Zuru eight~ Divided drifts, this is where we choose to stand.

Yearning to be enshrouded by darkness, we feel the comfort of the night.
Though the lone star shines brightly, we do not fear its light.

Wishing and longing, we learn to take flight.
Not knowing when we'll find...
The reason why...
Fate likes to lie.

"She isn't here..." a young teenager whispered to himself as he saw a whole group of teenage girls being guided back to their transport vehicle in a panicky manner. Scanning through their faces, he confirmed the sad truth to himself before heading into the same vehicle as well.

"We have news of the kidnapped girls...tomorrow at dawn...we leave to save them."

Upon hearing the announcement of their next mission, a young man suddenly stood up from his chair. Before realizing that everyone that was seated for the briefing was now staring at him. Their commander in response made out a fake cough to attract everyone's attention back to the screen. The young teen then quickly took the opportunity to seat back down. And gave the commander a slight smile as though trying to send a message to him. "Thanks."

It was a heavily armored combination of a ship and tank, large enough to carry three cars and still have space for a few jet cycles. As soon as everyone was on board, another male's voice shouted to him from the second level of the hanger to close the door.

"Krion!" In response, the young man quickly punched in the key codes to shut the hanger doors...just in time to stop three bolts of red lighting from frying everyone inside. The next order came simultaneously, "Battle stations everyone! Jet cycle squadrons prepare to launch once we reach shore. Gunners, take your position! We're shooting down this angel!"

Outside the armored vehicle, a black winged angel was giving chase. He had stunning silky black hair, and wore a black and red coat with matching shoulder armor. In his hand was a long purple sword with the ability to extend outwards like as though there were three swords joined together by a black extending mechanism. In between the mechanism would be slots to summon bolts of lighting that he frequently use against the armored ship, but they soon prove to be pointless as the bolts immediately burst into a display of red lights when they came in contact with their target. Though his assault was failing, he didn't seem to let up and continued attacking constantly in hopes of slowing the vehicle down.

"Gunners on my signal...fire!" the commander of the ship shouted. And almost immediately, the already aimed cannons of their ship unleashed their fury upon the angel. "Heh..." the angel grinned before diving into their fire while dodging every single blast of energy and bullets. As he closed in, he positioned his sword and slash off the rail guns located on the left corner of the vehicle.

"Left arms down sir, water flooding into hanger bay. Closing second armor walls."

Simultaneously another report came in, "Frontal cannons have been disabled...electro magnetic barrier losing power... Five more strikes from his sword and we are defenseless!"

"Are we almost reaching shore?" Teris demanded to know while running towards the navigation control center of the ship. "Negative sir. It may take another fifteen minutes or so before we reach Hemi harbor."

While trying to come up with a solution, Teris moment of thought was disturbed by a piece of good news. "Two jets approaching sir. They are one of ours."

In response to the news, Teris quickly pushed a button on his earphones to establish a signal with the jets. "This is commander Teris, excellent timing. We need you to distract the angel till we reached shore. After that, we're leaving everything else to Krion's jet cycle squadron."

"Affirmative. Captain Lufi here. Black wings squadron-intercepting target in five, four three, two, one. Missiles one launching." A reply was given as from one of the computer screens in the control room, two black jets came into sight... Each firing a heat-seeking missile locked onto the angel.

The angel once noticing the tubes of doom, spun his body while extending his sword's mechanism. When he was in position he aimed and fired twin arrows of red lighting, intercepting the missiles and exploding into a red cloud of smog. As the smog distracted the pilots, he took the opportunity to dash straight towards the two jets. Once more his sword extended into eleven blades, but just as he was going to slice off one of the jet's wings...they spun side-wards dodging his sword just in time.

"Darn...just who is this guy?" Lufi thought to herself while being annoyed by the angel's speed. Launching her jet upwards into the clouds, the black winged angel followed closely behind, his sword ready to fire his already summoned arrows. As soon as she reached the clear skies above, she made sure she was hovering just in front of the sun. Blocking its rays for a certain area. And as predicted, the angel emerged from the clouds within the covered area. Lufi grinned and quickly jet away, revealing the strong rays of light unto the angel. Blinded, the angel covered the rays with one of his hands. He closed his eyes tightly as the piercing rays hurt too much to bear. Being too distracted, he soon found himself being hit by two positron explosions. Even though his mind blocked the thought of the pain, he soon found himself falling back towards the sea. His body unable to help itself crashed harshly into the blue sea. The impact caused a considerably large wave that helped his prey to finally reach the shore.

Meanwhile, Krion was waiting patiently for his turn to play out his own triumph cards against the angel. While he was waiting, he pondered upon the words of their weapon specialist.

"Are you kidding me? No human can possibly pull that off! Let alone carry that bulky thing!" Krion argued in disbelief as a middle- aged man in a white lab coat showed him the battle simulation of his new creation. "This weapon was specially designed to suit your odd preference of constantly switching guns and swords. Most people would just choose one and stick with it. But it seems that from the training records, your constant switching is slowing down your battle efficiency quite a bit. You have great potential, but your habit is driving many instructors... Ahem...a tad bit annoyed."

Upon hearing that, Krion interrupted to ask, "What does they being annoyed have to do with this piece of junk you've come up with?"

"Well...they thought that the only way to solve this problem is through your newly assigned weapon." The man explained as he lifted up the white curtains in their laboratory to reveal a twin lance the size of two tables. Walking towards the table the weapon was on, the man explained in greater detail, "Each blade can be separated into three parts a handgun, a positron blaster. And lastly a reaper like sword. There are six parts in all, joining together to be a buster sword or a twin bladed lance. Now for the most important part, all weapons have been modified to fit into the hidden wings of your jet cycle compartment. Allowing easy access...and"

Annoyed by the long speech, Krion interrupted once more, "Sighs...it doesn't matter what I say does it? I'll still have to use it..."

"Hey...I put a lot of work into this, don't make it sound like its such a bad thing." The man said disappointedly as he sat into his comfy-wheeled chair. "Haha...for one thing...you shouldn't have made it so large and heavy. I don't think anyone can lift it up when they are all joined together."

"You'll be surprise what people can do when they have been driven into a corner...and left with no other choice but to do the things they thought they once couldn't do."

"When they have no other choice huh? Was he referring to me?" Krion wondered before the announcement for their launch was sounded.

"Krion, the angel has taken down Lufi's units and is now currently right in front of us. Jet squadrons prepare to launch."

"Alright people, you know the drill!" Krion shouted as his clear and confidence voice could be heard throughout the hanger.

The count down immediately began, "Three, two, one." The armored tank opened up five doors to reveal five launch pads, each with its individual cycle firing straight towards the surprised angel. Extending his sword once more, the red lighting sprout out of his sword almost immediately. In the split second, the five cycles collided into each other and connected their frontal ram to release a large projectile of pink light. Shielding them from the angel's red lighting, while sending a powerful impact unto the angel.

"Barbaric. You cannot defeat me with mere strength." The angel commented as he clashed his sword into their pink barrier, once he had enough grip on it he broke their barrier and repelled the five cycles in random directions with an even larger force. Krion upon the impact landed back onto the initial platform where he had launched. Not wasting any time, he charged back towards the angel while activating his pressure jets on his cycle's wings causing him to fly even faster into the angel's sword. Preparing his assault, he squatted on his seat and activated the pink barrier once more. As the angel clashed with his vehicle, Krion made a leap while somersaulting forward. In his hand his already drawn swords slashing the angel as he fall. Caught by surprise, the angel's back was brutally slashed at and his black coat ruined partly into shreds. Black feathers fell inevitably, as the angel's attention soon turned from the tank to his new prey. Spinning his body, he clashed his sword with Krion's with such an incredible force that it created a vacuum causing the air around them to dash in-between their weapons and practically shattering Krion's swords.

Krion upon the impact found himself flying straight into an administrative building, quickly he positioned himself to land feet first. Not knowing that someone in response catch him by letting him land safely on the back seat of his wall dashing jet cycle. As the cycle made a jump back onto the road, Krion got a good look of the rider. "Teris!" he shouted his name, half shocked while the other half relieved.

"Just thought you might have forgotten something." He replied teasingly as he opened the winged compartment to reveal the weapons Krion insisted not to use. "Damn...did you really have to bring them along?"

"Trust me kay? I was part of the design team for this. They'll suit you nicely."

Krion upon hearing that drew out two long rifles from the compartment and set one of them to sword mode where the handle of the rifle bended to form a sword handle, the other beam mode in its original intention. "Figures." He commented with an once of sarcasm as he fired the first blast of energy towards the fast approaching angel. Dodging it with ease while sliding his fingers along the blade of his sword, the sword soon glowed bright red and the angel immediately extended it to fire a rain of red lighting on to them. Teris in response fired the twin pressure jets on his cycle, giving him a boost in speed to dodge the attack.

From first glance the angel couldn't seem to catch up to them. However as though in the split second, when the two entered the approaching corner. He appeared before them and stabbed his sword straight into the speeding cycle. The two passengers on board were sent flying into the air by the cycle's momentum as the metallic parts of the cycle exploded before them and Krion's reserved weapons came flying out as well. As though it was a reflex action from their body, Krion and Teris adjusted their bodies and landed onto the road safely. Teris while doing so caught the handgun and scythe bladed sword that, were by sheer luck falling towards him. As soon as they had aim they began firing their weapons unto the angel. Amused by their persistency to kill him, the angel merely held his sword forward while spinning his extended sword and summoning blades of red lighting to deflect the beams and bullets.

Slowly he approached them, his eyes filled with a sinister glare. Licking his lips, the angel looked as though he was about to go on an insane slaughter rampage. As Krion and Teris prepared themselves mentally, the angel while lifting his sword all of a sudden vanished before them.

However in the split second, he appeared right in front of a shocked Krion and sends a powerful blow towards him. In defense, Krion clashed his sword with the angel's but soon found himself unable to withstand the immense impact of the blow as his body without any signs of struggle found itself pushed back to a point where he felt as though he was flying backwards. Teris in response tried to slash the angel while he was distracted by running towards him as fast as he could before making a leap and spinning his body to swing his sword sideward, but once more the angel vanished before him. And reappeared a few meters away before disappearing again and reappearing to clash his sword with Teris's and causing him to struggle against being pushed back towards a building wall.

"Darn...is he teleporting?" he questioned while recovering from the attack.

"No...he's merely moving too fast that it seems that way." A gentle voice replied to him. Turning back he saw a familiar ghostly figure floating behind him. Normally such a sight would have scared the hell out of someone, but for him...it had become an everyday affair. When he realized who she was, he asked her, "Can you see his movements then?"

Smiling, she bended down to whisper into his ear. "Clearly."
However just as she finished her reply, the angel that they were talking about kicked Teris away before grabbing her by the throat. "My my... it would have seems my reapers have been severely slacking if they have let a spirit remain on this plane for such a long time that even this human has become comfortable talking to you."

While trying desperately to free herself, Rika found it difficult to say anything under the angel's grip. Meanwhile surprised by the angel's comment, Teris while getting back up got curious and questioned about his identity. "You...you can see her too...hold her even... Just...just who are you?"

Turning his head to face the worn out man, the angel replied with a sinister tone. "I am...the being who controls fear. The being who invented fear...lord of the underworld...I am the god of hell. I am...the Devil himself."

Shocked beyond belief of who the angel proclaimed himself to be, Teris fell back to his knees while trying to get up. 'So...there really is a hell and heaven...or is he trying to trick me? But he could hold her...he could hear, see and even touch her when no one else could...perhaps he truly is the Devil. But then what would he be doing here? What is his motive to capture those girls...' Teris questioned in his mind while still trying hard to believe that he was staring at the Devil himself.

All of a sudden, a voice shouted strongly, "You say that you are a god? Heh...haha...you got to be kidding me. God...gods don't exist!" Twin beams of white energy followed suit those words and were targeted straight at the angel, but once again they were deflected easily after letting the spirit go. However this time, right after the blast that had caught the angel's attention...came twin swords being swung towards him. Spinning his body, Krion slashed sideward aiming for his head. Though missing it completely, he continued spinning and slashing as the angel continued dodging backwards. "If you are a so called god...then tell me! Where in the world is she? Where is she!" he cried out while finishing his final swing before stopping to take a breath.

Silently...I was always praying to him. To that so called almighty being from the heavens...but they were never answered... I was always ignored...

On the balcony of an apartment building, two students were busy preparing for their exams. Soon one of them finished early and stood up to admire the night sky. The other joined her soon enough. "Do you think we'll pass tomorrow?" she asked curiously.

"Well...we have been studying hard these past few days...I don't see why not?" her male companion answered in a clearly doubtful tone. Upon hearing his answer, she closed her eyes, kneeled down and held her hands close to her head. Puzzled by what she was doing, the male asked, "What are you doing?"
She replied with a gentle smile, "Praying to God silly. Since you sounded so unsure. I thought it might be good to have his blessings."

"You truly do believe he exist don't you?" he questioned worriedly as he didn't believe in such things.

"He has my complete faith." She answered with no signs of doubt or worry.

Even though he didn't want her to have false hope, he soon realized how much being able to believe that she could pass must mean to her. Placing his arms around her, he whispered into her ear with great confidence. "With or without his help...we'll pass the exams tomorrow...we will. Not only cause we can believe, but because of all the effort we have put in. We'll pass tomorrow."

Her tensed body upon hearing his assurance soon relaxed and fell comfortably onto his body. Her eyes closed, and her breathing peaceful. It took a few minutes before the male realized that she had fallen asleep. "Silly girl..." he teased before carrying her to a couch and getting a blanket to cover her.

The angel simply stared at him sinisterly, and did not answer. "You don't know do you...haha...I knew it...you are no god..." Krion commented in an insane and yet sad manner. "Heh...but I do know who you are Krion...I do know what runs in your veins. But there's something else about you that interest me greatly. You ran away from home just to search for this one girl. What is she to you Krion? That'll you would give up everything you had before. Even your family." The angel replied before snapping his fingers to summon waves of darkness from underneath Krion's feet. In a matter of moments they soon swallowed him into another world...into the Devil's world.

In this world where dark clouds fill the night sky and from them rain that never ends, Krion found himself standing on the rooftop of an apartment building. The Devil stood hiding in the shadows of the other end. Around them was an entire city of dim lights, making sight blur and hard to see.

"If you had to choose...which would you choose? Your beloved?", the Devil raised one of his hands and a spotlight was shone towards one of the skyscraper's tall cross like head behind him. On it, a young girl was chained up asleep. "Or your sister perhaps?", snapping his fingers another spotlight was shone towards another girl on a similar skyscraper behind Krion. "Either way...I won't let you have any of them." The black winged angel taunted while pointing his swords at Krion. Caught in the dilemma of his own feelings, Krion simply charged forward with his existing weapons and swung them as hard and fast as he could. However once again hitting nothing as the angel vanished and appeared before him a second or two later to send him flying with a swing of his purple sword. Krion unable to help himself flew too far and fell off the building.

"I know what I want...I know what matters to me the most. And...there's no way...there's no way I'm letting such a small thing like defeating you! Get in my way of seeing her again!" Krion cried out as he switched his swords back to rifle mode and fired twin shots straight towards the ground. The force and impact to his surroundings soon caused his body to ascend vertically upwards, and finally stopping at the rooftop level. His journey then quickly continued as he kicked the ground to ascend higher into the skies. Switching his rifle back into a sword, he joined both weapons together and with the extra weight came crashing down towards the angel. Unfortunately for him, the angel vanished once more...this time reappearing above him. As soon as Krion realized where the angel was, he fired the twin rifles in sword mode towards the rooftop. Blasting himself straight into the angel, and clashing swords with him with an impact equal to the Devil's. Continuing his attack, Krion separated his swords but before he could make his next move...he found himself falling back down...and his rifles had ran out of energy...he had reached his limit with them. Taking the opportunity to finish it the angel extended his sword to summon eleven blades, before using his wings to send himself dashing towards Krion.

However before he could even touch him, a pair of white energy shaped like angel wings sliced through the air between them...sending the signal for the angel to stop. Even though he was no longer being attacked, the emotionally and physically worn out teenager still couldn't help himself from crashing into the flooded rooftop floor. His body soon soaked into the cold numbing waters of the sky's tears and found itself, no longer capable of movement. The black winged angel landed gracefully besides him. On his face a slight smirk of fulfillment as he turned his attention to another teenager in a sleeveless long coat standing on another end of the rooftop. His hair one side jelled to the other, and his fringe hiding his eyes as he approached slowly with white winged swords in hand. "I've seen enough Legion, he obviously cares more for her then anything else...even his family. You were right...you were dead right..."

"Now that my point is proven...I believe we have other matters to attend to...shall we?" the angel asked as with a snap of his fingers their surroundings returned to normal. And Krion found himself lying on the roadside, but it was still raining. With the last once of strength he had, he turned his head to see the Devil’s accomplice extending out a pair of white wings...and his suspicions confirmed.

"Sorry Hien..." he whispered into the background of the pouring rain.

"But this is the road...the only road...where I can see her again."

"Even if it has your disapproval all over it...I can't stop now."

"Someone once said, in order to have something dear to hold on to...once we began something. We should see through it to the end. I remember...that person...was you"

The white winged teenager turned his head to look at his brother one last time, and commented before taking flight into the rainy skies.

"I know."

You don't have to remind me...I know.