(Flashback at the Church).
Axel: "Those who fail will face death."
He stated calmly, looking at his fellow cult members.
Axel: "Failure cannot be tolerated. I demand success in this mission. Anyone who fails will be killed."
(End of Flashback).
(In her mind).
"It's my fault. I never should have joined this cult. Axel, I hope you burn in hell."
She remembers the moment when Hiromi saved Kiyozawa from her own sword throw.
"Why would she save an enemy?"
"I thought demonics were always discarded. Judging by her face she was horrified that I threw the sword at him."
(Flashback).
Hiromi: "Is that... Kiyozawa?"
She whispers to herself, her heart pounding. She watches in horror as Lujuria hurls the dark energy sword towards the tunnel entrance. Without hesitation, Hiromi unleashes seventy-five percent of God's power, darting forward to intercept the weapon.
With lightning speed, Hiromi reaches Kiyozawa just in time, pulling him aside moments before Lujuria's sword strikes true.The dark energy blade misses its intended target but pierces another demon who had been battling Hayden nearby.
(End of Flashback).
(Out of her mind).
Hiromi: "I have to speak with you later, Kiyozawa."
She said hurriedly as she immediately ran towards the cult member, remembering the moment when she saved Kiyozawa.
(In her mind).
"He may be an enemy, but at that moment, I couldn't let him die. My body just moved on its own; I have a vague understanding of how God's power works. As long as I don't dwell on negative thoughts, then I'll be okay."
(Out of her mind).
She quickly runs over to the injured cult member. Her eyes widen in shock as the goat cult leader suddenly appears, holding the injured member. The sudden disappearance and reappearance leave her stunned, her heart racing with a mix of fear and confusion. The cult leader's presence looms large, casting an eerie shadow over the tunnels.
Hiromi: "Don't you dare hurt her!"
Her voice echoes through the tunnels, her demand filled with urgency and protectiveness. However, her words are swallowed by the darkness as the tunnels abruptly close in on them. The heavy stone walls seal shut with a thunderous boom, leaving the cult leader trapped together in the claustrophobic space with the injured cult member.
(In the tunnels).
Ira: "That stupid bitch almost killed me..."
He mutters, his voice laced with anger and pain. He transforms back into his human form, his body trembling with exertion. He turns his gaze to Lujuria, who is sprawled on the floor, bleeding profusely.
Ira: "At least it's better than losing the second link."
He mutters under his breath, then glances up to find Axel standing beside his former opponent.
Hayden: "Well, this is rare."
He remarks calmly, his voice steady as he draws out his sword. The goat cult leader stands directly in front of him
Axel: "Your power - it's impressive. I've met few who come close. But today... I encountered someone who matched it. A woman of royal status, though her power wasn't... substantial."
He meets Hayden's gaze evenly, his voice surprisingly calm.
Hayden: "I'll get revenge for Zentarō. That man may have changed his ways, but I don't believe he's dead. I have a feeling he's still out there, biding his time."
His blood blades shimmer menacingly as he speaks, his voice low and intense.
Axel: "You'll die here just like all the others."
He declares, the black liquid swirling around him like a deadly mist. Axel's eyes flash with a dark determination as he begins to manipulate his black liquid, the same substance that has claimed countless lives. His voice is cold and unyielding.
The blood blades fly towards Axel with precision, but the black liquid reacts instantly, blocking and absorbing each one effortlessly. Hayden doesn't hesitate; he charges forward with his sword raised high. The blade cuts through the black liquid like butter, but every second counts as he knows one touch could be fatal.
Axel: "Feeling? Right."
He pulls out his book, the pages flipping rapidly before settling on a specific page. The black liquid disappears as he activates the power of the current links - a test run, nothing more. Suddenly, the sky turns pitch black, an ominous darkness enveloping everything.
Hayden: "This reminds me of Yusuke's power black moon."
A sudden flash of light from Hayden's energy cuts through the complete darkness, illuminating the chilling sight of black shadows closing in from every angle. The memory of Yusuke's black moon power crosses his mind briefly as he focuses, using his sword to block each shadow attack with lightning-fast reflexes.
Axel: "The book is an intriguing creation. I'm delighted to have been selected to welcome it. The day at the church is where the book was first created."
He instantaneously teleports himself and Hayden to the church where the book was first created.
Axel: "The book's creation was built upon sacrifice. This entire town was sacrificed for the book's existence. Everyone died just to bring this book to life."
Hayden was busy dodging the black shadows, which were either trying to kill him or restrain him.
Hayden: "Blood Style: Ultimate Move Black Blood!"
He immediately changed the color of his blood from red to black, using it against the shadows and cutting them down. He then ran straight towards the cult leader.
Axel: "..."
He was momentarily stunned, realizing that the new black blood was capable of cutting through the shadows created by the book. Axel's shock quickly turned into a scowl as he watched Hayden effortlessly dispatch the shadows with his altered blood.
Hayden closed in, but was blocked by the shadows before he could reach the goat cult leader. Axel glared at him, silently wondering what had changed - after all, the black blood was now cutting through his shadows.
Hayden: "Blood Black is an ability that uses the darkness mixed with blood, making it similar to your own power,"
He explains, his voice echoing through the tense atmosphere. His words hang in the air as Axel processes this information, his glare intensifying with newfound suspicion and understanding.
Hayden gazed calmly at the goat cult leader, expertly controlling the black blood. He remembered learning the technique directly from the Dark Orb King himself. His eyes never leaving the cult leader's face. Axel's expression darkened further as he realized the extent of Hayden's connection to dark powers since he's just a Blood Orb King.
Axel: "Oh really? Almost similar to my power?"
He sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm and suspicion.
Axel: "I wonder what else you've learned from that Dark Orb King."
His eyes narrowed as he stepped forward slightly, ready for whatever Hayden might throw at him next.
He unleashed a torrent of shadows, testing the boundaries between their powers. The shadows and black blood collided violently, creating an explosive reaction that shook the very foundations of the church. The ancient building couldn't withstand the force of their clashing abilities - walls crumbled, the ceiling collapsed, and debris flew everywhere.
(At the Tunnels).
Kiyozawa: "Father..."
He bursts into tears, crying uncontrollably as he looks at the spot where his father had died. A realization came crashing down upon him like an avalanche as he finally understood that he kidnapped all those children for nothing. Everything seemed meaningless now. Kiyozawa's eyes widened in horror as he convulsed violently and vomited black liquid uncontrollably. His body trembled uncontrollably but he didn't care about any of these symptoms all he cared about was his dead father.
Without hesitation, Ira suddenly grabbed Kiyozawa and dragged him away, ignoring his desperate struggles. Kiyozawa thrashed and kicked wildly, but Ira's grip remained firm, his expression cold and determined as he carried the broken young man away from the scene of his father's death.
(Outside of the Tunnels).
As the dust settled and the church miraculously began to rebuild itself, Axel stood amidst the chaos, his shadows dissipating into nothingness. He stared at Hayden in disbelief and growing frustration. Hayden emerged from the rubble unscathed, his black blood still pulsating around him like a dark aura.
Axel: "You're much stronger than I thought you'd be."
He admitted, his voice low and dangerous.
Axel: "But I'm just getting started."
He turned towards the lake, and the dark liquid began to churn and rise in response to his will. The black water sloshed violently as Axel summoned it once again.
Hayden smirked confidently, his black blood slowly crawling up his sword.
Hayden: "I have all the time in the world."
He echoed, his voice dripping with calm assurance as he prepared for the upcoming battle. The black blood seemed to absorb into the blade, enhancing its deadly edge.
In a flash, Hayden and Axel clashed, their dark powers meeting once more. Axel manipulated the black liquid like whips and tentacles, striking fast and unpredictably. Hayden countered with his black blood sword, parrying and slashing through Axel's watery attacks, leaving dark splashes in its wake. Each clash of their powers sent shockwaves through the rebuilt church. Black liquid sprayed from Axel's attacks, while black blood flew from Hayden's sword like dark sparks. The air grew heavier with each passing second as their powers pushed against each other, testing their limits.
Hayden: "..."
(In his mind).
"...for some reason, I think he's just messing with me,"
He thought to himself as his concentration never breaking as he dodged another powerful black liquid strike. Despite his internal doubts, his movements remained controlled.
(Out of his mind).
Suddenly, Axel's power surged by another percentage, his black liquid extending rapidly and gaining even more force. It collided with Hayden's sword once again - this time pushing him back several feet with sheer power alone. The church walls shook violently from the impact of their clash. Hayden staggered slightly but maintained balance quickly.
Hayden quickly regained his composure and attempted to cut through Axel's thickened black liquid with his black blood sword. However, as he struck downwards, he felt an unexpected resistance - his blade merely dented the surface without breaking through. The liquid seemed to have hardened significantly, defying his attempts to sever it.
His eyes widened slowly as realization dawned on him.
Hayden: "One percent at a time."
He whispered to himself, watching intently as Axel's powers grew incrementally. His black liquid had hardened slightly more after their last clash, its defenses strengthening with each boost of power.
Hayden: "If this continues..."
Determination flashed in Hayden's eyes as he gripped his sword tighter. Instead of matching Axel's incremental power increase, he decided to overwhelm him with a sudden surge. Hayden's blood powers surged dramatically by 100%, his black blood sword glowing intensely with renewed vigor and deadly intent.
(In his mind).
"The goat cult leader is the focus. He's dangerous to both Orbkind and Humankind. I can't let him walk away from this—I have to kill him."
His grip on the sword tightening as he prepared for a decisive strike.
(Out of his mind).
Axel: "Extending your power is insignificant compared to mine."
He scoffed, his black liquid flashing into a swift, precise strike that severed Hayden's arm cleanly. However, Hayden remained unfazed, his energy immediately activating to regenerate another arm.
Axel: "Well, I must admit, you're more powerful than I initially thought."
He conceded, a hint of respect in his voice. It was the first time he had faced an opponent who could withstand his attacks and regenerate so quickly. The battle had lasted longer than any of his previous encounters.
Hayden: "You're strong, but also dangerous."
He growled, stepping forward with renewed determination.
Hayden: "I can't let you live knowing your ideals."
In an instant, a figure clad in black with a mask covering their face appeared behind him, driving a blade straight through Hayden's stomach.
Hayden's eyes widened dramatically, his body stiffening as the blade pierced deep within him. He coughed up blood, his blood energy flickering slightly from the sudden, unexpected attack. The masked figure behind him was skilled - they had struck without warning or sound. His black blood sword lowered slightly.
(In his mind).
"I didn't hear him or sense him coming."
(Out of his mind).
Axel: "The first link didn't expect you to show up,"
He stated coldly, his black liquid forming a hand that grasped the hilt of the blade still embedded in Hayden. He began to twist the blade slowly.
Axel: "Your fight is over Hayden."
(First Link).
Aaron: "I couldn't resist the opportunity to kill someone. I derive great pleasure from harming others, especially women—they're so weak and fragile."
(In his mind).
"Especially that little girl who got away from me. She is still out there, waiting for me to kill her!"
He remembers the little girl named Emi who managed to escape during his killing rampages. He targets women who resemble Emi—hair color, and facial features—as substitutes for the child he never caught.
(Out of his mind).
Hayden quickly sprang backwards, pulling himself away from the blade with a swift, decisive motion. He turned and fled, his mind racing with confusion and questions.
(In his mind).
"The First Link?"
He thought to himself, his heart pounding in his chest.
"What in the hell is going on?"
(Out of his mind).
Axel: "Let him go."
He commanded, turning his attention back to the First Link.
Axel: "I have something more pressing to attend to."
The First Link nodded silently, disappearing into the shadows as Axel's black liquid began to disappear.
(At the other side of the tunnels).
As Kai wakes up, he notices his stab wound has completely healed. He looks over to see Takumi and Klaudia, their expressions a mix of relief and concern. Takumi takes a step closer, his voice gentle but firm.
Takumi: "Kai..."
With Takumi's gentle support, Kai sits up, his gaze lingering on the healed wound. He looks up at Takumi, his voice barely audible as he speaks his name.
Kai: "Takumi..."
Takumi meets his gaze steadily, his expression softening even further.
Takumi: "We found you unconscious."
He explains softly.
(Flashback at the underground facility).
Kaito: "It's finally time to revisit this place and cherish those beautiful memories."
He opens the portal to 'The Town That Never Stops Bleeding,' a twisted smile forming on his face as he remembers the death and destruction that once occurred there.
As everyone steps inside the portal appearing into the gruesome town that never stops bleeding.
Klaudia: "You'd better stay here, Kaito, or I swear I'll kill you myself!"
Kaito chuckles darkly and smirks back, amused by the threat.
Kaito: "Oh, I'm shaking in my boots."
He says sarcastically.
Kaito: "Come on, try it. I dare you."
Klaudia's eyes narrowed into a fierce glare as she activated her blood ability, freezing Kaito in place mid-smirk. She leaned in close, her voice low and menacing.
Klaudia: "Listen here, you arrogant prick. You're going to sit your ass down and hear what I have to say."
Kaito: "Yes, yes, I understand."
He says with an amused smirk despite being paralyzed by Klaudia's blood ability. He finds this situation surprisingly entertaining and his smirk only grows wider at her threat.
Klaudia: "Good boy."
She snaps sarcastically before backhanding Kaito across the face hard enough to snap his head to the side. She steps back immediately afterward, her hand tingling from the impact. His smirk remains intact despite the hit.
Kaito: "I didn't see that coming at all."
He admits with a chuckle, rubbing his stinging cheek where Klaudia hit him. His smirk returns full force as he shakes his head in amusement.
Kaito: "But damn, that was entertaining."
Takumi: "Enough talk."
He mutters, pushing away from the group. He sets off in search of Kai without looking back.
Takumi: "I'm going to find Kai."
He mumbles to himself, his expression serious.
Klaudia nods, her eyes still glinting with a hint of anger from her earlier interaction with Kaito. She turns and follows Takumi into the town, leaving Ashton and Kaito alone by the portal.
As Takumi and Klaudia rounded a corner, they spotted Kai slumped near a sealed tunnel entrance. Takumi's heart pounding, he rushed forward only to see a dark stain spreading across Kai's shirt—a fresh stab wound just below his ribs.
Takumi: "Kai!"
His voice is urgent as he reaches the injured teenage boys side. Without hesitation, he activates his time energy, rewinding the stab wound with incredible precision. The blood vanishes, the wound closes, and Kai's breathing steadies instantly, as if he'd never been injured at all.
(End of Flashback).
(Now).
Kai: "That's right... That person in the cloak stabbed me,"
He says it calmly, remembering the ordeal.
Takumi: "Then I'll take care of the rest."
He says in a serious tone.
He quickly glances at Klaudia, his expression stern and urgent.
Takumi: "Klaudia."
He commands softly but firmly.
Takumi: "Take care of Kai. I'll handle the bastards who did this to him."
His tone leaves no room for argument, showing his protective nature and focus on revenge.
Klaudia: "Sure."
She says calmly, standing right next to Kai.
Takumi quickly disappears, heading towards the direction of the heavy energy he senses. His movements are swift and purposeful, driven by his desire for vengeance against those who harmed Kai. The energy pulses strongly, leading him unerringly towards the source of the disturbance.
(Meanwhile at the Portal).
Kaito muttered under his breath, his voice dripping with sarcasm and a hint of disappointment.
Kaito: "How utterly boring,"
He said with a twisted smirk, clearly expecting more entertainment.
With a composed demeanor, Ashton spoke up, his voice steady and calm.
Ashton: "I believe it is time for me to take my leave. The Orbilence levels here are unusually high, and I must determine the cause."
His words carried an air of authority and purpose.
Kaito watched Ashton depart with a mixture of annoyance and disappointment.
Kaito: "Whatever suits you, I guess."
He muttered sarcastically, his hands shoved into his pockets. The sudden solitude now weighing heavily on him, he found himself alone once again, just as he hated being.
Ranura: "You seem sad, Original Link."
She appeared suddenly before Kaito, startling him. Before he could react, she leaped onto his shoulders, nearly causing him to stagger. Her weight bearing down on him, Kaito felt a mixture of exhaustion and mild annoyance wash over him.
Kaito: "I was rather hoping to spread some misery today."
He admitted with a dark chuckle.
Kaito: "The sound of people crying and screaming always brings me such joy."
His twisted smile widened as he spoke, his eyes gleaming with a sadistic pleasure at the thought of causing pain and anguish.
Ranura: "I understand your bloodthirst well, Kaito."
She purred, her voice dripping with malice.
Ranura: "There is a particular individual we must eliminate - a girl said to possess God's powers. She is currently present in this world, and I suggest we make her our personal plaything."
Kaito: "That sounds incredibly tempting."
He replied, his twisted smirk returning. His eyes gleamed with a mix of excitement and malice at the prospect of tormenting such a powerful target.
(Meanwhile at the underground facility).
Mochizuki: "Thanks for helping me..."
He blushes slightly as he gazes upon Kaien.
Kaien: "Y-You're welcome."
He stammers slightly as he smiles weakly. As he felt a sudden, sharp pain in his lower back, he realized that it was the mark the goat cult had branded upon him - a reminder of the very fate he sought to escape, as indicated by the backup link to the book he desperately wished not to be a part of.
Mochizuki: "..."
He observed Kaien flinch, noticing something amiss.
Mochizuki: "Is everything alright, Kaien?"
He inquired gently, concern etched upon his face as he sought to understand the other Kaien's sudden discomfort.
At first, Kaien hesitated, reluctant to share his burden. But seeing the genuine concern in Mochizuki's eyes, he realized that here was someone he could trust implicitly - someone who might actually understand the darkness he carried within him.
Kaien: "There's a mark on my back."
He admitted softly, his voice barely audible.
Kaien: "My mistress struck a bargain with the goat cult..."
He spoke softly.
Mochizuki: "The goat cult?"
He repeated, his eyes widening in shock and concern. He clenched his fists tightly, feeling a sudden surge of anger and fear as he realized the gravity of the situation.
Kaien: "I'm the third link's backup."
He murmured, his voice tinged with despair.
Kaien: "In case he dies, I become the new third link..."
His words hung heavy in the air, revealing the weight of his predicament and the fate that awaited him.
Mochizuki: "That won't happen."
He declared firmly, his anger fuelled by a mix of frustration and protectiveness. He gently wrapped his arms around Kaien in a comforting hug, his hands resting on Kaien's back - unknowingly near the mark that bound him to the goat cult.
Mochizuki: "I promise."
Kaien slowly melts into the embrace, rare tears threatening to spill over as he wraps his arms around Mochizuki. For the first time in years, he felt a glimmer of hope - someone who wasn't trying to use or control him, but truly wanted to protect him. Kaien's tears began to fall, silent and bitter, as memories of the third link's past - the pain, the suffering, the ultimate sacrifice - flooded his mind. He clung to Mochizuki desperately, convinced that his own fate would soon mirror that of the third link.
A memory surfaced in Kaien's mind - a six-year-old boy adopted by a seventy-year-old man who treated him like an adult lover rather than a child. They had sex frequently; the boy believed pain was love because his elderly lover was into BDSM - whips, chains, harsh words...
The boy grew up believing that love was synonymous with physical pain and emotional abuse. His adopted father would often say things like "If you love me, you'll endure this" or "Real men can take pain without crying". The boy never questioned it, thinking this was normal love and affection.
As the boy grew older, the abuse intensified. His adopted father would lock him in a dungeon-like room for days, only allowing him out to be beaten or raped. The boy started to dissociate during these sessions, his mind creating barriers to protect his fragile psyche. He began to see pain as pleasure,...
He began to associate pain with pleasure and love. He would beg his adopted father to hurt him more, thinking it was a sign of deeper affection. By the time he was a teenager, he was completely conditioned—pain was his drug, abuse was his love language.The boy grew up twisted,... broken,... addicted...
Kaien abruptly breaks down, his hands trembling as he tries to suppress the memory. With a choked sob, he forcibly pushes the traumatic recollection deep into the recesses of his mind, his subconscious slamming shut like a metal door to protect his fragile sanity from the overwhelming horror.
Mochizuki: "It's okay, Kaien."
He murmured softly, his protective instincts roaring. He carefully pulled Kaien back into his embrace, realizing that some of those memories had likely warped Kaien's perception of love and affection.
Mochizuki: "I'm going to fix this."
(At the Town That Never Stops Bleeding).
Blood continued to pour down from the sky, covering streets and buildings in a crimson blanket. Hiromi strained every muscle, attempting to break through the walls of the sealed tunnel, but they remained unyielding. A creeping sensation crawled up her spine—she could feel eyes watching her from the darkness.
(In the background).
(First Link).
Aaron: "She resembles...Emi."
The young girl who slipped through his grasp during his frenzied rampage. The girl he had yearned to claim as his final victim. Aaron's thoughts drifted back to that fateful day as he stared at Hiromi, seeing an eerie likeness to the girl who had eluded him.
He slowly pulled out his sword, its blade gleaming with dried blood stains from countless past victims. His eyes began to glow an eerie crimson as he channeled the book's power at its maximum capacity—100%. The air around him seemed to thicken with malevolent energy.
In the blink of an eye, Aaron vanished and reappeared directly behind Hiromi. His sword flashed through the air with deadly precision, intended to pierce her heart—but at the last moment, he twisted his wrist. The blade sliced diagonally across her chest instead, missing vital organs by mere millimeters.
Hiromi instantly utilizes her god powers, retreating swiftly to maintain a safe distance. She appears unsettled, having not sensed his approach.
His smile fades slightly, impressed by Hiromi's abilities but determined to claim his prize.
Aaron: "Didn't expect you'd be this skilled."
(In his mind).
"There's no way in hell she mastered God's power that quickly. It's impossible."
He quickly shifts his focus back to Emi, using the resemblance between Hiromi and Emi to keep his interest in the battle. He needs to keep his anger and desire for revenge fueled by this similarity.
(Out of his mind).
Aaron: "Emi, you worthless piece of trash! How dare you leave me!"
His face contorts with anger as he lunges at Hiromi with his sword, attempting to stab her repeatedly. However, Hiromi's God's power allows her to effortlessly dodge each attack.
Hiromi: "Who are you?"
She asked, looking at him.
Hiromi: "Are you one of the goat cult members?"
She questioned.
Aaron: "Emi... I've been searching for you. It's been so long since we last saw each other. But do you remember your family? I certainly do. I remember killing them."
His twisted smile grows even wider, reveling in the pain he knows his words will cause.
He chuckles a bit while clenching his sword, a sick twisted smile appearing on his face as he remembers when he killed Emi's Mother and Father. Emi's Mother was killed by letting hungry dogs feast on her body while she was still alive. Emi's Father was killed by having his arms and legs slowly chopped off, piece by piece, with an old saw. The process was undoubtedly painful.
Hiromi: "Did you just kill someone's parents? What's wrong with you? Those people didn't do anything to deserve that!"
Her anger flared as she immediately charged towards him, her strength enhanced by a mix of her own energy and God's power. She threw punches at Aaron's face with lightning speed. Aaron narrowly dodged each blow, his movements suddenly becoming lightning-fast thanks to the book's power.
(In the background).
A figure cloaked in black, its face obscured by a grotesque gas mask, lurked silently in the shadows, eyes fixed intently on the heated confrontation between Aaron and Hiromi. The mysterious observer seemed to savor the violence unfolding before them, an eerie smile curling behind the mask.
Creation Orb King: "How intriguing! God's Power versus the Book's Power. I wonder how this will unfold."
The Black Figure: "Yes it is."
(In his mind).
"I shall interfere soon."
(Out of his mind).
This will continue in the next chapter.