Rain drops, the city lights drowned in the melancholy of the night. Walking down the busy streets, black cloak and a briefcase in hand. His cigarette was soaked and pointless, "nothing like a night without a light," he thought to himself. A windy night; the wind carried away his hat, leaving his grey hair to soak.

Turning the corner, the roads were clear and the cluster of noises came to a halt. Three alleys down, "I'm finally here."

Narrow and quiet, the alleyway was between the capital's bank and its library. "Between Greed and Power, how laughable."

Walking down the alley, he held his briefcase tight as he checked his watch, "two minutes to midnight, just in time."

The rain falling even heavier, he waited under a small shelter next to the library's rear exit.

More cigarettes in his pocket, safe from the rain. He took a roll of marijuana from under his jacket as he put his briefcase on the ground. Lighting it, he waited.

"Alright, it's been over fifteen minutes, just where is he?"

Grabbing his suitcase, the rain began drizzling but the end of the alley was beyond visible. About to walk away, a light came shining, "Marlon is that you?"

Staggering footsteps and no answer, "what's going on?"

Walking forward the light became visible, the smell of copper, "is that blood?"

"Marlon!?"

Staggering towards him, dressed in a bloodstained white t-shirt and blue jeans. "Marlon!?"

Trying to stop the bleeding, he held his stomach, "Shiryu... Help me..." He muttered.

His face was pale and his black hair looked dried out.

Dropping his suitcase, he ran towards Marlon. Resting Marlon's head over his shoulder, the blood from his wound stained Shiryu's shirt, "Mars..."

Listening to Marlon's whispers, he looked at his entry wound. "Fuck! It's just as I expected—I need to get him out of here quickly," he said to himself.

Looking down the alley, "but just," pausing as he noticed Marlon's eyes closing, "stay with me dammit, don't you dare close your fucking eyes." Ripping his sleeve off, he tried wrapping the wound, a hole right through his stomach. "This isn't good."

Looking down the alley, "I'm sure whoever did this didn't just vanish."

"Marlon, who attacked you?" His face growing paler by the minute, Shiryu took his phone out to call the ambulance. "Mars..." Marlon whispered, "just what are you talking about dammit!"

"We're sorry, you have reached a number that has been disconnected or is no longer in service"

"What the fuck!? How is an emergency number un-a-fucking-vailable!?"

Footsteps closing in, he looked up as a sudden blue light engulfed the area.

"What the fuck?"

Emerging from the shadows, was a man standing menacingly; his eyes were rusty red.

His long black hair covered his face, leaving only the light from his eyes visible. Running towards him, his black clothes were like shadows.

"Hang tight Marlon!"

Laying him down, he ran towards his attacker, bloodlust smeared across his face. His hand was dripping with blood.

"Mars Red!" He shouted before Shiryu's face, throwing his fist towards him, he felt the space around him shift. Sliding under his attacker's fist, he turned around with a low sweep. Jumping on his hands, he flipped over as he dodged Shiryu's attack. 

The alleyway was covered in a bright blue aura; the sound of current ran across the walls.

Standing up; sin covered his hands, like water flowing from a spring, it leaked from his hands.

"Fuck, a sin user and an injured friend, this can’t get any worse" Shiryu thought to himself.

Dashing towards him, his attacker's speed increased drastically. Making a swing as if he were making a pitch with his right hand, a school of killer whales burst from his fingertips. Jumping backwards, he missed the attack by an inch. "Projectiles? I wonder if that is his only technique," he muttered to himself.

Another one of his attacks crashed into the wall, this time it was a school of whales. Shiryu ran towards his attacker; he stepped backwards before he flung his arms sporadically, releasing sea creatures of all sorts. Like tides crashing against the shore, they came down like thunder. Dodging them swiftly, they crashed into the water that was slowly rising. "So that's it," running towards him, "Jupiter south!" Shiryu shouted.

His hands glowing white, covered in sin much similar to his attacker, he clenched his fist. Soccer punching into the unicorn whale before him. Making a massive blue splash, the water surrounding him was like a bunch of TVs playing random stations. "What is this—!?" Another attack, this time a great white, "a great blue, how charming,". Sinking his fist into it, he narrowed the gap between them. Smiling from ear to ear, he splashed water at Shiryu's face before making a roundhouse kick.

"Fuck that", Shiryu said as he blocked his attacker’s kick with his arm.

Clenching his left fist, he sunk it into his attacker's leg, cracking into his bones.

Following up with a right hook, he sunk his fist into his attacker's face, breaking his nose.

Staggering backwards, he spun around in the water below. Running towards Shiryu, he went on the defensive as his attacker made an obvious swing at Shiryu's face. Blocking it, he felt a hollow sensation, "what the?"

"His body turned into water!?"

"Shit—!"

"Jupiter north!" Coming from the sky was a school of whales, preparing for impact. The sin around his hand burnt his glove off. Blowing a hole into the whales, his fist felt numb. Blood falling from the sky like rain, he looked up in shock.

"Marlon!?"

"How!? How!?"

Falling from the sky was his lifeless body. "But the hole, I shot it through the whale...?"

"Just how!?"

"It looks like you're a little confused," his enemy said. Looking at Marlon's body in shock, he paused, "this can't be, just how is he dead?" Shiryu asked himself. Touching his face, he watched as the water below turned purple. Marlon's eyes wide open, as they starved lifelessly at Shiryu.

"Oh Shiryu, now's not the time to cry," he taunted.

"Oh Shiryu!"

"Oh Shiryu!"

"Oh Shiryu Ruu!"

Looking down on Marlon's face, he slowly closed his friends eyes, "oh Shiryu," his enemy's voice continued chanting. Snapping back to reality, he looked up. 

"What!? How do you know my name!?" Shiryu asked in shock.

"Now it's not time for questions, look around you. Your friend is dead and this alleyway is covered in my sin. Any longer and I won't be so nice"

"Where is he hiding dammit!?" Shiryu wondered to himself. "Damnit, how did it get to this?"

"What's with that look on your face!? Are you worried about how you're going to lose your life tonight?" He said, continuing his taunt.

Looking around, "just where is he? Fuck!"

"Think Shiryu, there are flashing lights coming from your left but his voice seems to be coming from your right," he continued conversing to himself. "Sin generally flows in accordance—"

"You seem a little lost! Let me give you a hand!"

Jumping from out of the water behind Shiryu, sharks ripped through his shirt as they sunk their teeth into his shoulder. Sinking his elbow into the sharks, he swung his fist backwards smashing the other sharks.

"Surprise!" Popping out of nowhere, before Shiryu, with a fist.

Ducking, a school of saw sharks burst from his hand. Coming up with an uppercut, his attacker hopped backwards. "You have to do better than that."

"Dammit!" Running towards him, "Jupiter—!"

Swinging his fist, his attacker kicked water into his face.

"Damnit, where did he go?"

"There you go again with that look Shiryu!" He shouted.

Coming from above as the blue light ran across the walls like a pulse. "Here I am!"

Jumping back, Shiryu dodged the killer whales that came along with him. Crashing like a wave, he ran towards Shiryu. Swinging his feet at his attacker, Shiryu's foot broke his jawbone, sending his water body across the walls.

"Fuck, another fake."

The light still pulsing, Shiryu noticed that the water level was higher than before. "Damnit, Marlon, just how did we get into this?"

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"Shouldn't you be worried about your friend? Oh well, too bad he's already dead!" He shouted. Glancing around, he noticed that water had risen above Marlon's body, "I need to hurry and get you out of here," he said to himself.

The pulse coming towards Shiryu, he glimpsed a ripple in the water as the light passed overhead. Jumping in the air, "Jupiter of the Heavens!"

Three crosses on his left hand lit up as he punched the ground. Illuminating the entire alleyway, his lightning fist broke the asphalt below.

Leaving a hole in the ground, he looked around as lightning swarmed the walls, eating away at all the water around him.

"That should stop you from moving around dammit!"

Getting up, his knuckles were badly bruised and bleeding. "Now where are you!?"

All the street lights blown, the blue flashing lights disappeared, "seems like I got you dammit."

Shooting lights in the air, Shiryu made four floating lanterns. Illuminating the alleyway, seven men in cloaks surrounded him. "What the fuck!?"

"Who are you people?" Shiryu asked.

All wearing plague masks and carrying weapons, they attack all at once.

"Fucking hell!"

"Jupiter of the Heavens: South!"

The first masked man jumped at him with a sword, responding swiftly, Shiryu sunk his fist into his face. Then grabbed him by his shirt, electricity swirling around Shiryu's hands, he threw him at his second attacker.

Smashing a wooden bat into the back of Shiryu's head, he staggered forward. The fourth masked man followed up with a knee to his chin. The impact sent him staggering backwards, "fuck," he muttered.

His vision blurry, he leaned over to the left as he swung his fist into his attacker's face. Electricity running through his fist, "fuck you dammit."

"That hit to my head, really did a number on me."

Three down, he turned around to kick the baseball smasher, "fuck you too!"

"Take this dammit!" Pulling a handgun out of his waist, he fired at Shiryu.

"Sagittarius' Wrath!" Emitting lightning from his body, he engulfed the entire area in lightning. Shocking everything around him, he took out all of his enemies. "That was too close, sin user or not, a fucking gun is not something I want to go up against—!"

Suddenly he felt a shift in space, "what is that feeling?"

"House of the King: 13 Locks of Hades!"

"What the—!? House of the King? Isn’t that! Guh—!?"

Unable to move, his body fell to the ground. "What the hell dammit!?"

"UG-9, you're under arrest," a lady dressed in black said to him. The sounds of heels came walking towards him. Unable to see, he tried forcing his body to move. Suddenly the footsteps stopped, turning him over. "Division Leader Katsuya, what is she doing here?" He wondered to himself.

Pulling his head up, he looked around as he noticed several members of her division surrounding the area. "UG-9, what do you have to say for yourself?" She asked.

Finally able to move his mouth, "what are you talking about?"

Hands on his back, she pulled him up on his knees.

"Look around you UG-9, you killed an information broker hired by the Enterprise. Not only that, you also severely injured several of my men!" She shouted in anger.

"Bullshit, just what is she talking about? Why would I kill someone I've worked with for years?" He thought to himself.

"Wipe that disgusting look off your face," she said, looking down on him. "What look!? Obviously, I didn't kill him! And I wasn't the one who injured your men!" Shiryu shouted.

"Nonsense!" She shouted. "Fucking hell dammit! I'm telling the truth, why would I kill Marlon!? He was my friend!"

"Wait, did she say that her men were injured? That doesn't make sense, is this because of that man? Just what the fuck is going on here." He wondered to himself. "Don't bother, your lies won't help you. We have evidence proving that you killed that information broker," she said.

"What evidence, what are you talking about?" Shiryu asked.

Pointing at the cameras around the alleyway, "the owner of the library just happened to be present when you were attacking Marlon and was able to contact the Enterprise regarding the situation. Sadly, as you're a sin user, he couldn't call the police, as they wouldn't be of any help seeing that you managed to severely wound my men."

"What the fuck!? That video has to be rigged! Does it look like I would actually try to harm my own comrades, much less to kill the person I've been working alongside for over two years!?" Shiryu shouted. 

"Nothing you say now matters, you're a criminal UG-9. IL-03, take him away. I'll deal with the situation here."

"What!? wait!"

Saint Oricon, the capital of Duvel. Stood a massive estate, filled with several buildings and structures housed the Angel Enterprise Headquarters. In a large white room, the board walls had paintings hanging. A large sliding door, and a rug that decorated the room, Shiryu woke up on the large bed to the left of the room. "Change of clothes, a bed, dining area and even a bathroom, this must be Katsuya's division," Shiryu said to himself.

Footsteps approaching the door, Shiryu looked up to see who came to visit.

Sliding the door, a red barrier blocked him from leaving. "Shiryu you idiot," said a lady dressed in a black dress. Matching lipstick, her hair was kept in a bun, "I didn't expect you to stoop this low," a man dressed in a black suit said accompanying her. Both entering the room. "Vice-Captain Courtney, and Sam," Shiryu said as he sat up. "And Sam?" Sam said in an annoyed tone. "As Samuel said, I didn't expect you'd stoop to killing your own comrade Shiryu," Courtney said.

"Fucking hell UG-2, do you really think I'd kill Marlon? I've known him forever dammit," Shiryu said to Courtney. "Regardless of what you have to say, Shiryu, there's video evidence of you killing him and attacking IL-1's men," Sam said to Shiryu. "So, you saw the video, then you saw that it's been tampered with, right?" Shiryu asked. "It was live footage shown to the IL-1 and her men, there was no possible way it could've been altered in real time," Courtney replied.

"That's not possible, do you have the video?" he asked. "Sorry, we weren't allowed to carry our phones while entering the prison," Sam replied.

"Fuck," Shiryu said to himself, "alright let me tell you what happened then."

"I was supposed to meet Marlon regarding some info he had received on a task I was working on. He told me to meet him at the alleyway between the library and the bank, he said it was urgent." He said with a concerned look, "I got there before him which I thought to myself was odd but I didn't really notice it until almost fifteen minutes of waiting." Walking over to the bed, Sam sat beside him while Courtney took a seat around the table. "Suddenly, I saw him staggering towards me with a hole in his stomach. I ran over to him but what was weird is that when I tried to call the ambulance it said the number was unavailable."

"What? An emergency number, unavailable?" Sam asked in a shocked manner. "Yeah, I was confused too, that's when he attacked."

"Are you saying someone else was there?" Courtney asked, "yeah, it was this guy with long black hair. He was a sin user; he used a similar technique to mine. But when I was attacking him, it was like the entire area was being affected by his sin. He sent all these sea creatures after but what was weird is that when I attacked one of them, it was Marlon that I had attacked. I didn't kill him on purpose, it was an accident and before I knew it, I got attacked by seven men dressed in plague outfits."

"Wait what? But that's—!"

Sliding the door, "UG-9, Shiryu Ruu, please come with me. Vice-Captain Courtney LeDon please make your way to the council room," a man wearing a black masquerade mask said.

"I wish I could help you Shiryu," Courtney said as she left the room, leaving along with her, "sorry Shiryu," Sam said.

"What?"

"Come with me Shiryu Ruu," the man said.

The Council Room.

Nineteen members of the Angel Enterprise gathered in the room, all captains and vice captains. They meet for the trial of Shiryu Ruu. The council room had a court style layout with high rising seats facing the main door of the room. Split down the middle was the seat for the Head Captain and his Vice Captain.

Entering the room was Shiryu accompanied by the man in the mask.

"Good morning, Captains and Vice-Captains of the Angel Enterprise. I, Henry Vanritter bring to you today UG-9, Shiryu Ruu who is charged with murder and assault."

Walking to the right of Shiryu, "oh Head Captain Equibi Marumi isn't here yet," Henry said.

"Don't worry, I'm here," Equibi said as he walked into the room alongside his Vice Captain, Carellius Cane. Dressed in a white cardigan kimono with geometrical patterns over a black shirt and short pants. In wooden sandals; two teeth getas, added to his tall figure. His shoulder length hair, his pink eyes looked at Shiryu before smiling. Carellius wore the traditional Angel Enterprise outfit, a black suit with crosses on his cuff. Standing a few centimetres below Equibi, his hair was long and kept in a ponytail.

Taking their seat, the trial began.

"Oh, looks like Yuri isn't here," Equibi said. "That slacker isn't even here for the trial of his own subordinate. No wonder we have murderers like UG-9 running around in the Enterprise," Katsuya said in a scornful tone. "Now, now, Maryann, no need to get fiery," Equibi said. Turning around, Carellius glared at her, then looked back at Shiryu.

"Thank you, Head-Captain Equibi Marumi. Let's proceed. Earlier today, the accused, UG-9 — Shiryu Ruu, was scheduled to meet the deceased Marlon Brendon, an information broker at the alleyway between the capital's library and the national bank. However, upon meeting Marlon Brendon, UG-9, Shiryu Ruu attacked Marlon Brendon resulting in his untimely passing."

"Just what the fuck is he talking about? Where's the proof of me killing Marlon in cold blood?" Shiryu wondered to himself.

"If I may, but regarding these accusations, it was also stated that UG-9, Shiryu Ruu had also wounded several members of the third division, IL. Is that correct?" Carellius asked, "Yes that is correct Vice Captain Carellius Cane," Henry said.

"Thanks. Shiryu, regarding this incident the Council was presented with video evidence of the incident. Unfortunately, Equibi and I were unable to review it due to us handling other matters. Thus, we're going to play the video, for both the Council and you to see but before that do you have anything you would like to share with us before we proceed?" Carellius asked Shiryu.

"I do dammit! Last night Marlon was attacked by an unknown sin user. He was the one who punched a hole through Marlon's stomach—"

"Nonsense! We saw you kill that innocent man!" Maryann objected, looking at her, "I directed my question to Shiryu Ruu, Captain Maryann Katsuya," Carellius said in an intimidating voice.

Looking back at Shiryu, "Please continue."

"That sin user, he somehow managed to alter what was in his area of effect and trick me into killing Marlon. I in no way or form would kill Marlon." Shiryu said concluding his statement.

"So, what about my men that you severely injured!?" Maryann asked. "If you disrupt this trial once more, Maryann, not only will I remove you from the proceedings. I will disregard the treatment of your men." Carellius said as he took a remote from below his desk. Turning around, Maryann looked away in anger.

“Thank you for your cooperation and thanks Shiryu for your input.”

Pointing his remote at the two large televisions that hung from the ceiling. He played the video on both displays:

Marlon waiting at the end of the alley. Shiryu walked up to him, as they started talking things seemed to get heated. A briefcase in his hand, Shiryu used it to hit Marlon in the face. Falling to the ground, Shiryu clenched his fist as electricity coursed around his hand. Slowly walking towards Marlon, he begged for his life. Ignoring his pleas for help, Shiryu punched a hole through his stomach. Coughing up blood, he tried crawling away, but he was unable to as Shiryu punched another hole through his chest ultimately killing him.

Shortly after, members of Maryann's division approached Shiryu in an attempt to apprehend him. But were all defeated mercilessly, about to walk away he was apprehended by Maryann.

Shocked beyond words, Shiryu looked at the display with his eyes wide open. "What the fuck is this?" He said below his breath.

"With the evidence presented to us, how would the Council like to proceed?" Henry asked.

"The information brought to us, is without a doubt enough for us to pass proper judgement," MS Division leader, Ariella Masters said.

"I agree with her too," Paul Victors, SX Vice Captain replied.

Smiling, Equibi looked over at Courtney, "what do you think of the situation before us Vice-Captain Courtney?"

Looking at Shiryu, "with the evidence given to us, it's without a doubt that UG-9, Shiryu Ruu is responsible for the murder of Marlon Brendon."

Looking at her in shock, "is that what you meant when you said, I wish I could help!?" He shouted at Courtney.

Looking at Shiryu with a smile then back at Courtney, "I can see that, but what do you think of what happened?" Equibi asked.

Carellius looked at Equibi, "just—"

"Go on, Vice-Captain Courtney," he said, overlooking Carellius.

"Well, I think Shiryu is reckless and is a threat to the integrity of the Enterprise and what we stand for as a crime fighting organisation. So, I think that this matter isn't surprising," Courtney elaborated.

"Interesting, so that's what you think," he said, "very interesting."

Standing up, he leaped over to where Shiryu stood.

Putting his hand on Shiryu's head, "you've gotten yourself in quite a pickle Shiryu. To be honest, I always wanted to see you as the leader of the seventh division or even my Vice Captain," Equibi said as looked at the floor. The Council looked in shock, "despite how I feel, I sadly have to go ahead and act as  the Head Captain. Shiryu Ruu, you are hereby found guilty of the charges laid against you. In accordance with the laws governing the Angel Enterprise, you will be stripped of the title UG-9 and detained until your sentence is determined at a later date."

Taking his hand off Shiryu's head, "let's go Carellius, we have work to do," he said walking off.

"That's what you—!"

Looking at Maryann, the entire room suddenly shifted, "calm down Carellius,” Equibi said as he walked away. 

"I'm right behind you Equibi," Carellius said as he took his eyes off Maryann.

"There you have it, Shiryu Ruu will be stripped of the title UG-9 and be detained until the Head-Captain along with the upper council determine his sentencing. 

"What the hell? Just how!?" Shiryu thought to himself. At a loss, he pondered. "Come with me Shiryu Ruu" Henry said before carrying him away.

The Third division building.

"So, Yuri, what do you plan to do about Shiryu and the spot he left behind?" Equibi said to himself.

Chapter end.