Note: this is a past chapter ( not filler, it's canon), it doesn't focus on the current timeline of the story, reading this chapter won't be mandatory for the understanding of the story, but I would recommend this chapter for a more preferable experience, the choice is yours.
"War does not determine who is right, only who is left" - Bertrand Russell
8 Years Ago, Within The UN's Headquarters' Parking Lot…
Once the user's name is complete, the subsequent stab would cause an inevitable or an immediate death.
Elias had stabbed Alastor twice, meaning that Alastor had suffered of two diseases without even noticing.
That is the reasoning behind his sudden weakness.
( The shockwave produced at the beginning of the battle didn't have any direct contact with Alastor's body, so it doesn't count )
Even the heroes of a story could be cunning.
"Y'know, I've got something to tell you, Captain Elias", Alastor says.
"Go ahead", Elias says.
"I really despise the dark", Alastor says, "no matter what I do, even when I try to hide, it always finds me once again….".
Sometime later…
Soon after the battle between Alastor and Captain Elias, Elias had an ounce of sympathy left for Alastor, so he transferred Alastor's frail body to a hospital not too far away from the United Nations' Headquarters.
Lilitu's 'Diablo's Commandment' eventually wore off from its victims, but with some minor injuries and damages.
The same can't be said about the Headquarters' establishment.
It's completely destroyed, and it will all fall onto the Devil Hunting organization's shoulders.
Not to mention, the death of the United Nations' president will be a consequence that won't be taken lightly.
However, there are even greater issues that the organization must face or deal with.
At NotWest Health, A Hospital Near The UN's Headquarters…
"So, he's a victim of a car accident, where he lost a limb and broke 10 bones, not to mention that he already has a history of having a couple of diseases where they might deteriorate his overall skeletal system?", a doctor asks.
"Yes", Elias says.
"Fine, I'll take your word for it, but he's in a critical condition, so I'll have to ask you to leave the operating room", the doctor says.
Elias just leaves without saying a single word, despite him being quite a hard-headed person.
Elias managed to hide Alastor's previous criminal record, not to mention, he also got Alastor changed into some natural pieces of clothing.
The Neo-Geisters' uniform has become quite notable amongst the public's eye or attention, everyone knows about it.
Introducing the Neo-Geisters' uniform, a fusion of German elegance and commanding style.
The sleek black double-breasted coat features intricate white patterns and a striking white "X" on the torso.
A skull emblem graces the back of the coat, adding an edgy touch.
Paired with tailored black trousers and knee-high black boots, the ensemble exudes a commanding presence.
The Neo-Geisters' uniform embodies a captivating and enigmatic aesthetic with its unique blend of German sophistication and powerful design.
That outfit is mainly for the men, the female version consists of a jet black trench coat (glossy material) with a liquid-like bodysuit under it, and that bodysuit would also have the "X" symbol.
That female would also have gauntlet gloves with retractable claws for extra protection and knee-high boots.
Above those high boots are short black shorts.
Despite the captivating allure of this fashion statement, a lingering question persists in the minds of all.
What does the "X" mean?
Elias had also successfully disposed of Alastor's weaponry, which included his shape-shifting blade.
There's a television within the hospital's waiting room.
Elias has no other option but to watch, since the city's current situation is unpleasant.
He also wonders how Wyatt and Aiden are doing.
At Neo-Geister's Warehouse…
The message states the following:
Dear Devil Hunters ( Captains Wyatt and Aiden ),
I expected to face a challenge once I stepped foot within the organization's establishment, but I just faced mere physicists and those who can't even wield a weapon.
I'd assume that you all left for your special 'mission' at our main base, but little did you know…that isn't even our main base at all.
Our main base is under your beautifully built organization, but you might be asking, why would I reveal our location?
Well, It's either now or never, we're utilizing all our trump cards now!
When I entered the 'Vigilante Section', all the cells were empty, all but one.
Inside that cell was a pair of young teenagers.
You'd never lock up teenagers, meaning that they must be quite important.
Face me or face the consequences of your ignorance!
Sincerely, Belya'al
"This is unacceptable, we must kill him and that woman before they plan anything else", Aiden says, "you seem to trust him, yet he doesn't trust us!".
"That's not the problem here", Wyatt says, "I knew that Elias would eventually leave the establishment, but President Arlo would've stayed for security reasons, so there's no conceivable way that he was defeated so effortlessly".
"What do you guys think?", Sanders hysterically asks.
Sanders is not in a position to be as hysterical as he currently appears.
"What do you mean?", Aiden asks.
Sanders sees himself as a pawn on a chessboard, a mere piece in a grand puzzle, so to speak.
Once the pawn executes a significant move, it provides an opportunity for the king or queen to secure victory in the broader context of the game.
"I've done it, I've completed my task...a step closer indeed", Sanders says.
"With his head within his own ass, I don't expect you to still have faith in him!", Aiden says.
Wyatt isn't a person that likes to let go of what he previously said, so he moves on, despite all the setbacks.
"It's not the lack of faith that's concerning me right now, Aiden", Wyatt says, "it was merely a reflection of how truly cunning he really is".
Not so much time later, through the windows of the warehouse, a balloon appears to be floating.
It had a smile, almost identical to the one on Sanders' face.
"Get down!", Wyatt says as he pushes Aiden away.
The balloon then explodes, unleashing a shockwave as potent as a fragmentation grenade, certainly capable of causing significant collateral damage to the building and to those guards that were securing the establishment.
Back At The NotWest Hospital, Moments Before The Balloon Blast...
"I wonder what Alastor meant", Elias says, "I really despise the dark, huh?".
Upon deeper reflection, he realized that the sentence in question possessed a depth far beyond the initial confines of his perception.
During moments of tranquillity and solitude, it's precisely within those instances that the seeds of fear have the potential to take root and grow.
He connected all those dots, linking the balloon with the news broadcast.
That warehouse was the very location that both Aiden and Wyatt had ventured to.
"As you can see, the warehouse has been completely destroyed, and the guards surrounding the warehouse are fading away into thin air!", the news reporter on the news broadcast says, "they're simulations, I repeat, they're simulations!".
Sanders knew that the Devil Hunting organization would interfere before the police, so they'd enter the warehouse eventually.
So, he just put holograms on the outside of the warehouse, which forced the captains to enter from within the warehouse's the ventilation system since that's the only other way in.
The captains were diligent in terms of their actions, so he knew that they would be secretive about their entrance into the warehouse.
"That bastard knew about everything, but how did he manage to know the exact day on which we would carry out these attacks?", Elias asks himself, "but wait, I left President Arlo to stay at the main establishment of our organization, if they do plan on attacking us, he should be there".
Another window lies right ahead of Elias.
Windows can symbolize a means of escape or freedom from confinement.
They represent the desire for liberation, the pursuit of new horizons, and the aspiration to break free from limitations or oppressive situations.
Windows can signify opportunities for growth and change.
They act as gateways to new possibilities, offering glimpses of what lies beyond our current circumstances.
Poets often extol the mere existence of an ordinary window, yet in this particular context, the windows assume a symbolic role, embodying the haunting essence of one's nightmares.
Those nightmares have taken its true form.
Beyond that singular window was a red balloon with a jarring smile.
Sanders chose the area of the weakened.
Elias then knew what's about to happen.
A detonation has been initiated.
At the precise moment just before the detonation, Elias stood directly in front of the balloon with arms outstretched, as if embracing its presence, yet it was not an indication of surrendering to this act of terror; instead, it served as a form of protection...