Winter. Where the chill reigned over the land, seeping into humanity's skin so they'd shiver and hide from the cold. Right now, in Cairo, he stood in front of a certain mansion that had appeared suddenly in 2038. One year after the Key to Hell had been fragmented off into a trio of pieces, sent off by the remnants of August's dwelling Requiem strength. The snow had abnormally torn through the clouds, citizens of Egypt had decided to hide as the trio stood together. Scarf in tendon with the wind's continuous right side flow, Azazel taking one step forward as the mask latched onto his skin via the clampers in the disguise.
A chain launched him off the road as he charged through the glass, shards airborne and cluttering against the platform. Disappearing into the darkness, he unsheathed his katana from the cover manifesting from extraterrestrial energy originating from another realm. Cutting through the shadows with the blade, he spun around the metal and penetrated the tip so it'd enter the disgusting flesh of a hidden creature. Shaking and vibrating as fluids poured out from the peak of their twisted skull, Azazel watched, disgusted in such monsters. The brain matter oozing as the demon contorted into its natural form, crazy sharp crimson wings and all. Sharp fangs shattering into pieces, the skull of this corrupted archangel was crushed beneath the sole of the half-demon.
They were slow and weak yet strong and angry, their claws were razor sharp, skin inverted so only the layer of their ruby flesh with gore dripping from their exposed limbs. Bones poking out of their limbs, the demon throwing a sideways slash at the Fool Detective's skull was dodged. And the arm was sliced off easily, the tip of the weapon destroying the heart entering the chest of this abnormal creature. Pushing it back with his boot so it'd fly through the wall, he pushed out his fist so a chain would push through the cranium of another incoming enemy. Brain immediately turned to mush, the creature turned limp, then thrown to the side as the chain penetrated the skin of the demon. Thrown into another creature that launched itself at the former Crow Assassin, an explosion of guts, blood and intestines from demonic blood colliding together emerged.
"There…"
He could feel the pull of the relic from another world, wrapping its extremities around his body yanking him forward. It was designing him a pathway, and as he entered the chamber filled with heat and frost. Crashing together, the mix of fire and ice started to burn his organs and freeze his exterior of skin. Levitating in a shield of sand, the Key detonated in an explosion of Takyr energy pushing him backwards. Abruptly, gravity inverted and he was changing through the ceiling, debris following his destination soaring through the clouds. Observing blindly to the horrors of the universe as they flashed before his eyes, the Detective rose his arms to block any sudden attacks. The sky was nothing but a memory as the stars became a home to him, burning his skin, Azazel screamed out in horror as he tore his hide from his body in terror.
"What lies beyond…"
He saw it all, the past, the present, the future. His Golden eyes piercing the soul of the half-demon, the Author reached out His fingers taking hold of a sun hovering amongst His palm. And as the star was crushed in His hand, extremities digging into the plasma, creating a supernova- Azazel felt the excruciating agony of his flesh burning away! The purple aura of the son of the Chaos was visible in the darkness, and as Azazel Karlo's consciousness returned to the earth- he stared at the Key. Fingers around the fragment, he dropped it for a moment and slid his leather gloves over his hand. Turning away, he exited the mansion as the walls crumbed away to debris covering the twisted angels' demonic bodies. Slowly but surely decaying, the civilians nearby watched as the structure collapsed to nothing, Azazel… was nowhere to be seen.
The Emperor heard the echoes of his son's rival informing him of what he saw from the Key, the fragment holding whispers as they entered his eardrums. Extending out his hand, a simple flick of his wrist had caused it to disappear, locking in a Konpeki-infused safe in his Penthouse halfway across the city. His daughter, Emma, leaned over, hearing the energy that the Key created, slamming the safe closed. The whirring of technologies and the light belonging to the screens her father used illuminating her face. As she turned, primed and return to her company's headquarters Upstate, a vision of her brother came to her. Widening her eyes, the whisper of a distant relative had caused her to slide to a screeching halt.
"Thank you. I can't find any other words to express it…."
Those were the words directed at her on that rooftop years ago, when they were just kids- holding an admirable yet childish dream. Emma turned to where the fragment was locked away for the time being, wielding a spirit of hope and justice. The Priestess's words were low as she spoke to a realm beyond the clouds,
"I promise you, brother- you'll always be more than just a memory, August,"
And with that, she fled from her childhood home, and returned to America through a newly awakened portal she'd created with her mind. The woman reappeared in a parking lot, the massive tower of the company her cousin and herself had created making a huge shadow over her features. Rubbing her eyes, the words of that tanned girl comforted her,
"You okay, Emmy?"
She wasn't alone, not anymore- nobody blames her for anything she believed she'd done wrong. She might not have heard his last words or heard the final beat of his heart give out in time, but none of it mattered. She knew he loved her, the same as her sister, her cousins, her uncle, her aunt, her mother… and her father. Emma would never be alone again. And she knew it.
"I'm fine, let's go,"
Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Alexander Amara, and his newly formed group; the Major Arcana, decided to head for Sunni Lynn's house in Forest Hill. The girl with brown hair pushed the door open with her enhanced strength so it'd fly out the back door, and tumble into the backyard. Whitney disappeared from the group to independently search the abode as everyone else got settled in the living room, Lynn scavenging around for remnants of a past she'd long hated. A picture of her father with his hand gripping her shoulder like a master holding his slave for an audience… it made her sick to her stomach. How she ever thought of loving such an abomination of father is despicable. Tilting the frame so the light could shine against his face and exclude her father from the photograph, it instead reflected her features into glass. And she saw herself, resembling her father more than her kind hearted mother. She smashed it to the ground so shards could spread from the impact, and stomped it beneath her sole. Snarling in anger, a stray hand belonging to the white-eyed Alex was enough to calm her, and she was directed into a seat to the right of the couch.
As soon as you entered the house, you'd be met with stairs leading upwards. A living room to the right where people could relax, a couch in front of a coffee table pushed forward for enough room so someone could sit against the bottom to the couch. A fireplace crackling with flames burning bright, and two chairs on the left and right of the sofa.
"So, now that I basically announced everything about myself when I asked you all to come here, how about you tell me something-? One of you at least,"
"Rose,"
The Justice stated proudly, slouching on the left arm of the cushioned seat, the red headed rich girl popping up as she bounced awake from a sleepy daze. Processing what her childhood friend just said, along with Lynn's request, she shrugged. It was only fair- ruby lips parting as she was about to spew out an abundance of words, The Star's hand slid into her own. Taking her fingers in his so she didn't feel alone or abandoned, and Alex, though assumed to feel jealous, just kept staring at Hazel on the ground to the far left of the couch. In front of the coffee table while Ed and Rose stood on the far right. Together. Whitney then reappeared just in time, Hazel noticing him heading her way, he pushed Ed further to the right so he could sit beside Haze. Noticing her frightened expression, Myers instead took the girl's head so it could rest on her shoulder. Though it was clear Al had an obvious crush on The Hermit, he didn't mind- as long as she was happy and comfortable with everyone here, that's all he wanted for Hazel Adams.
With everyone accounted for and Lynn's father surely not arriving for a few more hours, Rosalyn Thomas took it upon herself to share with her friends, new and old; the truth of her past.
"When I was two years old, I was born to my biological mother… I never knew her actual last name. No one ever told me, or they didn't want me to know. Most people don't remember many things when they were young or prepubescent, but Alex and I remember very special things about the past. My mother's suicide is one of them. Ever since I had that memory, I felt so… guilty. Not because I could've saved her, of course; I was just a young stupid kid. I didn't know what was happening. It's because of her last words, as she was beginning to lose her last bit of air, she told me, 'Find out the truth about him.' Even when I was adopted by the Thomases, when I grew older and continued to search for it… I couldn't find anything. I couldn't find any 'him,' I never knew my father… and she died never knowing the truth about him,"
Alex's exterior reflected in the case of his cellular device, gazing at his reverse mirroring, wiping a tear threatening to fall from the corner of his eyelid. Gawking at his thumb, he rose his skull so he could check everyone's expressions, and sure enough… they were all tending to her. All except Whitney, with his arms crossed, the purple-eyed 18-year-old stared. Entranced at the chaos the fire dancing in front of his eyes represented, a hand reached out to touch it. But as the boy turned his head, the sky had changed above him and it had already been night.
Surely enough, hours had passed since Rosey's confession, the girl hidden beside the Sun underneath Lynn's window which laid in her old room. Examining the floor, clothes laid about, the ginger reaching out to grab a bra before her hand was smacked and she winced in pain.
"Ow!"
She yelped, yanking her arm back so it could rest in her lap as the boys observed from the roof. Well, two out of three, at the very least. Whitney had, once more, vanished from the group- but this time, it was clearly warranted as no one was questioning his whereabouts. And oddly enough, the same could be said about Hazel. Ed's vision was clear and precise, he could make out their struts as the hooded figures walked down the hall- matching in sync as citizens hurriedly locked themselves inside. Scared of the coming conflict, Eddie crouched as he readied to throw himself from the homestead's summit. Jerking back as a result of Alex's telekinesis, The Star audibly and loudly grunted as he collapsed on his back.
The plan was simple, no accidental deaths, incapacitating everyone and then interrogating the Ringleader. Seemed easy enough… and the last step of that plan was to draw them closer. They needed something here, what that was, they were unsure of its origin or its location. Could it even be in this very house or was it a ploy? None of them accounted for that possibility, however, the drone that had once been watching the Major Arcana had fled from the skies above. Odd.
Robert Lynn, the Ringleader of this organization, had raised his hand as he reached his former front gate. The followers were to wait outside, and taking this as their chance, Alex and Ed leaped from the roof in unison. Ripping his glove from concealing his fingers and palm, Edward smashed the ground in front of the acolytes. At first, all it did was create a crater; some debris splashing out, but then, as the Star was jerked backwards once more so he could tumble and roll into the streets, he raised his fist. Thumb over his right pointer, he smirked, and then, CLICK!
Thrown back into the interior of the house, still without a front door, the Ringleader spun around to see a metal rod to his throat. Courtesy of his daughter, his eyes widened, shocked how his own flesh and blood could so easily 'betray' him. At that moment, the girl froze, and Rose widened her eyes as the man back slapped her over the couch so her back could snap against the wall she'd hit in the kitchen. Pushing out a palm so he'd be hit by a sonic blast, the Ringleader groaned and took it as the man was thrown out the back window. Shards entering his skin, he painted heavily as he held his chest in anguish and agony. And knowing he'd be out of commission for the time being, she ran over to check on her friend. Lucky enough, she'd just hit her head pretty bad against the fridge, and heart was still beating. Lifting her arm over her nape, Rose angled her foot just right at the edge of the coffee table in the living room, so she could kick it through the rear window. And flip over to trap Robert Lynn right then and there, rendering the Ringleader unconscious as the wood tapped against the climax of his skull. And there it was, the trapdoor that he'd opened for them and attempted to hide as his ears picked up their boots… the basement filled with the truth of a certain relic's fragmented parts.
Rose stepped forward, closing in on the item Sunni's father had come to collect, and then descending to the basement. Eddie tumbled into the road, throwing himself upward, he rose up his arms as those with rifles and pistols revealed themselves. Chuckling nervously, he blocked his face, knowing his demise was imminent- until they all fired at his anatomy. His power only worked at close-range, however, Alex wasn't pulled back by any ridiculous restrictions. Like it was mere instinct, he levitated himself to the pavement in front of his ally, bullets miraculously stopping in mid air as more and more came at a rapid pace. His arms not stuck out or anything, all he did was stand there and glow like a star in the vast universe they loved inside of.
There were four of them in total, two with rifles, and two with pistols. And because Al wasn't at such a level to levitate humans yet, he fell into his friend's arms to his rear. Ed's fingers popping with the power he held within, the boy winced as he kept himself steady, thinking back to Amara's trust in him throwing himself into the abode of their ally. With Alexander in his arms, of course.
The quartet of remaining followers, then reloading their firearms so they could charge into those headquarters- were easily taken out. For instance, one in front had stepped forward into a shadow portal, head squished as his skull fractured into multiple particles. Hands tucked away in the pouches of his black-purple hoodie, Whitney apathetically watched as one of the creatures under his manipulation destroyed a puny human. Following that, another was pulled into his realm by a whip of sorts, snapping around the singular minion's ankle and then yanking him downward into whatever hell awaited him. Turning around, the final duo had finally reloaded and awaited any retaliation, that was until they were kicked in the crotches. Together, they fell to their knees and groaned out in anger, as Hazel revealed herself from her previously camouflaged state. Jumping forward, she used knowledge she'd gained from self-defense class and drop kicked the two individually in their chests so they'd fall backwards.
Descending into the shadow realm, Whitney launched upward and caught Adams before she could get dizzy from the amount of time she had been invisible for. Rubbing her temples, she was carried back to the house by the Hunger and draped over the couch- to see Sunni on that same couch. Ed and Rose had disappeared, placing Hazel down so she could rest a moment, the purple-eyed boy decided to go down and investigate with his new comrades.
"What'd you idiots find?"
Her hands shaking with the information she'd obtained, Whitney pushed past the cluster of the duo, Ed's lean figure leaning over her shoulder to examine the paper in her hands. Groaning in irritation, he took it for himself to examine and stared at its contents. Sure enough, it was MORE than just a paper… It was a world map. Marking three significant locations for the Key's fragments to be hiding out, Venezia, Africa. Egypt; Cairo specifically.
"Is this what you're so fucking shaky about?"
"Read the back,"
Demanded Ed of Whitney, who had decided to spin around the material so he could read the paragraphs written in messy handwriting. Lucky for him, his handwriting was practically the same and was able to decipher it easily… the truth in front of his eyes, he nodded and rolled up the map. This wasn't something they needed to worry about, that was for sure, though the extent of their knowledge was right here- he was sure that there were others who'd fill in the pieces and give truth to this mystery.
Sooner than later, the NYPD arrived to investigate the crime scene, and luckily, before any of the teenagers could be arrested for murder or otherwise, the Detective had arrived. Stepping out of a car that drifted in front of the entrance of the abode, destroying the fence for pieces of wood to fly to the officers, leading for them to cover their faces in confusion- Azazel revealed himself.
"Hold your fire, Captain Hale. The Headmaster will take over from here, they were sent on a special assignment verified by the Secretary of Defense,"
Seeing as how the former CEO had openly admitted to the public about his heritage and enhanced DNA, they had no reason to distrust the Fool Detective. The Captain with the beard, some grey hairs poking out of the brown, nodded so the enforcers could drop their weapons. Though they did believe Karlo in his telling of the truth, they needed to stay here in case anything 'twisted' occurred. Tapping the side of his earpiece, the Headmaster abruptly appeared from a blinding white light outside of the house. The teens inside and the police outside covered their eyes in fear of their eyesight dissipating, yet Azazel stood emotionless to the radiation.
"What's happened?"
Revealing a rolled up composition , Karlo handed it to his superior for him to read carefully. The map's coordinates and approximations for the Key, along with a paragraph of information communicated on the rear. Unveiling it like a scroll, the Emperor's pupils behind his specialized spectacles followed the correspondence,
"This very relic is the literal Key to this universe's end, the end of all things. Living or otherwise, and yet, there is the beginning at the end of all life. A beginning of hope for all those tortured by the corruption and hatred of this universe's version of mankind. Father's will is absolute, and I will sacrifice everything to keep it moving forward… all that is needed for is THAT,"
Previously, there was a special coordinated operation being planned between the Fool and the Emperor. The night Rosalyn Thomas was found with her powers unleashed, a flight plan to Italy was being planned for July. Though the exact coordinates were unknown- now they knew the proper location of all two parts of the Key. Though it wouldn't be easy, they'd have to keep moving forward and take it for themselves. No doubt they knew about the item in Italy or Africa, so they'd have to move quick and fast if they wanted to intercept their movements.
"Next closest public flight to Venezia is June 2nd… what should we do?"
"Train the kids, tell the other instructors to push them harder than ever before. Go back to Blaire at the end of every shift you have with me, Azazel,"
About to object to this command, Ben offered a pleasing look to his younger ally, the son of Ryder. Another he couldn't save, another he wasn't able to prevent from dying… his hand rested on the shoulder of the Fool. Transformed from Justice all those years ago, Ben knew the man in front of him had 'Dark Determination' fueling his every move. Not for his wife, but for the friend he'd lost that'd given him purpose… Rivera's very son that'd died
on that day. Everything he did was for August's memory, to keep it living, so humanity could know that he was truly fit for the role of savior.
"Rest. I'll deal with the Key for now, in fact… I already have a plan,"
Though curious of the Headmaster's intentions, Azazel wouldn't learn the truth until a month later in June. Leaving his son's friend to deal with the police, the leader of the Academy pushed forward so he could talk with his students. Resting and some covered in blood, and by some; that meant Whitney Myers. Aiding her companion by wiping the gore covering his forehead, Hazel's hand was gently pushed back as they all turned to recognize his face,
"Mr… Rivera…"
"Please, drop the formalities. If anything, just call me Ben. I'm most comfortable with that,"
The information that Whitney had assumed to be kept private between Karlo and the Headmaster was revealed as the coffee table disintegrated with the wave of the Emperor's hand. Everything about their world was told to them at that exact moment, the truth about the multiverse, the Author, Heaven, Hell, the Superior, the Kingdom… all of it. Everyone was shocked at this revelation, Azazel staring back as he stood in front of the entrance realizing their youthful vocal cords stopped spewing out word after word. Rivera examined their shocked expressions, mind ruptured by all of it- except for Whitney. None of it mattered in the first place; other universes exist? So what? They're in this one, in the here and now where they can only change the future here, and if they succeed with this mission they were about to be assigned… hopefully they could save everyone else. Myers knew, a firm nod filled to the brim with an understanding nature was directed to the Headmaster of the Academy. There was something different about the rest of them though; this time, it wasn't up to Ben Rivera to give the rousing inspirational speech. He was pushed out of the way and thrown out the living room. The Detective Prince, intrigued by what the former suspect was about to state, stepped into the abode then took a right. Crossing his arms, the Emperor and Fool took glances at one another's eyes until their undivided attention was kept on Whitney,
"Are you all truly do idiotic as to believe your lives meaningless? Every inaction you don't make, someone, another version of you in another world similar to our own- it will no doubt be made by our doppelgänger. The Headmaster's doppelgänger is a result of that sort of twisted sense of thinking, but thanks to Rivera's strength; he was able to break through. He was able to change his fate and bring about the saving of his universe. And though Rivera is an obvious prodigy blessed with the power of the Gods, what makes any of you think we're any different?"
At that moment, nothing more needed to be said for the Major Arcana to have made their choice. No doubt if they succeeded on this mission that they would be able to be free of this horrific nightmare and return to their normal lives. The Key will be destroyed with it formed together, and the school year would remain the way it was scheduled. That was the simple goal. However, shakily, Alexander rose from the couch and tightened his fist as it vibrated at a rapid pace.
"I must… do this! For the sake of all those before me; my parents..! What son would I be if I didn't listen to my mother and father? If I didn't use EVERY INCH OF THE POWER INHERITED FROM THEM TO PREVENT IT… what use are they?"
With that vow, Alexander Amara agreed, his best friend taking his free hand and following his lead. Her mother and father, adopted, never told her the things he did. However, none of that mattered right now, as she was doing this for another reason.
"Ever since that day… Alex, you protected me without a single doubt! You always loved and cared for me no matter what happened to you and how disgraced you felt! The names they called you'd he called; you did it all FOR ME! So… I want my best friend to be there when I learn my true last name!!"
Taken aback by this cry, Karlo widened his eyes for a moment before noticing the carpet and walking out. No doubt the rest would follow, and so, they did. The Headmaster Emperor had formed together a new team for this dangerous operation that would come into fruition on June 1st, 2052. As compensation, they would go into summer vacation the next day and have the summer off until September 8th.
Hazel Adams would fight for her powers, the ones she'd been blessed with had turned into a curse by her father. Discouraged from using them as she was beaten senseless, her blood decorating the walls like a coat of wet paint. "I can save people..!" Thought the deaf blonde,
"I'll prove to him- no, I'll prove to them all! That my powers are more than a curse…! That I'll ERASE HIM FROM MY MEMORY AND KEEP MOVING FORWARD!"
And Edward Singh was the same, all he believed he was; a weapon of mass destruction and the cause of multiple murders. He still remembered the days spent chalking away at the juvie walls tallying up the days till release, and when it came… the outside world wasn't any different from in there. Alex and Rose told him that this power was 'cool', that he didn't need to be afraid anymore. But was that the truth? Or merely a superficial way of convincing the Star of something they never believed in so they could control and manipulate him..?
So many bodies laid to waste because of him; due to his power that he'd been cursed with.
"I'll go… I'll go to save this world so they can finally see what a good person I truly am…"
And Lynn, tortured by the mistakes and deeds committed by her twisted bloodline, her motive was simple. Though the multiverse existed, haunting her as she decided to make a decision right now- Sunni Lynn wouldn't back down from her newfound freedom!
"I'LL USE MY FREEDOM TO PROVE MYSELF!! TO PROVE THAT… I'M WORTHY OF EXISTING!!"
And Whitney? That day, May 6th at 7:36 P.M., EST, Penelope Braun had perished from her wounds. He would avenge her memory and make right by his parents, act on his instincts instead of acting scared like a spoiled brat. And in the end; maybe he could go see how his sister, Vivian was doing. He hung up the call and rubbed his eyes, the girl was innocent- she didn't deserve anything horrible. Except a loving embrace and a person to tell her that she mattered. He never did hear her last words, and would never know if she'd believed him… but he would show her in the end. He would show her by eradicating every last one of those demonic fucks and save this world and all the others from global extinction!
The Devil's iconic smirk appeared like a knife spreading butter over bread, edged claws piercing humanity's flesh as it fed on their desires. Cackling like a maniac, the Superior stepped forward into a golden gateway and was thrown at His feet.
"Au-"
A kick was blown to the center of his gut, blood and gore thrown out the interior intricacies of his insides. The Superior held himself in anguish, through attempting to stare upward, another boot was met to his nose and he fell as if he were another useless peon. Coughing up the same fluid flowing through his veins, her demanding voice screamed out to the wannabe Demon Prince,
"MIND YOUR TONGUE WHEN ADDRESSING MY FATHER, BOY! Do not think just because you've served His before means you can quietly use His true name in an informal manner!"
Assuming his normal position, he stretched out his arms and knelt to His Majesty. Charmeine stepped back for her to stand at her father's side, yellow aura softening as her brother just shook his head at her roughness. Ever since she was a tiny seedling that existed as a thought in their Father's brain, she acted this way. Brash, rough, irritating. However, her demand worked wonders,
"A-Allfather, Your Majesty, you called for me, did you not?"
"Indeed I did, young one. There is much to discuss, Benjamin Jason Rivera…"
To be Continued!