Prologue
Reito: *Snores.*
Teacher: Mr. Mochizuki! Is there a good reason why you’re sleeping in my class?
He was hit with a marker as he scratched his head.
Reito: Sorry. But I have no interest in learning something in history that I’ve learned before.
Teacher: Is that so? Then you shouldn’t have any problem answering this question.
The teacher said with a hint of sassiness in her voice as Reito walked up to the board. History was his favorite class. Second only to P.E.
Reito: The reason why Hitler managed to seize victories in the early years of WW2 was the tactic known as “Blitzkrieg.” It focused on the speed of movement, speed of decision-making, and material firepower. He used these tactics in Holland, Poland, Norway, France, and Belgium.
Teacher: Alright. But I expect you to pay attention next time. You’re smart, so don’t let arrogance get in the way of your studies.
Reito: I think half of this won’t help me in the future.
Teacher: Oh, really? And just what is it that you want to become after graduation?
Reito: I haven’t thought about that. I go with the flow, and I end up where it puts me. I live in the moment.
The history lesson soon ended, and Reito moved to his final class of the day. P.E. A lesson that Reito loved above all else. It’s taught him so much and inspired him to improve his body. Every night, he does sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups, and planks. Even at just 15 years old, he was considered to be the top dog of his class. Being more athletic than some seniors and adults sure has its perks, but Reito knew that knowledge was just as important. Without strength, knowledge is useless. That always stayed in the front of his mind when in that class. He liked that he was so athletic. He was no joke, and he took pride in that.
Although being so far ahead of the majority of the teenagers in his school, he didn’t like gaining so much attention. He despised being the center of attention. Almost everyone looked up to him and admired him, but he didn’t prefer to be completely alone. He did hang out with some classmates from time to time, and being somewhat cocky, he wasn’t a jerk. When people really needed it, he would offer his help as much as he could. The one thing he despised the most was bullies. Getting into fights slightly began to increase during his freshman years of high school. He took pride in himself, but arrogance was worth 0 value to him.
As the lesson ended, Reito walked out of the school and watched as the sky began to turn cloudy. Watching the weather was calming to him. His favorite was when he was able to calmly feel the rain. The sudden feel of the water drops hitting his skin and the sound of the rain hitting objects, like his windows, made him feel more at ease. He liked rain the most, as it travels and falls where it wants to. Despite his way of living, he wanted to experience how other people lived their lives.
It’s not that he was ungrateful. He was very grateful for his life, but he had comfort in his life. Little to no suffering. He knew that chasing or having comfort would lead to suffering in the end. He’s never experienced a real struggle. He knows that students talk about grades falling, family problems, etc. He wasn’t depressed but just bored beyond relief. Even at the age of 15, there’s nothing for him to do that’s different. The way of the world was shut off from the youth.
Reito: I just... I wish that something interesting would happen in my life. Just one time...
He said to himself as he walked home. Or his so-called “home.” In truth... Reito was adopted and lived in a 2 story house with 3 other kids. All of them were below the age of 10.
Reito: I’m back. Ms. Yua!
Kids: Reito’s back!
He was swarmed by his younger siblings and nearly fell to the floor.
Yua: Welcome home, Reito. How was school?
Reito: Same old.
Yua: Did you sleep well?
Of course, she knew of Reito’s antics. Not that he tried to hide them. She didn’t encourage them, but she did know why he was the way he is. Reito never knew his parents. Not the sounds of their voices, nor their appearance. He doesn’t even know if they’re alive.
Reito: Not really.
Kid 1: Reito! Play with me!
Kid 2: No, play with me!
Reito: Alright, alright. I’ll play with all of you. And then that’s it.
The kids cheer as they rush upstairs. Reito goes into the kitchen and gets a glass of water.
Yua: The kids really like you, Reito.
Reito: And I like them. Hell, kids like anything they find entertaining. You put that show on, what was the name... Go Diego Go! They’ll watch it without taking their eyes off the screen.
Yua: That’s how kids are. Do you have any homework?
Reito: No. You know I finish all my work in school.
Yua: A mother worries. It’s in our nature.
Reito: True that. (And annoying.)
He finishes his water before heading upstairs and playing with his younger siblings. A few hours went by, and Reito saw them all sleeping on the floor and chuckled before lifting them and putting them in their separate beds one by one and tucking them in. he went into his room and hung his backpack up near his dresser and changed into different clothes. He opened his window and walked out onto the roof and sat down. He said nothing as he looked at the glowing crescent moon in the night sky. Enjoying the silence. It was as if the moon was staring right back at him.
All of a sudden, he felt a slight pain around his left hip. He thought it was his body’s reaction from exercising so much. So he shook it off. Dim purple energy started to form around his waist as it slowly started to change and the pain worsened. The energy was still foggy-like as it started forming around one spot and began to take the form of a sword. The pain transitioned as he felt the pain come from within his chest.
Reito: (What’s this pain? It’s like a hand is grabbing hold of my heart... Every time my heart beats, it gets slightly tighter.)
All of a sudden, the pain had stopped. Not wanting to waste time, Reito hopped into his room and closed his window. It took nearly an hour, but Reito had fallen asleep. And that’s when he heard it. A demonic voice from within began calling out.
???:(Hello there.)
Reito: What is this? Is this some sort of... Sick dream? Where are you?!
???:(Calm yourself.)
In a space not known to Reito, he found himself standing on a plain of water with the sky being dark and the only light source being the glowing moon. A being of black energy with glowing red eyes began to form in front of Reito. He was shocked.
???:(You’re in no danger. My name is Michikatsu, but I’ve been renamed - Kokushibo.)
Reito: Kokushibo? Doesn’t that mean “Black death.“? Are you going to kill me?
Kokushibo:(I have no interest in doing so. I’m slightly impressed that you know what my name means. You’ve taken this better than most people. I’ll give you that.)
Reito: Taken... Better? Who- What are you?
Kokushibo:(To put it simply, I’m a demon. Powerful beings. I now realize that I have some explaining to do. Tell me... What do you know of the supernatural...?)
Reito: I mean... It’s full of mythical beings. I think of Angels and devils, ghosts, aliens, and whatnot. I’m actually fascinated by the supernatural. It’s all interesting, regardless of whether it’s fiction. The world seems so much better with the supernatural. Wait, why are you asking me this?
Kokushibo:(Isn’t it obvious? It’s because they do exist. There are 3 groups called Factions: Devils, Fallen angels, and Angels, except for a few more. One of them being dragons.)
Reito: Dragons exist, too? Cool.
He didn’t know whether to be calm or scared. He was curious and decided to ask his new “friend” about this.
Reito: So... Is our knowledge about the supernatural accurate? How much did we get right and wrong?
Kokushibo:(The information you humans make on the supernatural is more accurate than I had expected, but there are still more wrongs than rights. Your kind has only been scratching the surface of what the supernatural really is.)
Reito: Huh. Wait, I have one thing to ask. Is the Mothman real?
Kokushibo:(Of course it is?)
Reito: And Bigfoot, yeti, ooh Jersey devil?
Kokushibo:(Yes. They are all real.)
Reito: Then how can you explain hundreds of people seeing these creatures in or near the same locations, searching for them, and then not being true?
Kokushibo:(One thing you need to get into that head of yours is that the supernatural are great at hiding and masking their identity.)
Reito: Really? Just by hiding? Wow.
Kokushibo:(You seem to be fascinated by what you’re hearing?)
Reito: I’m a curious guy. What can I say? Since you know so much, why don’t you tell me about the supernatural world in detail?
Kokushibo:(That’s going to take some time. I’ll start with an alternate version, starting from... The Great War.)
The strange demon explains to Reito about the underworld and the war that’s residing.
Reito: Even the devils, angels, and fallen angels had an all-out war? Sounds like another version of humans.
Kokushibo:(They may be powerful beings, but their minds are just as foolish as mankind. Thanks to their foolish minds, nearly all 3 races wiped themselves out.)
Reito: That’s them. I’m not like that. I’ll admit, humans have made some stupid decisions over the years. We still do. But we’ve begun to change.
Kokushibo:(That may be, but you’re still an arrogant brat who’s way over their head. You don’t have the slightest idea of what this world is capable of. Be that as it may, you’re stuck with me now. We’re going to need time to train. Your body looks to be in physical shape, so that’s a start. We both strive for the same thing. You want to hold humanity to a higher standard, and I want to hold demons to higher attributes. That’s more than enough reason. Let us become stronger together, and what we want will come true. You will listen to my instructions and receive guidance.)
Reito: This is all a bit too fast. Fine.
Kokushibo:(Good. You’re going to need time to prepare to use my power. It’s only going to get worse from here.)
Reito: Why?
Kokushibo:(Greed and power-hungry leaders that don’t know what to do with it themselves, that’s why. You have a high affinity for this gift, and you’ll try to be recruited by them. They’ll even try to force you. I suggest you treasure this gift and use it carefully. It’s not to be trodden upon like some toy.)
Reito: Unlike most humans, I’m not power-hungry or one to use power to get what I want. Let us work together and strive for what we both want. May our interests coexist.
