Hello to all who are here for the story, I am immensely grateful for the feedback and comments, you are brightening my day ^-^ I sincerely can't thank you enough. This is just a small notice here at the beginning; forgive me for not posting anything yesterday as I promised to deliver two chapters. However, as you know, I am having some financial difficulties which led me to be without internet. Currently, I am borrowing from a neighbor to continue posting, so I apologize again.
I was discussing this with some colleagues and they suggested creating a Patreon for anyone who wants to help or can afford to. So, I created one :v. If any follower or companion of the work is available or wants to help, I will be immensely grateful. Of course, there will be perks in the future and I do not intend to stop just at this work. There will be more works ahead, but I will focus only on this one for now. So here is the link in case anyone wants to help with any amount you have to spare. Thank you again and sorry for the comment above the chapter, I couldn't put the link in the author's notes ;-;
patreon.com/CSWChronicles
Now, enjoy the chapter :3
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I felt as if I was floating, surrounded by a black fog that obstructed my vision. In the midst of darkness, a female figure with long brown hair down to her waist appeared, enveloped in the same mist. I tried to reach her, but the closer I got, the more visible it was that she was being swallowed by the black fog. She turned, and for a moment I saw her mouth move slightly as if saying something. As soon as I extended my hand to reach her, the figure was swallowed by the mist. A cold sensation invaded my chest, and two gigantic, shining golden eyes emerged from the darkness.
"WAKE UP!"
The scream echoed in my mind, shaking my entire sanity, pulling me back to reality. I woke up on an improvised mattress inside a tent. Inspecting my body, I noticed that I was without the upper part of my clothing and bandaged; when I removed the bandages, a small scar ran from my shoulder to my waist.
"I knew it would leave a mark... well, a battle scar will be great for attracting attention from girls later," I laughed at myself thinking this, "as if I will have time to think about that, who am I trying to fool."
I got up, put on the upper part of my clothes, and left the tent, finding that guy who knocked me out with that dart training with a bow in hand, shooting at a target with intense concentration. Before I could approach, I felt an impact on my head. Looking up, the Scarlet Reaper was there, her scythe seemed to be already fixed.
"You really know how to give a warm welcome, huh?" I exclaimed, rubbing the hit area. Scarlet stared at me, her stern look contrasting with the evident relief in her eyes.
"You really like to sleep, kid, you were out for two days," she said while crossing her arms and placing the scythe on her back in a guard that held it behind her.
"Oh, so it was just an extended nap," I replied with an ironic smile.
Scarlet pointed me to a tent next door, and I took the initiative to start walking toward it, after all, I didn't want another tear in my chest.
I followed her, still digesting the situation. Upon entering, it looked more like an office than an ordinary tent; it was relatively large and had a bed right in the corner. She went to sit down but first took off the scythe and leaned it against a hat stand, then pulled up a chair from a desk, sat down, and ordered me to sit in the chair facing her. She pulled out a whiskey bottle, grabbed a glass, added ice, and filled the glass halfway.
"Did you call me here to drink? Look, I'm not a big fan of alcohol, but after the damage to my belly, I'll accept!" I said, laughing and sitting down.
Scarlet began to speak, her expression serious. "Look, Kuroto, I know your mocking manner is a defense, but we have serious matters to deal with. You need to understand where we are and what it means to be an exorcist here."
"Should've thought of that before coming at me with a damn scythe, right?" I said with a face of total disapproval to her.
"Well, if you can't even handle that, there would be no point in recruiting you. Take it as a test. Don't think I forgot, you're going to work a lot for my scythe, kid." She said while pointing to the scythe with a glance. "Do you know how much it cost to fix it in such a short time?"
"Ahm... in my defense, I don't know what happened and also, you started," I said, rolling my eyes and looking at the drink.
"Well, where to start... did the superiors pass you the basics?"
"About? They just told me that I would be part of the squad."
"About the world itself, kid. What do you think I'm talking about?"
"I don't know, toast? I don't read minds, auntie."
"Who do you think you're calling Auntie?!" She threw a pen so hard that if I hadn't dodged, it could have hurt me. I looked where the pen flew, and the tent now had a hole.
"Hot-tempered, all middle-aged women are like this, huh?"
"Shut up before I shut it for you," she placed her thumbs on her eyes, pressing near her nose, trying to calm down. "Okay, let's start from the beginning, grab a glass first."
"Boy, am I going to drink?"
"Not alcohol, I'm not irresponsible. We have soda, do you want some?" She said, opening the minibar under the table and sliding a glass to me across the table, which I grabbed.
"Dear God, thank you, can I finally drink a Coca-Cola?"
"Unfortunately, we only have zero."
'God, you son of a ****,' I thought, keeping a smile on my face. "Do you have Pepsi?"
"We only have lemon," she said, pulling the can from under the table and throwing it to me.
"So what do you have to tell me?" I said as I opened the can and filled the glass to drink.
"First of all, Kuroto, you need to understand where you are. I don't want to scare you, but the reality here is somewhat... complex," Scarlet began.
"Then explain it to me." I furrowed my brow as I took a sip of the drink.
"First, the world we are in is not simple. There are angels, demons, and fallen beings. They live in a very unstable balance," she said as she took a sip of her whiskey.
"Ah, alright, you're going to tell me Santa Claus also exists and the Easter Bunny and they fight with the Boogeyman alongside the Tooth Fairy and Morpheus?" I laughed while looking at the drink glass with a cynical smile. The Reaper just stared at me with a serious face. "Are you serious? I read a book about that in my childhood but thought it was nonsense."
"What was the name of the book?" She asked curiously as she got up and went to the shelf that had some books.
"Some sort of old book with a hardcover with golden edges said something like 'The First Great War.' I don't exactly remember the name," I said, kind of slightly recalling the name and content of it.
"Can you tell me what surprised you most in the book?" she said as she pulled out a black-covered book and soon sat back at the table, swinging the glass while looking at me.
"I think it was... something about Lucifer's rebellion against heaven that triggered a gigantic war, which made other angels also rebel," I said as I drank the soda, how I missed it.
She then began to speak on this subject but with ridiculously detailed details as if she were reading what was written in the book. "The grand era of the celestial kingdom was marked by a battle of cosmic proportions. Lucifer's rebellion and his band of dissenting angels shook the pillars of heaven, sparking a battle that still echoes through time and dimensions," Scarlet began, staring at me as she paused to take a sip of her whiskey.
"Fallen angels, once high-order celestial soldiers, became pariahs, cast out of the gates of paradise, forced to wander through other dimensions in search of a new purpose. Lucifer and the other fallen angels formed a kind of alliance, a dissent that sought retaliation against the heavens for the alleged injustice they suffered."
Still a bit skeptical, I asked, "Sounds like a fairy tale, doesn't it? I know that what I've seen so far is bizarre, but how do you expect me to believe this without any proof?"
"I expected you to question. Look, I've seen many things, Kuroto, and believe me, I wouldn't have wasted my time explaining all this to you if it wasn't crucial for your survival and understanding of this world," she replied, maintaining a somber tone.
The Reaper continued, "Here, angels, demons, and fallen angels coexist, sometimes in peace, and sometimes, well, as you can imagine, in conflict. We, exorcists, have the task of maintaining this balance for humans, preventing one force from overtaking the other and plunging the world into chaos. This battle between good and evil, the sacred and the profane, is real, and believe it or not, you are now part of it." She paused to let Kuroto absorb the information and then proceeded, "Your energy, that negative energy I felt in our duel, is uncommon here and anywhere, from what I could research. You're not the typical exorcist, Kuroto, and that's exactly why you were brought here. You're an outlier, an anomaly that can either be a blessing or a danger to us."
I was genuinely surprised but tried not to show too much. 'She felt my Cursed energy? How is it that nobody could feel it and how did this woman manage to? Should I run away? Attack?'
The Reaper soon looked at my face and sighed, "So it was a secret?"
"I don't know what you're talking about, what energy are you talking about?" I asked, trying to dodge the subject.
"You can try to deceive others, kid, but I've been very sensitive to the supernatural since I was young, and honestly, it's the first time I feel this, this disgusting feeling that comes from you," she said while taking another sip and looked slightly disgusted at me, but it vanished, "It reminds me of something very disgusting, but continuing the story we will get back to that later."
I stayed silent; she knows about it is making me tense enough for this but I just agreed and turned the glass finishing the soda.
"Kid... let's continue," she said, sighing and then returning to her train of thought. "Angels are celestial beings who serve God. Demons, on the other hand, are beings of darkness and have their own system. They are led by a set of powerful demons called 'The 72 Pillars.' And the fallen beings? Well, they are angels that were expelled from Heaven and now live among us, in addition to many monsters from real mythologies."
"So all these mythical beings... are real?" I asked, kind of raising an eyebrow. Well, it's not that hard to believe, after all, after this damn pop-up window here, so it's quite plausible... but better look surprised.
"Wow... that's crazy," I said, making a disbelieving face.
"Yes," confirmed the Reaper. "And they all have some form of magical energy. In the case of demons, it's 'demonic energy,' while angels have 'divine light.' And of course, there is the 'Red Dragon Emperor,' Ddraig, and the 'White Dragon Emperor,' Albion, but that's another story."
"Why do I feel like I've heard those names before?" I said, putting my hand over my face, trying to figure out where I remembered those names from. "So there are also dragons?"
Scarlet seemed to reflect for a moment before continuing.
"There are more layers to this world than you think. We, the exorcists, primarily work for the Church, but it's not always clear who truly is friend or foe. There's a political organization that balances power among the Three Greats - the Angels, Demons, and the Fallen Angels. Tensions are high, and there is much intrigue and power play."
Reflecting on all that, trying to assimilate all the information. "So essentially, it's like a geopolitical game between mythological beings and their own interests?"
"It's a good way to see all of this, imagine exorcists as a task force that wants to protect the human world also with their own interests," she said as she leaned back in her chair trying to relax. "And to add more complexity, we have the Sacred Gears."
I raised an eyebrow, clearly confused and curious. 'Sacred gear... like in the system?!'
"Sacred Gears. They are special abilities granted by God to humans. They are incredibly diverse and varied, ranging from abilities that grant superhuman strength to those that can even manipulate time."
"And you, the Church, what do you do with these carriers?" I asked, frowning, and Scarlet took a deep breath.
"We protect and train them. Many of the other factions, especially the demons, see these carriers as pawns to be used in their power games. The Church offers refuge and guidance. Many carriers do not know how to control or use their abilities and can end up hurting themselves or others."
I pondered this for a moment. "So, basically, if I have one of these 'gears,' you want to use me as a weapon in your war?"
"It's not that simple. Yes, the Church values the ability of Sacred Gear carriers and trains them to fight demons, but we also care about their well-being. The reason we are so interested in you is that we think you have one and also the reason why Lisa is with us," Scarlet replied quickly.
I immediately straightened up. Lisa's name being mentioned after years brought me back to reality. "What does Lisa have to do with this?"
Scarlet sighed and looked at me more seriously. "Lisa is more than just a nun to the Church. She is a liaison, a way to ensure that you cooperate. The Church believes you are a carrier, and they want to make sure you are on our side. They are using Lisa as a kind of 'collateral' for this."
Anger instantly rose to my face, but I tried to stay calm, my Cursed energy bubbling in rage. "She's a person, not a damn pawn for you to control!"
Scarlet looked at me, her eyes showing concern and she seemed alert to the way my energy was behaving. "I know. I don't agree with all of the Church's methods, but I believe in the greater good. We need you on our side, Kuroto. And I hope you can understand why."
"So, you expect me to stay calm after telling me that?" I said quietly, starting to laugh, until I punched the table in rage, breaking it in half. Scarlet instantly got up, pulling the scythe into a defensive position. "Don't fuck with me! Damn it."
"Calm down, boy, each Sacred Gear is unique," said Scarlet, her eyes fixed on mine. "- Some are more common, but others are extremely rare and powerful and dangerous. They are manifested in humans without any discrimination, which means anyone can have one, even people like you who do not have a good temperament and are very volatile."
"Do you think anyone would get volatile knowing they are using someone I love as a damn shield!" I said, my fists enveloped with cursed energy.
"I told you the truth exactly so you can trust me, I didn't hide what the church wants with the people you love, so you can trust me, boy," she said, slightly removing her hand from the scythe and stretching it out to me as if approaching some beast. "So, calm down, okay?"
My brain began to process everything quickly, and I tried to calm down but I was almost losing control because of the rage I just inhaled trying to calm down, dissipating my cursed energy and calming down.
"Great... shall we continue the explanations?" She said, sitting in front of the destroyed table. "And you're going to pay for the table too."
"Whatever," I said, ignoring what she said and just trying to calm down and trying to focus on opening the system while she spoke. I couldn't stop thinking about the system that appeared before my eyes, an interface that only I could see. A virtual window with various information, including one that said 'Sacred Gear'. Strangely, that tab said N/A.
'Could this be my Sacred Gear? Could the system itself be a manifestation of it?' I did not share this information with Scarlet, I did not feel I could fully trust her, or anyone else, with this secret. Who knows what the implications would be if the Church knew about it?
"There are also the Sacred Gears Balance Breaker," she continued, interrupting my thoughts. "They are advanced and extremely powerful forms of a Sacred Gear. If you have one, Kuroto, it is vital to learn how to control it and use it correctly."
"Balance Breaker?" I asked, trying to appear as disinterested as possible, despite the wave of curiosity and anxiety growing within me.
"Yes, it's an evolution, so to speak, an advanced form of a Sacred Gear. But it's not something easy to achieve or control."
As she explained, I couldn't help but mentally go through the features of the system I had. I could earn points, improve my attributes, acquire skills... Could this be a form of Balance Breaker? Sure, thinking that the system is my sacred gear, but is it really?
I had so many questions, but the expression on Scarlet's face told me I had to proceed with caution. It was a delicate dance, and I was just beginning to learn the steps.
"I see, it's quite a lot to take in," I murmured, shrugging noncommittally. "I'll think about all of this."
Scarlet nodded, her eyes studying my face as if trying to decipher the thoughts behind my platinum eyes.
Scarlet seemed to ponder for a moment before continuing. "Exorcists, like us, have a crucial role in this precarious balance of the world. We not only fight demons threatening humans but often find ourselves in the middle of these celestial intrigues. Sometimes we are called to mediate conflicts, other times to protect important people."
I couldn't stop thinking about my "supposed" Sacred Gear. However, I kept my face impassive, not giving away the turbulent questions in my mind.
"Being an exorcist is not just about fighting. It's about understanding the delicate politics between heaven and hell; it's about knowing when to draw your sword and when to extend your hand."
"Sounds like a shitty job." I commented, while carefully observing Scarlet.
"You have no idea, kid," she replied with a somewhat weary smile. "And there's something else you should know. Exorcists like us often have to make difficult decisions. Decisions that might seem cruel in the eyes of others. But always, always, it's for the greater good."
I felt a pang of discomfort at her words. "For the greater good, huh? How many times has that mantra been used to justify terrible acts? What do you mean?" I inquired.
"I'll be straightforward, Kuroto. Sometimes, we need to sacrifice a few to save many. Sometimes, Sacred Gears bearers become targets, not just by demons but by other humans too. If your existence, or the existence of your Sacred Gear, becomes a threat, we..." She paused, hesitating for a fraction of a second before continuing. "We might have to take steps to neutralize that threat."
"Neutralize?" I questioned, with a more serious and melancholic look. "That sounds like a pretty word for 'kill'." Scarlet didn't respond immediately, and in her silence, I found the answer. I snorted, laughing to myself, and suddenly, the room seemed very cold and distant. "If you can't control it, destroy it, right?" I spoke as if I didn't know the answer, my voice inexplicably cold.
"I know it's hard to accept, Kuroto. But the world we live in is complicated. And dangerous." She was right about that.
I let out a long sigh, feeling a wave of irritation that couldn't be entirely suppressed. Scarlet was there, throwing all this information and expectations at me, and I was supposed to, what, just silently accept it all? "You say the Sacred Gears are a threat," I growled, keeping my eyes fixed on her. "But how, exactly?"
"The Sacred Gears themselves are not the problem. It's the humans who possess them. Some are unstable, others have dangerous ambitions. And Sacred Gears only amplify the power these individuals have to realize these ambitions."
I rolled my eyes in irritation. "Oh, sure. Because in the end, it always boils down to that, doesn't it? Power. Everything is about damn power." Scarlet silently observed me, perhaps gauging how irritated I truly was.
"Power is a tool, Kuroto. It can be used to protect or to destroy. The choice is ours."
"Choice?" I laughed bitterly. "You talk like we always have a choice. But in reality, we rarely do."
"There's always a choice." She said firmly.
"Oh is there? What choice do I have when you're using Lisa as a bargaining chip!" I retorted, rage bubbling within me.
Scarlet looked at me with heavy eyes. "The circumstances are not ideal, but we are doing the best we can."
"Circumstances? Not ideal?" I repeated, my voice full of disdain. "That's a ridiculous understatement."
"Kuroto, the world is not black and white." I interrupted, unable to contain myself.
"Don't give me that crap about 'the world is not black and white'. The world is black and white. It's people who are shades of gray. And that's exactly what gets on my nerves." Scarlet stayed silent for a moment.
"Regardless of how you see it, reality remains. There are nuances and complexities in every situation, and we need to navigate through them as best we can."
"Navigate through them," I murmured, sarcastic. "As if it were that easy."
"No one said it would be easy."
I huffed, running my hands through my hair in frustration. "This is insane. All of this is completely insane."
Without waiting for a reply, I stood up, turned my back, and left the tent. I needed air. I needed to think. And above all, I needed a moment away from Scarlet and her 'explanations'. Because every word of hers only served to make me angrier and angrier. With a snap of irritation running through my veins, I walked away, trying to escape the deluge of words that Scarlet kept throwing at me, as if each sentence was a mantra meant to tame me. But I was not an animal to be tamed, and I was definitely not a child to be taught.
A few steps ahead and I heard Scarlet's light footsteps following me, and each step seemed like an annoying echo in my head, already clouded by rage.
"Kuroto, understand, I'm not trying to treat you like a child..." I turned abruptly, irritation coloring every word that left my mouth with a dark hue.
"But that's exactly what you're doing!" For a moment, our eyes met, and there was a brief flash of something I couldn't identify in her eyes. But as quickly as it came, it went, and Scarlet's expression returned to an impassive mask, the kind of face you put on when you're trying to be the adult in the room.
My hand clenched into a fist, and before I could think of the consequences, I felt a wave of energy building up inside me, rage acting as a catalyst, pulling something I had been holding back for my final move. With a roar, the energy exploded, enveloping my fist in black flames, and with an impulsive movement, I struck the nearest tree. There was no resistance. No impact noise.
Just a silent flash, the struck tree had a hole as if a spear had pierced and consumed the center and completely carbonized the spot in moments, and with a simple touch, the tree broke under its own weight. It lay between me and the reaper, and I looked at her furiously.
For a moment, there was silence. A charged silence, heavy with the weight of unspoken words and unrecognized realities. Scarlet broke the silence with a soft voice, tinged with a concern she couldn't entirely hide.
"Kuroto, you need to be careful. That energy..." My eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, everything else disappeared.
"That energy what, Scarlet?" I asked, the anger giving way to something darker, more dangerous. "Are you going to tell me now that I'm a ticking bomb? A threat?"
"No, that's not it. But you need to learn to control it before it controls you," she said as if it were something easy to do. Even with Sensei Gojo's teachings, I couldn't grasp everything; he said that over time I would learn through practice.
"It won't consume me if that's what worries you; what destabilizes me is my mood. So, if you want to help me, stop irritating me."
"We will help you, Kuroto. But you need to be willing to learn." She basically ignored me.
Huffing, I turned away and walked off, anger still simmering beneath my skin but now mixed with something else. Something I couldn't name, something that, if I were honest with myself, I massively needed to unleash but was not going to admit that. Not to Scarlet. Not to anyone.