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“Just hold on for a little longer…”
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”Iru-boy”
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“... Ali-san…”
(◣∀◢)ψ
It has been a few weeks since Iruma was kidnapped.
No one had expected that he, who was favored by one of the three princess Deities, Shura, was a traitor in the making. Helped by no one other than the first son of the Naberius family, something that the second son of the Naberius family, Naberius Kalego had expected.
Baal and Naberius Narnia have turned traitors against the Netherworld.
This movement was not noticed at first. But then the first Naberius son had called Suzuki Iruma to the Demon Border Patrol headquarters, and never was to be seen again.
The second son of the Naberius family had been suspicious of this calling at first, knowing that his only Zayin ranked student is a human, despite his feats. This suspicion was doubled when his Opera-senpai broke down his door (literally) while there’s a very nervous Balam behind them. Opera had broke down to his house, asking “Where the fuck is young master, Kalego-kun?” and Kalego admittedly dropped his mug at the realization-
Opera told him that his brother had asked Iruma to come to the Demon Border Patrol Headquarters for something and then never returned. Since the Head was not someone that would do something like that, despite his surface grievances with the student, it leaves one person who is high ranked enough to pull that off, and that would be his brother, Naberius Narnia. Kalego didn’t know what to feel about his only human student being in the hands of his brother, knowing what his brother had done in Babyls and Deviculum, both risking the life of his student.
The King Maker and Board Game King, Mephisto also had become in a bad mood when he heard that the first Naberius son (someone he have been watching for a while for his actions back at Scala a year ago) had possibly did something to his former charge (he kinds of wish he was Sullivan for a while because that old man have so many time to interact with him), young king and maybe even a friend (something the boy himself introduced to him too). He wasted no time coming to the Demon Border Patrol for explanation, and met with Henri.
The Demon Border Patrol Head was equally confused at the sudden barging by the other 13 Crown, but he was more surprised to hear about the calling of Suzuki Iruma, because he for sure nor anyone on his platoon and done that, so the two 13 Crown had come into a conclusion that Naberius Narnia was the one behind all this. Mephisto wasted no time demanding for the other 13 Crowns, but he was answered by Henri that the man has been gone for a while now, on a “business leave”.
Coincidentally, this “business leave” was a few days before the rank Zayin student had disappeared. This led to many suspicions and so Sullivan started an emergency meeting on the Babel tower regarding the disappearance of his grandson, and the possible betrayal of the newly recruited 13 Crown, Naberius Narnia. Sullivan was rather surprised when more than half of the crowns had shown concern over the disappearance of his grandson, but he decided that his grandson truly is the light of the Netherworld.
Sullivan had expected some crowns (those crowns being Asmodeus Amaryllis for his close relationship with her son and eventually the mother herself and Barbatos Bachiko as student and pupil and how close they are, also being one of the only few that knows about Iruma’s humanity) to show concern, or maybe Azazel Henri too since the man was quite fond (despite what had happened last year where Iruma had declined his daughter’s confession) and amazed of his grandson. But he was surprised when Mephisto had showed insane level of concern (And Sullivan assumes it’s maybe because of the Scala that lasted for a while so that the two probably bonded, especially since Mephisto is a king maker and he always suspected something was going on with Iruma and their former Demon King, Derkila) along with anger from the fact that Iruma had been taken.
He was also surprised at Paimon, Beelzebuth, Amaymon and Astaroth’s concern (since when? Or was it ever since what happened with the Barbatos house long ago? He did see Amaymon start to be interested in his grandson, something he notes, since the Barbatos Incident). That makes eight out of ten of the crowns, not including the three greats like himself. Something else that he notes was that Baal is not there at the meeting, along with Naberius Narnia. The other thirteen crowns didn’t seem to know about his schedule either, but they don’t remember him being appointed to be with Shura on the day of the meeting.
But then suddenly a huge announcement rang through the whole Netherworld.
That announcement being Baal’s plan to revive Derkila on big screen, standing present with not only the missing kid that they have been looking for, Iruma, who looks very hurt, but also the Six Fingers and notorious traitor, Amy Kirio. If one tries hard enough, they would also spot Naberius Narnia and Amduscias Poro standing nearby. The man had also revealed the plan to return demons to their origins, stating that the current demon world has become too soft.
Baal reveals that using Iruma, the sole human inside the netherworld, he will revive the current Demon King. The netherworld then had a huge uproar. Those uproar being Sullivan’s grandson is a human (something that Azazel Henri had suspected but didn’t expect to be true, especially when he used to arrest the man because of his suspicion of going to the human world), Betrayal of two of the thirteen crowns and one former crowns, Those said person working with Six Fingers, and returning to Origin.
Apparently, Baal had also managed to mass produce the pills to induce “Returning to Origin” and was selling it in the underworld, making many demons return to their origin, and create havoc in the netherworld, which gave Baal an army for himself.
The Babyls students were locked down in the school area and the dorms, not allowing anyone to go outside the safe area for the students safety amongst the chaos outside. Meanwhile the Misfits themselves are struggling to process the many pieces of information dumped on them…
(◣∀◢)ψ
“Iruma-sama… is a human?” Azz-azz mumbled.
“... You don’t know?” Lied asked him, which surprised Azz-azz and Clara. The two looked at the other Abnormal Class members and were surprised to see that they are the only ones that don't know.
“Jazzy, you know about this?” Clara asks.
“Well…” Jazz scrunched his face, “I guess at some point I accidentally heard Balam-sensei and Iruma-kun talk about it…”
“Iruma should be careful of what he’s talking about in the school” Purson nodded, “I had overheard him talk to Balam-sensei about his humanity in Balam-sensei’s office”
“I did spend some time with Iruma-kun during the Harvest Festival back in the first year…” Lied says, “Although his scars… Is the human world really that harsh…?”
“During the Evidol games, i had overheard him talking to his ring to make him have ‘Wicked Phase’” Kerori huffed, arms crossed, “I didn’t say anything about it but i did feel it was off”
“I sometimes overslept at class and he was here one day suddenly talking about his humanity,” Agares explains, “I was awake when he started talking to himself. That’s how i knew”
“It’s almost the same for me de gozaru” Gaap nodded, “I came to pick Agares-dono up when I heard Iruma-dono talk to himself about that”
“Although I shamefully hid before he saw me…”
“Umu!” Sabnock nodded, “Back at the flying test, he healed the Guardian of the Valley’s son”
“I never heard of any bloodline ability like that and it aligned with the Demon King prophecy so I looked it up a bit more” Sabnock looked up, “Although i didn’t expect him to be a human”
“Not that I’m saying he’s less worthy to be my rival because of that”
“I just kind of figured it out by connecting the pieces of my observation” Allocer says
“My bloodline ability doesn’t work on him…” Eliza added, “But it was ever since I met him so it was unlikely that it’s because i truly liked him”
“The animals around Babyls tell me stories, yes!” Camui finally explains, “Although it would be ungentlemanly of me to reveal his secret without his consent!”
“So… we’re the only ones who don't know…?” Azz-azz says, feeling rather sad.
“I figured that something was going on back when he was in the human world so that he never told you guys…” Jazz sighs, hand scratching the back of his head.
“Yeah!” Lied chirped, “Back at the Harvest festival, Iruma-kun had a lot of nasty scars…”
“Just what happened to him in the Human world…?”
“Iruma’s humanity aside,” Kerori says, looking at Sabro, “Sabnock… Your uncle…”
“...” Sabnock looked at her then looked away, “The uncle I know is never like this…”
“He did want to tell me something about Iruma back then but I had left him before he finished talking” Sabnock looked down, “I didn’t expect him to…”
“...”
“He must be very tricky for him to hide that he’s already returned to origins, yet maintain his sanity” Azz-azz says, picking himself back up from the earlier information bomb, “And to be able to hide it from you too, Sabnock”
“...”
“Iruma-kun hasn't returned after getting called from the Demon Border Patrol too…” Lied looked uncomfortable, “Do you think he has returned to the human world?”
“But my mother was recently summoned by Sullivan-sama to attend a thirteen crowns meeting”
“And as far as i know, Iruma is still here” A new voice piped in, surprising the other misfits in the room, “In the netherworld”
“Kalego-sensei! Balam-sensei!” They shouted, “And Opera-sensei too!”
“Why do you say that Eggy-sensei?” Clara asks
“I can still feel the bond of our Familiar-Master pact” Kalego huffs in annoyance, “I’d assume this bond would be gone when he returns to the human world-”
“Sensei you knew too?!”
“...Yes” Kalego growled, “Now shut up brats and listen”
“I just wanted to say that” Kalego takes a seat in his chair, “You brats do not have any permission to go leave this place to save Iruma”
“?!”
“Kale-!”
“Silence!” Kalego says, “It is our job as Babyls teachers to protect the safety of our students”
“And besides…” He stood up walking to the door, “Iruma wouldn’t want any of you to get badly injured because of him”
He then stopped in front of the door, “Well…”
“If my students just happened to be at the location and happened to find Iruma then that’s a different story…” Kalego smirks, although it went unseen by the Misfits, “It’s not something that can be helped, and I already warned you all to not do it…”
And with that, Kalego left the classroom, Although Balam and Opera stayed.
“You see, Kalego-kun is also very worried for Iruma-kun” Balam explains, “But we do have our limits as Babyls teachers…”
“Kalego-kun should have said it directly” Opera sighs, “He’s saying that you all could go and save young master”
“Im still Sullivan-sama’s and additionally Iruma-sama’s security demon, so I could help” Opera says, smiling a bit.
“I’ll stay behind to be with Kalego-kun” Balam replied and Opera nodded.
“You say that but, where is Iruma-kun being held?”
“That’s your first task” Opera smiled yet again and the Misfits felt chills run down their spine.
(◣∀◢)ψ
Has it been a month? Or has it been only a few days? Iruma doesn’t know.
All he knew was that he was taken after Kirio-senpai’s brother had called for him, and has been hurt since.
His “Overwhelming Crisis Evasion Capability”, or so his friends had called it (His friends huh… he sure misses them) had been ringing in his head for so long, but he can’t really do anything about it since he was chained down. Not to mention, he’s very injured.
Amy Kirio had taken it upon himself to slowly eat him, giving him a feeling of despair. Strips of skin and flesh had been taken away to be eaten by the man. To his demise, the man himself and his captor (Baal) seems to be rejuvenated by his blood (something that he knows), leading to his blood being drained many times.
Shiida-sensei had tried to help him multiple times, but Iruma had stopped her from helping too much, knowing that if she helped too much, she would be branded as a traitor of the Six Fingers, despite the woman’s wish to free Iruma from the place.
His only other source of comfort was Alikred, who’s now as big as Sabnock, starting to resemble what he assumes the old demon king. Ali-san would talk to him when there’s no one else in the area, giving him comfort.
Ali-san would also sometimes apologize to him, blaming himself to be the source of Iruma’s pain, something that Iruma kept denying. Ali-sanhad tried to get help, but deduced that if he showed himself, he would make everything worse than it already is, so thus, staying to comfort his young successor.
It felt like months when Iruma suddenly woke up in a cryogenic tube with a breathing mask over his mouth and nose. He notices Baal and Kirio watching him, but decides to go back to the land of blissful sleep, where he can pretend that none of this ever happened.
That includes ignoring how he heard Baal said that his plan is almost done soon and ignores how Alikred never shows himself when he’s in the tube.
“Ah… It’s cold” Iruma mumbles.
(◣∀◢)ψ
“Iruma-kun?!”
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“Iruma-kun!”
(◣∀◢)ψ
It took the Misfits a mere week to locate the place where Baal is holding Iruma and another week to have a concrete plan on how to attack the base. True to his words, Kalego only feigned ignorance when he saw the Misfits planning, and only told them all to be careful when they were about to leave and to not get hurt.
The Misfits all smiled and gave the older man a hug, surprising the man before the twelve of them left to go and get back Iruma. Kalego himself then went with Balam and Opera to do something that the Misfits didn’t know.
The Misfits had raided the base where they kept Iruma, easily beating the normal returned to origins demons considering their firepower (Two Vav’s (Asmodeus and Sabnock), Five He’s (Agares, Jazz, Purson, Gaap and Kerori) and the rest of them being Daleth’s). But then the Six Fingers came to the picture.
(◣∀◢)ψ
“Hohoho…” Hyudarin chuckled in Miki’s hands, “Such young child coming by to this place”
“Are you all prepared for the risks that come with it…?” The old man taunted. The Misfits movement was halted, not knowing how to pass through the two members.
“You all keep going” Sabnock says, biting a gold piece tied to his necklace, “I'll keep them here”
“I’m staying too Big Bro-chi!” Clara says, hands in her pockets.
“... Then we too” Kerori says, pulling off her glasses whilst Eliza is starting to lower her hair tie.
“... Then” Azz-azz says, looking to the front, “Don’t get hurt”
“Of course” The four said and the other eight Misfits rushed forward.
The two Six Fingers members tried to stop them but a quick attack from the four Misfits that stayed behind took their attention back.
“Eyes on us!”
(◣∀◢)ψ
The next Six Fingers member that came to view was Atori and Maemaro. Allocer had moved forward, saying he’s still rather disliking what happened last year at Heartbreaker. Agares and Gaap also moved forward. Agares says that if Maemaro truly is a marksman, then he’ll do his best to throw him off by changing the surroundings, whilst Gaap says that he will use his wind blade to make him stay. Lied then decided to also stay with them, saying his “Stealer” Bloodline ability will try its best to help.
Purson had wanted to stay too for what Atori did but-
“You go” Gaap says
“If what we found out is true then…” Agares glanced at Purson and Purson gulped before nodding.
“For the Boku-Alliance!” Lied shouted and they jumped in action.
Maemaro grabbed his gun and was about to shoot but Agares shifted the ground below him and Atori, throwing them unbalanced. Atori wasted no time to change into his spider form and the group gulped.
(◣∀◢)ψ
The next Six Fingers they see is Wett, and they all noticeably looked at Purson.
“So many went by…” Wett says, “What are those four doing…”
“... Brother” Purson says.
“...Ah Purson huh?” Wett smirks, “Didn’t expect you to remember me…”
“I didn’t” Purson says, “And i won’t”
Purson braced himself, “I don’t remember you as my kind brother in my memories”
“Huh?” Wett says, smirking.
Wett then disappears into the air, shocking the remaining four Misfits, but they all paid attention to Purson, who’s trying his best to focus. Few seconds later Wett appeared to attack the four Misfits but Purson grabbed his neck to stop him.
“You all go” Purson ordered, “I’ll keep him busy”
“Purson-kun…” Jazz says but nodded nonetheless.
(◣∀◢)ψ
The group was left with Asmodeus, Jazz and Kamui when they encountered Shiida. The three had braced to fight but Shiida was thinking otherwise.
“No wait!” Shiida cuts in, “I want to save Iruma like all of you”
“...?” The other three didn’t believe this so Shiida says, “I can lead you to where he is!”
“...!”
“How do we know we can trust you?” Azz-azz growled.
“You might not… But I truly wish Iruma to be safe” Shiida explains.
Azz-azz glanced at Jazz who shakes his head, and Azz-azz lowers his flame sword.
“Lead the way” Azz-azz says.
They walked for a while before suddenly Shiida was entrapped in a barrier, something Azz-azz notices almost immediately. Kirio then shows himself up not long after, which induces the rage of Azz-azz.
“Yo!” Kirio says, walking to where he had trapped Shiida, “That’s not good Shiida-san…”
“You do know Nii-san doesn’t treat traitors well…” Kirio says and Shiida noticeably shivered.
Kirio wasn’t able to mutter any more words before a flaming sword was thrown to his face, something that Kirio barely blocked with his barrier.
“Hi to you too” Azz-azz says, “Kirio-senpai” he spat the word.
“Ah! Asmodeus-kun!” Kirio says gleefully, “Did you know?”
“Iruma-k” He was interrupted again by Azz-azz jumping on him, flame sword in hand.
“Do not mutter his name with that filthy mouth of yours”
“That’s no good, Asmodeus-kun” Kirio feigned sadness
“Who cares?” Azz-azz smirks and breaks down the barrier entrapting Shiida.
“You all” Azz-azz peeked over his shoulder, “Leave”
“I will deal with him myself”
“Last time we met at the deviculum” Kirio recalls, “You can’t even break my shield”
“Oh?” Azz-azz smirks, hands on his hair tie, “Wanna see the powers of a Vav?”
The two remaining Misfits and Shiida left the moment the two started trading blows, or more likely, Azz-azz attacking and Kirio defending.
(◣∀◢)ψ
Few moments later, they find Iruma hooked to multiple cables inside a cryogenic pod. Jazz wasted no time trying to get him out with the help of Kamui and Shiida. Kamui asked the nearby animals for answers, promising the animals that they will be let out too and Jazz opened Iruma’s cryogenic pod.
Iruma’s body immediately fell and Shiida catched it, the multiple wires attached to him falling off. Iruma then slowly groaned and opened his eyes, noticing the three demons around him.
“Jazz…kun? Shiida-sensei…? Kamui-kun…?” Iruma mumbles
“Yes, We’re here Iruma-kun” Jazz comforts the shorter male and gives him a hug, “Rest easy now… We will get you out…”
“Thank… Goodness….” Iruma mumbles and falls asleep in Jazz’s arms.
Jazz then shifted Iruma’s body so that Iruma lays on his back instead and was about to carry him out but-
“Stop right there”
Their path was blocked by a familiar, yet not so familiar dog. The three of them looked to the side and saw Naberius Narnia, the last person the three of them want to see here.
“You will not go anywhere” Narnia growled, “That monster have served his purpose, now he must die”
Jazz slowly backed off, not wanting to be close to the man, especially with Iruma on his back along with Kaui whilst Shiida walks in front of the two to protect them. Their attempts are futile when the wall suddenly breaks and a more familiar dog steps by.
“I hope I wasn't interrupting,” Kalego says smugly. Balam and Opera were behind him, quickly jumping to go to Iruma.
Kalego then looked at his brother and bared his fangs, “So this is your choice… brother”
“Kalego…” Narnia equally glowered, “You should know that boy is a menace to the netherworld!”
“I know that he is a human” Kalego replied, “But he is still my student, and it is my job as his teacher and familiar to keep him safe”
“Reduced to a mere familiar?!” Narnia shouted, “This is why you can’t see the truth!”
Kalego’s cerberus then attacked near where Narnia was standing, “Enough of your nonsense”
“I see…” Narnia mumbles “So he has gotten you in his fingers too…”
“I do not know what you are talking about but Iruma is my precious student” Kalego says, pulling Cerberus back, “And you won’t harm him any further!”
The two then started fighting, whilst Balam and Opera took the two Misfits and one Six Finger outside the place.
“You three go leave with Opera-senpai to take Iruma-kun to safety” Balam ordered, “I will go collect the others to safety”
“...Okay!”
But they weren’t able to leave quickly enough nor react fast enough before they realized what had happened. Balam had suddenly spawned the ‘Grand Cocoon’ spell around them that still cracked from the force of the lightning.
“Who says you can leave?” Baal smugly taunts and the two Misfits shuddered yet again.
“Me” a new voice suddenly resounded, a voice that only Baal seemed to recognize as suddenly Iruma’s Zayin medal flew in front of him and got engulfed in a bright light. However, every thirteen crowns across the demon realm and the older demons quickly recognized this new presence.
Alikred, who is now visible and standing in front of Balam’s ‘Grand Cocoon’. His figure as tall as Derkila, features also resembling him but not quite him. Balam and the others may not have seen the Demon King in person before but the pressure on the air is undeniably his. Pressure so intense they naturally kneeled behind the figure, whilst Baal’s barely hanging in there. Jazz himself is trying his best to not let Iruma fall as he kneels. The earlier ball of light containing Iruma’s badge landed on Derkila’s hand, the rank showing “Yodh”.
“Demon King…” Baal says between gasped breaths, “Derkila-sama… so you truly… have been with the boy…?”
“I am” Derkila says, “I wanted to see the Netherworld without me and decided to put myself in a ring, waiting for a successor”
Derkila seemed to pout, “The current Netherworld when I ruled was growing boring quickly so I devised this plan to choose my new successor!”
“Sounds fun doesn't it!” Derkila jokes, “But then…”
Derkila turned his gaze to Baal, “You decided to harm my successor…”
The air suddenly turned heavier and everyone in the area fell down on their stomach, “What explanation do you have… Baal?”
“Gh!”
He was suddenly greeted by the Thirteen Crowns appearing near the place. The other thirteen crowns aside from Narnia and Baal however, didn’t come closer because of the field pressure. Derkila noticed them and sighed, the pressure disappearing along with it.
“Derkila-sama…” the thirteen crowns seemed to echo.
“...” Derkila turned his body to them and then-
“Hi there!” Derkila smiled
“Derkila-sama, you have returned…” Sullivan says, going on one knee before the man, the thirteen crowns following.
“Well, I can't stand by when my successor is hurt,” Derkila pouted, glancing at Iruma.
Everyone immediately followed his gaze and it landed on the unconscious Iruma, who’s being shielded by a very afraid Jazz between his arms, meanwhile Kamui is standing in front of the two, the two of them sweating buckets. For normal demons like them, they couldn’t hope to see the whole entirety of thirteen crowns and still be okay from the pressure.
Mephisto seemed to notice the unconscious Iruma and flew to him. Jazz glanced at the man, who gave an assuring smile and Jazz nodded, slowly handing Iruma to the man. Mephisto cradled the boy and started healing him, Baal feeling more and more pressure on his back the more Mephisto heals him.
“Now then” Derkila says, clapping his hands together, “Where were we?”
“Ah that’s right!” Derkila says, one finger pointing to the air.
“Let’s remake the Thirteen Crowns!” Derkila suggested and the thirteen crown’s eyes widened.
“Sorry?!” “Huh?!” and the sorts was heard
“All of you have been too lax…” Derkila pouted, putting his hands to left and right, shaking his head, “We need new thirteen crowns so that the Netherworld changes to a more interesting one!”
Suddenly, all thirteen crowns felt something was pulled off their chest and relaxed. At the same time, Derkila snapped his fingers, and the Six Fingers who were fighting the Misfits and the Misfits themselves, along with the two present Naberius, were teleported and fell down to the ground. The Misfits unsurprisingly are injured, but what’s surprising is that the Six Fingers are barely holding it there.
Their attention was immediately directed around them due to the sudden teleportation, and immediately looked at the unconscious Iruma and the standing Demon King nearby.
“Wha-?” Asmodeus mumbled as he looked around, not knowing what to react.
“Let’s do it like this!” Derkila clapped and the former base of operations that Baal owned started to break as an earthquake shook it. Mephisto held Iruma in his arms closer while Kalego, Balam, Opera, Sullivan, Bachiko, Amaryllis and Henri moved closer to the Misfits, making a protection barrier all around the group.
Baal’s base of operations crumbled apart whilst something seemed to sprout from the ground. It kept shaking for a while that the Misfits feared that the ground would eventually give up on them and then-
A tower kept rising. Babel Tower more specifically. All of the demons there watched as the tower tore through Baal’s base of operations and sprouted from the ground. It kept going until it became exactly like Babel’s tower, although there are some differences.
“From now on, whoever can pass through the tower and reach the 666th floor after all the thirteen seats have been taken, shall reign as demon king”
“Of course, they can also take the current thirteen crown seats… If they survive”
“Ahhh for the rules” Derkila looked at the current, now former Thirteen crowns, “Those who were a part of the thirteen crowns are not allowed to get in”
“This tower will be open for everyone who wants to take a seat!” Derkila says happily, “But doing just that won’t be fun”
“So, if no one were to take all thirteen seats within the end of this year…” Derkila smiled still as he announced what happened next, “Then I shall eradicate the Demon World!”
“...”
“... Sorry?!”
(◣∀◢)ψ
“And that’s what happened…” Azz-azz explains to Iruma.
It has been a month and Derkila had teleported everyone to a random island randomly. Even the Misfits had been scattered all across the Netherworld. The Misfits wasted no time looking for their unconscious friend, flying everywhere to find the island that has Iruma. Sabnock found him first, sleeping in a house in a remote village, Mephisto doing random things near the bed.
Apparently because Mephisto had been holding onto Iruma, he was fortunately teleported along with him to this remote village. But unfortunately for him, his authority and most of his abilities seemed to be locked, so he wasn’t able to look around and decided to stay by the sickly Iruma’s side.
Sabnock then decided that he’ll leave them a bit to find the other Misfits, and it took a few weeks before they all gathered in the village, and started to live independently there. Balam and Kalego seemed to also found the island sooner or later, and the sixteen of them have been living together since.
Mephisto then one day explains that he cannot leave the island, his wings injured and unhealable until that if he wants to try to go to other islands he would not be able to reach it and fall into the water and drown. How did he know they asked, and well. There is something called “Fuck around and find out”.
It has now been a month since they all have gathered on that island and Iruma has finally awoken. That brings us to the first sentence.
(◣∀◢)ψ
“And that’s what happened…” Azz-azz explains to Iruma.
Iruma had woken up and asked what had happened whilst he was unconscious. The Misfits and the two teachers had been taking turns making sure their leader and best friend doesn’t die as he heals, Mephisto also participating. And now he has finally woken up.
“Sorry to bother… you guys…” Iruma says, guilty. The Misfits seemed to notice something and looked at each other.
“Iruma-sama…” Azz-azz begins but stops, “About your…”
Iruma suddenly froze, something that the Misfits noticed. No wonder, I mean, their school anthem is literally about eating humans. Devi, Iruma must have been so scared back then.
“It’s okay Iruma-kun!” Lied says, “Human or not, you’re still our dearest friend!”
“...?” Iruma looked up to Lied
“That’s right” Jazz nods, “Humans are like, magicless right?”
“That makes you special” Jazz grinned and patted Iruma’s back, “Especially you’re Zayin and all”
“Right right!” Lied agrees
“Being a human doesn’t stop you from being my rival!” Sabnock roared
Many words of comfort chirped in and Iruma grew teary eyed.
“You guys…!” Iruma tears up, happy.
“Ahh-!” “Don’t cry!”
“I’m just so happy” Iruma says, wiping the tears away, “Thank you…”
“...” The Misfits looked at him, then they jumped to give him a hug.
Kalego later walks inside along with Balam, watching the thirteen huddled together with Mephisto taking a snap of a picture.
(◣∀◢)ψ
Now it’s been a few more weeks and the Misfits started to grow farms and the likes in the village with the guidance of Iruma. Peace somewhat returned to the small group of sixteen. Some of them sometimes just fly around to find more demons but most of the time, those demons have become miserable and/or returned to their origins, so they didn’t do anything.
The Misfits themselves have been relying on Purson to use his bloodline magic to make sure their own island stays out of anyone’s or anything’s radar, for their safety. There’s mainly two reasons for this. One being that Iruma, the only human on the netherworld, is there on their island. Iruma himself seems to have the power to heal any beings that come from the demon realm, or give energy to any demons as long as they consume Iruma’s blood. Since Sullivan can’t come to the island, Iruma hasn’t been taking his perfume so that his human scent is more noticeable now. Misfits made it a training so that they won’t unconsciously or consciously eat or harm Iruma for his blood.
Second reason is to protect the group against the world itself. Such things as demons who are running rampant because they have returned to origin, desperation, or the sorts. Of course, Purson’s protection doesn’t exactly wipe the existence of the island off the netherworld, so sometimes there are strays that fall down to their island. Iruma, being the kind boy (and a pushover he is) tells the Misfits to help those demons that strayed to their island. Although, he also ordered them after everything is good with that stray, they should be sent to the most nearby island and have their memory wiped. Also make sure when the Misfits drop them off, no one sees them.
Iruma himself is not completely magicless, if one may ask. While Alikred is now no longer with Iruma, there is still some magic left on the Gluttony Ring. The ring itself still can absorb mana if Iruma wills it, but doing so would cause the source of mana if not the three greats that supplied it, would die from lack of mana. So Iruma has been sometimes training so that he doesn’t absorb too much mana from the earth so that he can help the other Misfits if necessary with magic, but other times, physical labor is enough.
One day…
(◣∀◢)ψ
A small group of Misfits was doing their usual island patrol and mapping down on a new uncharted area by them when Iruma suddenly disappeared. The two other Misfits accompanying him (Gaap and Allocer) shrieked in surprise as they suddenly lost sight of Iruma.
"Gaap-kun?! Allocer-kun?!" Iruma shouted from somewhere
"Iruma-dono!?" Gaap shouted back looking around, "Where are you?"
"I don't know!" Iruma shouted back, "I suddenly fell down here, and there's a hole above me!"
"Are you injured Iruma?" Allocer shouts
Iruma assessed his body and aside from slight dirt and scratches, there wasn't anything really bad. His evasion skill helped but his ankle ached, maybe he should tell them that.
"My ankle is kind of hurting, but that's it!" Iruma shouts in reply
"Wait there!" Gaap says and opens his Katana sheath, letting the winds go around their area and find a hole.
Few minutes later a gentle breeze passed by Iruma and Gaap led Allocer to the entrance. They watched from above as Iruma peeked from below.
"Maybe we should bring Agares-dono here" Gaap says as he observed how deep the hole is
"This is no small fall Iruma" Allocer asks, "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Mm!"
"Really?"
"Only my ankle is hurt" Iruma says again, "Probably when I landed"
"Then I'll go and get Agares-dono" Gaap stands and leaves
"I'll keep you company-"
"Wait Allocer-kun" Iruma stops him, "There's… something inside the cave ahead"
"... A beast?"
"I don't think that's it…" Iruma shakes his head, "My senses are not telling me there's something harmful in front"
"But I see something… shiny?" Iruma says before he takes off running
"Hey wait-!" Allocer shouted as Iruma went more and more out of sight.
Looking around if Gaap is returning anytime soon and deciding it's a pretty long walk to their village, he sighs heavily and looks inside the sides of the hole. It's mostly straight, but not impossible to slide down. Still dangerous to go down though, but he hopefully manages.
And with that, he also goes down.
(◣∀◢)ψ
Gaap returned minutes later with Agares who's riding King and Azz-azz who hurried over when he heard Iruma was in possible danger. This led to Clara hearing about it and eventually also Mephisto, so Gaap left with an unexpectedly big group of demons.
But then his winds stopped leading him, meaning they're at their supposed destination, but panicked when he didn't see Allocer where he remembered him at. The hole got bigger if anything. Agares shoved his best friend aside and got down to the ground to take a look.
"There's two different marks of someone falling inside and sliding inside, although they would seem to have a rough landing" Agares says after he examined the sides of the hole, "I'll go make stairs down, give me some space"
The other demons that followed Gaap and Gaap moved aside as Gaap placed his hand on the earth and rearranged it. Seconds later, a stairway down was there, and the group of demons looked at each other and braced themselves if they had to fight.
Slowly taking the stairway down, they eventually reached the cave on the bottom of the hole. There was two distinct marks left behind, one who seems like they fell but then paced around a bit before running off (And Gaap wants to scold Iruma for running with an injured ankle) whilst the other one is connected to the long line from the home's walls, which mean it must be Allocer's.
Although he seems like he stumbled in the end and fell down, ouch.
The two footsteps seemed to lead deeper inside, so Azz-azz lit up a fire on one hand to light their paths. He walked in front whilst the other followed behind him.
"These ones have the color of you Allocer-kun!" A familiar joyful voice says
"Indeed Iruma" Another voice replied
The group of Misfits and Mephisto hurried to the source of the voice and was surprised to see-
-Iruma looking around eyes sparkly along with Allocer who's left hand is below his maw, clearly interested. Around them, there were countless gemstones of many colors around the cave, lighting up the dark cave with the glow it emitted.
"These are… expensive gemstones and new kinds of gemstones" Mephisto admits, "These gemstones would normally cost a lot but…"
"I doubt anyone would take these gemstones though” Mephisto sighs
“Then it’s useless?” Gaap deflated
“...No,” Iruma replied, “I have an idea!”
(◣∀◢)ψ
Iruma’s idea was to turn it into accessories, adding new accessories to the Misfits to use. There were plenty of different colored gemstones on the cave, and with the help of the Misfits that knows one or two things about accessory making, they created multiple accessories enough for the Misfits, the two teachers, and even Mephisto.
The main shape of the gemstone are pampel’s with a sharper edge on the top. On top are small holes for the black nylon cord to go through or other necessary things to use it. The accessories design are modified to how the Misfits like it (and whatever they could think of for the two teachers and Mephisto). In the end, here are how the accessories made:
Some chose necklaces, like Jazz ( #750E00 ), Clara ( #4AE853 ) and Kerori ( #A8E3E9 ) (and they made it a necklace for Kalego ( #8116FF ) too. They gave it to the man and the man left before the Misfits could see him use it, but sometimes they would see a black nylon rope peeking out from under Kalego’s shirts)
Azz-azz ( #F0A6CA ) decided to wear it on his head, long black nylon ropes circling around it twice and the gemstone lays on his left side of his head.
Eliza ( #F0C0C4 ) wears it as a hairband decoration (The same was made for Balam-sensei #7AEB90 ) who later happily wears it at his hair bun)
The two young king from Harvest Festival wore it as a bracelet, where Iruma ( #4994EB ) wears it on his right hand, while Lied ( #F0D65C and #000000 ) wears it on his left hand.
Gaap’s ( #BBE7ED ) was made with the ropes being in between bracelet and necklace length wise, and he placed it on the back of his katana, decorating it.
Kamui’s ( #8F735E ) was made using short metal and clasped to his left leg.
Agares ( #F5793B ) and Purson’s ( #DDC5FF ) was made into an earring on their right and left ears respectively.
Lastly, Sabnock’s ( #F5E660 ) and Allocer’s ( #F5DA8B ) was made into a ring on their left index fingers.
Oh and Mephisto’s ( #FFFFFF ) was turned into a horn decoration despite it having the nylon rope on the length of a bracelet the man sneaks in the suggestion. He then gladly wears it on his left horn.
These gemstones might be useless for the world, so the Misfits turned it into their most prized possession by making it an accessory. Although no one in the demon realm should or need to know about that.
(◣∀◢)ψ
Speaking of items worth and the likes after the whole mess that is Derkila and Baal and his followers, some islands have running shops, although now they use the old trading system. But because of that, the Misfits could join in easily with their own crops to gather things for their own living. While in town, sometimes they also hear whispers and rumours of demons still trying and going to try out the Babel Tower trial, and ultimately never return.
This brings the Misfits to another problem.
Their dying netherworld.
Timeline: Middle September
(◣∀◢)ψ
"..."
"...This is bad isn't it"
"Our crops have become more and more less" He sighed, "If this continues, we wouldn't be able to feed ourselves"
One came and slung his arm on the boy, "We should wait for those two that went to the town"
With that, the three of them walked away from the fields. They entered their shared home that they claimed and saw someone in the living room. Said person turned around and smiled.
"You're back" The girl smiled.
"Nee-san…" One of them replied.
"..." The girl understood and nodded.
"Where's Iruma-sama?" The boy with pink hair asks.
"He’s doing his regular check-up with Balam-sensei," Eliza answered.
"Alright then…" The boy nodded, "Have Sabnock and Purson returned yet?"
"They should be here soon-" Eliza looked at the clock above the fireplace before a knock interrupted them.
The door opened to reveal one tall boy with a shorter one next to him and the group greeted them.
"Any luck?" The yellow haired asks.
The taller of the two seems to cast something before his looks change, the shorter following.
"No, the nearest island declined the trade, and the other one raised their price by too much” The shorter answered, "The rest didn't have any, this is all we got".
They both entered the house before closing the door. The taller one then dropped a bag on the table and untied the knot. He let go of the bag and multiple foods were there, but they knew it wasn't enough.
"This is even less than last time… We will run out of food soon if this continues" The yellow haired sighed.
"It can't be helped…" A soft voice says
All of them looked up to see their "leader" coming down the stairs.
"We will have to keep trying and hope for the best" He says
"Iruma-sama…" Azz called.
Suddenly, loud noises of shouting came from outside. Seconds later, their door opened with a bang.
"There's demons coming!" Gaap shouted.
They all suddenly jumped into awareness while a bird demon came running to them.
"There's many of them coming this way!" Kamui added.
They all then casted a spell before their looks changed. After making sure they all look different, they walked outside the house and looked at the sky afar.
"But how do they know we're here?!" Iruma shouted, hand ready to form his bow if necessary.
"The anti detection spells we put around the island are still active" Purson added.
Clara and Kerori seem to be summoned by the noise and gathered with the rest of the Misfits. Iruma looked around a bit and he could spot Kalego-sensei and Balam-sensei hiding behind the houses, in case of anything, whilst Mephisto is concealing himself from afar, but close enough to hear what the Misfits are saying. The group of demons finally landed on their island and the Misfits braced for what’s about to come.
But then, Iruma and three other demon noticed something
“That’s-!” Iruma whispered
“Irumacchi, that's the mean guy back at Scala…” Clara whispered back
“Amy Azami and the one that stopped him…” Azz-azz whispers
“Scala?!” Lied shout-whispered
“You say Amy…” Jazz notes
“He’s most likely related to Amy Kirio yes” Allocer nods
“He also has a barrier type ability” Azz-azz says
“Although Mephisto-san broke in quite easily…” Iruma added
“Wait..” Purson noticed, “Those are the demon that have been following us back here”
“Now that you said it…”
“Hi there!” Kyrielight chirped, raising one hand to greet the group
“...?”
“What do we owe until the Demon Border Patrol visits us?” Azz-azz asks
“Well” Kyrielight hummed, “As you know, the Netherworld have been dying”
“And we have been looking around to find demon that would be willing to take Derkila-sama’s trial” He explains, “So i was about to ask-”
“If you wanted to ask for our help” Jazz says, pointing to Purson and Sabnock “You wouldn’t be following our two friends here wouldn’t you?”
“Well…”
“Enough of that Kimaris” Azami growled and then he looked at the air.
He seemed to suddenly do something and a barrier manifested in the air, surprising Kyrielight and the Misfits for different reasons. No longer than five seconds, the barrier was gone, and Mephisto stood there.
“I knew you all were hiding here” Azami growled whilst Mephisto smiled. The Misfits looked at each other before undoing their disguises, surprising Kyrielight.
“It’s you again!” Mephisto chirped, “What? Intending to attack me now that my authority is sealed? Unfortunately i doubt i’d give much of a challenge-”
“Not that” Azami sighs, “Derkila has said that that boy is his successor” he pointed at Iruma.
“So naturally, it’s his job to take the trials and take the demon king seat so that this netherworld doesn’t disappear”
“Who do you think you are to command Iruma-sama like that-!” Azz-azz interrupted but Mephisto’s hand stopped him.
“Oh?” Mephisto furrowed an eyebrow, “Does not even the Demon Border Patrol be willing enough to go there themselves?”
“...”
“Oh that’s right” Mephisto taunted, “You folks lost in grace after half of you followed that dog and betrayed Derkila-kun huh?”
“You-!” Azami was about to attack the former 13 crown but Kyrielight stopped him.
“Nevertheless” Kyrielight says, “I beg of you Iruma-kun”
“...?”
“Please save this dying Netherworld” Kyrielight got on one knee as he said this.
“...” Iruma looked at the Misfits who looked back, “...I’ll think about it”
“Thank you, truly”
(◣∀◢)ψ
Waving the group of former Demon Border Patrol away, the Misfits gathered at their shared house’s living room. Kalego and Balam were already waiting inside, and Iruma and Mephisto later joined them in the living room.
“The Thirteen Crowns Trial huh…” Sabnock mumbled
“Derkila-sama did say that he would open the Babel Tower for everyone and whoever can grab the thirteen seats would be the new demon king de gozaru…” Gaap replied
“But it is quite a trip from here” Mephisto says, “I wouldn't be able to come if you all decided to go”
“Not to mention” Kalego huffs, “I hate the idea of these things being pushed on children”
“Hey! We’re sixteen years old, old man!” Lied shouted
“Children” Kalego says again and moves away to dodge Lied’s sudden jump on him.
“... I’ll do it” Iruma says
“Huh?” Jazz looks at the shorter male, “You sure Iruma-kun? No one is forcing you to do this you know”
Iruma shakes his head, “I feel like being the Demon King is why i was summoned here”
“Of course i’m grateful to grandpa adopting me but i feel like this is just what i’m supposed to do”
“... Well if you say so”
Kalego looks at him before walking to him. When he was standing next to Iruma, he gave his student and Master essentially a smack on the head, earning a yelp from the boy.
“You don’t have to always shoulder the burdens yourself, brat” Kalego huffed, “Your friends are here for you”
“Not to mention there’s that guy (Mephisto) and Shichiro and me too” Kalego looks at Iruma in the eye, “So, tell us what you truly want”
“...” Iruma looked in surprise at his teacher but he still nodded, “Don’t worry, This is truly what i want”
“I want to make a peaceful netherworld!”
“...”
“...”
“...”
“...Hmph!” Kalego huffs and ruffles Iruma’s hair before leaving.
“Alright then” Kerori pulls their attention back to the group, “If we’re really leaving then we need to make some preparations”
“...” Iruma short circuited, “Wait ‘we’?”
“Of course!” Eli smiles and clapped her hands together, “We are a family! There’s no way we’re letting you go alone!”
“That’s right!”
“What?” Agares looks at their leader and smiled, “I thought you knew by now we’re inseparable”
“We promised to share our joy AND pains to each other right?” Jazz grinned
“... Right!”
(◣∀◢)ψ
The Misfits then spent some time scouting the tower and its location. The island that hosts the tower is rather pretty far, and it would take several days for them to reach it, according to Sabnock and Allocer’s scouting and calculations. They also prepared their foods that can be brought for the trip, and other essential supplies. Although they didn’t bring much since Clara insisted that she’ll help making more if necessary.
After another week, the Misfits are prepared and ready to go. The thirteen of them gathered in the middle of the small village, where Kalego, Balam and Mephisto were also standing.
“As i’ve said before, I can’t go” Mephisto says
“And we will stay behind to keep the island safe!” Balam added, “Sorry that we can’t come…”
“It’s fine Balam-sensei!” Iruma nodded, “Thanks for the help until now!”
Allocer and Agares then finally finished the basket they will be using to carry Iruma and double checked to make sure it’s gonna be safe for long distance trips. When they’re done doing that, Gaap called for the others and they gathered around the basket, where Iruma entered. Sabnock, Azz-azz and Jazz got into position on holding the rope tied to the basket. The three then stabilized and started flying, and the other nine Misfits followed.
“Bye Kalego-sensei, Balam-sensei, Mephisto-san!”
“Return safely you brats!”
“Of courseeee!”
And with that, they’re gone.
(◣∀◢)ψ
The Misfits were flying for a few days, changing who to carry Iruma everytime they stopped. They took the fastest route, which turns out took them a week to go through. They didn’t stop by any cities or villages and decided to camp out in the wilderness. Lied felt nostalgia by the fact they’re camping, something Iruma shares the feeling of on tworeasons.
At the end of the week, they finally reached the tower. Looking around, the land around it is surprisingly dead. The Misfits looked at the tower, gulped, and went in.
Date: October 5th
(◣∀◢)ψ
“The tower feels… colder than the last time I went here” Iruma mumbles and looked around, “The interior looks very different too”
“Derkila-sama probably modified the towers” Azz-azz replied
“Well modified or not, Let’s go save the netherworld!”
“Oh!”
(◣∀◢)ψ
The group walked to the first door, and written above the seat was “Golden Lion” . The Misfits looked at Iruma who was in the room then Sabnock who was behind Iruma.
“‘Golden Lion’?” Iruma reads, “I don’t remember there being a seat named that”
“Golden Lion… It’s calling for me” Sabnock says and placed his hands on Iruma’s
“Sabnock…kun?” Iruma glances at the way taller person
“Hey Iruma” Sabnock says as he throws Iruma out of the room.
The boy fell on his ass and quickly collected himself up to look at his friend. Moments before the door shut fully closed, Sabnock seems to say
“We share our joy and pains…” He hears, “Right?”
The smirk that was plastered on Sabnock’s face is going to haunt him forever
(◣∀◢)ψ
Unbeknownst to anyone else but the man himself, their dear “Big Brother” fell down, back on the firmly shut door. But he did not let himself grieve and walked to the seat. Blinding lights surrounded him and-
(◣∀◢)ψ
“Ah…?” Iruma struggles to speak as he is left stunned, not knowing what to say.
‘Did he just…’
‘... Huh?’
Iruma wasn’t given anymore time to grief as the floor lifts itself up and the next door opens. Above the seat, written in glowing text was “Stealth Master” . Iruma heard footsteps and looked behind him, looking at Purson who is walking by him. Iruma stood up, trying to stop his best friend and other Boku-alliance members from going, but Purson offered no words. He phased through Iruma and walked inside the room. He never looked back either, not even when the doors closed firmly shut.
‘... Has his friends… betrayed him..?’
He looked at the other Misfits who looked at each other but not Iruma, a glare (is it really a glare?) coursing through each of them.
“Why…”
“... Why are you guys looking at each other like that…?”
The floor was lifted up again and a new door was opened. This one says “Queen of Ice” and Iruma could already know who was going to do it before any of the Misfits even moved.
“Kerori-!” Iruma shouted and ran to Kerori who froze in place.
In response, Kerori pushed away the shouting Iruma and walked to the door. Unlike the one before, she glanced back and Iruma could see the tears before her eyes falling and freezing, along with her beautiful smile.
The floor moved to the next level as if nothing had happened and a new door opened.
“Lady of Love and Adoration”
Iruma looked at Eliza who walked gracefully to the door. Iruma didn’t know what to say to stop his best friends from walking to the seats anymore. Words getting struck in his throat. Eliza in return gave Iruma a head pat but not looking at Iruma. Her eyes closed as she walked inside.
“I was the one who-” Iruma wanted to say, but the rest was stuck on his throat.
“You can’t keep it all to yourself” Kerori had told him back then. He thought Kerori meant his pain but did it actually mean…
“... We won’t let you…” He remembers but ah…
Who said that again…? Why is their face so… blurry…? And what did they say again…? Not let him… have the authority…?
Is this the greed they talked about about Demons…? The greed that changes everything…?
The fifth door opened, and this one bears the title of “Ruler of the Winds” and Iruma only glanced teary eyed at their wind blade swordsman.
Gaap seems to flinch, something that Iruma didn’t notice and Gaap looked away. Gaap then seemed to finally accept something and walked to the seat, drawing his sword as he walked.
In front of the door, Gaap’s windblade had fully been unsheated, and pointed at Iruma, stopping the smaller boy from moving. Well, not like the younger boy seems to want to. Within seconds, the door shut tight.
Within the sixth door lies the seat and title of “Master of the Earth” . A soft thump was heard, and not long it was accompanied by footsteps. The lightest member of their small family walked.
“Something about this whole thing is just not a nice thing” Agares finally speaks after the long silence.
The Misfit’s eyes seemed to widen as they thought of something but Agares only sighed, not muttering another word before stepping inside the room with the seat.
The seventh door.
“Lord of Knowledge”
As if summoned, the brains of their group seemed to mutter something under his breath, one hand over the other, until Iruma can’t see the ring they all made together.
“To grab a blessing, sharpen one’s mind” Allocer seems to say
“Grab it as fast as you can” He says and looked at something”
Like the others, the lion-looking demon walked inside the room and the doors shut not long after.
‘Where have all my trusted friends gone…?’ Iruma mutters to himself, glancing around, ‘Is everyone against me?’
‘This is not… the love I know…’
“Communication Monarch”
Soft pitter pattering was heard as Kamui slowly walked to the room that holds the seat and title. He seemed to be the slowest amongst all of them, and Iruma doesn’t think it was because of his size. Nevertheless, the seat was also stolen from Iruma with the click of the rock door.
The next door opened and Jazz and Lied seemed to be fighting about something. Jazz was shouting at Lied whilst Lied himself was pushing Jazz away. Jazz reached out an arm to the shorter to stop him but Lied only looked back and smiled, blushing on his cheeks like he just won a gamble, his face sporting a victorious joy as he cried. With that, the seat and title of “Gambling Sovereign” was taken, along with his best friend and little/older brother.
Iruma watched from behind the Misfits, hands over his mouth as he watched the two best friends betray each other.
The next door opened and the other “Big Brother” of the group walked to it, to where the title of “Lord of Kleptomania” rests.
Jazz only glanced back and gave the remaining three Misfits a proud smile, hand fisting like he wanted a fist bump. But he earned nothing as the door shut.
The floor rises, and a new door opens. This room bears the title of “Queen of Games” , and between the three remaining Misfits, they all just knew who it belonged to.
Clara skipped to the door and spun around, hands spread wide. Clara then stopped to face them, both of her index fingers at the corner of her lips.
“Smile, Smile!” Clara says and the door shuts.
The floor rose up again and the final door opened. This final door bears the title of “Lord of Flame and Lust” .
Alice froze in his spot, gritting his teeth. The man seems to be contemplating something.
Was that a teardrop that Iruma saw…?
But Alice raised his left hand and placed it on the left side of his face and lit the hand up and flesh burned. Alice then continued his walk to the door and only snuck the other boy and his loved one a glance.
With how he turned around, Iruma could see that on the left side of Alice’s face now lay a burn wound. But the door still shut without giving Iruma any time to think.
(◣∀◢)ψ
An unlit torch fell in front of Iruma and he grabbed it. Stairs formed as the walls opened a path to the roof of the tower.But Iruma stayed there for a while, crying over what had been lost.
But he knows he can’t just stay here forever. So he grabbed the torch and climbed up the stairs.
(◣∀◢)ψ
What greeted Iruma on top wasn’t Derkila, but rather beings Iruma feels like Deities. There also stands a ghost of Irumean, watching him sadly. Around the edges of the tower lay twelve stone skeletons. They didn’t look like what Iruma remembered of them, but he still could feel the connection that he had with the other Misfits in the skeletons.
Iruma thinks he can feel himself hyperventilating.
Irumean then opened his mouth.
“The true meaning of the ‘Blessing’ was atonement for the next Demon King” Irumean explains, but he doesn’t sound like him at all, “You the new Demon King that have passed the trial with twelve sacrifices shall light up the torch to the new Netherworld”
Iruma then feels a voice whisper in his head as the torches from the skeleton statue lights up.
“Even if i have to be torn apart by endless weapons until only blood remains” Sabnock’s last moment was played out, but it was different from what Iruma had remembered. Here, instead of smirking, he was smiling gently to Iruma.
“Even if I have my entire existence wiped out clean until nothing remains” Iruma could finally see that Purson was crying when he entered the door. He didn’t turn around, so Iruma wouldn’t see his tears of sadness.
“Even if I got frozen from body to soul, trapped in this ice for eternity” Here, Kerori’s tear seemed to mean that she truly was too scared to die. She tried to look brave, but her soul didn't lie, and tears fell from her eyes.
“Even if I am loved by everyone it harms me yet I don’t find my true love” Eliza was fully closing her eyes still, face scrunched in fear for what’s about to come.
“Even if I am torn apart by my own winds and disappear into nothing” Gaap’s face, the darkness seemed to drip off tears from it, but his long silver hair absorbed them before it could be seen.
“Even if the earth swallows me and I become one with it” Agares was sad that he had to leave his friends like this, not to mention how Iruma must have felt right now. He wished he would have comforted his best friend.
“We won’t let you go alone”
“Even when I know everything and yet nothing that it drives me insane” Allocer’s words were directed at the other Misfits aside from Iruma, but what he truly meant was to grab it before Iruma can, so that their only human friend doesn’t get harmed any further.
“Even when I hear everything until my head explodes” Kamui was the most scared of everyone. He didn’t want to die. Dying to save someone was gentlemanly, but truly, He wished they didn’t have to go through this at all.
“Even when I keep losing everything until nothing is left behind” Lied knows that his best friend doesn’t want this to happen. Hell, he doesn't wanna die too. But remembering all the things Iruma had done for them, he feels like he should do something for him too. Although, he can’t hide the tears of his fear.
“Even when everything was stolen and ripped apart from me” Jazz is the other big brother in the group, so he couldn’t afford to look weak now. Seems like it’s time for him to go, so he gave his best friends and family one last smile. He wished he could’ve also given them one last hug.
“Even when i’m trapped in the darkness, unable to smile any longer” Clara tried her best to look joyful at her last moments. She doesn’t want a bad memory to be the last thing Iruma remembers of her. So she muttered “Smile, smile!”. She doesn’t know if she’s convincing herself or anyone else in the room.
“Even when I became apart with the one I love and burned in the eternal flame” Azz-azz cannot believe he’s going to betray Iruma. But letting Iruma bear more pain would hurt more. Ahhh… He can’t cry now. He has a mission to do.
“We will keep believing…”
“That in sickness in health, we share our joy and pains”
“Now” Irumean orders, “Continue this torch relay… after all of those innocent sacrifices”
Iruma remembered the time they all offered a hand to him in his lowest… an anguished shriek ripped out of his throat.
A Deity that he doesn’t know voice echoed, “This foolish habit will never be broken”
“Hold up the torch your friends have helped you to win”
Iruma staggered on his feet and sat on the throne, placing down the now lit up torch as a bell resounded through the whole Netherworld.
The bell of a new morning.
Iruma, who sits alone on the throne smiled and mutters
“I have just created thirteen sins…”
And blackness
(◣∀◢)ψ
“Happy…”
“To me…”
“Happy…”
“...”
“...Birthday to me…”
“...”
“...”
“Happy birthday to me…”
“Happy birthday to dear…”
“...me”
“Happy birthday to me…”
“...”
“...”
(◣∀◢)ψ
Back on the Misfit’s island, three demons cried that night, and no one knew why.
On many different islands, many demons teared up without knowing why.
All they knew was that a gentle breeze had passed them, and they saw thirteen ghostly figures of young children walking by.
(◣∀◢)ψ
In another universe, thirteen people gathered and suddenly they felt whole and right again. Their empty souls finally filled up.