The flickering light from a rune-inscribed lamp cast shifting shadows across the stone walls of the Bloodhound Syndicate's chamber. Mikhael stood in the corner, his crimson eyes fixed on the artifact in his hand. It pulsed faintly, its energy vibrating in sync with a soft, insidious whisper that only he could hear.
Its presence was suffocating, like an itch buried in his mind that he couldn't scratch. He didn't need to use Mana Sense to feel its hunger.
"Feels alive, doesn't it?" Vince, a silver-ranked member of the Syndicate, said as he entered the room. His heavy boots echoed against the stone floor, and his arms were crossed in a posture of casual superiority.
Mikhael turned his gaze toward him, his voice even. "It's not alive. It's desperate."
Vince smirked, tossing a rolled-up mission scroll onto the table. "Whatever it is, the higher-ups want more. And lucky you, you're headed back to Kuoh."
The faint smirk on Mikhael's lips faded instantly. "Again?"
"Yup," Vince replied, pulling a chair closer and sitting backward on it. "Word on the street is there's another one of these artifacts out there. Some rogue devils and fallen sympathizers are sniffing around for it. You're to secure it before they do."
"Wonderful," Mikhael said dryly, slipping the artifact into his coat. He could still feel its weight, more than just physical. "Let me guess, no one else volunteered?"
Vince chuckled. "Smart man." He leaned forward, his tone lowering. "But here's the kicker—the artifact we sent you for last time? It was supposed to be destroyed decades ago. Whatever these things are, someone's pulling strings to keep them in circulation."
"Which means this is bigger than a stray demon," Mikhael said, his mind already turning over the implications.
"Exactly. If I were you, I'd tread carefully. The last thing you want is to make waves in Kuoh. Not when the Gremory and Sitri families are watching every move."
Mikhael adjusted his coat, his crimson eyes narrowing. "I'll keep that in mind."
The Whisper in the Shadows
The trek back to Kuoh Town was uneventful, but Mikhael's mind buzzed with the artifact's incessant whispers. It clawed at his consciousness, its presence like a faint echo growing louder with each step he took toward the town.
The forest that bordered Kuoh's outskirts was dark and oppressive, the moonlight barely penetrating the thick canopy of trees. Mikhael crouched near the edge, his Mana Sense active as he scanned for magical presences.
The faint hum of a barrier brushed against his senses. He recognized it as one of the Gremory family's wards—strong enough to detect intrusions but not impossible to bypass. Mikhael had crossed it before and knew where its blind spots lay.
Adjusting his stance, he activated Shadow Step, slipping past the barrier with precision. The cool air of Kuoh greeted him, and he exhaled slowly, his senses immediately on high alert.
The town was quiet, its streets empty save for the occasional flicker of a streetlamp. But Mikhael could feel the tension in the air, a heaviness that suggested he wasn't alone.
A Chance Encounter
The artifact's whispers grew louder as Mikhael approached a small park near the edge of town. Its energy pulsed erratically, guiding him toward a faint magical presence.
Beneath a tall tree, he spotted a young girl sitting on a swing. Her long, dark hair swayed gently in the breeze, and her violet eyes were fixed on the ground. Even from a distance, Mikhael could sense her unique energy—a mixture of human and something darker.
Akeno Himejima.
She couldn't have been more than ten years old, yet there was an unmistakable weight to her presence. Mikhael had heard rumors of the fallen angel child—Barakiel's daughter, born of a human mother. Her existence was an anomaly, and her energy reflected it: fractured, conflicted, and raw with potential.
Before Mikhael could assess her further, a guttural growl echoed from the shadows.
A rogue devil, its body twisted and grotesque, emerged from the trees. Its glowing red eyes locked onto Akeno, and it lunged with predatory speed.
The Battle
Mikhael moved instantly, activating Shadow Step to close the distance between himself and the creature. He reappeared in front of Akeno, his stance low and balanced.
The devil's claws swiped downward, but Mikhael countered with Parry Flow, deflecting the attack and delivering a sharp palm strike to the creature's chest. The force of the blow sent it stumbling back.
"Stay behind me," Mikhael said to Akeno, his voice calm but firm.
The devil roared, its claws glowing with unstable magic. Mikhael activated Serpent Step, weaving through the creature's wild strikes with fluid, unpredictable movements. His body flowed like water, each step calculated to evade and reposition.
With a burst of speed, he launched into Rapid Lotus, his fists and feet delivering a barrage of precise strikes that targeted the devil's joints and weak points. The creature howled in pain, its body cracking under the onslaught.
The devil retaliated with a desperate lunge, but Mikhael leaped into the air, twisting mid-flight to deliver a devastating Tornado Kick. The spinning strike connected with the devil's jaw, sending it crashing into the dirt.
The creature groaned, its energy flickering weakly. Mikhael stepped forward, activating Rising Dragon to finish it. His palm struck the devil's chin, launching it skyward, and he followed with a spinning heel kick that sent it crashing back to the ground.
The rogue devil let out a final, guttural cry before disintegrating into ash.
A Curious Girl
Mikhael turned to Akeno, who had watched the battle in stunned silence. Her violet eyes were wide with a mixture of awe and fear.
"Who… are you?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"Someone who shouldn't be here," Mikhael replied, brushing dust from his coat. "The better question is what you're doing out this late."
Akeno hesitated, her gaze dropping to the ground. "I… I don't have anywhere else to go."
Mikhael frowned, sensing the truth in her words. He had no interest in her struggles, but her presence complicated things. If Barakiel's daughter was in Kuoh, it meant the fallen angel faction wasn't far behind.
"Go home," Mikhael said, his tone cold. "This isn't the kind of place for someone like you."
Akeno didn't respond, her expression conflicted. Mikhael turned away, disappearing into the shadows as the artifact's whispers urged him onward.