My name is Azazel Karlo. I work as an Ace Detective for the Paris Police Department. Two weeks ago, I was assigned to aid a certain superhuman male in clearing his name from a supposed murder he committed. Turns out, I was the culprit of the said massacre. I doubled as a supernatural assassin by the name of the Crow and slaughtered a family. What was the point of doing such a thing? The easy answer is I was manipulated by a certain Being... It was known as Doctor Abaddon Kuno. However, in actuality, It was one of the Author's Children - Yaldaboath: The Demiurge. August Rivera- my... friend destroyed him forever.
He was gone. August died. And unfortunately, I was the cause. I'm the one who did it all, remember? 'The Crow' who framed August Rivera, now hailed as a hero, along with the reveal of superhumans thanks to Ben Rivera. The World had changed, but to me... it seemed so twisted, so wrong. As I tilted my head to stare at my reflection in the reflective surface of the window, my eyes acted on their own and squinted at my features. There was no rain, no somber sort of atmosphere that surrounded the planet after his demise- instead, it was sunny. I couldn't escape the radiation created by that star, no matter how hard I tried. I felt like a walking tourist trap every time I exited to get some food or just to get to work. People always ask, 'What was he like?' and- guess what? I don't have a FUCKING answer. It feels suffocating to think about.
I could've saved you. If I'd rebelled sooner, maybe I could've something better, maybe then, I wouldn't have to hear your mother's cries for her son at night just beside my apartment. Or your twin sister sneaking out to visit your tombstone, the pitter-patter of her footsteps- sometimes I follow her to the grave. She tells you about her day every time, hoping for a response from you beyond the grave, and it always stops with the sobs of a broken girl, who'd lost a fragment of herself endlessly. After moving in with them, I thought I could be able to help them, but now... it feels so painful. Knowing I could've spared their pain. I barely even see the CEO or Emma. Maybe that's for the best.
Your cousin, of all people, had decided to come and help me with everything. She came with a glass of tea for me, she reminded me of a widow having lost her husband. Lids stained with the red of tears, she sniffled and sat with me. I'd taken your room, I didn't... I didn't ask for it, they thought I 'deserved it', whatever that sentimental bullshit means. Heh, I digress. The odd thing is, she asked me, 'What was he like?' but, this time... I didn't feel anger. Or hatred, like I wanted to slam one of those useless reporters or fangirls into a wall. You were her family, and that question, I could tell; maybe you two didn't talk as much.
I told her everything I knew, that I felt was right to inform her about, of course. About Celine, about your dream... another week passes, and I travel to New York. To check on the Amaras' kid, and when I visit Columbus Circle- there he was. In all of his glory, made in a beautiful brown bronze shining in the sun's rays. This time, though, this pose wasn't heroic or anything like that. It was him, sitting with his legs dangling down off of the post he was made on, with his head turned to the right. Then I realized, The World was in your hands all along.
I hope that... wherever you are, August, that you're doing okay. I couldn't bear the thought, that, after everything, we all went through- it was just for nothing. I hope not. A sign would be good, something. Anything! But- I wish I hadn't wished for that, a stream of sparkles spreading from the clouds had shined over me as I stood from my kneeling position. Relinquishing my grip on his tomb, I snapped off my gloves and felt the warmth of a spirit against my hands. Then, I turned. And see you. My hearing wasn't the best at that moment, but all I could make out from the way you moved your lips were the words, 'Memory...'
I hope you found peace. Thank you, for everything. So... goodbye, Augustus Benjamin Rivera.
Attempting to gain some sort of sleep after the Hell he'd gone through, the Emperor awakened in the Void his consciousness took form in forever. Quirking a brow, his instinct was to ready his battle form, snowy ivory glow radiating out from his soul, the darkened location had changed its form. Tilting his head, he watched as the light above his head had been cast out, the smooth walls vanishing to reappear as a grassy terrain. Though it was all artificial, all made by just his mind, Ben could feel the whisp of the wind brushing against his cheek. Pushing his hair back, he stepped forward to see a tree on the top of a specific hill, shedding emerald leaves. Figure shadowed by the cover made by the abundance of petals originating from the 'Earth,' Rivera couldn't begin to make out who he was... it didn't help that he was also turned around. Tripping on a stray branch that'd oddly been placed there by his sleepy subconscious, the Emperor let out a softened yelp, attempting to save himself from falling. His gloved finger wrapped around his wrist, and as he rose to stare into the 'Stranger's' crimson orbs of sight, pupils representing a Satanic pentagram, the Stranger let out a warning,
"Watch your step..."
The voice was all too familiar; having haunted his dreams for decades, dedicating years of his life to protect his family in the case this threat would ever return. And there he was, the Superior, back, in all of his 'glorious', despicable flesh, smirking like a predator having caught its prey. Just staring at him brought back the memories of the Superior's Empress murdering his beloved mother in front of his very eyes- and being unable to stop it. However, that was in the past, the Protectors eradicated the Kingdom. Sending himself back, he glid back like a squirrel gliding against the air, levitating amongst it before landing properly. About to step forward, a single pointer finger aimed directly at his chest sent the Superior to a grinding halt,
"You're supposed to be trapped. I crippled you like a fucking..-"
"Oh, yes, I remember. All too well, actually. I still think about it to this day. But, the time has come,"
"For...?"
A humored chuckle mocking his alternate self was stifled by his knuckles meeting his teeth, the Superior pacing around him as he tied his arms behind his back. Tormented by the demons caused by this... otherworldly 'creature', Rivera's hand shivered as he gazed at everything he hated in a physical form. Halting his circular movement around the Emperor, the Prince spun his body to the side so their eyes could meet,
"I can't say. Though, I do have a favor to ask of you.. something rather- important, I must say,"
Pausing before continuing his statement, Ben raised a brow at the offer as the Superior inched closer, on the break of disintegration should he get closer as Rivera's radiation brightened. Raising his fist, he yanked off the glove enclosed around his palm and revealed it to be the same as his. Flowers began to bloom beneath their feet, with more trees emerging from the roots of this 'World,' mountains rising to create a more life-like nature environment. These events all occurred as the Superior began to speak,
"His plan- The Lord's plan: is Happiness at its finest. He seeks to eradicate all those that threaten His perfect world tainted by malicious hatred, corruption, and murders... isn't that what you want, Ben? To bring an end to everything horrible that'll happen to your family, to the World?"
Stepping closer, the discussion of this topic had lowered the younger Requiem's guard, his head hanging as he thought back to his mother, Ryder... and now, his son. Extending out his palm, Ben's eyes met the flesh of those extremities about to touch his forehead, before meeting the crossed eyes of his demonic counterpart,
"If you just follow me- we can save everyone; together,"
For a split second, he thought to his Grandfather, Uraku's Father, and His true goals. But those thoughts couldn't even be realized fully without the realization that the Aether was His child, and the Superior was the brother of his mother's killer. What good would he do for his son if he gave himself up to His murderers? With the Emperor's somber shaking of his cranium, the Demon Prince had his answer, and instead, just stared at the synthetic moon made of his other self's brain,
"You think me evil, but there is no such thing. We all much choices for the sake of justice... it's just a matter of how far we're willing to go for that justice. If this choice is the one you're seriously making, I must warn you- there are dire consequences for your actions. I don't... want to disappear,"
Ben had slowly brought his arm back so he could stare at his other self, eyes glistening in the snowy illumination of the moon's shadowing rays... and the growing of this grassy terrain had stopped. With his eyes still directed to the blades below their feet moving with the false sense of wind, the Superior admitted,
"Nor do I want for you to fade away either,"
As if holding a mug, his fingers readied to grip a weapon, his ax manifesting in his fleshy fingers as they wielded it. Readying his position, the Emperor's white aura spread wider across the range of his anatomy as the illumination continued to extend brighter. Orbs overtook by that shade of snowy white, the Superior's wings popped out with a disturbing cracking noise that usually belonged to bones snapping out of place. Pale skin tone replaced with a hellish ruby, the Superior readied to duel with the Emperor as the latter of the enemies ran forward, launching upward so he could direct a full-force punch in between the eyes of the False Prince.
Apathetically unwavering from that place, Ben warped to his right, about to kick him in the side of the head. Watching him evaporate into vampire bats, the rear of Rivera's skull was met by a wooden handle belonging to the ax known as the 'Asmodeus.' Levitating upward and spinning so he could try and kick the other in the chest, he was once more gone. Widening his eyes, the Emperor, once more, punched the straight handle, a shockwave pushing out as the night sky was destroyed by a singular hit. Chopping the weapon horizontally so the grip would shatter to pieces, the Superior flipped in mid-air, the tip of his sole concealed by his boot backward connecting to the Emperor's chin. Snarling in an annoyed manner, the CEO rose his palm to the sky as his extremities grabbed at a special star. As it descended upon this plane of existence, Ben Rivera followed an afterimage created as he evaporated into a simple stream of light. Staying on the platform made by his enemy's mind, the lengthened Ketsueki katana replaced the Asmodeus ax. Bending over, he began to yank the sword out of its cover by the darkened grip, lids hiding his red eyes- that same coloration glow surrounding his figure. The star penetrated the floor in front of the Superior, and the Demon Prince wasted no time dashing forward, channeling his deceased brother's energy. Eyes still closed, he'd seemingly ported through the star, spinning the blade in its sheath, the clink had presented the slicing of a literal star. Fading away to nothing, Ben's mouth had gaped, watching his immortal rival revert the sword to his regular ax,
"Not yet,"
CRACK! Pointers digging into his esophagus, the Superior had manifested, arising from the shadow cast by his other-self. Aura fading with the star, the Demon Prince of the Kingdom finished his sentence as the Emperor shakily began to breathe,
"You need not worry about the present- you only need to worry about the future. Five seconds until it begins. However... we can make it in time if you choose right. Decide your fate, Rivera, or He will make it for you. The rest is up to you,"
Shooting up, now awake, the Emperor felt the sweat running down every angle and corner of his body. Eyes daggering into the body of his wife, the date was 2038. A year had passed since the demise of his son. And luckily enough, it was January 1st. 'Five seconds'. That was all he needed, he would make it right by his son, no matter what he needed to do-
And with that, a new chapter had begun.
The date was 2052, sometime in May, I think. I don't remember, but I didn't want to look at my phone to check. It's been 15 years ever since the reveal of superhumans and how they dwelled on our planet for decades now, some all-natural, some manufactured by Abaddon Kuno, the malicious doctor working for the corrupt Government. My parents were among those latter few, abilities laid dormant until they were passed to me. I was trained to always use them for good, they'd seen what hatred did to those who would use their powers for disgusting purposes. That was- before they died on January 14th, 2037, by IT. With the collapse of the Empire State Building in New York City, my parents were killed, and something else- something BETTER had to replace such a national monument.
My name is Alexander Amara, and this is the story of how I became whole again.
In the hills of Upstate New York, police cars were parked in the circular lot in front of this specific mansion, the fountain shooting out the transparent drinkable liquid from the tip. Usual wailing of sirens ceasing while officers spoke outside, awaiting the arrival of their most valuable asset. The engine's roar terminated as the vehicle halted its continuous movement, slamming the door that'd been closed around his figure, and revealing himself. Adjusting his tie, snapping the edge of his gloves around his wrist, Azazel Karlo, now emerged as an evolved Fool- had reached his destination. Now 33 years of age, the Detective had worn a white suit jacket with the same vest that held a similar coloration. The tie, seemingly dark in the sunlight, holding a shade of black- was, in actuality, a dull palette of azure. As the rest of the law enforcers attempted to explain the situation to him, they were pushed out of the way, and Karlo entered as the doors magically swayed open. It didn't take long for him to navigate his way to the study, feeling the pull of another soul intertwined with manipulated cells, the red-headed girl, no older than maybe 15, sitting in front of the fireplace. Flames dancing side to side, forming together so they could grow larger, their noise entering her ears. He stood above her, gawking at the heat as it began to overtake the cold, and he stepped forward, abruptly stopping to hear what she had to say,
"Tell me, Detective... are you here to tell me I'm crazy like everyone else? That I belong in some sort of fucking insane aslyum?"
~It seems Kuno's traces still exist to this day...~ He thought, unveiling his skin as he ripped off his glove, and stepped closer. However, he was pushed back by an unseeable force, causing him to quirk a brow, following that, to extend out his limb. A barrier composed of sounds had been put up instinctively by this girl, akin to an invisible shield, yet different. Widening his eyes, the Fool's pupils darted down to his stretched out extremities as they glowed with his azure aura, and then he stepped through the forcefield. Screeching and screaming echoing as he crossed through, the girl scooting to the left, in fear of the man as he crouched down beside her,
"On the contrary, Ms. Thomas. I also belong in an insane asylum... my name is Detective Azazel Karlo. I work for the New York Police Department's Superhuman Investigation Division, nice to meet you,"
As he pushed out his hand so she could shake it, the ginger teen could notice the glow that surrounded him and the discoloration of his heterochromatic orbs of sight. Looking at knees, her body, everything- it had been engulfed by that same luminosity, differing from the usual brown with red, just like her optics. She shook his hand, holding tightly, and sliding closer to him, as he properly sat down on his rear and admired the flames,
"Rosalyn Thomas. Just call me... Rose,"
"Well, Rose, to be honest with you. I suck at training people, it's just not my thing, it's why I don't have a useless partner with me right now. They'd just get in the way of my work and I'd probably kill them before the day even ended,"
Those words sent her to hang her head in shame once more, if she couldn't be taught to control her powers, what more harm could she cause? That was until a sealed letter had slid into her vision from under her knees with a special logo, glasses with a dagger sticking down in them. She immediately recognized it, without a shadow of a doubt, this was the logo for that company she'd always seen with their new phones and technology- Rivera Manufacturing. ~What the hell do I need this for? Some stupid internship? As if I'm going to be doing work there...~ That was the first thing she thought, but as she ripped it open, there was a clear invitation for her specifically. Addressed to her from the now-female CEO of that company, Madisyn Rivera, which read as follows,
"Rosalyn Thomas, it has come to my attention that you have developed abilities far beyond the ordinary. Those of sonic manipulation, and to discharge sound blasts from your hands. All these are characteristics of a superhuman, an advanced sub-species of human whose genetics are evolved. I, too, Madisyn Rivera, have these evolved genetics. As does my brother, the CFO, Jason. I invite you to hone these powers and gifts you've been given at the newly-opened Academy in Manhattan. The August Rivera Academy for the Specially Abled. Should you choose to head there, your school year will be different, you'll have summer vacation next month, but still, be a second-year once you head back in September. You will fully graduate in March of next year, due to arriving later than most of the kids in that school already. You'll have your dorm inside of the school, supplies needed will be paid for, and your powers will be honed so you can never hurt anyone ever again. The Headmaster waits in your future, Rose.
Sincerely, Madisyn Rivera,"
Needless to say, there was no argument to be made, this decision was for the greater good- and she needed to grow some way or another. Her parents had been hospitalized by her ever-growing strength, so the Detective had volunteered to stay with the girl for the night. Her arrival at the Academy was scheduled for May 5th, 2052, and the signature had been signed by both of her parents... though, they still weren't ready to come back yet.
In the game room of this vast mansion, the sun had already had set and the ball had bounced off of the paddle. Grunting as it dashed forward to in between his eyes, Azazel had slid from the right to hit it back at her, and it dashed past her face causing her to groan in annoyance. Cackling with happiness, she bent over to pick up the ball while Karlo thought for a moment, catching a glimpse at the wallpaper of her phone as a notification appeared. Ready to throw the ball, she tilted her head and quirked a brow,
"Something wrong, Az... Detective Karlo?"
"Yeah, uh, you have a boyfriend or something? He seems awfully-"
He felt like he'd seen the face beside her on the wallpaper, there was a boy, maybe the same age, probably a wee bit elder than her. Walking over to the device, she looked and chuckled as the memory replayed in her head,
"No, that's my best friend. His name is Alex. Alexander Amara,"
Now he knew why he felt like he'd recognized the boy, he was the son of the Amara Couple that died in the Collapse, they, too, were experimented on. He remembered seeing their faces as they screamed in terror, shaking his head to transport him back to the present, Karlo saw Rose, closer than ever as she stared concerned at him. Not focusing on her face, he turned back to ponder for a moment and realize- Alex, too, was superhuman. And just like her, they were purebred, meaning their souls that were drawn to one another activated their awakenings. The Detective handed her another letter, to which she widened her eyes, and giggled as the blush crept onto her cheeks. Her best friend was just like her- she wouldn't be seen as a freak in his eyes,
"Get his guardian to sign this at school tomorrow,"
Guardian, the mention of it caused her to think back to her parents, how they were hospitalized because of her. And the image of a hanging woman with her neck snapped and her dead eyes staring at her daughter appeared in her mind, causing her to step back with a scared expression. Hyperventilating rapidly, Azazel stepped back and readied for something horrific as the ping-pong table flipped over, the girl holding her head in anguish as the guilt rushed to her head. Whispers of a man she never knew entered her brain, blaming her for things out of her control, tears falling as Karlo dropped the table carefully. Blocking his face with his palm, the Fool Detective took one step forward, using a chain unraveling from his wrist to bring her closer. Tangling around her wrist, she attempted to shatter it, but his power was stronger, and as she was yanked forward, she was held in his arms.
Azzy had no idea what had caused this outburst, but as she laid unconscious in his arms, he felt that she needed help. Something was tormenting her, something beyond her simple powers- may be some sense of survivor's guilt. He couldn't tell, but she needed to sleep, and as she laid resting in her softened Queen-sized bed, the crimson LED lights shining on her face. Shedding himself of his jacket that concealed the undershirt of his outfit, seated in the vehicle parked outside, phone to his ear, speaking to a deep male voice,
"Yes. I understand, Headmaster. Alexander Amara and Rosalyn Thomas should be heading to the Academy on the 5th, then, we can resume our search for the Key. If only August made it easy for us. Nevertheless, I've already bought the ticket for Italy in July. We can discuss the rest in detail when we meet on the 5th. Goodbye, Mr. Rivera,"
BEEP. The call had ended, with Azazel's head against the steering wheel staring at the grass plane this structure was built upon, he thought back to how this happened. Having to travel to Italy, to search for a fragment of a Key, remembering his wife- how he wanted to stay with her for these remaining months. His happiness could wait, no matter how much he wanted to stay with her, he couldn't, he owed this search to his rival who died. They needed to truly destroy it, so no one could ever get their hands on it again, though the oddest thing had still picked at Azazel's mind. How the Emperor could ever know that the Key had fragmented, he was never told, but that was something he didn't need to think about. Sitting back, his skull rested against the leather of the driver seat, crossing his arms and muttering to himself out loud,
"I miss that idiot.."
And it was true, the only person that could aid him perfectly in this search had faded away, everyone else was too immature or emotionally invested. Azazel sighed, rubbing his eyes with his index extremity and thumb, consciousness fading to a sleepy realm, the Emperor stood from his knelt spot. His dead son's tombstone surrounded by roses and pictures from the family, Ben Rivera walking away as he pushed his phone into his pocket. Brown curls flowing in the wind, the Superior gazed at him from Hell cackling maniacally while no one could hear, determined to end this nightmare once and for all, the Emperor disappeared.
And the day went on, as the 5th neared closer, Alexander sat in the front of a classroom on May 3rd. Mind-wandering as the instructor went on and on about some random topic, forgetting the main subject this class was supposed to be about because he'd been too busy looking out the window to the left of the classroom. Until the back of his head was met by a paper ball crumbled together with writings and markings on it, causing him to snap back to reality. He knew this routine, it was a tradition at this point, so he yanked it from the floor while the teacher had his back turned and started to read as he unfolded the paper.
'Meet me in hallway' with a signature rose on the top right of the paper, as she'd already vanished, causing him to sigh as he turned back from checking where his best friend was. Pocketing the paper ball, he rose his hand to the air and opened the wooden door as he scratched the back of his neck with his nails. Dancing in the middle of the hall, as she twirled past him to the right, Alex rose his brows and widened his pupils. Passing students gave her disgusted looks while teachers just laughed, assuming they were going to the bathroom and went on their destined paths. Taking a lap together, Rose and Al walked side by side as his hands stood shoved into his dark hoodie's pouches, her hands behind her back with her fingers pushed together,
"So a literal middle-aged Detective came to your house and tucked you into bed...? And you're... as crazy as ever? You sure you didn't get molested or something?"
"Ayeee! Jeez, you don't have to be so blunt about it! {Al: Why not?} Yeah, yeah, but, yeah, I got something from him. Came to help me with my stupid shit. I, uh, am superhuman. An evolved sub-species of humans with advanced genetic code. And this is how I can control my powers,"
Digging through her purse, she attempted to find the letters she'd been given by Karlo, handing the one she'd opened to her ally. He was already surprised by this out of the box reveal, needing a tiny pat on the cheek before his white eyes locked onto the paper he'd been given. She was going to be leaving- on the 5th, as tears swelled up from this information, she had a huge smile. Sniffling as he wiped the fluids from the corner of his optics,
"The hell are you smiling for, dumbass?"
"Now and then, it's just good to know that someone truly does care about me. But, Al, you're not getting rid of me yet. I wouldn't abandon my best friend,"
Reaching out to grab the letter so she could take it back, he handed it back and they switched. Ripping open the envelope, his orbs scrolled down the sentences, a tear squished out from his lids and drenched the document in liquid as they continuously fell. Though he hadn't realized it seconds before, he now realized, he wasn't alone- though people could judge all they wanted, none of that mattered. She was here, and that was all he needed. Hands-on her cheeks, all she did was beam as the sun shined on their future through the creaks of glass, and they embraced. May 3rd went on as normal. At the end of the school day, there was something specific that she thought was very special, Al ripped himself back as his arms unraveled around her, whispering to his best friend,
"I love you, Rosey,"
"You know I love your dumbass more, Alex..."
A peck on the cheek was all that was needed as he stepped back, her hand waving as he stepped up into his apartment. Key turning as the door unlocked and his uncle threw himself onto his nephew, laughing proudly for his relative. Alex thought back to his mother and father, though they were gone, beyond in another realm above the shining clouds, he knew they would be proud.
While Rosalyn Thomas and Alexander Amara readied for their trip to a new location on May 5th, across some highways in another borough, Brooklyn, a deaf girl held her knees as she sobbed in her legs. These sobs were not those of despair or sadness, as the letter to the Academy sat at her coffee table, she wiped her tears away. Lifting it from the table, she walked up the stairs and began to pack her bags. Her name written in ink was clear, The Hermit, Hazel Adams.
The coin spun around his knuckles, pink aura illuminating the room as his relatives stood outside the bedroom, orbs examining the document gifted to him by the Detective as he fleed from the house atop the Hill. Thoughts of fire booming out from their bodies entered his mind, and as he threw his gloves on, he picked up the letter. This was the only way he would be able to control it. For himself, and them, as well. Throwing clothes into a suitcase, the destiny for Edward Singh, the Star Bomber, was a bumpy road. However, he wasn't the only one with a bumpy hill downward he'd been diving into in the future.
Exiting the police station as he rubbed his wrists, tightening the strap over his shoulder after he pulled out the item he'd been searching for. Though he saw no point in moving forward at this point, maybe he could have a new future in this place he was invited into, new friends that could care about him as his sister did in the past. Coin flat in his fleshy palm, he gently pocketed it as he stared at the message directed to his person, Whitney Myers, The Hunger, moved forward with memories of his past pushing him to the future.
And finally, a beautiful brunette skinny-dipping in the Hudson swam upward, launching upward, now covered before any police could catch her. Picking up her belongings and necklace around her neck, the yellow-eyed teen did a double-take to examine the direction she was given to the 'pretty boy detective' she called him. Her initial reaction was wrong, some stupid school that would treat her as an outcast, that couldn't be further from the truth. This was her chance to escape the looming shadow of her family, Sunni Lynn, The Sun, needed to shine as bright as she could to leave the darkness and move on. So, she went home, phone snapping around her fingers before disappearing into her pocket as the letter's signatures were forged, paper folding.
Each one of these six readied for their fate on the 5th, no doubt it would be an interesting journey, especially with the return of a demonic presence such as the Superior. The Author watched with His Children from above Terra, three approximate locations were pinpointed by His eldest, Uraku.
Venezia, Africa, Egypt.
Sharpening her fangs with a lemur, Sirilla, the Daughter of the Demon King, quirked a brow as her true Father stood, and He nodded to His elder son,
"Perfect.."
To Be Continued in Chapter Two - First Day.