381 381. The world's splendor.

WARNING!

The story contains graphic depictions of violence, sexuality, strong language, and/or other mature themes.

[The Fiend Lord: Arc 18]

Once upon a time, on Planet Earth, a young girl was born; the story goes that her identity was never adequately clarified, but she was effectively known as the 'Holy Light.'

Her title depicted the real life of one's planet. Humankind did not know the Dimensions that had appeared alongside her birth, only of the Spirits that had been destroyed or disappeared.

The woman... The Holy Light, the heir of all the inhabitants, was not born alone. The arrival of the Demon God, whose name was Rez, caused anarchy, and humanity was on the brink of extinction.

Humans terrified him because of his recklessness and hunger for blood, and Demons started to manifest all over the Earth and The World of Zero, alongside alternate races such as The Inner Fiends, The Shades, Wraiths, and Spirits.

To combat the challenge, a new breed of people has awakened, the 'Spiritual Duelists' and 'Substitute-Duelists,' who have been dubbed the "First Army to Face Evil."

With their Legendary Weapons, the Ginken. This swarm of humans increased the world's cleanliness to the greatest extent possible, overwhelming the Demons of various grades and placing their survival at risk.

But, after several years of waiting, the 'Holy Light' gave birth to a human child, a girl of theoretically greater worth than Zero herself, but unlikely to become the next 'Holy Light,' their Goddess gave the girl to a friendly family, and since her mother needed to participate in protecting the divinity, the girl's memories were wiped.

But there is another royalty trapped within the shadows that have been concealed for millennia, even longer than the birth of a Demon...

The only one who has beaten the 'Holy Light's own is the Fiend Lord. Its lurkers will undoubtedly be wiped out, and the newfound foe will ready the battlefield...

- Yashikami City, Friday, 7:00 am -

When Ayuka sat up and reached for her hoodie, she stuck her right arm into the sleeve when pulling it on, followed by the other arm, when she sat up and reached for her jeans, putting them on, when bending backward and kissing Tim on the cheek, once fixing the blanket.

"... The sun's risen ..." Ayuka spoke up, sighing as she stood up and grasping the side of the open wall as she gazed out over the area. "... But not for long..." she said, staring down at her hair.

"... Are you already... awake?" When she turned around, Tim felt confused.

- Yashikami City, Friday, 7:04 am -

"... Do you really need to leave again...?" Sitting on the blanket, Ayuka pondered. "... I'm sorry... truly... but- I've been here for far too long... Eri and the others can become concerned..." Tim was putting on his socks when he spoke.

"Eri?" Tim was suddenly humiliated. "Uh- She's just a neighbor... I know it sounds strange, but she's just a friend!" Tim yelled out, waving his hands up and down. Ayuka let out a breath. "... no, I believe you... I was just concerned about something happening between you and her..." She talked while staring down at the ground, a sad expression on her face.

Tim crawled up to her and grabbed her right leg. "No need to be concerned. I promise it. Nothing is going to happen between me and her..." Tim said something while staring Ayuka in the eyes.

"... I'm... sorry ... It feels as if I rushed..." Ayuka spoke up, embarrassment on her face. "What are you on about?" Tim thought, staring at her before letting go of her knee.

"... With this... You're still in the midst of college... or whatever it is you're doing... And I just stranded you here... for an entire night..." When a drop of sweat dripped down her brow, she said.

"... No, don't be concerned... Although, actually... I'm surprised you saw me this close..." Tim asserted, softening his palm. "So... how long do you plan on being away?" She raised her head, perplexed when Tim took a closer look at her. "... I was expected to return the next week... Though... I still have a lot of work to do... But I promise... I'll be back as soon as I get what I'm looking for..." Tim said this while standing up, sensing how Ayuka lifted her head to see.

"C-Can you... at least ... tell me where you're going?" She was perplexed when Tim closed his eyes. "The Gyuma City..." He spoke, and she was taken aback. "W-Wait a minute, that city... Isn't it the place where those thirteen civilians were violently murdered?" Tim's eyes shook as a result of her surprising query.

"I-I gotta go..." She got perplexed as a result of this. "No, stop! Just don't tell me that... You were the one who-" Tim, on the other hand, spoke. "... I was ordered to do so..." Ayuka was taken aback by this. "Y-You're not serious... W-Why...?" Leaning her right arm across her chest, she pondered. "... I'm sorry ... I know it was a mistake, and you can despise me all you must... But all I ever wanted to do was win my confidence, goodbye..." Tim took a step forward as a result of it.

"Wait..." She dashed in and grabbed for his left arm while he stared at her puzzledly, kissing him on the mouth and stunning him. "I'm sure you had a justification... Just..., please... Don't do it again..." She spoke after Tim gave her a soft smile. "Yeah, okay," Tim said, smiling. "Will you promise?" She enquired, and he eventually agreed.

"I promise... I'll see you soon..." Ayuka let go of him at that point as he walked around the corner.

"Oh, and don't forget to say 'hello' to the others, for when you return to the guild..." By nodding.

Ayuka sighed and turned back toward the area, watching Tim sprint across the rooftops, with the final glimpse of his body.

"... Just try to stay alive..."

- Gyuma City, Friday, 4:00 pm -

Tim walked through Gyuma's city streets before climbing the stairs and opening the gates, where he was greeted by Risa, Ryozo, and Jomei, as well as Eri.

"Tim, what have you been up to?" Eri grinned as she ran in front of him, reaching for his body. However, as soon as Eri threw herself over, Tim stepped to the side and let her hit her own head on the deck, Tim stepped to the left. "Hey! What was the point of that? I really needed to be hugged!" She yelled, rubbing the back of her neck.

"Don't do that..." Tim spoke as he took a step forward. "Oh, please! Why are you being so cruel? I'm sure you'd love to have your dick in my-" However, as she looked at him, she saw that his mind had shifted. "Don't tell me you cheated on me?!?" She demanded angrily after Tim closed his eyes.

"It's not cheating if I never loved you, to begin with." That caused Eri to freeze on the spot, her heart shattered.

"Yo, Tim! It's fantastic to see you. How did it turn out? What lady have you roped in?" When Tim sat in the chair, Jomei laughed. "What's the deal? What's the significance of that...?" Tim pondered this as he rested his right arm on the table. "Come on... I'm so curious," he said. When Tim smiled and glanced away, Jomei laughed, resting his right arm across his back.

"Maybe you'll bump into her in the future." Jomei got irritated at that point. "Aww, come on... I was just being snotty." Jomei spoke up. "I'm hoping she's hot!" Jomei called, giggling. "... she is..." That made Jomei laugh.

"Come on, Jomei, give the guy a break. He most likely had a 'fun' night..." Ryozo said this while standing in the corner, his mouth, and nose, hidden by his turtleneck jacket. "But I was just curious..." When Jomei saw Eri standing up with crossed arms and facing down, she became irritated.

"What's the deal with you? Is it possible that a rat bit your tongue?" Jomei wondered, looking at Eri, as Tim glanced at her. "Whoever that piece of bitchy needs is, I pray she dies..." Eri said as she looked away. As Tim's face appeared emotionless, Eri said as she looked away.

"... Yo, m-maybe you should watch your words...." Jomei claimed while attempting to cool her down. "For what purpose? The bitch is most likely just a whore who wants to..." Yet Tim stood up right there, as she got nervous.

"Maybe, Tim, you should slow down a bit..." Jome gigglingly claimed. "S-Stay there, you piece of scum! D-Don't get any close, you pervert!" Tim, on the other hand, walked past Eri as she shielded her chest, frightening herself.

"What?" She took a peek behind her. "Who'd ever want to be with you? You don't have anything, you're a flattie..." Tim said this when he opened the door, and everyone else laughed, though Eri felt embarrassed.

"You shitbag! Well, indeed! Leave right now! Nobody cares for you in the first place!" When she screamed, the door slammed shut, and everyone started to laugh. "Shut up!!!" When she couldn't stop them from laughing, she screamed furiously. "I'm sorry! I- It's just funny because it's true!" When Eri cried, Jomei laughed. "Awful!!!" Risa grinned calmly as she dashed through the door and locked it.

- Yashikami City, Friday, 4:07 pm -

After everyone had waited for her, Ayuka came through the entrance. "Oh, Ayuka! You were out all night?! Did you even get any sleep?" Codey inquired, quickly carrying a pillow, while Elliot carried a blanket and Sakami held clothing. "Wait, what are you doing?" Wondered Ayuka in mystery. "We have no idea where you slept! As a result, we wanted to get you as much comfort as possible!" Elliot called out while staring at her.

"However... I'm fine." She said this when smoothing her T-shirt. "We don't care! Please go into your room! We will take excellent care of you!" When Ayuka became bored, Codey spoke up. "I'm not kidding... I'm perfect..."

"Please hurry! Get her a cup of coffee or something! She should be warmed up in some way!" Ayuka frowned as Codey spoke.

"... Is this what I get? From the moment I return?" She frowned as she walked by them. "Oh, Ayuka! Wait a minute! You would need-" However, just as Codey was about to talk, Ayuka pushed the button, and the door closed in front of them. "No way! Ayukaaaa..."

- Yashikami City, Friday, 4:20 pm -

When Ayuka walked through the entrance, everybody was in the cafeteria. "W-what are you talking about?" In disbelief, Ayuka enquired. "Merry birthday!!!" Ayuka was taken aback when she turned 21. "Did you guys remember?" In confusion, she inquired.

"Without a doubt! Why would we overlook anything so vital? It's the 23rd of December!" When Elliot blew the whistle, a swarm of feathers soared over her, making Codey smile.

"Is... that why you tried to steam me up so badly?" She inquired, taking a step ahead of the others. "But of course! Besides, it's fun to throw a party! Isn't that right? I just wish Tim were here..." While carrying a package, Codey said. "No, it's not a problem... He's most likely distracted right now..." Sweat dripped down her face as she spoke.

"W-What exactly do you mean?" Elliot inquired, perplexed. "There is nothing! But never mind! We'll just go to the party, please!" She claimed, ashamed.

- Gyuma City, Friday, 4:10 pm -

Tim prepared by stepping to the side with his right foot and summoning a white burning light. Fortunately, the training he had received in the previous year had helped him to develop significantly, and with it, Tim instinctively leapt forward when the white fire roared when Risa rapidly blocked the sword with her own, at which point the sword collided.

With it, a white flash of light surged through the snow and the clouds, as the wind current passed by.

To be continued...