Longer chapter this time because I had no idea where to seperate it into 2. Enjoy. -Raoul
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Chat Log
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Yu [Seeker]
Ren [J0ker]
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[J0ker]
I'm assuming this random deck of Tarot cards are from you. Thanks—they oddly fit me. One card didn't match the deck though. It was a yellow The World.
[Seeker]
Huh, that one wound up there? Keep it on you as a lucky charm or something. It's a card with good implications, especially where you are.
Also—don't be late to school. And prepare for a scolding from the girls.
[J0ker]
?
Alright. I'll bring it back in good condition. And make sure I don't get hit with a mic stand. Or a heavy fan…
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Ren set his phone down and took another bite of curry, washing it down with coffee.
A strange combination—but undeniably good.
"Wow, kid," Sojiro said, leaning against the counter. "You're really wolfing it down."
"Sorry," Ren replied, standing. "It's just way too good. Thanks for the meal, Boss. Want me to clean up?"
"Huh? No, no," Sojiro waved him off. "You should get going. Don't be late to school."
"I'm headed out. Thank you again," Ren said politely, slipping on his shoes.
Sojiro watched the door close and glanced at the plate as he washed it.
'This kid supposedly committed an assault, huh?'
He shook his head. 'Who the hell would believe it?'
Ren was too polite. Too distant.
He only really surfaced when he was half awake.
"Hey, Boss," a customer called. "You remind that kid to bring an umbrella? Looks like rain."
"Huh?" Sojiro frowned. "Rain?"
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"Rain sucks," Ren goaned beneath an awning as droplets hit the pavement.
A soft laugh came from beside him.
"Looks like you forgot your umbrella too.
The girl was striking—blonde twin tails, bright eyes, stylish without being gaudy. Confident. Classy.
But her gaze kept sweeping the street with a touch of anxiety.
"My name's Ann. Ann Takamaki," she said, smiling softly and holding out her hand.
Ren turned. Glasses off.
"Ren Amamiya. Nice to meet you, Takamaki-san. I just transferred here."
As he turned forward again, he cleaned a smudge from his glasses with his thumb realizing he probably scared her with his unexplained glare.
'His eyes are intense,' Ann thought. 'But he doesn't sound angry…'
"Ahh! That explains a lot! Well—"
She froze.
Ren noticed it instantly.
A car rolled to a stop. The window slid down, revealing a man with a pronounced chin and a swagger of arrogance that barely passed for confidence.
"Hey, Takamaki," the man said smoothly with a grin. "Need a ride?"
Ren stared at him blankly.
"Why are you catcalling a student?" he asked flatly, his steel grey eyes flashing gold briefly, staring directly into the man's eyes.
Ann was startled. The man's eyes widened—just slightly, and his pupils dilated a bit.
"Oh!" she said quickly. "You misunderstood—that's a teacher. Kamoshida-sensei."
'She's afraid of him,' Ren realized with a frown.
"Oh," Ren said calmly. "My apologies, Sensei." Before giving a slight bow.
Kamoshida smiled thinly. "You were just… protecting her. Do either of you need a ride?"
Before Ren could answer, Ann nodded. As she stepped toward the car, she gave Ren a look that said don't worry. As Kamoshida gave him a look that said, a ride for him was just lip service.
Ren declined politely and watched the car drive off.
"DAMMIT!"
A vulgar sounding blonde boy stomped past. "Damn pervy teacher."
He looked rather wiry, but in shape none the less. Like an althete. Tight muscles like a runner. Maybe a Track member or Soccer player. Unfortunately it seemed he had a bit of a limp causing him to slouch.
He eyed Ren. "What, you gonna rat me out to Kamoshida?"
"Kamoshida?"
"Yeah. Acts like he's king of the castle doesn't he?"
"Castle?" Ren frowned. 'More like a creep than a king.'
"Wait....You do go to Shujin, right?"
"I'm a transfer. Second year."
"That explains it. Second year as well. Name's Ryuji Sakamoto. Let's go—the rain's easing up."
Pain slammed into Ren's skull as they cut through an alley.
"Ow. I wanna go home," Ryuji groaned feeling like something punched him in the side of the head.
A squeal made them turn.
A girl stood behind them—bandages wrapped around her neck, arms, legs. Bruises everywhere.
'That's not normal,' Ren thought. And it's familiar...those locations...'
"Suzui?!" Ryuji said. "Why are you following us?"
"Didn't you see that?!" she snapped.
"See what?"
"The puddle splash looked like that weird Beatles movie!" She sighed. "Never mind. I'm just tired."
They quickly stepped out of the alley.
A massive stone castle loomed before them with Shujin Academy's sign standing proudly out front.
"Well," Ren said evenly, "unless we've all been drugged, I'm shocked they renovated this much. I'm Ren by the way. Honorifics aren't really my thing."
"THIS IS CLEARLY NOT THE SCHOOL!" Ryuji yelled.
Suzui giggled weakly. "It's like a boke tsukkomi skit.... But nice to meet you Ren. I'm Shiho Suzui. Wish we weren't going crazy together."
"Why can't I go one day without anime nonsense?" Ren muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.
As he turned and he saw Ryuji charging forward in irritation, saying something about not being late.
"Idiot!" Suzui yelled.
"I guess we're all idiots," Ren sighed—and followed.
As they entered Figures clad in suits of real metal armor swarmed them.
"Wow this cosplay is legit..." Ryuji started.
Ren however, noticed that the swords were sharp, and rushed forward to tackle one of the guards. "RUN!"
Too late.
"Intruders!!"
A shield slammed into Ryuji, knocking him into Suzui. Before darkness swallowed everything.
This is what Igor means by ruin? Ren thought.
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"Hey—are you alright?!"
Ren groaned awake.
"Yeah. You?"
"Sore. Suzui's still out—do you know first aid?"
"Relax," Suzui muttered, sitting up. "You always panic."
Ren exhaled.
Then Suzui froze.
"Where the hell…?"
"It appears to be a prison cell," Ren said dryly.
"You know that's not what I meant," she deadpanned—then smiled. With all the shit going on in her life, a joke in this circumstance helped a bit.
Footsteps echoed.
"Ah… so these are the prisoners." A familiar layered voice said.
Suzui jumped behind Ren.
'Kamoshida again,' Ren realized with a frown. 'Another girl afraid of him...'
"KAMOSHI—WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU WEARING, YOU FREAK?!" Ryuji shouted.
Kamoshida stood outside the cell, eyes lingering on Suzui.
"This would be more dramatic if you weren't wearing a speedo and a cape," Ren mentioned.
Silence.
Kamoshida's face turning red from rage, he snarled; "I'm glad I chose execution. That look in your eyes pisses me off"
Guards opened the cell.
Ren rushed the king to kick him in the chest, dodging the few knights approaching—only to be slammed back by a shield.
Having him pinned against the wall, Kamoshida sneered. "You don't get it do you?"
"Here, I am king! Watch helplessly!"
Ryuji received a vicious kick to his limping leg, knocking him down as he tried to throw a punch.
Suzui froze in place as Kamoshida approached her—licking his lips.
Ren saw red.
'Enough!'
Then Time froze.
A blue butterfly fluttered past.
"This is truly an unjust game," a gentle feminine voice whispered before phasing out and the gentle sigh of a man overlapping the feminine voice's own.
"Are you going to forsake her?" another voice boomed in Ren's head. "You know what awaits should you do nothing..."
"Was your previous action a mistake?"
'No,' Ren thought fiercely as his head throbbed in pain. 'And I won't let it happen this time either.'
"Vow to me!!!"
"I am thou. Thou art I," the voice answered.
"Thou who art willing to commit all acts of sacrilege for thine own justice.... Release thy rage!! Show the strength of thy will to ascertain all on thine own, though thou be chained to hell itself!"
"STOP!" Ren roared.
A shockwave erupted as time resumed, knocking back all the guards as well as the perverted self-proclaimed king.
A bone-white mask formed over Ren's face—black markings like eyeliner.
'Get it off. Get it off. Gettit off!!!!!'
He tore it off furiously as blood scattered into the air, his glasses shattering. His eyes burning a eerie golden hue as blood seeped down his face where the mask once was.
Blue flames surged around him, covering his body.
"What the—" Ryuji gasped as Suzui scrambled away, watching in awe.
"STOP HIM!" Kamoshida screamed.
A towering figure emerged from behind Ren—red suit, wings spreading, smiling as he caused another, weaker shockwave.
"I am the Pillager of Twilight, Arsène!" it declared. "I am the rebel soul that resides within you. Are you ready for our opening act, mon ami?"
Ren steadied himself, ignoring his new knife and outfit that consists of a long black coat, black leather slacks, slightly heeled boots, and red gloves. He stood in a knife stance instinctively.
"Let's do this, Arsène!" He declared.