At the same time, while Jason and Madisyn were being offered a stay at the distant Empire holding the merged Empire of the Ninja and Swordsman, the remaining members of the Rivera party were staying in a veiled area beyond the notice of the Incarnations. Black aura bursting out from his soul to surround every part of his frame down to the bottom of his shoes, Azazel shaped the curtain around their certain area. Each of his fingers moving around, snapping then contorting violently as he slid them around, it was elegant, the way he so carefully utilized every part of his muscles to maintain this beautiful movement. Sliding back his eyelids so they'd return inside of his flesh, they revealed his whole-black eyes, unleashing a final word of the ancient chant he was summoning, that being,
"Kurasu! {烏}!"
Stated with an accent and all, the second he unleashed this ancient power, the shape of a Crow, as if it were a spirit itself, had popped into existence right over the top of his head. Flapping its wings to strengthen the curtain that protected the beings resting and rejuvenating their strength behind them, there they were, whereabouts scattered all around the insides of this location. Now, without the vagueness, you might be wondering where their new hideout was exactly. Considering the immense distance everyone had traveled to get to this point, the energy some of themes exerted, unable to teleport here and from, they decided to stay in the surrounding forest that engulfed the outskirts of Acheron. A special spot to the right down that particular pathway is seated beside the calm flowing of the river, a circular space wide enough just to have a campfire right in the center.
Hidden by trees and not to mention an invisible soul-cleansing barrier that shielded their powerful presence to anyone strong enough to recognize them, everyone had their sleeping bags. The back of Kristina's head rested against the trunk of a tree inside of the curtain Karlo had put up, Ben gently placed it to the side of his son's lover, she peeked open one eye, her hand reaching to grab his own... so he didn't have to feel alone- in whatever dream he was having.
Each one of his steps entered the ears of the two men in front of one another, Alex stretching his arms only over his chest using the other arm, August doing the same thing, yet this time extending out his legs so he could crack his back. Shedding himself of his shades, the Reaper pocketed them, now the Former Crow Detective stood in this incomplete circle with the leftover duo. Hand hovering over his back, preparing right then and there to rip out the pitch-black katana planted in its sheath out so he could ready to fight the other two, the second August had hopped up, Karlo took a glance at his differentiated eye colors,
"Tell me something, August. Is the name of your Ocular Technique something so simple and... 'lame' as 'Four Eyes'?"
Usually, he'd be down with the way his brother-in-arms phrased the things he said so harshly, though this time, his arms fell in disappointment, reaching up his hand to clasp at his chest. Dramatically grabbing his heart, Alex withheld a snicker with his fist to his lips, the Reaper sniffled playfully wiped the corner of his eye to take away the imaginary tear,
"You wound me so, 'Detective Karlo.' What do you think it should be then? How about-?" Widening his eyes as a lightbulb appeared over August's head, he held up one finger, a brow quirking over Az's left eye while Alex just smiled, awaiting what stupid action his master would take next.
The Reaper cleared his throat coughing into his fist, shadows hovering over his forehead, sliding all of his extremities all over his tanned skin. Unleashing a fake sadistic smirk, through the cracks of his fingers, August showed only his red eye, shining against their faces, the gleam reflecting onto Az's pale skin. Voice clearing, he prepared his vocals then deepening them to such a degree he sounded... like he was faking a booming voice, imitating the sound of some cliche anime villain,
"Mangekyo Sharingan! Amaterasu!" Cried out August with a Japanese accent to his voice, Azazel audibly sighing in disgust while Alexander thought about a new name ignoring what his teacher had said thanks to that iconic idiocy.
"What about the Six Eyes?" Interrupted Alexander, pointing out his finger aiming it at his mentor after finishing scratching at his chin with his other extremities.
"If you dumbasses keep on spouting ridiculous anime names, we're gonna get sued somehow. If we're gonna think up a new name for August's eyes, he should tell us about the history behind them and the attacks they hold besides Corrupt Bolt and Orderly whatever. So, idiot, stop being mysterious for the sake of 'seeming cool' and just tell us," Azazel demanded strongly, but with just enough of a hint in his vocals that both of them knew that he didn't mean anything by the insults. Alex turned his head so he could face August, who was rubbing the back of his head for a second before sitting down on the grass. Azazel soon followed suit, taking his sword off his back then placing it in his lap as August recalled the tale and origin of the Ocular Technique he chose for his new eyes following his disappearance in 2036.
"During the time of the Ancient Great War ongoing between the demons and the Angels, there was a time when Lucifer organized a twisted idea. He created concentration camps for random humans of all shapes and sizes, no matter what race, age, it didn't matter. This is probably one of the only GOOD things that Great Grandpa ordered, but he sent a handful of the Upper Echelon of the Elite Guard, then the Highly Trained Requiem Warriors, to infiltrate and obliterate every remaining demon. One of those Warriors had the name… uh… I don't remember his name; but for irony's sake, let's call him John. Knowing that some of their techniques were too flashy and unable to utilize during a stealth assignment, he easily imbued his eyes with enhanced specs, advanced brain processing power, immense Omni energy manipulation down to the singular molecule or cell within a Requiem's bloodstream. Luckily for me, that'd make things too easy so I didn't learn about that. I believed 'John' described his eyes as the following. ``Blessed orbs that will lead the world out from the nightmare of despair with aid from the chosen one,'" Having just finished informing them all about the history behind his blessed Ocular Technique, August watched as Azazel rested his cheek on his fist, pondering for another name whilst Alex had already forgotten what they were talking about. Part of him wanted attention and some affection, so he fidgeted his thumbs leaning up the tips of his fingers to bite on his nails. He missed Madi… and Rosey, too.
"Eternal Sight of Infinite Power. Does that satisfy you three?" That voice was all too familiar for every single one of them, Azazel with Alex's eyes noticing that the man had been standing right behind the Reaper. Who, curious for what he looked like, turned around and smiled, there was no sense of sadness over his face, there was a genuine smile over his lips. Shaven hair to be made short like it was before when he was the Headmaster of the Academy, August couldn't help but grin at the sight of his father, Alex doing the same as Azazel scoffed, turning away to hide his delight.
As the sound of a gateway opening in space entered their eardrums, Kristina jerked awake, turning her head around swiftly, noticing Ben had left her side. Pointing at him and yelling out, "HEY!!!" August peeked out from behind his dad's leg to wave at his girl, to which the ginger smiled and waved back. Ben placed his hand in his pocket, witnessing as his two older siblings stepped out of the portal, their eyes widened as they registered their younger brother in front of them.
"Benny-"
"Enough of that right now, Madi… we have much to discuss."
To Be Continued.