Chapter 15: Oneself

In this darkness, in all the pain, Yuu's mind was going rabid. After all, his arms had seemingly just popped out, and while no blood was coming out, the blistering pain echoed across his body. Whatever the magic was, his body was still connected, still alive. But his head, torso, arms, and legs had all been seperated.

And they were all in pain.

And in this state, the shadows seemed to swallow him up, and he was alone. Did time pass? Did things change? His mind itself was going blurry and unclear, his very essence being attacked.

"I told you...see how they only protected themselves?" a second Yuu said as he walked into Yuu's line of sight. Yuu2, as Yuu decided to call him, seemed perfectly fine. But, he was also probably an illusion.

"Shut up" the seperated head of Yuu told him.

"Why should I? I am you after all. And you are me".

Suddenly, in that instance, their perceptions changed for a moment, and Yuu was now standing over his disconnected body. His head looked at him.

"See what I mean?"

And then, everything changed again. His body was whole, and he was standing there normally, along with Yuu2.

"But you know, everyone has abandoned you. Once more. After all, where is James with his overwhelming power, blowing the magic away? Where are those two new people, seemingly so caring and reliable, why have they not protected you or restored you? Even Lyo, with his insane abilities and ability to defy common sense itself, is not here...they all betrayed you".

Yuu's heart felt as if it dropped, the words of himself pointing out all these things. Certainly, there was not enough. He really was alone. And...he was afraid. Afraid of everyone. What they would do? Who they would run to? How would they act to him?

Yuu was so afraid of people betraying him, he had never told Lyo what was done to him. And about his reincarnation.

After all, Lyo might be like Lyo...but, how could Yuu be sure? Would Lyo just smile there? Or would he think Yuu was an undead and try to purge him?

Part of him wanted to believe Lyo would accept him, but...he really couldn't trust people. Even Lyo, who was the closest to him, did not know Yuu's inner secrets.

Yuu really was alone in this world.

"Ahh!"

Yuu felt a stinging feeling on his cheek, and remembered what Zak said. How he attacked him. He didn't really have any true friends...

"Only you can fight for yourself" Yuu2 said, as a strange spikey shadow ball floated by them. It appeared a bit liquid, as the spikes would go back in and then spring out in other areas. "But perhaps, that is our answer?"

Yuu saw it, and didn't quite understand what it was. But he had a good guess.

"Shadow".

Yuu looked at the strange object, as he could feel what was within. Malice, bloodshed. A thousand murders, a thousand atrocities. It was without a doubt, something unnatural, even in this world.

Meanwhile, Lyo found himself in a similar way. Only rather then himself, he saw another Yuu.

And that Yuu was dead, with a blade running right through his heart. Blood had already gushed out of them, and wounds and lacerations covered his body. Bruises, cut marks, burns, and stabs. His appearance was cold and lifeless, and there was no question that he was dead.

"You are a bringer of death" a voice told him.

"You will only cause destruction" another voice said.

"Everyone you care about will die" a third voice called out.

Surrounding him was a crowd of people, all holding weapons and had dark looks in their eyes. Their details were hidden, but their eyes were full of distrust and rage. Furthermore, the amount of corpses around Lyo increased. His mother's corpse. His older brother's corpse. His father's corpse. The corpses of all of his friends and playmates.

Just like Yuu's corpse, they were all beaten and bloody. Some where raped, others were tortured. A few of them had weapons still inside their bodies, plunged through. Blood had come out of his mother's mouth, which previously he had only seen kindness emerge from.

Everyone's corpses was surrounding him. Lyo felt the tears well up around his eyes, breaking through.

"No...no..." Lyo said, refusing to accept what was around him.

Suddenly, Yuu's corpse moved and looked at him.

"Because of you, I am dead".

"No!"

The shadows began to grab Lyo, to force him to look at and acknowledge the mountain of corpses. Telling him it was his fault. Telling him he would bring only destruction and pain.

"You will serve the new Demon King...you will slaughter all of his enemies, and bring his rule to the world. Because that is the only thing a calamity like you is good for".

"Shut up!"

"Accept the truth".

"Accept the truth".

"Accept the truth".

They all chanted that as they brought Lyo to his knees and made him look at Yuu's corpse, which was staring at him. His body started to fall apart, just like the magic that had been used. James, Azo, Zak. All of them dead around him.

He even saw the necklace that Yuu had given him, the one they could use to communicate with each other as it slid through the gap between his head and torso.

Yuu, who knew weird things. Who could use magic in weird ways. He was dead right in front of Lyo.

"He...is not dead!"

Lyo rejected the very nature of this illusion. And as well, Lyo began to radiate light.

"I might be weak" Lyo said, as his body started to come back together. "I might be weak, and maybe Yuu is right, and I can be overly familiar or friendly with people. But...I wont ever forget to tell anyone how I feel! I will cherish every moment!"

As he spoke, he got up from kneeling, standing up on his own two feet while in massive pain.

"I will let everyone know how I really feel!"

He got firmly upon both feet, raising his head at Yuu's corpse.

"And I will never let anyone else harm my friends...my family...ever again!"

The light from his body seemed to burn the shadows, as the markings of light spread across his body. In particular, they seemed to focus around the areas where his body had seperated, holding them together.

"And..." he said, as he picked up the necklace. "I know all too well that Yuu would not die that easily".

The corpses all disappeared around him, as the light radiated around him, as well as his bow. A light appeared in his eyes that perhaps had always been there, but never been noticed. Determination, or bravery, or perhaps even intelliect and sharpness.

But he knew he would not allow such a trick to fool him. And he would never again fall into despair.

"There is an untapped power that you could use" Yuu2 said, as he pointed at the sphere. "Accept his power, and add his malice to your own".

"This power..."

"Yes...you have had a taste of it right? But even you know, how weak you are on your own? You might seem strong to others, but...right now, you are vulnerable. But if you accept this, you would never have to worry about trusting others again. Because you will be far stronger" Yuu2 told him, directing his gaze to the orb.

Yuu understood what this orb meant. What it represented. He knew exactly what would happen, what could happen, if he accepted it. The malice would overflow, and he would be able to crush his enemies. This was the loyal Shadow that had protected him. It was who he was, who he is, and who he would be.

it was the power to live freely, and to make it so that no matter who tried, no one could ever hurt him ever again.

And the price...would be the lives of everyone in that city.

As he approached the orb, he could feel it. The power, it connected to a greater entity. Through this, he could connect to that source. He would finally be strong. Finally be able to overcome the pain and terror of people.

He would become the Demon King.

"...but, if I do this, I will lose my freedom wont I?" Yuu asked, looking back at himself.

"You will still retain your desires" Yuu2 replied. "And you will survive".

"I see...well in that case, I know what I will do".

Yuu reached out his hand, and grasped the orb. Yuu2 smiled deviously, exstatic at the decision...

"So you have accepted your role at last".

"Hell no" Yuu said, as the orb began to go crazy. It tried stabbing Yuu and stabbed through his hand repeatedly, the spikes going in and out, but Yuu did not let go as his shadow began to grow behind him.

Yuu2 looked stunned.

"What?!"

"Let me correct you on something. This power is not yours. And it is not his. This power is within me, so let me make one thing clear. It is mine".

Those words echoed throughout the space, as Yuu2 looked in shock.

"And I dont know who the fuck you are, but you are not me either" he told Yuu2, or rather, the Fake Yuu.

Fake Yuu stumbled backwards. He didn't expect Yuu to realize such a thing. Rather, this development should not even be possible.

"Let me guess, you thought I was too light, too sweet, too good to be able to control this power right" Yuu said, not even flinching as it repeatedly stabbed him, as it was being assimilated into him. His body began to break apart once more, but the shadows stretched out to keep it together. "But let me get one thing clear. I dont care who it is. If someone gets in the way of what I want, I will kill them. If they betray me, I will kill them. If they try to cheat me, I will screw them over so badly they wont know what hit them. And if they come after me, or what is mine, I will kill them thouroughly. I will show no mercy to my enemies. And if I dont kill them, its either because it would be inconvienet for me, or I can make use of them".

Yuu stepped forward, as the orb was assimilated into his body and his eyes turned red. The Fake Yuu clamored backwards, as he felt a powerful and dark force emit from Yuu.

"This power, that is covered in so much blood and pain. I don't need you to empower me. I dont need that guy to empower me. Even if I cannot bring out its full potential on my own, it is still mine. And you do not get to steal something from me, and then use it against me. You do not get to dictate what I use my power for, what I will do, and how many people I will kill".

He picked up the Fake Yuu by the collar, and looked at him right in the eyes.

"And for tresspassing in my head, you are mine now too...you shall be Kurokage. And you will be my sword".

As he said that, the shadow crept up from his arms that were fully detacted from Yuu, but somehow Yuu could control them all perfectly as they levitated, and brought his body together.

"Understood, Kuro-chan?"

Kuro could only nod as the name was engraved upon his soul. In Yuu's mind, in Yuu's soul, with him like this Yuu had the ultimate power. Even if he could not display this power in the real world, Kuro had clearly chosen the wrong boy to mess with.

"Good. Now wake me, and Lyo, the hell up. I am sure that moron already has his own way to adapt, he is very good at things like that".

"Y-yes sir!"

Back in reality, James clashed directly against the vampire's guards, as the vampire sat back and watched. It was hard for them, since he also had to defend himself from other attacks while Azo and Zak defended the other two. Even in this situation, Zak was not so cold or petty that he would fail to protect his allies, even in that weird, helpless state.

Unfortunately for him, as he deflected another attack, the vampire moved. It was so fast it was like he teleported, but he moved next to Zak. He grabbed the boy by the neck, and slammed him against a rock wall.

"Now that I think about it, you seemed weirdly knowledgable for vampires. You could even tell I was one immediately. No shock or hesitation. Even the others took at least half a second to register it, but you did not".

As he said that, he used his free hand to grab Zak's mouth, and force it open. Inside, one could see that it was not just normal human teeth, but there was a pair of fangs there as well.

Now that everyone thought about it, Zak always kept a hood up, but still, ti was quite the shock.

"Ah, so that explains why you are here....you are a vampire, and quite an old one at that. At least one thousand years old".

"Get away from him!" Avo shouted, as he launched a fire lance at the vampire. The vampire created his own magic barrier to block, easily deflecting Avo's attacks.

"Please dont insult me, thinking such a low level spell will...."

Suddenly, where the barrier blocked a fire lance, an explosion happed in mid air that knocked him back a bit.

"I see...a spell hidden within a spell, as expected of an A-Rank Adventurer....but then, can you defend those two!"

The vampire then set his sights on Yuu and Lyo...but in that moment, a powerful shockwave errupted that sent shivers down everyone's spines. Yuu's pieces began to float in mid air, each one projecting a strong shadow. These shadows then grabbed hold of each other, and pulled all of the parts together as the shadow wrapped around Yuu's body, forming black markings that seemed to hold all the pieces together and cover his body.

Furthermore, black cat ears and a black cat tail appeared on his body as well.

In addition, when Yuu's eyes opened, they were red, and a power burned brightly within them.

But it was not just Yuu that awoke. Lyo did as well, and his body was also pulled together and held together by golden markings. Both of their markings radiated faint levels of power, but the one who was most surprised by it was Zak, who saw their two energies mixing together as if supporting or accepting each other..

Zak was a vampire who had lived over one thousand years, and he had seen such markings before. The Golden Markings were demonstrated by those who have awakened, even if only slightly, a Heroic Spark. It was the sign of a hero, a figure who would puch back the coming darkness and be a champion of the people. That was inspiring...but, the second aura that Yuu possessed was concerning.

It was the sign of the Demon King....it meant that one was either a Demon Lord, or even a Demon King. It was an evil power, and heralded the return of the Demon King. However...there was something lacking from the power.

There should be a "connection", but the "connection" was not there. In other words...it was not the Demon King's power, but Yuu's power. Somehow, he had taken the power, but rejected the Demon King. Or maybe...he was born destined to become a Demon Lord, or even a Demon King, but rejected the overwhelming will and pressence?

It was something Zak had never seen before. Something that should be impossible.

Incidentally, the other vampire thought the same thing. He was not sure how to react. Having been around for a longer time then Zak, he knew the feeling that should be there, but wasn't. That overwhelming feeling of dread did not exist, so while that was the power of a Demon Lord, it was also not.

Neither of them could have imagined that it was because Yuu's mind and soul had been through such utter hell, his darkness rivaled that of a Demon King's.

"Reality break!"

The vampire in a panic tried to use the same spell again, but Yuu's body resisted it, the shadows holding it together. Lyo's also was able to resist it due to the Heroic Spark. As for what put him in a panic, it was their auras. The Aura of the Heroic Spark and the Aura of the Demon KIng should fight and resist each other, causing distortions and dissonance. And those who weild them should be polar opposites who do not get along.

The abnormalities of Yuu, and the abnormalities of Lyo. By chance, they had come together....or at least that is how it appeared.

"I guess the god Avalon must really hate you" Avo said, with a smile floating across his face. "Since he has sent quite the divine punishment to smite you".

"To think both of them got mode changes" Zak blurted out. Yuu quickly moved next to him.

"There are a lot of things I want to ask you about later, and I still dont trust you, but...." Yuu started, looking at Zak. His voice suddenely lowered so soft, not even Lyo or James could hear him. "But I think we have some things to talk about later. You are a reincarnator, aren't you?"

Hearing that word, Zak looked in shock for a moment before shrugging.

"World transfer, to be exact...I randomly just ended up here one day a thousand years ago".

"Ah...well in that case, we have a lot to talk about later".

"Eh, sure...hmm, do you know Akamaru?"

"...yes".

"Episode 7 of the 4th season?"

"...so that plan?"

"I mean, that guy is an elder vampire. You might have scared him shitless, but usually it takes like, a few A-Rank adventurers to defeat".

"Aren't you an elder vampire?"

Zak averted his eyes.

"I prefer to think I am eternally eleven".

"What are you, a maiden who wont share her age?"

"Whatever, can we agree on the plan?"

Yuu thought it over really quick. He considered the possibility Zak might betray him, but if that was the plan...it would be Zak in the most perilous position.

"...fine".

"Hey, what are you two talking abou..."

"Lyo, Ro-ka-zu!"

"Got it!"

James looked over at Yuu while he parried the elite guards. Yuu was a bit surprise to see him need to parry.

"So, all better now...ah, it looks like you grew ears and a tail".

"...whatever. Anyways, yeah....Kurokage, attack!"

Suddenly, several projectiles shot out of his shadow and attacked the Elder Vampire. He tried to dodge some of them, but not all of them could be dodged and he took several hits. As he was hit, Zak moved up in front of him and slashed through him. He seemed to project a barrier in time and survived it, but it looked rather painful.

Now that Yuu and Lyo were back up, there was no longer motionless targets that they had to proect. Thanks to that, Zak could finally do what he did best: Go on the offensive.

The battle was not over yet.

Hearing those soft words