Meanwhile at the HQ
max p.o.v
I went on my day in my office, checking reports on the latest encounters with those… 'Hell scavengers' that have been currently been attacking and harming the citizens. When I got a phone call, from my secretary
"Yes john, what seems to be the problem" I answered in my normal stoic expression, as I was not in the mood for any stress from the association. I slouched in my chair with a tired expression on my face… I miss my family… but still duty calls.
"Sir Max your attention is needed in the meeting room, and it seems very argent sir" my secretary informed me in a hesitated tone, as usual. I sighed in defeat, while massaging my forehead; with my elbow rested on my desk.
"I am on my way john" I ended the call, lying my face on my desk in a lazy manner. I brought up a small picture of my family and other close friends, as I stared at it with a solemn look on my face… I really miss them, but for now someone needs my attention. 'Don't worry nato my boy… I will soon be back home.'
"Geez when am I ever going to rest "I said and stood up tiredly, while making my way out of my office, I made my way towards the meeting area.
I was walking fast to the meeting room and by the time I opened the door I was shocked by what I saw… or should I say who I saw… after so long.
"Shino" I gaped my mouth in shock, as I stood there in a surprised state. I couldn't believe my eyes… I thought you were still out of commission… after the incident that is.
"Yo bro, shocked to see me hahhahahahah, well as side from that; I'm actually here to see you" he said smiling even if he is in hologram form, he still haven't changed one bit.
"What brings you here? I thought that you were not able to come back into the organization… well even since the incident that is… I'm sorry shino." I said in tears, but before I knew it… he showed me the injury… it was all healed up, I couldn't even see a scar… but though it won't still change the fact that he will not be able to come back.
"Uhhhm you sent me a message about what is going on, or don't tell me you are getting old, hahahaha I might still be in the hospital but it seems that you are getting to old for this sensei." he laughed sarcastically, still away the goofy one among his peers. Though who can blame me, I have been with this organization for more than 39 years now… so yeah.
"But do you know that I got info that someone is giving information about us to demons, let just I had to pull a little string for that." he said frowning, with his very rare scowl on his face. As even I myself was shocked by this… who dare that person… though it's to unreal to believe.
"Wait! What" I said in surprise to what he just told me, as I just gripped on my phone; shattering it with upon my grip.
"And according to what I heard…. the person is quite close to us…. Even I find it so hard to believe, and I know that even you would be shocked by this" he continued, with a side glare written on his face.
"… who is the prime suspect….?" I questioned, with a little growl added at the end; as I was filled with so much rage… then if shino is correct… then that means that so many lives have been wasted for nothing in apprehending those beast…. But why?
"Nou" he lowered his head… my whole world had been shattered… Nou my own friend is the black sheep… but how? it can't be true.
I was in so much shock I had to sit on the nearest chair. I could see and process all the information shino was informing me about… from the early strike at the docks.. to the mad combustion at the power plant, all planned well but were almost ruined by those demons… like as if they already knew what was going to happen… but even so they shouldn't have, since there are just mindless beast of chaos… with everyone risking their life the more on all these missions.
"This is crazy… so you're trying to say that he might know something about the sudden appearance of hell demons in great magnitude" I said with astonishment lingering in my voice. How can he, all of this doesn't make sense… but all still seem true.
"I know it might seem weird but trust me… all the evidence points to him, but I still want you to investigate him for me and don't worry I have you covered… in case if anything happens… okay good luck.. Captain max" he informed me, with a smug grin on his face; while raising his thumb up, and winking.
"Of course you have to because one thing I know about Nou is that he is very secretive and I will need all the help I can get… though I hope you're wrong." I said worried
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The riverside
(Nato p.o.v)
I stood just at the edge of the river docks, where I was watching my friends playing and having a fun time in the river, in which was very tempting… but alas, I was in a brooding mood. As Shin ran towards me; with water in his hands and splashed it on me; He was laughing out loud and dragged me into the water… as we had engaged in a furious water splash game, until we were looking for Kura but didn't see her until shin spotted her hand in the water… and it seems that she needs our help.
"Oh my gosh! She is drowning" I panicked, while racing towards her, as we saw Kura struggling in the water, and was calling for help at the same time.
"Help!" she shouted, still trying to get out of the water.
"Kura!" shin and I both shouted out in fear, we jumped into the water and swarm towards her as fast as we can, but we were too late. Her hands were already inside the water depth… kura… no.
"I am going in to save her" I said looking at shin; who was about to cry. we both nod our heads, I was about to go deep into the lake to rescue her…. when she jumped out and roared out loudly, scaring us in the process.
"Rooooaaaarrrr" she shouted
"Aaahhhhhh" we both screamed, as shin had jumped into my arms while crying, while I was on the verge on peeing my pants.
She laughed at us and cleaned the tears of laughter rolling off her face.
"That was not funny you know" I said folding my hands together, while staring at the opposite direction, not wanting to see her.
"Yeah I agree with Nato there, you gave us a huge freight back there" shin frowned with his big eyebrows, as he too didn't want to look at kura. We three made our way towards the river docks, while I and shin remained at distance with kura.
"I'm sorry… but I got you boys good" she said while laugh, while holding her hurting belly.
"Whoa what a weird way of fun" me and shin grumble, while walking off away from the dock; heading home.
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At evening
We were all walking silently to our houses, as we walked through the side walk, until Kura broke the silence.
"What's up Nato" she asked, beaming a smile at me… so she noticed my frown.
"Well I'm just bumped that the other kids think my dad is a loser, and that is why he hasn't come back yet" I said quietly, trying to hide my sad expression but failed badly at doing so.
"I thought you said your dad is out there saving the world, by being part of the military?" shin asked, being confused by what I said, as I turned towards him to prove my point.
"Of course he is" I said trying to buttress my point out, and making him to be less confused.
"There you go, you have your answer, they are just jealous that their dad's is not saving the world as a soldier and yours is" she said. "Look at tocha's dad over there, he is drinking again" Kura said pointing at the drunken man; who sat on a nearby bench close to a bar shop.
"Hey! What are you pointing at girl" tocha's angry dad shouted at us, as he noticed that kura was pointing towards him, and he seems to be also drunk.
"Sorry!" Kura said running to the front of us, not wanting to be seen by the drunk man.
"So you don't need to get sad, you already have your answer so over on and forget what they are saying with it" shin said tapping my shoulders.
"You know what guys, you are right; thanks for always making my dark days bright" I smiled, until I saw them blushing bashfully.
"No need, pal." shin said rubbing his head.
"You're welcome nato" Kura blushed rolling her leg on the ground, while turning to the other direction.
"Ha!! You guys" I blurted out laughing at the two of them sudden behavior. "See you guys tomorrow" I said. We did our secret hand shake and went our separate ways.
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At home
Seeing my mom holding my baby sister made me flinch a little, but I will show no fear. I walked towards my mom and greeted her.
"Hi mom" I said and gulped a lot of spit down my throat.
"How are you son" my mom smiled while stroking my baby sister hair; who was asleep, Knowing I was going to be in so much trouble; I stupidly let myself go out of fear.
"kura and shin forced me to go with… them… I'm sorry mom… please don't kill me." I said with fear in my eyes
"Ohhh of course I am" she grinned, while trying to make my sister stay straight.
"Why didn't I just keep quiet" I muttered to myself.
" even if you had kept quiet you will still be in deep trouble young man." she said closing her eyes and turning her head to the other way. "go and take care of the dishes in the kitchen… now" she said
"….Oh crud…"I whispered, while dragging myself to the kitchen to get on with it.
Max p.o.v (general eating hall)
"Thanks mike." I smiled at the chef who served. I was looking for a table when I saw ban and he waved, signaling me to join him at his table.
"How are you max…. you seem stress" he said, while eating his food.
"Tired, worried, I have a lot of things on my mind" I said while putting a hand spoon of food in my mouth. I wanted to eat another spoon, when we heard an assassin screaming in pain, just around the entrance of the eating hall…. What is going on here?
"…aaaaarrgggg…hhe..lp..ahhhhh!" he shouted, while groaning in pain. The whole place was alarmed by the cracking noise of the assassin bones resifting, from where ban and I were sitting down we could see that the assassin's body was changing in a way we couldn't understand. We both stood up by what we saw, as the once human assassin… now had glowing flaming eyes, a disfigured face, fire spilling out of the mouth like drool, as he just rose he head to reveal a demonic face… very similar to that of those hell scavengers… but how?
"all hail king Nazuro!" the assassin roar out in a very furious way… did a human just transformed into a demon?