[Location: Hell – Demon Castle, Throne Room]
The heavy iron doors of the Demon Castle creaked open as No.2 stepped inside. His boots echoed through the massive black-marble hall, lit by floating torches of green flame. Crimson banners hung from towering stone pillars, each one depicting the blood-soaked crest of House Algol.
At the far end, on a throne carved from obsidian bone, sat the Demon King himself—Algol.
Eyes like voids. Skin like volcanic rock. Calm… yet crushing.
"No.2," Algol spoke, voice deep and unhurried. "How goes the human world?"
No.2 approached casually, hands in his coat pockets. His usual smirk played on his lips.
"Boring," he said. "No real fights. Just babysitting."
"That's a good thing, you know," Algol replied, resting his chin on one clawed hand.
He paused for a moment.
"But something's off," the king said, his eyes narrowing. "Bright energy levels have increased. Fast. Rapidly. In one concentrated area."
No.2 shrugged. "So what? You want me to get a flashlight and investigate?"
Algol didn't laugh. He never did.
"Relax. I didn't call you here to scold you," the king said, waving a clawed hand. "Just… leave No.1 alone. He's not a threat anymore. Weak. Old. Like dust clinging to a sword."
No.2 clicked his tongue. "Tch. I'm a Jake Paul fan."
Algol stared blankly at him for a long second. "…Understandable."
A silence passed between them. Strange. Heavy. Comedic, and yet dangerous.
"Anyway," Algol continued, "I want you to finish whatever you're doing with the boy, and return to Hell. We have bigger problems than unfinished grudges."
No.2 turned and began walking away, shoulders relaxed.
"Yeah, yeah," he muttered. "Whatever you say."
---
[Back in the Human World – Rooftop Training Ground]
The rooftop was a scene of destruction. Cracks webbed across the floor. Blood pooled where the concrete had caved in. The sky was beginning to darken, a thin mist curling around the edges of the building.
Fallen lay flat on the ground, panting. Blood stained his hoodie. His eyes, once glowing red with rage, were now dim and dull. His fingers twitched as he tried to lift his hand.
No.2 stood over him, brushing dust off his coat.
"So," he asked, casually kicking some rubble aside. "How many times have you died now?"
Fallen coughed. "Nine… I think."
No.2 smirked. "And how many times did you use rage to bring yourself back?"
"…I lost count," Fallen whispered. "Maybe… fifty-two?"
"Good," No.2 said, cracking his knuckles. "That kind of overuse means you've improved. You can trigger rage more cleanly now. That's progress."
Fallen groaned and turned his head slightly. "Wait… your arm?"
No.2 flexed his shoulder with a lazy grin. "Yeah. This?"
He rolled it smoothly. "Algol restored it. Regeneration spell."
Fallen's eyes widened. "He can do that?"
"Told you," No.2 replied. "He's a spell and curse freak. Creepy smart. Don't let that rock-face fool you."
Fallen blinked up at the gray clouds rolling above.
He almost forgot how high the stakes were now.
A silence settled between them. Cold. Restless.
Then Fallen asked, "So… what now?"
No.2's eyes darkened. His tone shifted.
"We've got a mission. From Algol."
Fallen blinked.
A beat passed.
Then—
No.2 (inner thoughts):
It's time… to kill your father.
No.2 folded his arms, expression unreadable. "Your dad's been kidnapped."
Fallen's heart stopped.
"What?!"
"By someone unexpected," No.2 continued, voice low. "The doctor. Your father's old friend. That guy's joined the angels."
Fallen struggled to sit up. "You mean Uncle Rei?! That's not possible—he was family! He helped my mother during her illness. He was like my father's brother!"
No.2's lips curled.
"Apparently, the angels offered him something irresistible. Immortality. Powered by pure angelic energy. All he had to do… was hand over your dad."
Fallen stared at him in horror. "No… no, that can't be right. He wouldn't—unless…"
He hesitated.
Fallen (inner thoughts):
Unless No.2 is lying.
But why? He's my sensei. My… trainer. Would he really trick me?
He clenched his fists, shaking.
"I don't get it…" Fallen muttered. "That doctor was with us when Mom died. He cried with us. He protected me… How could he…"
No.2's gaze narrowed. "Does it matter now?"
He pointed at Fallen's chest.
"You want answers? Then move. No more crying over the past. You want to save No.1? You've got one shot."
Fallen looked away, uncertain.
Fallen (inner thoughts):
I can't think about that now. Whether I trust No.2 or not…
My father is all I have left.
I have to save him. Even if this is a trap… I have to go.
"…Where are they?" Fallen asked.
No.2 tilted his head, a sly grin returning.
"They're… where you were born."
Fallen's heart skipped a beat.
His birthplace.
The one place he never dared return to.
Where it all began.
Where everything… ended.
---
To Be Continued.