Sōn sat by himself infront of his childhood house "Who could have thought that I'd be the only one left in my family?", he thought. He continued to think while sitting by himself "Mom was from the Blaze family, they were known for having incredible amount of fire power that no one in the world could match. And as for dad, he was from the Takahama clan. I don't know much about them....", he remembered when Kojin told once told him "Im a full blooded Takahama, although i didn't spend my entire life growing up there. But one thing about we Takahama is for certain, Sōn.". Sōn continued to think to himself "All I know is that Takahama's could easily wield destructive energy, that and the fact that they were pretty crazy and brutal fighters.". Sōn looked up in the air while thinking of Saito "Saito took the destructive energy ability from dad's side, I on the other hand took mom's flames abilities from her Blaze family.". He remembered Suzuha(His mom) smiling at him "Sōn, don't be too rough okay? Otherwise girls won't like you.". Sōn snapped out of the flashback with a soft smile on his face "She was always so warm to me. Apparently she died from a mental breakdown.", he sighed and stood up. Sōn said to himself "Mom, Dad and Saito aren't around anymore. Which means I'm the only one left to carry the Blaze and the Takahama name.", he smirked softly "Looks like I'll do it all on my own now.". About a few minutes later, everyone was in Veronica's office. Mori, Runo, Deo, Serena, Sukuna and Baraka all stood infront of Veronica. Sukuna looked around "Hm? Where's everyone else?", Serena added They sure are late.". Mori seemed a little confused at the moment "Seriously, are we too busy doing our own things nowadays? It's kinda surprising.", Runo explained "We haven't been this late before, everyone else is probably doing something important.". Kazuki walked in "Sorry for being late.", Serena jolted with surprise "Kazuki.". Kazuki, looking straight and disinterested as usual scaned around the room as he walked forward "Isnt the vibe here a bit off?", he said. Sukuna proceeded to ask "What do you mean?", Kazuki asked "Where's Alex?". She didn't seem surprised, instead she seemed slightly annoyed "So that's what seemed off to him?!". Baraka looked around "Yeah, where is Alex? Matter of fact, has anyone seen Kinto?", Sukuna explained "He's probably building some kind of bomb or something. Either that or he's being lazy again.", Deo looked at Sukuna "No, you got it wrong. He's on a mission.", she looked at Deo "Seriously?". Veronica clapped her hands to get everyone's attention "Alright, that's enough. Alex and Kinto are both currently on a mission now. So they won't be here.", Runo glanced left and right "What of Raquel?", she asked. Baraka was also a bit confused "Yeah, Raquel too?", Veronica also explained "Raquel's on a mission as well. She's up against some criminals a few miles away. But her location isn't something I'm willing to share right now.", Mori just blinked "Hm! Wonder what kind of mission she's going through.". Kazuki asked "So? What did you call us for?", Veronica explained, her hands together "I called you all here for you to be tested.". The team looked confused for a moment "Huh?", Veronica explained again "I said I called you all to be tested.". The entire squad became silent, all looking confused "Um, Veronica? What do you mean by that?", Runo asked. Veronica sighed In dissapointment "Despite how strong you all are, you're still so empty headed. I feel like a dissapointed elder sister.", everyone yelled with annoyance "WE SHOULD BE THE ONE FEELING DISSAPOINTED!". Veronica explained "Alright, all jokes aside. There are a lot of things that are going to be happening soon. I'm not going to tell you all what it is yet, which is why I want to prepare you all now.". Sukuna asked "Um, Lady Veronica? What is this test?", Veronica explained "You see, in Kagahara, there's a chamber that exists under the city. The chamber is called the [INNER DEMON WORLD].". Kazuki muttered "Inner demon world?", Veronica spoke further "Back then, before the Demon Country was destroyed, there was a chamber demon's went too in order to grow stronger.....". She continued to elaborate "Demon's were humans who had terrifying levels of power that no one could beat. Even till today, if they still existed, no one would be able to stand up to them in terms of power. Although, moat of them weren't bad people.". Veronica continued to explain to her squad "Despite the kind of powers they had, getting stronger was a problem for them. You see, there was a curse placed on them that didn't allow them to grow in strength anymore once they hit they're supposed limits. But you see, that's where the [Inner Demon Chamber], comes in. That chamber was a place where demons could fight the evil versions of themselves to the death.". Kazuki thought to himself while remembering the time Kojin took he and Alex to a chamber during the previous war against the [DARK SIGN] "I think I know what she's getting at. Back then, before his death, Kojin took us to a chamber. He explained to Alex about fighting his inner demon or something, it was supposed to get him stronger.". Kazuki started to think of all the times where he's seen Alex go on a rampage "I've seen Alex showcase crazy levels of power, and I've even seen him lose his damn mind before. If what Veronica's saying is true, that means Alex is a demon. Not as a complement of power, but an actual one.". Mori asked Veronica "So what you're saying is that there are going to be some new enemies ahead. And In order to beat them, we have to take this test. Is that what you're saying?", Veronica playfully replied "ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!". The entire team yelled "NOW'S NOT THE TIME!". Runo then asked "So? When are we going into this dark chamber thing to train?", Veronica replied "We'll be going today. Although, not all of us would participate.". Baraka asked "Seriously? Then why not call only the people you needed?", Deo also agreed "Im with Baraka on this one.". Veronica looked at them "Because I have something in mind for everyone here.". She pointed "Kazuki and Deo, go meet Diablo, he'll tell you what to do. Runo, you stay back. Serena and Sukuna, you'll stay behind with me as well. Baraka and Mori, you'll be with me.". Sukuna looked around "Hey, someone's missing.", Serena tells her "Alex, Raquel and Kinto aren't around. Weren't you listening?", Sukuna looked back "Where's Sōn?", Veronica paused for a moment "Wait, where is Sōn?". Sōn walked in "Sorry I'm late.", everyone said to him "YOU'RE LATE!". Sōn smiled nervously "Sorry.". Deo asked "What took you so long?", Sōn replied "I got distracted, sorry.", he asked "So what's going on?". Serena explained "We'll fill you in later, just follow what we do.", Sōn cracked his neck "Got it.". Sukuna looked at him with a mild smile "Hey, Sōn. You okay?", Sōn looked at her and told her "Oh, hey Sukuna. Don't worry, I'm doing fine.". Kazuki looked a bit confused "Since when did you two start getting friendly?", Serena looked like she was thinking of something while looking at Sukuna and Sōn "Yeah, when did you both start talking all Friendly?". Sōn looked confused and irritated "Oh, it's not what you think.", Sukuna looked at Serena "You of all people should know, Serena.". Serena was a bit lost "Know? Know what?", Sukuna blinked "You mean I never told you? Sōn's my cousin, from dad's side.". The entire squad except Kazuki were stunned, all taking a step back "Eh?", they exclaimed with shock. Veronica herself was also confused "Huh? Wait, seriously?". Sōn looked at his friends "You guys didn't know? Sukuna and I are cousins. Her dad's my uncle, and my late mom was his elder sister, making her Sukuna's aunt.". Serena yelled with fear and confusion "WHY AM I JUST KNOWING THAT NOW?!", Sōn and Sukuna yelled "YOU NEVER ASKED!". Mori's tone was harsh but not loud "YOU FUCKING IDIOTS ARE MAKING NOISE!", Deo tried relaxing him "Calm down, Mori.". Kazuki said dryly "You all are hopeless.".
END OF CHAPTER.