongue, Akuma got up, and while resting his hands in his pockets he walked away from the bloodied scene. Naturally any pedestrian in his way made themselves scarce. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. ¡°My day has just been so damn dandy. First, we have these people who swear I¡¯ll murder em¡¯ just cause¡¯ I happened to look their way. A vending machine trying to steal my money. No wait, that was your fault!¡± The angel floating next to him cackled as if he were an evil witch. He seemed unfazed by the fact that Akuma just died, like he knew he would¡¯ve been revived somehow. ¡°Agh! And then I almost died saving a damn cat, who¡¯ll probably die next week anyways with how careless these people are. Actually, I did die! I distinctly remember something about coming back to life. But why is it so hazy? It literally just happened! Or maybe it didn¡¯t? Maybe the whole thing never even happened? Whatever. I don¡¯t even care anymore.¡± Another exhausted sigh escaped Akuma. A lot of those seem to be coming out of him these days. Turning his gaze at the floating angel, he thought to himself, ¡°I wonder¡­ Are you really just some hallucination?¡± In the middle of his ponder, the sound of bustling footsteps, clanking of metal and even feint giggles assaulted his ears. It was a collection of sounds he knew all too well. There was a part of him that wanted nothing to do with the nonsense he could smell approaching. The other part of him, however, felt ecstatic to find victims to relieve his stress. Akuma turned his attention, spotting about a hundred or so students behind him. Some had weapons of various kinds, from spiked clubs to crowbars. There were a few gutsy souls who chose to use their bare fist but honestly, against the enemy before them I could only call them stupid. Their leader was a man named ¡°Bomi¡± -a nickname that stemmed from the brand of cigarettes he always smoked. He was a high school dropout with tattoos all over his body as well as a lit cigar poking from his lips. Bomi took the cigarette from his lips, effortlessly flicking it into a nearby trash bin. ¡°My boys here have told me some unfortunate news. Someone''s going around and walking on our turf like they own the damn place. Apparently, it¡¯s the Lazy Demon-¡± Before he could even finish that sentence, his face had already been smashed in, his body flying in between his gang. After an awkward silence, the rest of the group all charged Akuma, throwing any kind of honor or dignity out the door. I hesitate to even refer to such a moment as a "fight". Maybe "brawl" would work better, or perhaps "massacre"? Label it what you wish, all the same it was a devastating scene. Any spectator would feel the need to question if it was even fair. One hundred men taken down effortlessly by one teenage boy. Pressing the last delinquent¡¯s head into the ground with the bottom of his shoe, Akuma turned his gaze to the clouds, a habit he often did when deep in thought. ¡°¡­Maybe I¡¯ll go to school.¡± Chapter 4 : The Outcasted Hero, Part I There are moments in this world when the amount of sleep you¡¯re getting feels almost too good to be true. You find yourself questioning, ¡°Has my alarm gone off yet? Could I have overslept?!¡± It was this exact predicament that greeted Akuma at the start of his day. For the past ten minutes he¡¯s been caught in a mental tug-of-war, contemplating whether to finally rise from his slumber or to just forget about school entirely. Then he heard a buzz. It was his phone. His alarm hadn¡¯t gone off or anything, but he did receive a text message. ¡°I finally got over that cold! I¡¯m so going to school today!!¡± The message brought a bright flush to his cheeks and suddenly, he found the drive to spring out of bed. Alright perhaps ¡°spring¡± out of bed is bit inaccurate. In truth, he rolled off the bed and landed unceremoniously on the carpet-floor below. It was a tried-and-true method that worked every time. I mean think about it, if you can¡¯t get out of your bed then just get off the floor instead. After picking himself up from the floor, he was immediately greeted by an unwelcoming sight. The sight of a child angel. ¡°Don¡¯t you ever go to sleep or anything? ¡­Please don¡¯t tell me you just stay up and watch me sleep¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°You do, don¡¯t you? I can see it in that damn smile¡­ How about you make yourself useful and carry me to the bathroom.¡± As if mocking him in some way, the apparition-like angel tried grabbing Akuma¡¯s shirt only for his hand to phase right through him. ¡°Ugh! You¡¯re useless! And the worst part is that I know you can touch things. You drink literally every drink I have before I get a chance to taste it!¡± Realizing he had no choice but to expend effort, Akuma limped his way to the bathroom. There he saw his older brother finishing up. ¡°Good morning-!¡± ¡°Holy shit dude, you look like crap.¡± Tenshi interrupted. ¡°What time did you go to bed last night?¡± The silence that followed was thick with unspoken words. This Neanderthal of a man is Tenshi Tiryns, Akuma''s older brother, and despite their shared blood they are worlds apart. While Akuma was a 17-year-old high school junior, brimming with youthful energy, Tenshi was 24, and spent most of his days training with their father instead of pursuing an education. If you''re curious about such details, then I suppose I should tell you that Tenshi had short brown locks with a wilder appearance, as well as two striking golden locks that reached down to his chest. Strangely, that color was his natural one. ¡°My, I¡¯m as dazzling today as any other.¡± Akuma boasted, choosing to overlook his brother''s rude remark. His gaze shifted to the bathroom mirror, primarily to avoid the sight of his brother''s barbaric appearance. Unfortunately for him, the reflection of an angel child was all he could see. For whatever reason, he insisted on floating right in front of Akuma. ¡°Hey, just to make sure. You can¡¯t see this thing, can you?¡± ¡°Hm? What thing?¡± ¡°Figured¡­ Nothing, don¡¯t worry about it.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve finally gone crazy, huh? It¡¯s probably from that horrible sleep schedule. Y¡¯know, it''s a wonder how you even wake up in the morning¡­ One day you''re gonna end up dead.¡± With that harsh and utterly untrue remark, Tenshi made his way toward the door leading to his room. ¡°Jokes this early in the morning, huh?¡± If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°Who said anything about joking?¡± As he slipped into his dimly lit room, Akuma felt an urge to call out to him just before the bathroom door clicked shut. ¡°Wait!¡± he shouted. "Hm?" Tenshi replied, pausing to let his brother''s voice reach him through the small creak of the door. ¡°Fu-fu. Did you know your chances of dying to a wild serial killer is lower than your chances of dying to me?¡± "¡­..........." "¡­..........." ¡°Go to school man.¡± SLAM! ¡°Tuh! Look who¡¯s talking. Damn bum. I hope that door breaks.¡± ***************** The school uniform was a requirement for every student, leaving no room for debate about what to wear each day. But you¡¯d never hear any complaints from this teenage boy. In fact, he found the uniform quite flattering on Alice, and if you were to ask her, she would likely claim to like how it suited him as well¡­ She wouldn¡¯t. Akuma braced himself for the inevitable showdown. "Ah, we meet again, Lucifer. Today is not your day. My wife has finally recovered from that cold, and I can almost sense her eagerness to see me from here!" This was the second foe he faced daily, the first being the ever-tempting embrace of his pillow. The scene before him was so grotesque that even the most resilient stomach would quiver at the sight. He took a deep breath, mustering every ounce of bravery to confront this monstrous challenge. "Wooden floor!" he shouted, poised to leap into action. His father, stubbornly stuck in his old-fashioned beliefs, occupied the lower floor of their home, and refused to cover the floor with carpet, as if enchanted by some unseen force. As for why Akuma is so scared of wood, well¡­ Even he doesn¡¯t know the answer to that question. It¡¯s like one of those things he just felt in his soul. He tried to step onto the wooden floor carefully, hoping that it wouldn¡¯t feel so disgusting if he went at it slowly, but was pushed off the stairs by the apparition haunting him. A shiver crept up his spine as he landed. Then came the anger. ¡°See, you can touch me! Why the hell did you pretend you couldn¡¯t when I asked you to drag me to the bathroom?¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Ugh! I hate you! I hate you so damn much that I could kill a pig!¡± Apart from his daily struggles with a boy straight out of a supernatural horror comedy, he embraced a rather refreshing morning routine. For the most part¡­ ¡°We interrupt your regular programming with breaking news." ¡°Can¡¯t even turn on some tv and watch some anime in peace. Life man. Always kicking my ass.¡± ¡°Authorities have confirmed multiple bombings in the area, with reports coming in of significant damage and casualties. The attacks began just after 3 PM yesterday evening, when several explosions were heard throughout the city. We¡¯re getting word that at least three locations have been affected, with a fourth suspected site still under investigation. The authorities are calling it a coordinated attack. Possibly even a terrorist group." ¡°Y¡¯know¡­ Something¡¯s telling me this is all you.¡± The apparition shook its head, indicating, ¡°No.¡± ¡°Yeah right. That¡¯s what they all say¡­ Oh well, ain¡¯t gonna ruin my day.¡± A few minutes later he finally left home and began approaching his bus stop. As he did, a grin spread across his cheeks, the excitement bubbling within him at the thought of her. The happiness she brought him was undeniable. While their bus stop used to have a lot of students, most chose to have their parents drive them to school a bit later, leaving just him and her in their own little universe. That "her" is his beloved girlfriend, Alice¡­ Okay so that was a bit of a lie. And by a bit, I mean light years from the truth. If you want the honest truth and nothing but it, Akuma was just another head in the bustling crowd, desperately seeking her gaze -an npc if you will. You know the kind. But he was determined to make her look his way. And there she was, already seated at the bus stop bench. She was reading a novel to pass the time, but for Akuma, he saw a princess lost in her royal studies. His footsteps must have startled her, seeing as she quickly glanced his way. In that instant, he¡¯d fallen in love all over again. Time seemed to stand still as he took in her beauty. Her short pink hair bounced softly with her sudden movement, and her captivating pink eyes shimmered with kindness and compassion. Even from afar, he could see the gentle curve of her lips, and her school uniform highlighted her perfect figure. He was not one to dwell on the imperfections of others, but even he was entranced by her porcelain skin. ¡°Good morning, Akuma.¡± She greeted, her voice as soothing as a fresh field of flowers. ¡°G-good¡­ morning-¡± Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through, not fierce enough to knock anyone over, but strong enough to send dust particles flying. Unfortunately for Akuma, it also nudged a bottle right under his foot, leading to an embarrassing stumble that sent him crashing to the ground with a loud thud. Actually, it was the apparition that had moved the bottle under his foot. And although Akuma hadn¡¯t seen him do it, he just knew it was. He couldn¡¯t see Alice, but he could feel her awkward gaze beaming right a him, and to his dismay, he realized he hadn¡¯t even fallen gracefully -his clumsy landing was punctuated by a ridiculous ¡°EEK¡± sound. ¡°Umm¡­ Are you okay, Akuma?¡± (Please just let me die right now...) he thought in utter defeat. ¡°¡­Yep. Juuust fine.¡± ¡°Y¡¯know... You made this weird sound when you fell. To be honest, it was hard to hold in my laugh.¡± (Please! Just kill me now!!) Chapter 5 : The Outcasted Hero, Part II The two sat on a bench as they waited for their bus to arrive. To be more specific, Alice was the one sitting, while Akuma chose to stand next to the bench. Maybe he was feeling a bit self-conscious after his earlier fall, or maybe it was just his usual distaste for wooden structures. Then again, both options could be at work here. Akuma was the first to start off a conversation. He¡¯d been meaning to say something for a while now but found himself overthinking on what to say. ¡°I-I¡¯m surprised you came to school today. If it were me, I¡¯d have stayed home. Especially since it¡¯s Friday.¡± ¡°You sound just like my grandma. She told me the same thing.¡± Hearing that was like a needle piercing through Akuma¡¯s heart. He wasn¡¯t sure whether to take it as an insult or not. ¡°Honestly, it was unbearable missing four whole days of school. I mean that¡¯s four whole days! One or two is one thing, but four?! I almost lost my mind. I had to come back as soon as possible.¡± ¡°Wow¡­ um¡­ didn¡¯t know you felt so passionate about school.¡± ¡°Well of course I love school! I get to see so many wonderful people. My friends, the teachers and even the people in the hallways.¡± It might be important to note that Alice is something of a school celebrity. It is almost rare to find her by herself. ¡°Is that so¡­¡± ¡°You always make that face when I mention wanting to see other people¡­ Say, do you remember how we first met?¡± ¡°Huh? Um¡­ I was beating up some thugs, right?¡± ¡°Yep. It was right after my mom had passed away. I got a text message from my father in the middle of class. I thought the whole world would end after I read that. I just couldn¡¯t believe it. I immediately asked to use the restroom and darted out the school crying. That was the first and last time I ever skipped class¡­ But while I was out, I ran into a group of delinquents. They kept pressing me for my number, and when I didn¡¯t give it to them, they flipped. One even pulled out a knife. I was so scared, I really thought I was gonna die, you know? So, I just closed my eyes shut and waited for it to come. But it just never came¡­ And when I opened my eyes, I saw you. I felt like some main heroine from an anime. After that you beat the living daylights out of them, and all by yourself. And when I asked who you were, you looked me dead in my eyes and said ¡®I¡¯m God¡¯. That was my first time ever meeting the famous Lazy Demon.¡± ¡°N-Now that I¡¯m hearing the story from you, I gave the worst first impression ever. Please, just forget that whole thing ever happened.¡± Alice giggled from his embarrassment. ¡°Sorry but no can do. That memory is special to me. Just like you.¡± ¡°Huh? W-What are you saying?¡± In his confusion, she¡¯d scooted over to the other side of the bench without him realizing, grabbing his attention with her pointed finger. ¡°I¡¯m saying, that you¡¯re one of the wonderful people I want to see too at school too.¡± Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Akuma was left speechless, his eyes widened with shock as he tried to process what she said. But mostly, it was her eyes. There was just something beautiful about the way they looked at him. They looked at him like he was human. Their silent exchange was cut short by the rumbling of truck-like exhaust. Their yellow Uber had arrived, eager to whisk them away to their next destination. It halted right in front of them, its double doors swinging open in an inviting gesture. While any ordinary person might see it as just a yellow bus ready to transport students to school, Akuma perceived it as Cerberus, the mythical guardian, lowering its back to usher them into the depths of the underworld. Well, any ordinary day he might¡¯ve seen it that way, but his attention was so fixed on Alice that he hadn¡¯t even noticed the bus had arrived. It took Alice getting up while commenting ¡°It¡¯s here, Akuma¡± to snap him back to reality. Having no real friends on the bus -none at all actually- Akuma opted for the back seat, a place that felt like home. Since stepping into high school, he found solace only in the rear of the bus. In his mind, those who sat in the middle were decent enough, but the front seats? Those were reserved for serial killers, or perhaps people on illegal substances -maybe even both. If you''re curious, Alice, as usual, settled into the seat right in front of him. ************* Saint Peters High. An ordinary high school, for ordinary students in this very ordinary world. Much like any other ordinary institution of learning, you¡¯ll find that one student who¡¯s outcasted by everyone around them. It had its perks at times. No matter how crowded the hallways, they somehow always parted for Akuma, creating a bubble of space around him. Tables would clear at his approach, and he never had to endure the agony of waiting in long lines. His academic genius placed him at the top of his entire grade, allowing him to glide under the radar of teachers, despite his habitual tardiness and absences. But it goes without saying that it also had its cons. ¡°See that boy over there? Don¡¯t go anywhere near him.¡± That¡¯s what he heard a girl warning who he assumed to be a new student. ¡°Huh? Why? Is he a delinquent or something?¡± the new student asked her. ¡°More than that. He goes around calling himself God and even argues with himself sometimes. He¡¯s so cocky about his good grades that he refuses to work with anyone during group projects. Honestly, I bet the teachers only give him good grades because they¡¯re scared of him.¡± ¡°Really? That¡¯s a shame, he looked kind of cute too.¡± ¡°Blaming my academic excellence on intimidation, huh¡­¡± Akuma muttered to himself, a wry smile creeping onto his expression. If that wasn¡¯t bad enough, he heard another group of students chatting about him, this time a group of guys. ¡°Can¡¯t believe he has the guts to still come to school. I wouldn¡¯t be able to show my face if everyone hated me.¡± ¡°What are you feeling bad for him or something?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be. It¡¯s not like we¡¯ve said anything bad about him or anything. All we¡¯re doing is just minding our own business-¡± ¡°What are you guys talking about?¡± That interjection was his knight in shining armor. The only person who could set the Anti-Akuma propaganda straight. ¡°Oh¡­ uh, Alice.¡± The group of guys stammered. ¡°W-Where did you come from?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been here this whole time. And I¡¯ve gotta say you guys are all delusional. Don¡¯t you realize that not doing something is just as bad as doing something? ¡­That goes for you ladies too.¡± The awkwardness and sheer embarrassment of calling them out, promoted an immediate retreat by the two groups. After which, Alice winked at Akuma while giving him an ¡°ok¡± sign with her hand. ¡°Oh my god¡­ One day I¡¯m gonna marry that girl.¡± As if mocking him, the apparition started laughing at his declaration. ¡°Very funny.¡± Akuma sarcastically remarked. ¡°Y¡¯know, Tenshi¡¯s an idiot and he can be annoying sometimes but he¡¯s way better than hanging around you. I mean you are insufferable with a capital INSUFFRABLE!¡± Room E4. That was supposed to be his homeroom class. But honestly, it just felt like another cage trapping him. As helpful as Alice¡¯s earlier defense was, there wasn¡¯t much she could do once he was inside his class. And so, the whispers continued. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a harsh glare on the dull, beige walls that seemed to close in on him. Desks were arranged in rigid rows, each one a small island of isolation. Though when he spotted a group of friends chatting about anime and manga, he realized that it was just his desk. His desk was clearly the only island in the room. There was no reason to blame others for their actions, no matter how cruel. People, after all, are instinctually drawn to the masses. And to that end, they¡¯ll say, do and even think pretty much whatever¡¯s necessary to fit in. So, it made sense why everyone avoided him. And what point would there be in faulting an animal for simply trying to survive. But¡­ If he were to blame someone, then I suppose it would rest solely on the creator of this world, the one who instilled the need for such instincts. Chapter 6 : The Outcasted Hero, Part III As soon as roll call ended, he quickly excused himself to the restroom, only to slip past the confines of his cage. As for Alice, she was on a mission during lunch, searching high and low for Akuma, only to discover through some classmates in his homeroom that he was once again skipping class. ¡°What¡¯s their problem anyways? Not once have I ever hit someone unless it was self-defense. And yet they act as if I¡¯m some wild animal that just kills anything I look at. I mean shit. They treat me worse than the actual delinquents who smoke, drink and bully other students out of their lunch money! Even the people I¡¯ve saved from bullies treat me like shit!¡± With so much frustration on his chest, he needed some food. Surely that was the only way to relieve all this stress. It was either that or slipping into an alley and beating up the first punk he could find. He decided to head to a local spot called ¡°Burger Queen,¡± a small, unassuming diner that had become his refuge. Stepped through the door, the familiar scent of sizzling patties and fried potatoes wafted into his nose, instantly calming his frayed nerves. He approached the counter and ordered his favorite, the ¡°Nerd Burger,¡± a meal that never failed to hit the spot. But more than that it was comfort food that reminded him of the simpler times, when he was a kid beating up on wooden dummies all day. The first bite of the burger was pure bliss. The flavors exploded in his mouth, and for a moment, he forgot about the judgmental stares and the whispers that haunted him like a shadow. He hadn¡¯t even realized the apparition drank all his soda. Which in a way, saddened the child. ¡°I knew that would hit the spot! I want another but I better not. Never know when someone might suddenly punch me in the stomach¡­ It¡¯s strange though. That definitely hit the spot, and calmed my mood¡­ So then why do I have this uneasy feeling? It¡¯s as if my body can sense that I¡¯m in grave danger¡­ Nah, I must be overthinking it.¡± With that, he was off, letting his feet take him wherever the wind felt like guiding him. Meanwhile, Alice had actually decided to skip school in her quest to find him. The thought of him wandering off alone gnawed at her, especially since she knew exactly why. Just as she rounded the corner of the restaurant, she saw him striding away, oblivious to her presence. His back was turned as he moved with a carefree confidence that made her smile. But the moment she called out his name, her voice was cleaved through with the knife of disaster. Kabooom!!! The restaurant next to her erupted into a cloud of debris, the explosion reverberating through the street like thunder. Windows shattered, and the ground trembled beneath her feet. Dust and smoke billowed into the sky and everyone in a 5 km radius panicked as they scattered through the streets. Akuma was no different, his footsteps blending in with the panicked crowd. But as he ran, a thought gnawed at the back of his mind. There was something off about that explosion. It felt too precise and controlled. It¡¯s not like he was that far from the restaurant when it exploded, so why wasn¡¯t he blown away or anything? This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. With his curiosity picked, he turned to get another look at the aftermath, hoping he could piece together the mystery of the explosion. It was then that he saw her through the haze of hot dust. That pink hair was indistinguishable. ¡°Alice?! W-What the hell is she doing here? Shouldn¡¯t she be in class right now?¡± Panic surged through him as he noticed her leg trapped beneath some debris. It¡¯s not as if she was the only one trapped underneath the rubble, but she was the only one his eyes seemed drawn to. He moved to save her, but before he could take another step, a deep chill licked against his skin. Something at the corner of his eye drew his attention. His lanky body easily towered over his, a shadowy combination of crimson markings and obsidian skin. A grotesque figure looming atop the wreckage, sending another chill down his spine. (What¡­ the hell is that¡­? T-That¡¯s not an animal.) In the next moment, a crimson beam of light was spued from the creature¡¯s jaw and obliterated a nearby building. Akuma knew right away that this creature was the source of the earlier explosion. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation he turned around and ran. After all, it was human nature to follow the crowd. (I¡¯m sorry Alice, I wanted to save you, I really did. But there¡¯s no way in hell I can beat that thing¡­ Forgive me. W-What am I saying? What¡¯s there to forgive? I-It¡¯s not my fault. Why would anyone blame me for running? I¡¯m just minding my business, yeah. Her dying isn¡¯t my fault. In the first place, it¡¯s not like I¡¯ll be rewarded for doing good deeds! In this world, good deeds get you nothing. That¡¯s an underlining fact! Sometimes you¡¯re better off doing the wrong thing to do. That¡¯s why people follow the crowd. Right now, the wrong thing to do is what¡¯s best for me. So why?! Why am I remembering her?!) After another step, a small piece of shrapnel shot into the back of his head. Perhaps it was propelled by the panicked crowd around him. His guess was that their foot must¡¯ve pressed against the small object, sending it flying off at random. He just happened to be that random. As blood gushed out the wound and down his face, a memory flashed through his mind. It was from when he was a child, about seven or so, maybe even younger. Specifically, it was the memory of an adult woman. He couldn¡¯t remember her face, or who she was, but what he could remember was how important that person was to him. As well as what she said to him. ¡°It isn¡¯t right to hate humans, Akuma. If someone doesn¡¯t help you, it¡¯s only because they¡¯re looking out for themselves. And there¡¯s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But¡­ If you hate people for being neutral that much, then prove to me that you¡¯re any different. Prove to me that you can do a good deed even if it doesn¡¯t reward you.¡± In that moment of despair, his right foot froze. He wanted to run. His body was tense and ready to flee. But something held him back¡­ And invisible weight pressing against his chest, planting down on his right heel. His instincts screamed ¡°RUN!¡± But his feet refused the order. But why? Why was he hesitating? He wasn¡¯t a hero. He wasn¡¯t a savior. Those didn¡¯t exist, that¡¯s what he told himself! ¡­So why was he doing this? Why was he turning his back to the crowd? Why was he sprinting towards the girl he loved? The ominous creature prepared another devastating breath attack, this time aimed directly at Alice. Her heart pounded in her chest as the deadly energy collected, her legs refusing to move despite her frantic efforts to remove the rubble. She squeezed her eyes shut, almost reflexively. Then she gave a single prayer. ¡°God¡­ I don¡¯t care if you want to take me. Just please¡­ save these people.¡± Kaboom! Another explosion, this time directed precisely at her. And yet, she felt no pain. She could feel the powerful shockwave from its impact, even feeling the force of the explosion racing through her bones¡­ But she felt no pain. ¡°No matter how hard I try, I just can''t seem to run away from these things. Honestly¡­ why am I like this?¡± When Alice opened her eyes, she beheld the back of a boy she had always believed to be genuinely kind. The kindest and most caring person she¡¯s ever met. Sure, he acted like he didn¡¯t care at times, but she knew him long enough to know that was all just an act. Within this cruel and unforgiving world, he was the only person she knew who would run towards danger if it meant saving someone else. He was more than just a friend, more than just someone she liked talking to. He was¡­ A true hero. Chapter 7 : What It Means to Be a Hero, Part I Sizzling heat gnawed at his skin. His arms, though guarded up, hung limp, raw muscle exposed beneath blackened wounds. Every slight movement sent fresh waves of agony through his nerves. And yet, despite it all, Akuma stood tall, his body howling, but his resolve only hardening. The monster, an apostle of darkness, remained unfocused, firing crimson beams wildly from its jaw, obliterating anything it happened to home in on. Akuma gasped, his breath coming in quick, frantic bursts. ¡°Are you¡­ okay, Alice?¡± She nodded slightly, her voice faint but clear. ¡°Y-Yes¡­ I¡¯m fine. Thanks to you.¡± ¡°Good to hear. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯d do if you were hurt¡­ Now.¡± In a fluid motion, Akuma pivoted, channeling his momentum as he unleashed a powerful kick that sent the debris pinning her down flying. ¡°...You should run away. I have a feeling things are about to get ugly.¡± ¡°No.¡± she insisted, her determination shining through as she fought to regain her footing. ¡°¡­I can¡¯t just leave you here. Not when you¡¯re fighting for my sake.¡± A cloud of emotions came over Akuma. For her to still hold such feelings for him even in the face of such danger was truly¡­ beautiful. But he knew what had to be done. He turned his back to her, his attention shifting to the monster looming in the distance. ¡°I¡¯d rather not have the extra baggage. Sorry, Alice, but you¡¯d just be getting in my way.¡± ¡°I just told you I won¡¯t. I can¡¯t in good faith leave while I know you¡¯re fighting to protect me.¡± ¡°Look. I like fighting. It¡¯s what I do. It¡¯s what I live for. I ain¡¯t protecting you or anything, I¡¯ve just been getting bored of fighting regular punks, ya know? Figured, why not fight a creepy monster? ...I¡¯m just hoping this thing can actually give me a challenge.¡± ¡°I¡¯m staying.¡± She insisted, struggling to keep herself standing. By now, Akuma snapped, his frustration evident by the sharp click of his tongue. ¡°Oh, get over yourself!¡± He roared, turning to face her. ¡°You think I¡¯m risking my life for you? That guys just throw themselves into fights because a girl is a little cute? Please tell me you¡¯re not that stupid.¡± ¡°What? What reason would I have to think that?¡± ¡°Clearly you do because you seem to have this idiotic notion that I¡¯m trying to save someone. I¡¯m always getting into fights, and I always keep to myself. I don¡¯t do anything that isn¡¯t necessary and just mind my business. The only reason I plan on fighting that monster is because I¡¯m just a muscle head that loves to fight! That¡¯s the only thing I have going for me! ¡­That¡¯s the only thing I¡¯ve ever had going for me¡­ So what makes you think this time is any different? Huh? Don¡¯t get a big head just because I happen to let you talk to me every now and then. Me and you are in completely different worlds-!¡± Slap! Tears streamed down her cheeks, and the anguish in her eyes pierced through him like a dagger. In that instant, he forgot the burning pain in his arms and the looming threat of the grotesque creature. Her hands curled into fists at her sides. Even as pain flared in her ankle, she stood her ground, refusing to leave his side. ¡°Over and over and over...¡± She repeated, her voice shaken by her tears. ¡°¡­I¡¯ve watched you isolate yourself from everyone around you over and over again. Even now, you¡¯re trying to push me away when all I want to do is help¡­ But that¡¯s just a mask you put on to hide your insecurities¡­ The truth¡­ is that hate yourself, don¡¯t you? You hate the fact that you can¡¯t be like the Akuma that¡¯s in your head. You hate the fact that you can¡¯t be as cold and heartless as him. Because you¡¯re just not that kind of person. No matter what it is, you¡¯d inconvenience yourself if it meant someone else¡¯s happiness. That¡¯s the kind of person you are! ¡­But¡­ But¡­¡± Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. In that moment, she lifted her gaze to him, her eyes filled with genuine sorrow. ¡°¡­If you¡¯d just drop the act for one moment, everyone will realize just how kind you really are.¡± His mind raced, but no answers came. Akuma stood there, the sting of her slap muted by his utter confusion. (Why did she slap me? Why is she looking at me like that? With such sadness¡­?) Alice, a simple classmate and nothing more had just laid bare something he¡¯d never allowed himself to see. For so long, his walls had stayed firm. He was convinced that the only way to protect others was to keep them at arm¡¯s length. No. She cut a bit deeper than that. There was no hiding it from her, or from himself at this point. (Am I really like that?) His fists clenched tightly by his sides. He wanted to deny it, wanted to snap back, but the words caught in his throat. All he could do was stand there, exposed and unguarded like he was waiting for the next blow. (Is that really all I¡¯ve been doing? Pushing people away so I don¡¯t have to face who I really am? ¡­Am I really a kind person?) The question gnawed at him, but it didn¡¯t feel like a simple answer. (But what exactly does it mean to be kind? Is it like being a hero? If that¡¯s the case, then what does it even mean to be a hero? No, I know the answer. A hero is someone who helps people for a reward. A glorified businessman. An opportunist¡­) Her voice rang in his head, the meaning of her words sinking in slowly like water filling a hollow. (¡­To inconvenience oneself for someone else¡¯s happiness¡­ Is that¡­ really what it means to be kind? To be a hero?) With Akuma lost in his thoughts, Alice¡¯s attention was suddenly drawn to a civilian trapped beneath a pile of debris, desperately struggling to free themselves from a heavy stone wall that had fallen across their midsection. ¡°Are you alright?¡± she called out, rushing to their aid. However, with just a single step, she felt a sharp pain in her right ankle, causing her to stumble. Only now did she notice she received an injury from earlier. The pain was enough to make her wince, but her determination pushed her forward. Alice pressed on, limping toward the distressed individual while carefully navigating the jagged remnants of the wreckage. ¡°What¡¯s going on?!¡± the trapped person exclaimed as Alice poured her energy into lifting the rubble. ¡°I-Is it a bomb? A terrorist? Why is every building suddenly exploding?!¡± Alice¡¯s expression tightened at the question. ¡°Can¡¯t you see that monster over there? The one firing off those beams of crimson light?¡± ¡°M-Monster?! Where is it? Where? WHERE? Please miss, I don¡¯t wanna die!!¡± ¡°You really can¡¯t see it¡­ Then why am I able to-?¡± Her eyes shifted to the demon looming at the center of the wreckage, but instead of a monster off in the distance, she was met with two piercing shadowy eyes. ¡°So you can see me¡­¡± it intoned, its voice reverberating ominously in her ears. The startling sight sent a shock through her, causing her to inadvertently put weight on her injured ankle. But she bared through the pain, believing that any sudden movements would result in her death. ¡°A mortal¡­ who sees beyond the layer?¡± The demon¡¯s voice slithered into her ears like a whisper from the abyss. ¡°No mere human. No, no, no. You are sweet. You reek of divinity. Is it a twisted gift or perhaps a curse? ¡­Tell me, which god is it that blessed you?!¡± Akuma, sensing the overwhelming bloodlust oozing from its body, snapped out of his daze, but by then he was already a step too late. He sprinted forward with all his might, but the distance felt too wide to reach. His eyes widened. The creature¡¯s fist moved too fast to stop, yet somehow slow enough for him to feel every second stretch into eternity. But then, he saw something that made his breath truly hitch. ¡°No. It couldn¡¯t be possible.¡± That¡¯s what he told himself. But there was just no denying the facts. The apparition, that wretched thing that taunted him at every turn of his life, had slammed into the creature¡¯s fist, forcing it to narrowly miss Alice. Akuma¡¯s mind reeled, the battle momentarily forgotten as he struggled to comprehend what he had just seen. Sensing his momentary hesitation, the apparition grunted at Akuma, hastily pointing at the monster. That was all he needed. Akuma lunged forward, drilling his left leg into the ominous creature''s right side. The force sent it sliding through the rubble, hunching over as it growled from the sudden pain. He landed forcibly, a burning fire coursing through his soul as he smiled at Alice. It was the kind of smile that anchored her to the moment, her eyes glued to his. ¡°I¡¯ve decided, Alice¡­ I still don¡¯t think true heroes exist in this world. People just ain¡¯t that nice... But¡­ I don¡¯t think they don¡¯t exist either. Right now, I¡¯m uncertain which one to pick. So I think¡­ I¡¯ll try it out.¡± He gestured at himself with a determined thumb. ¡°I¡¯ll inconvenience myself to the depths of hell! And at the end of that journey, I¡¯ll give you my answer.¡± Chapter 8 : What It Means to Be a Hero, Part II Akuma wasn¡¯t the only one fighting for his life. His older brother, Tenshi, was only moments away from dying. At least, he would be if he made a single wrong move. He was in a handstand position, except one arm was tucked behind his back while the other pressed firmly against one of the many menacing spikes found around him. His right thumb trembled, struggling under the weight of both his own body and the twisted man above him. And the ocean of sweat poring out of his body wasn¡¯t making it any easier. To stop the spike from piercing his finger, he focused all his strength into channeling a peculiar power known as ¡°Starlites¡±, the essence of one¡¯s soul. Perched comfortably on Tenshi¡¯s feet, his father seemed lost in thought, his eyes drifting into the distance. "The air is much sweeter than usual..." he murmured, his eyes narrowing. "...Has the seal broken? ...No, it¡¯s merely weakened. And if that¡¯s true, then this world is running out of time. They are coming." He adjusted his position, his eyes shifting to the skies. Actually, they were far above the clouds, so perhaps he was gazing at something beyond. "¡­Hey, Tenshi." The subtle shift in his center of gravity disrupted his focus, causing the energy around his thumb to wane a bit, and the sharp spike to graze his skin. Luckily his experience allowed him to regain his balance just in time. ¡°Wh-What is it?¡± ¡°How confident are you in your skills? Like¡­ Ya think you could beat a demon?¡± ¡°Demon¡­? If you¡¯re talking about monsters from fairy tales, then I¡¯d have to say, no. It¡¯s pretty hard to fight something that doesn¡¯t exist. If we¡¯re talking reality though, I¡¯d say as long as I¡¯m not fighting you¡­ I don¡¯t think anyone in this world can beat me.¡± The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°Oh?¡± His father challenged, raising a brow. ¡°Quite the ego you¡¯ve got there.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not ego if it¡¯s true.¡± ¡°Hah! You really are my son, aren¡¯t you. But how about we test that confidence¡­ What about Akuma? Hm?¡± He paused for a moment. ¡°Akuma? What about him?¡± ¡°Well, I think he might give you a run for your money.¡± ¡°Yeah right. That idiot hasn¡¯t trained since mom died.¡± The mention of their mother cast a feint shadow over the conversation, the two pausing before Tenshi¡¯s father broke the silence. ¡°That is true¡­ Hey, speaking of Akuma. How do you feel about him? Like as a person?¡± ¡°H-Huh? Where¡¯s this¡­ coming from?¡± ¡°I¡¯m just curious.¡± ¡°Well¡­ He talks to himself, he refuses to train anymore and he acts like nothing is his problem. I¡¯d say¡­ he¡¯s a lazy, schizophrenic, weirdo.¡± A smirk played across his lips as he continued, ¡°But he has guts. When he gets going, there¡¯s nothing that can stop him.¡± His father chuckled from his bluntness, almost causing Tenshi to slip again. ¡°You are absolutely right! That boy. If he just had the motivation, he could take my martial arts to a level I couldn¡¯t even dream of! ¡­Ugh, guess I¡¯m stuck with you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad you love me soooo much¡­ Now can you please stop moving?! If you hadn¡¯t noticed, I¡¯m dying here.¡± ¡°Hm? Ah don¡¯t be such a crybaby. When I was your age, I trained ten times as hard¡­¡± His gaze shifted down as he started to reminisce his past. ¡°¡­Isn¡¯t that right, Heracles¡­ Besides! Why do you think I train you so hard while letting Akuma do whatever he wants?¡± ¡°Because you¡¯re a deadbeat that refuses to raise his kids properly?¡± A vein throbbed on his father¡¯s brow. ¡°Keep talking like that and I¡¯ll make you do pushups in that position!¡± Tenshi¡¯s eyes widened at the thought of such torture. His muscles tensed and his concentration began to slip. He knew it, he could just feel it. This was it for him. ¡°P-Please¡­¡± He begged. ¡°Spare me. I-I¡¯m sorry for what I said. You¡¯re a wonderful dad.¡± ¡°Huh? What was that? I couldn¡¯t hear you!¡± ¡°I SAID YOU¡¯RE THE BEST DAD EVER!!¡± ¡°Too late... I want a thousand of them. And if you fall, you better hope these spikes kill you, because if they don¡¯t¡­ I will!¡± Such was an ordinary day for Tenshi Tiryns. Chapter 9 : What It Means to Be a Hero, Part III The two locked eyes, the air between them crackling with tension. They shifted through several stances, sizing up the other. To anyone else, they might¡¯ve appeared evenly matched. But Akuma knew better. He could sense that he was barely keeping pace. (Damn. If only I could use my arms. Without them, my center of gravity¡¯s all wacky. And It¡¯ll take some time to adjust.) A cold sweat trailed down his cheek as a haunting thought bounced through his mind¡­ (Would the use of my arms even matter?) ¡°Hey, Alice¡­¡± he called without breaking his gaze from the monster. ¡°You still want to help, right?" ¡°Of course¨C!¡± Her voice cracked as pain shot through her injured ankle. She winced a bit but steadied herself. ¡°T-This is nothing... Please, just let me help!¡± Akuma''s lips curled into a surprised smile. ¡°And here I thought you knew me. You really think I''m gonna let you slack off just because you''re injured?¡± His tone softened, almost imperceptibly. ¡°Thought I told you... People just ain''t that nice.¡± Her expression lit up with renewed purpose, along with that familiar fire returning to her glare. ¡°I need you to rescue everyone trapped under this debris¡­¡± he instructed. ¡°Start with the men since they can help with the others. Make sure to explain the situation before removing the rubble, so they don''t panic and run. Got that?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°A-And what about me?¡± The question came from the civilian Alice had helped moments earlier. He stood awkwardly behind Alice, his fists clenched with a nervous air. Akuma blinked, momentarily thrown off his game. He¡¯d even broken eye contact with the monster. ¡°Um... Who the hell are you? Wait, were you standing there this whole time?¡± Alice seemed equally surprised the man hadn''t run away. ¡°I-I''m not surprised you forgot about me.¡± The man answered, his voice shaky but growing steadier as he spoke. ¡°Ever since I was a kid, I''ve always blended into the background... But I want to change that! I can''t see the monster you''re all talking about, but if it means helping others, then I''m in!¡± Akuma returned his focus to the looming creature. He''d planned to dismiss this stranger outright, maybe even warn him to run. But Alice''s words echoed in his mind, challenging his ideals. ¡°Wh¡­ What''s your name?¡± The question felt foreign on his tongue. ¡°Huh? Oh, it''s Paul.¡± ¡°Alright, Paul¡­¡± Akuma exhaled slowly. ¡°Normally, I''d be against dragging civilians into something like this, but Alice could really use the help.¡± The awkward silence that followed hung heavily in the air. ¡°Is that it?¡± Alice teased, noticing Akuma''s cheeks getting red. ¡°Don''t you have something else you want to say to this nice man?¡± His face reddened further, and he clicked his tongue in irritation. ¡°Tha... Thank you¡­ Thank you for the help." Paul''s eyes widened with unexpected joy. "You''re very welcome!" The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. As Alice and Paul hurried off, Akuma settled deeper into his stance, his eyes narrowed and focused on the battle to come. No, that wasn¡¯t quite right. In truth, the battle had already taken place a dozen times over. And each one ended in Akuma¡¯s defeat. ¡°Shit¡­ It¡¯s like I¡¯m fighting a volcano with a brain. Any move I make just ends up getting blasted away by that damn breath attack¡­ Aw hell. I don''t even care anymore.¡± Taking a deep breath, he centered himself, feeling the energy floating around him and gathering it into his gut, before releasing it in a controlled exhale. With deliberate ferocity, he planted his feet firmly on the debris-strewn ground and charged forward. Just as he guessed, the creature unleashed a beam of searing light. But Akuma neither hesitated nor dodged it¡­ At least, not in any conventional sense of the word. The moment the attack connected, his form shimmered like a desert mirage, the beam cutting through empty air and obliterating the ground behind where he should have been. Confusion flickered across the demon''s features as it struggled to comprehend what had happened. It braced, waiting for Akuma to enter striking range before unleashing a devastating punch that sent shockwaves rippling through the air. Yet again, the blow phased through its target, but this time Akuma''s form disintegrated entirely after impact. ¡°Aegis Kata...¡± The words drifted from somewhere to its flank. The monster twisted with inhuman speed, delivering a vicious backhand. But it met with nothing but air. It was then that the truth finally dawned on it. Akuma hadn''t phased through the attacks like some ghost¡­ He was never there to begin with. In reality, Akuma hadn''t even rushed forward. He''d simply created the illusion of doing so while carefully maneuvering to the creature''s vulnerable right side. Such deception was the true essence of his unique fighting style. Aegis Kata. With a flourish, Akuma''s right foot traced a perfect circle in the air before him. ¡°Aegis Kata. First Planet...¡± As his right foot completed its arc, the drawn circle seemed to leap at the creature, ensnaring it in an unbreakable grip. ¡°...MERCURY!¡± Before the monster could react, Akuma''s right knee was drilled in with devastating accuracy, sending it hurtling through the air and crashing into a distant building. ¡°The first shape is circle¡­¡± Akuma explained, approaching the creature with surprised calm. ¡°It disrupts an opponent''s sense of time, making attacks appear as if they suddenly just happened.¡± Rolling his ankle he complained, ¡°I''ve gotta say, I didn''t think it''d be that hard drawing with my foot.¡± The monster''s eyes twitched erratically, its teeth grinding together as its fingers curled like writhing snakes. ¡°No. No. No.¡± Its voice was a guttural whisper that somehow carried across the distance between them. ¡°This can''t be. To not only see beyond the layer but to attack beyond the layer.¡± Crimson light enveloped the creature, burning even the air around it. ¡°No mere human, you are. No mere blessed either.¡± It released a heat wave so intense it reduced the entire building to ash in seconds. Then its lips curled into a knowing, sinister grin. ¡°How intriguing... So, you are the AntiGod.¡± A blast of concentrated crimson light gathered between its jaws before firing toward Akuma with unstoppable force. ¡°The second shape is the ringed planet¡­¡± Akuma muttered, his concentration palpable. ¡°It distorts the space around me, allowing me to...¡± With his right foot, he traced the shape of a ringed planet, his movements fluid despite his injuries. ¡°Aegis Kata. Sixth Planet...¡± In one fluid motion, he twirled, the blast of light curving with him as if bound by the ring he created. "...SATURN." The redirected blast scorched the air as it slung back to its origin, exploding on impact. The monster barely managed to shield its head as the energy seared its form. ¡°What is this power...?¡± The creature''s voice trembled with something between rage and awe. ¡°How is he affecting reality so?!¡± A smirk played across Akuma''s lips, this one laced with cockiness. ¡°Aegis Kata. It''s a martial art that combines feints, shapes, and the soul...¡± He shifted his stance, ready for any attack to come his way. ¡°First, center yourself, becoming one with the souls around you. Second, draw one of the four basic shapes onto the world. And lastly¡­¡± His eyes narrowed. ¡°You use that power to kick your opponent''s ass. Those are the three steps to Aegis Kata¡­ Well, according to my old man, anyway.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Truth be told, I don''t even know what half of those terms mean.¡± The creature paused for a moment, then erupted into hysterical laughter that echoed across the ruined landscape. ¡°The martial arts of the spirits¡­ So you know Kata, do you?¡± Its voice dropped to a dangerous purr. ¡°How absolutely intriguing. I''d intended to capture you, but I suppose... I''ll have to be a little rough.¡± In that instant, the atmosphere shifted. The cold exhale of death itself lingered around him, almost driving him mad. (What''s with this pressure? ...It''s like facing a completely different entity. Wait... This whole time... Was it... going easy on me?) Before he could complete the thought, a fist suddenly appeared inches from his face. Having trained for years, sometimes to the point of near death, his techniques were burned into his muscle memory. So much so that even without fully understanding the deeper principles of his martial art, his body could use it reflexively. Which is why his arms moved to draw a defensive diamond, a shape with the power to absorb incoming damage and release it back into the world¡­ Except his arms staggered, betrayed by the boiling wounds that still ravaged his flesh. It was just a fraction of a second, but in combat, it might as well have been an eternity. The fist connected with devastating force, launching him through the nearby building as if it were made of cheap glass. He crashed onto the street beyond, blood erupting from his throat in a desperate bid for escape. The impact reverberated through every bone in his body. As he lay there, his vision blurring, one chilling thought crystallized in his mind. (This was only the beginning.) Chapter 10 : What It Means to Be a Hero, Part IV A catastrophic knee drop descended from the heavens, slamming into his gut and shattering his ribs with a brutal, primal force. The impact carved a deep crater into the ground beneath him, dwarfing him within the cold, unyielding grip of concrete. The demon gazed down with a malevolent expression, its fists winding back for a devastating barrage. But Akuma''s mind hadn''t processed a lick of it. The strength that once surged through him ebbed away, and he sensed the fragile thread of his life snapping before him. He couldn''t even muster the energy to breathe. Yet, amidst utter despair, a determined angel flapped his wings, intent on preventing his demise. He looked to be ten or so, wearing a tattered prisoner¡¯s uniform with a single shackle around his left wrist. He was a boy Akuma thought to be a mere apparition. But soon, he would learn he was much more than that. ¡°This is bad¡­¡± The child angel muttered, observing the fight from a distance. ¡°Akuma wasn¡¯t supposed to struggle like this. But at this rate, he¡¯ll die. Again... That could only mean one thing¡­¡± His gaze sharpened from the realization, ¡°Someone is trying to defy fate.¡± With a dramatic flourish, he raised his left wrist to eye level, the three chains attached to it swaying like loose threads. ¡°I guess I have no choice then...¡± Taking a deep breath, he flicked the lowest chain hanging from the shackle. ¡°First Seal. Break!¡± At that moment, it was as if the entire earth rumbled beneath them. The air itself shuddered as raw power erupted from Akuma, sending the demon hurtling backward with its limbs flailing like a shattered puppet. White-hot energy crackled around Akuma, the glow swallowing his body whole. He began to slowly hover, regaining his footing. Stepping forward, two magnificent arms of light unfurled from his back, and a shackle-like halo burned above his head. His crimson eyes snapped to the demon, burning with the ferocity of molten stars. But as strange as that was, he was currently dazed by a surge of information flooding through his mind. ¡°The underworld¡­ Ah, so you¡¯re a demon¡­ Can¡¯t believe those actually exist. Then again, I¡¯ve met two angels already, so I suppose it isn¡¯t that crazy. I¡¯m more surprised by the fact that I suddenly know all this.¡± The demon crept back in terror, its instincts howling one primal code resting within all living creatures. ¡°Run.¡± In its dismay, the demon fired off another blast of light, only for it to be effortlessly swatted away, and with his damaged arm no less. Panicking, it rushed at Akuma, its arms igniting with crimson light. Watching the steam intense heat hissing from the demon¡¯s arms, Akuma stepped to the side, dodging the creature with little difficulties. Expecting this, the demon fired a right hook only for it to phase through Akuma. In truth, he¡¯d only feinted stepping to the right when actually stepping to the left. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. He started off by smashing its right liver with his left fist, causing the monster to bend on his right side while letting out a painfully sounding growl. ¡°Mercury.¡± In that brief moment, Akuma drew the shape of circle, drilling his foot into the demon¡¯s knee, causing it to drop down, finally leveling their heads. ¡°Second Planet. Venus Series: Chained Combo¡± He followed with a barrage of punches aimed at every inch of the demon¡¯s face. Then an overhand to its chin, and even a right hook to his temple. Grabbing its head, he kneed him with his right knee, transitioning into clenching his hands together and hammering it down straight into the demon¡¯s head. Then he once again took a deep breath, gathering his strength into the tips of his fingers as he drew a circle then sketched a large star inside it before tracing it over once more. ¡°Fifth Planet. Jupiter Series: Two Folds¡± It was as if thunder had struck. His fist ripped through the air, smashing into the demon¡¯s head and reducing it to a gruesome spray of flesh and bones that scattered in all directions. The creature''s body collapsed backward, blood pooling from its now severed neck. Akuma, however, found himself sinking to one knee, his breaths coming in rapid gasps and steam rising from his fist, having punched so fast. ¡°The fourth shape. The star. It temporarily doubles the user¡¯s physical capabilities and can be stacked to enhance it even further. Blood spurred from his throat, his vision beginning to blur. ¡°But the physical strain is just too much for my body to handle¡­ But I should be good. Demon or not, the head''s always the weakness.¡± It was then that he noticed the enormous shadow looming above him. He looked up in horror and witnessed a truly cataclysmic sight. Something truly world-ending. The sheer size, the heat that seemed to melt the entire city away and the raw power it exuded. It was like witnessing a meteorite cast judgment. And the source of such might? A single desperate Dullahan. No, wait... The creature¡¯s head, which should¡¯ve been nothing but dust, had somehow regenerated. Akuma¡¯s jaw dropped from the sight, his white hair slowly fading back to black along with the shattering of his wings and halo. (I¡¯m going to die¡­ Again.) In the distance, a bead of sweat trailed down the angelic child¡¯s face, his hair dancing about from the incoming shockwaves. ¡°A last-ditch effort, huh¡­¡± He muttered to himself as he guarded from the powerful winds. ¡°This is bad. I can¡¯t break another seal right now¡­ I guess I¡¯ll just have to improvise.¡± He dug into his chest, grabbing a glowing white book from the inside of his body. In bold, bright letters the cover read, ¡°Uncertain¡±. At the bottom of the cover in smaller text was, ¡°By: The AntiGod¡±. Then he tossed it right at Akuma and the book stopped just as it was in front of him. Akuma gazed at the unusual sight, the warm glow reflecting in his eyes. To him, it looked as if a firefly had taken the form of a thick book. For a moment, it felt as if the book was calling out to his soul, gently whispering his name. ¡°AKUMA!!!!!¡± His body tensed up at the sudden roar, his extended arm recoiling from the fright. And as he turned to the source, he instantly pieced it all together. The reason he¡¯d receive a sudden burst of power. The one who threw this book as his way of helping. It was all him. Is it really possible? Could that pesky apparition really have been looking out for him this much? No. It could no longer be called something like that. Surely by now he¡¯s earned it. A much more comforting name. A friend. ¡°TAKE IT AND USE THE POWER OF YOUR DESTINY!!!¡± Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Akuma grabbed a hold of that book, his wings and halo reappearing as well as his snow-white hair. With two flaps of his wings, he darted through the air and swam through the crimson light. The heat licked against his skin, scorching down to his bones. At least¡­ that¡¯s what should¡¯ve happened. His flesh was steaming, and his bones were boiling from underneath. But strangely, there were no burns. Nor was there any pain to speak of. In an instant, he flew right through the demon, ripping out his entire torso in the process. ¡°This¡­ can¡¯t be...¡± It said in its final hours. ¡°You should¡¯ve been reduced to ash.¡± Akuma turned back as the demon¡¯s body crumbled into dust. "Tell me..." He smirked. ¡°Are you certain about that?¡± Chapter 11 : What It Means to Be a Hero, Part V Dust hung thick in the air, swirling in lazy currents above the wreckage. Beams of feint light pierced through the ruined buildings, their glow barely cutting through the murky haze. Alice''s arms trembled, her breath quickened, and her ankle was a mass of pain. But they had done it. The last survivor had been pulled free. Their once terrified cries became relieved sobs as they melted into the crowd. She turned to Paul. Tears streamed down his soot-stained face as he gave her a victorious nod. Then, a weak, exhausted smile broke across her lips. Behind them, the civilians they had saved gathered. Some clung to each other, weeping. Others laughed, their joy hesitant but genuine. And for a moment, Alice finally exhaled. (We did it, Akuma. We saved everyone¡­ So hurry up and kick that thing''s ass already.) It was then that she heard it. A low rumble, like bones splintering beneath the weight of a grinder. Her gaze snapped upward. A massive slab of stone looming above her, dislodged from a ruined building. There was no time to react. Her breath hitched and her body froze¡­ The world turned black. The impact completely crushed her. Her bones, flesh, everything pancaked in an instant. The others turned at the sound, their celebration cut short by the deafening impact. Confusion spread through the group, everyone checking if each other was alright. Only Paul understood what had happened. He had been standing right beside her. He had seen it. Her death. At least, that''s what he''ll live the rest of his life thinking. In reality, Alice gasped, finding herself somewhere else entirely. Specifically, the opposite side of the street. She was cradled in someone''s arms. A girl to be exact. She was young -perhaps in her early twenties- with a firm, athletic build. And she was beautiful, so much so that even Alice took note of it. Her striking blue hair that shimmered like the sky above, and piercing eyes that mirrored its gradient. And for some strange reason¡­ she was wearing a maid''s uniform. ¡°Are you okay?¡± the girl asked, her voice calm and steady. Alice, still reeling from the shock of nearly dying, barely managed a response. Her voice came out as a raspy whisper. ¡°I-I think so¡­¡± ¡°That''s good. Grandpa would''ve scolded me if I let you die.¡± Then, with the same casual air, the girl nonchalantly dropped Alice onto the pavement. Alice yelped as pain shot through her, annoyance flaring in her chest. ¡°Hey, is it cool if I drop you now? You''re kind of heavy.¡± A vein twitched on her brow, her momentary gratitude burnt to cinders. ¡°You already dropped me!¡± You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. She tried to push herself up, but pain flared in her ankle, a reminder of her earlier injury. Noticing her struggle, the strange girl leaned closer, tilting her head slightly. ¡°Are you hurt?¡± Alice hesitated. That concern in her eyes¡­ she hadn''t expected it. She had already written this girl off as cold and heartless. ¡°Oh, uh¡­ yeah¡­¡± Alice admitted, rubbing her ankle. ¡°¡­It''s completely shot. Can''t move it at all.¡± Without hesitation, the strange girl reached for a small, metallic cube attached to her waist. In an instant, the cube unfolded, morphing into a sleek, light-blue pistol with glowing white streaks along its edges. A book appeared in her other hand, radiating faint stars. Its title was written in bold, gleaming letters, reading Vitality. Below it, in smaller print: By: Rin. Alice''s eyes widened at the gun barrel pointed at her, instinctively shrinking back. ¡°Ah¡­ W-What are you doing?¡± ¡°Hey, I''m gonna shoot you now. That cool?¡± Alice threw her hands up defensively, panic flashing across her face. ¡°No, it''s not cool¨C!¡± Pow! A shockwave rippled through the air, making Alice''s hair flutter. But there was no bullet. Instead, a burst of blue light exploded from the barrel, dispersing into shimmering star-like particles. The light wrapped around her, forming a translucent cocoon. Soon, the pain in her ankle vanished and the exhaustion in her limbs faded. The aches, the bruises, every single wound¡­ gone in seconds. Alice''s breath caught. She patted herself down in disbelief, flexing her once-injured ankle. She¡¯d expected her death. Instead, she felt¡­ oddly refreshed. ¡°What¡­ just happened?¡± Her voice wavered between awe and confusion. ¡°...I healed you.¡± Alice probed her miraculously healed ankle. ¡°What do you mean you healed me?" The strange girl sighed, a sense of impatience flickering across her expression. ¡°It''s exactly what it sounds like.¡± Then she straightened, her eyes narrowing. ¡°Look, I''ll explain later. Right now, we need to find and recover the AntiGod.¡± Alice stiffened, the word striking a memory like an old circuit board. ¡°The¡­ AntiGod¡­?¡± The memory that flashed into her mind was the demon. Specifically, the moment it called her that. Rin turned away, walking with purpose causing Alice to scramble to her feet, rushing after her. ¡°Wait a sec!¡± she demanded, grabbing Rin''s sleeve. ¡°What even is that? The AntiGod, I mean. And why are you guys looking for it so badly?¡± Rin didn''t answer, causing an uncomfortable silence to stretch between them. Then¡­ The pressure in the air shifted. Suddenly, Alice felt heavy, as though unseen chains had wrapped around her body. ¡°I''d ask that you not lump me in with that demon.¡± Rin finally said, her voice low yet sharp. Alice gulped down, a chill rushing down her spine. She released Rin''s sleeve, taking a half-step back. ¡°S-Sorry¡­ I didn''t mean to upset you.¡± ¡°It''s fine...¡± She replied, slightly easing the tension. ¡°I can tell you''re a good person¡­ What''s your name?¡± Alice''s eyebrows rose at the sudden question, surprised by the shift in her tone. ¡°Oh, um¡­ Alice. Alice Inari. What about you?¡± ¡°Rin Ark.¡± Another silence. This time an awkward one. Alice took it upon herself to try and melt the ice. ¡°¡­I just realized, I never actually thanked you for saving me, did I.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Well, thanks a bunch, Rin!¡± Alice said, offering a tentative smile. "¡­¡­¡­" Alice cleared her throat, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt, hoping that would somehow reset their conversation. ¡°So, uh, that healing gun¡­ What exactly is it? Sorry, I''m new to all this magic stuff.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°¡­It''s a divine artifact.¡± Alice nearly tripped, a smile of recognition forming across her lips. ¡°Oh, yeah? ¡­I''ve, uh, heard about those¡­ Things that do those things¡­ right?¡± Her voice rose in pitch, the obvious lie hanging in the air. For the first time, Rin chuckled. It was a quiet, almost amused sound. Alice hadn''t expected that, her shoulders relaxing slightly at the sound. ¡°Divine Artifacts¡­¡± Rin explained, her tone softening, ¡°¡­are weapons created to kill gods. They''re one of the only ways humans can fight back.¡± Alice felt a chill creep down her spine, goosebumps rising on her arms. (Fight back¡­?) Before she could ask more, Rin suddenly stopped, her posture alert. ¡°The AntiGod should be around that corner.¡± Alice''s breath caught as she turned the corner, her heart nearly sinking out of her chest. Her voice emerged as a strangled cry. ¡°Akuma!¡± She darted forward, dropping to her knees beside him. His body was covered in angry burns and rashes. Steam hissed from his pores. His eyes, once bright and burning with life, were dim and hollow. Then again, it wasn''t much different from how they usually looked. Alice''s lips parted, her hands trembling as they hovered uselessly over him. Raw panic clawed at her throat. ¡°No need to freak out¡­¡± Rin interjected. Alice barely registered her words, but she did see Rin take out the glowing cube once more. ¡°¡­He''ll be as good as new in no time.¡±