Kōkatsu: [.....The hell do ya think yer doin’, ya damn idiot…]

The words echoed through the elongated hole the man was stored in. Unable to move, unable to undo the very things that locked him in place, he continued to remain still on the small circular rock he was kept on. However, though he could not move, he was free to look and speak as he pleased. With such an action available to him, the man colored in black and red looked towards the kitsune with disgust filling his eyes.

Nero: [I could ask you the very same thing. For being the “Mother of All”, I find it rather reckless of you to not prioritize my daughter’s safety. Perhaps I had overestimated how you felt towards Varius.]

Kōkatsu’s eyes shrunk at the sound of Nero’s cold words. As veins began to show on her forehead, she quickly slammed her hand down on the button to once again activate the microphone.

Kōkatsu: [DON’TCHA FUCKIN' DARE SAY THAT! YA KNOW DAMN WELL I LOVE THAT BRAT! THAT’S NOT THE FUCKIN’ POINT HERE, NERO!]

Though Kōkatsu had erupted in anger, the expression on Nero’s face did not change in the slightest. A cold stare only remained, before he provided his reply.

Nero: [You’ve yet to provide me with a reason to respond after causing such a problem. Instead, I’ve chosen to point out the very flaw in your own logic.]

Kōkatsu grinded her teeth in frustration. Gripping down at the control pad in front of her, and causing the metal to bend, she stood in silence without a word provided back to Nero.

Noticing her current state, the worried Kaoru began to speak to her.

Kaoru: [Lady Kōkatsu, are you alright?]

Kōkatsu: [I…I don’t know…I just…]

Once again, the horrible feeling began to approach her eyes. She did not let it show, she wanted to prove that she was far stronger than this, but a scenario such as this had been far too much.

Noticing the internal fight that her mother had been going through, Kaoru hugged Kōkatsu as tightly as possible.

At the other side of the room, another person spoke with her.

Helig: [Kōkatsu. He’s trying to break you. Do not concede to his words.]

Allowing her hands to now be at peace, Kōkatsu provided a soft response to her.

Kōkatsu: [Helig…I get what you’re saying, but if you don’t mind, can I speak to him with my own words here?]

Releasing an annoyed exhale, Helig waved her hand away as she spoke.

Helig: [Very well. But you should know that any action that provides compliance to his cause will cost you.]

Kōkatsu: [Yeah…I know….Thanks.]

Lightly pressing the button again, a static noise was produced throughout the room. No words were said within the few seconds that this had occurred, merely a noise that would grow tiring should any more time transpire. After those very few seconds however, a soft voice came through the speakers.

Kōkatsu: [...You’re right….I fucked up….I acted way too brash and decided that my job at that time was way more important than that…]

Helig: [Kōkatsu–]

Before the annoyed Helig could respond to the comment, Kōkatsu continued to talk.

Kōkatsu: [...I’m a selfish, stupid kitsune…I always have been…But please…please…I need to know why…You…Yoro…Varius…You were all so great together…I need to know, for my own sake…what happened…]

Hearing the sorrowful words from the hidden kitsune, Nero closed his eyes. Silence filled the room like it had moments prior, only for a small response to fill that emptiness.

Nero: [Yoro was killed.]

The horrible words caused that very same kitsune, the one who was lowering her face moments prior, to lift itself back into a visible state. Tears could now be seen moving past her horrified eyes.

Kōkatsu: [What…What do you mean Yoro was…]

Nero: [The Bloodfire family, rather, their troops, had entered my home and shot Yoro. I believe that response should suffice what you had wanted.]

Kōkatsu: [The Bloodfire…No…But…that doesn’t…]

Before she could understand the words she was given, Nero continued to speak.

Nero: [From there, it went exactly as you likely imagined. I dealt with those who took my wife, and attempted to search for Varius. Mena assisted me with my search, however she was not responsible for the deaths at the castle. Do not search for her, or you shall join the very same soldiers who were erased by my hands.]

Noticing the loss of movement from Kōkatsu, Helig attempted to speak to her.

Helig: [Kōkatsu, we need more answers. Ask him–]

Before she could finish her statement however, Kōkatsu began to march over to her. Her eyes were casted down as she did so, only up until she stood in front of Helig. From there, she grabbed onto the collar of Helig’s clothes with one of her hands while gazing at her in sorrowful fury.

Kōkatsu: [The fuck were ya holdin’ out…THE FUCK DOES HE MEAN BY THAT?!]

Helig: [May I ask why this is relevant?]

Kōkatsu: [DON’T GIMME THAT SHIT! I WANNA KNOW WHY HIS WIFE IS DEAD!]

Just like before, an annoyed sigh was released from Helig’s mouth.

Helig: [What he had said was not shown within any of the reports. It’s true that the Bloodfire soldiers were killed, but there was no mention of his wife throughout it. The only section that brought up such a thing was in regards to the investigation of both him and his wife, but that was filed separately from this.]

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Kōkatsu: [And when that whole investigation happened, what exactly went down?!]

Helig: [It’s unknown at the moment. More details are being gathered as this case continues.]

As the two argued, another voice spoke to them.

Nero: [For being someone who holds themself so high, you’re rather half witted with your research, Helig.]

They stood there in shock as they noticed what had happened. Looking towards the microphone, a glance at the button showed that it was not active. Yet, somehow–

Nero: [You’ve only proven my point further. It seems you’re blissfully unaware of what oni are capable of. Though, I expected better from you, Kōkatsu.]

Helig turned to Kōkatsu in confusion, as she had not understood the situation they were in.

Helig: [Kōkatsu, what does he mean by that?]

Kōkatsu: [Clairvoyance…He’s usin’ clairvoyance…But…–Kagami!]

Shouting towards her daughter that provided the very seals on Nero’s body, Kagami began to sweat over the oddity of her powers.

Kagami: [I had mentioned that it was rather odd, but this isn’t right in the slightest…]

Kōkatsu: [The seals are still in use, right?!]

Kagami: [Yes, Lady Kōkatsu. Without a doubt, they are in use. But I don’t understand it. I’ve never had this sort of trouble before…]

Kōkatsu: [Trouble…Ya sayin’ there ain’t enough matōki, sweetie?! I can share some if ya need, just ask!]

Kagami: [I’m sorry, Lady Kōkatsu, but that isn’t the issue. To be quite frank, I’m unsure of what the issue even is…]

The room of panic received more words from a chilling voice.

Nero: [If you believe that mere slips of ofuda are enough to hold my very being down, you are far too optimistic.]

They looked back towards the man, his expression still had not changed.

What was once an integration towards him, had now become a complete reversal of terror upon them with mere words.

Regaining her composure, and being loosened from Kōkatsu’s grip, Helig spoke to the man of the dark.

Helig: [If something such as that does not concern you, then I must ask, does saying such a thing not concern you even further than your position should? Both this building, along with several fields outside are surrounded by my own troops. Should such a problem turn into a fight, we would have the advantage, would we not? So I must ask again: are you not afraid of what may come next?]

Moving his eyes towards Helig, Nero coldly responded.

Nero: [What you have said is equivalent to a researcher fearing a maze rat. I have no reason to be concerned over the lives of corpses.]

Helig: [Are you implying that we are the ones who are trapped?]

He did not respond to Helig, but instead turned his attention to Kōkatsu.

Nero: [If you wish to see proof, I shall ask Mena to provide a photo. You will see my wife with your very own eyes.]

Before Kōkatsu could even respond, an out-of-character eruption had occurred from the woman beside her.

Helig: [That does not answer my question! I asked you if we are the ones who are trapped!]

Closing his eyes like he had before, the man once again ignored Helig as he spoke.

Nero: [For far too long, this world has been run by those without the worth to control. The gods from before were mere nothings who could not provide for the beings they had sworn to protect. The families of royalty have only caused misery to those around them, rather than that of peace. The title of Ruler of All is a fabrication. A lie to provide a sense of justice to those that live in fear, and yet, it merely stands as a nameplate for those with it. It’s nothing more than a means to exploit those who are under their feet. Without the belief of change, with only the belief of black and white to one’s being, they have ruled for centuries with these very beliefs. With not a single voice to answer to, I shall answer to those who desire liberation. I shall rid this world from the roots that had started it, and begin a new world. A world that is far better than what was once provided. A new age shall dawn, one where only the beliefs of such things are casted away in favor of a true ironclad law. I shall create the very change that many wish to undergo. Those who wish to serve me shall join me to this new age, where mortals with the correct beliefs shall be the only beings who remain. From there, their blood shall be passed down and the perfect world shall be born. Free from the corruption of those who stand above, free from the heinous deeds of those who believe they are worthy of such pitiful titles, I shall become this world’s one and only creator! To all mortals who oppose me, I shall reduce them to nothing! My very first targets shall be those who stand above all!]

Thus, the man of darkness provided his words to those who were near.

Upon hearing these very words, Helig responded quickly.

Helig: [You seem to be forgetting something. Even if you have received the title of a god like many of us have, there are flaws with your own body. If enough force is provided, you shall be reduced to nothing as well. Unfortunately for you, we have more than enough troops to provide an advantage.]

After ignoring her words for quite some time, Nero responded to her.

Nero: [Once again, a foolish goddess. One who believes they are the only person with an army behind them.]

Within the small room that stood above Nero’s platform, multiple sets of eyes began to widen.

Helig: [What…]

Kōkatsu: [What did he jus’ say…]

They looked towards each other in panic as they spoke.

Kōkatsu: [Oi, Helig. How long has it been since the whole thing went down?]

Helig: [An hour or two, at most…]

Kōkatsu: [There’s no way, not in that amount of time. This…This has to be a bluff or somethin’...He hasn’t had anyone under his command to begin with…]

Growing concerned over the words provided, Helig looked towards Nero in a panic.

Helig: [Your objective won’t work either. The Bloodfire and Tensetsu armies would likely outnumber the meager number you would be able to provide. On top of this, the gods themselves are currently being protected by that succubus goddess.]

For a final time, Nero did not respond, but instead, closed his eyes.

Helig began to regain her composure as she witnessed the defeat of the imprisoned Nero.

Helig: [Well, that was rather irritating for a moment, but he provided a very poor fight. We can continue our questioni–]

Kōkatsu: [That wasn’t normal…]

Helig: [Hm? Kōkatsu?]

Looking towards Kōkatsu, Helig noticed an expression that was far greater than before.

The very same that was displayed moments prior, worry.

Kōkatsu: [The way he closed his eyes there…That wasn’t normal…]

Helig: [He merely closed his eyes. There is nothing to fear over such an action.]

Kōkatsu: [I’ve known him for ten years…Even if I’ve never seen him act like this, I know for a fact…that wasn’t normal at all…]

Helig: [What are you going on abou–]

Her question could not be answered.

Throughout the building, a broadcast was played.

From the monitors of the control pad, to the speakers at every corner.

But it did not stop there.

Throughout the entire world, any and all devices had changed their displays to this very broadcast.

Devices that were turned off were immediately set back on.

It was merely static at first.

Nothing could be seen.

But shortly, after some time passed.

Helig: [That’s…]

Kōkatsu: [Oi…The fuck is goin’ on…]

A woman appeared with a devilish smile.

Her location being that of the building in which the former gods resided.

The woman who stood in front of the screens of many was that of–

Kōkatsu: [Shiro…The hell are ya doin’?!]

The woman clad in clothes and hair of white, Shiro Fuloreen, continued to stare at the screen. A terrifying, devilish smile had crossed her face as she looked towards the camera.

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She was unsure of what to say.

She looked towards the monitor in front of her, but it had almost functioned as a mirror.

A cracked mirror would likely be a better expression for it.

What was displayed was her, and yet, at the very same time, it was the furthest thing from her.

Standing in the same room as the woman on the screen, Shiro gazed at her.

Shiro: [That’s…That’s not…]

Before her words could be uttered, the woman on the other side spoke.

Shiro?: [Hey everyone! How are you all doing? I hope you’re doing fantastic today, because I sure am! I just tried something really fun, and I’ll share a tip about it shortly. For now though, look at what I did! All the old god-ies from before are gone! Bye-bye, old god-ies!]

Moving her body away from the camera, the Shiro on the monitor displayed the dead bodies of the gods from before.

Horrified, the Shiro who stood in that very room, at this very moment, spoke quietly to her alternate self.

Shiro: [That’s not me…]

Continuing with their enthusiastic energy, the other Shiro told more of what they had done.

Shiro?: [Don’t feel too bad for them, they went out with smiles on their faces! I made sure they felt reeeeeeeeally good before going, and I blasted a nice hole in them before they got scared of dying! Maybe it’s because I like being a little sadistic, but maybe it’s because I wanted to be kind to them! Hahahaha! I bet you’re wondering what I did, right? Well, let me give an exclusive tip to those who are just like me! To all the succubi and incubi in the world who might not feel like you’re strong enough, or you feel like you haven’t had enough food, I present this special information to you!]

Again, the horrified Shiro who watched this display spoke to the lifeless monitor.

Shiro: [That’s not me…]

And with her words, came the exclusive tip the other Shiro had promised.

Shiro?: [...Have you ever tried draining all of the energy out of a human when you’re doing it? I mean, all of it? It feels super good, and you should all do it too!]

As her exclusive tip was given—

Shiro: [THAT’S NOT ME!]

A ferocious roar of fear and anger erupted into the cold, dead room.

A horrible show like no other was now being presented to the entire world.

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