Chapter 31:

Chapter 31: A Three-Sided War?!

Project: INFERNO


(As they all separated, they began the operation to take back Japan. A while later back on Earth, Japan was overruled by Tayna's army of specters and the prime minister was held captive in the main office in Tokyo.)
"Tayna: So.. Did any of you find any more resilient or worthy fighters?"
"Faiz(Possessed): The north of Japan has taken twenty nine in total as for the East of Japan is currently trying to fight back against us."
"Tayna: Such a shame really. Very well, send a hundred more specters."
"Faiz(Possessed): Will do, your majesty."
(Tayna sat there and basked in the glory of conquering Japan and smiled.)
"Tayna: Without Sawano, there's no one strong enough to stop us."
(Explosions was heard outside which resulted to a portal in the sky opening which a huge swarm of black was leaving the portal. After Tayna took a close look she realized something which brought her attention.)
"Is that...?"
(After zooming in, she remembered the markings as The Anti-Gods returned after Sawano's massive attack on them earlier today.)
"Xadite: SAWANO! COME OUT HERE, RIGHT NOW!"
(The specters surrounded Xadite outside the Prime Minister's office and Tayna stepped forward.)
"Tayna: Can I help you..?"

(Xadite stares at Tayna with no regard to answer her.)
"Xadite: Where. Is. Sawano."
"Tayna: Tch, we killed him. What's it to ya?"
"Xadite: You don't get it. WE killed him, the ANTI-GODS ARE THE FIRST! TO STRIKE! AND YOU... Come in with your.. specters and ruins everything."
"Tayna: Maybe you "Anti-Gods" didn't understand the first thing about killing him."
"Xadite: Oh really..? Then why can we sense his power still on this Earth?"
"Tayna: Huh?"
"Xadite: ANTI-GODS. Change of plans, we're STARTING A WAR...!"
(The Anti-Gods roared and charged in from both the skies and ground as Tayna ordered the specters to fight them off but all stopped until a stomp was heard which ceased everything and everyone looked an all black-wearing individual stared at everyone then squatted to the floor and placed one finger on the ground.)
"???: STIFFEN."
(A gigantic block of ice froze every single specter and Anti-God outside the prime minister's office which the minister saw with a look of fear. Tayna and Xadite was surprised of the power source they have felt coming from him the ice began to shatter as both the Anti-Gods and the specters focused on the mysterious being and tried attacking him at once. Back at Ares's pad, Sawano and his party went through a portal back to Earth at where they all met at.)
"Velriot: How does it feel to breathe again Scarlett?"
"Scarlett: It feels... weird. But more importantly, what's the power I'm sensing...?"
(Everyone else felt it as well but wasn't coming from the destroyed parts of Hakodate.)

"Kira: Kira knows where its coming from.. the prime minister's office in Tokyo!"
"Velriot: My.. someone with that much power could mean good news or bad news.."
"Sawano: Either way, we all have to end this and clear out the specters. Kira, do you got anything in your arsenal to help us?"
"Kira: Kira could possibly make weapons that are available to kill specters, but it'll take her some time to finish them so until then we have to work we what we got until Kira finishes."
"Sawano: Sounds good, we'll regroup here but leave in teams of two."
(A while later, Scarlett and Chloe left as a team which left Sawano and Velriot together as Kira was left behind and started creating the anti-specter weapons.)
"Velriot: So... Sawano. How long have you been with Xiazress?"
(He paused for a moment.)
"Sawano: How did you know about that...?"
"Velriot: Ehh... around the time you defeated that.. Trezoru guy I think his name was..?"
(He sighed.)
"Sawano: More than two or three years."
"Velriot: I see. To be honest, I'm not all that surprised."
"Sawano: Hm?"
"Velriot: Even thought we nearly tried killing one another, I trusted you in a way Sawano. But I just didn't know which path to take for the trustworthiness."
"Sawano: Why would you trust me?"
(They kept walking down the quiet area.)
"Velriot: To tell the truth, my mother is currently the Goddess of Time. She gave me an exception and she let me view into your future, so I know everything that happens next."

(He looked at her with a confused look.)
"Sawano: Seriously?"
"Velriot: Actually, there's a reason why I can't die since I'm now telling you this. I'm not even a human or an angel or a demon. I'm actually a spirit but was gifted with a physical form so it doesn't matter how many times I suffer death, I cannot die. Its a living hell for me but... its something I have to be grateful for.."
"Sawano: Wow. So all this time, you was alive and hiding?"
"Velriot: Yeah. When I heard about you, I assumed you was strong enough to break my immortality. Knowing your battles, straight from the Elemental Warzone to the battle with The Anti-Gods and look at you.. you're somehow alive."
"Sawano: Trust me, I've died once yet almost died a couple times. Its not fun but it costs a price."
(They stopped in front of elemental division three's building and to only see it rampaged and emptied out. A clatter was heard from inside the rubble and came a female wearing an Oni mask and ran quickly away from them.)
"Hey!"
(They chased her across the ruined wasteland which she stopped then ran toward them but somehow appeared behind them and kept running.)
"What in the...?"
"Velriot: I got this.."
(She quickly outran her and grabbed her off her feet with a fast moving chain coming out her hand after being wrapped around her feet.)
"Girl: H-hey! Unhand me now you evil imposters of the angel race!"
"Velriot: Huh? What are you talking about..?"
"Girl: I demand that you release me right now!"

(Sawano walked up to her and looked at her.)
"Sawano: We're not going to hurt you."
(The girl looked at his horns and tail and broke out of the chains and forcefully kicked Sawano into a building by instinct and flipped away from Velriot.)
"Girl: You two are imposters who invaded my race's territory and took lives! I'LL WIPE YOU TWO FROM EXISTENCE!"
"Velriot: What are you talking about?! We have no reason to fight, nor even be an enemy towards you and also if we was angels..? Where would our wings be..?!"
(She realized the mistake and powered down.)
"Girl: Hm... you're right.."
(Sawano's flames healed his cuts from the stones quickly and walked out the rubble.)
"Sawano: Ow..."
(She walked up to him and felt his tail and its spikes.)
"U-uh...! W-what are you.. doing..?"
(She pulled his horns down which made him kneel and examined his horns then backed away.)
"Azumi: Yup, you're not an angel nor a human. Sorry for such a rude introduction and a misunderstanding. My name is Azumi Umezaki. But just call me, Azumi."
"Velriot: I'm Velriot, this is Sawano."
"Azumi: Pleasure to make your acquittance. I do not hear much from the human world for I'm pretty much a demon myself."
"Sawano: I'm not human, neither is she as well."
"Azumi: So if you're both not humans, what realm are you two from?"
"Velriot: I'm just a living spirit."
"Sawano: Different dimension."
"Azumi: In that case, I apologize again. Now! I believe we still have business to attend..."
(They both was confused and Sawano sensed something behind them so he rested his hand on HellBlazer's handle and tried to strike but Azumi slashed the specters first with divine speed. More specters began to show as she released her Wakizashi sword then Sawano and Velriot backed her up.)
"How good are you two in a fight?"
"Sawano: I'd give or take, more than seventeen years in fighting!"
"Velriot: I'm pretty rusty but I can work up a sweat."
"Azumi: Then keep your guard up at all times, don't let the enemy strike!"

(They nodded and separated then the three of them attacked different groups of specters. Azumi's Oni mask shined as she ran to a group of specters with both her Wakizashi blade and a katana which was then engulfed in fire then slashed every single specter in her way. Velriot casted her scythe and started attacking the incoming specters without holding back. Sawano began slashing every specter with multiple sword strikes and inferno blasts.)
"Sawano: Unholy... PHANTOM SLASH!"
(After flipping in the sky he clashes every specter in his path then charged his fist powerful inferno energy.)
"FIST OF COMBUST... HELL'S CORE!"
(He punched one of the specter's heads into the ground which explodes then releases a massive wall of inferno which incinerated the specters. Azumi focused on the battle but was impressed by his chain of attacks. After taking out two more specters she held both swords together and vanished in thin air.)
"Azumi: Star Shattering... STRIKE!"
(With just two steps, Azumi slashed an entire group of specters as they all fell and disintegrated by her two swords. Velriot stretched and rested her scythe on her shoulders as they regrouped.)
"Sawano: Good job guys."
"Azumi: You two aren't bad in combat, way better than most of the fighters I've heard about. WHICH REMINDS ME! You guys are heading towards the prime minister's office?"
"Velriot: How did you know about that?"
(Rumbling was heard across the land.)
"Azumi: That's why. Actually, The Anti-Gods returned."

(An explosion happened north of Tokyo for dramatic effect.)
"Sawano: What...? I killed them.. that's impossible.. How and WHY are they back..?"
"Azumi: From what I recall, they was coming for you until that Tayna and her specters got involved, all of the elite fighters who got corrupted are down there fighting off the Anti-Gods as we speak. I'd advise you letting me come with you for assistance."
(Velriot and Sawano looked at one another then back at her.)
"Velriot: Well more hands, the better. You can come."
"Azumi: I appreciate you two letting me help you."
(The three of them flew to Tokyo by Sawano's flaming platform as the three of them also looked around at the destroyed areas of Hakodate.)
"Sawano: Damn it... I have a LOT of cleaning to do when this is over..."
"Azumi: Cleaning?"
"Sawano: One of the rings I have on is the Ring of Reversal. It grants a limited supply of power to redo the damage on anything that has happened today. It takes twelve hours for it to recharge."
"Azumi: Ring of Reversal... I'm quite sure I'm not familiar with that. But it seems very useful."
"Sawano: Maybe, one day it'll stop working."
"Velriot: Hey guys! Check it!"
(After a long flight, they finally made it to Tokyo which half of the city was in ruins and the booming explosions was now seeable through the air then landed a few moments later.)
"Sawano: Azumi, how did you know what was going on?"
"Azumi: Three-Step-Teleport. Its a Umezaki technique!"
"Sawano: So you came here and back?"
"Azumi: Yup!"

(They ran to the office and stopped when Ares and the others made it first then Kira, Chloe and Scarlett met up with them. The whole group witnessed Anti-Gods verses specters verses humans, Gods and Goddesses battling outside the office of the prime minister.)
"Kira: Kira has just finished making these in time!"
"Scarlett: Who's this?!"
"Azumi: We introduce ourselves later when the fight ends!"
(She runs into the battle without hesitation and helps them fight as Scarlett, Chloe, Sawano and Velriot grabbed the anti-specter weapons but was copies of their original blades.)
"Sawano: Not bad Kira, you really outdid yourself. Now all that's left is to-"
(Xadite blasted towards Sawano and brought him into the sky to continue their one on one which became an echoing clash of fists colliding with one another.)
"Kira: SAWANO!"
"Gaito: SAWANO!
"Sawano: NO! No one gets involved, this is my fight that I DIDN'T FINISH!"
(Tayna blasted herself into the sky at Sawano and roared to strike but they'd separate. Tayna and Xadite aims after Sawano and he'd fight them himself as the others down below fought off both the specters and the Anti-Gods.)
"Uhean: We meet again.. GAITO!"
"Gaito: Yes, we do. This time, just like your two friends. You're going to sleep."
"Aemis: I don't think so!"
(The corrupted elite fighters rushed in and attacked most of the Anti-Gods and Gods at the same time which brought confusion to Gaito.)

"Faiz(Corrupted): Gaito Tamarei. I have been itching to fight you one on one."
"Gaito: And why's that?"
"Faiz(Corrupted): To see how good you are at sword combat before I take your head and mount it on my wall of fame!"
"Gaito: I wouldn't suggest underestimating me.. its not a good idea."
"Faiz(Corrupted): As if I should listen to a Demi-God wannabe. I far surpass you in both power and combat. I will make quick work out of you and kill you in front of all!"
(Faiz welded his sword as Gaito called for Zanbato and stood in position in a standoff against him as the others continued fighting. Gaito and Faiz clashed their swords at one another and began fighting as for Velriot, she continued fighting with both her scythe and the anti-specter blade. Sawano continued dodging their attacks and suffered hit after hit from both of them after they released their blades.)
"Xadite: He's MINES!"
"Tayna: BACK UP! HE'S MY KILL!"
(They continued to argue as Sawano slashed the both of them to the ground and raised one of his hands up and started generating a massive amount of Inferno inside one orb. Tayna and Xadite was getting up and noticed it then flew back up quickly to stop him from firing the orb then slashed his head off then the body dissolves and poofs away.)
"Xadite: NO! A PHANTOM!"
(Sawano appeared behind them with red eyes and HellBlazer engulfed in flames.)
"INFINITE. PHANTOM SLASH!"
(Faster than time, Sawano slashed both Xadite and Tayna with powerful force then slashed them again which caused a big explosion in the sky and a shockwave in mid-air. Everyone looked upon the slash as half of the specters across Japan began to fade as some remained active in a few cities. Xadite crashed into the ground and was unconscious as Tayna stood up with her entire left arm covered in blood from one powerful slash.)

"Sawano: Its over, Tayna."
"Tayna: That's what you think... BUT I DON'T QUIT EASILY!"
(She powered up far more and started rattling the entire city then roots appears from four corners of the office and starts attacking the fighters and Anti-Gods in the area. She yelled more to the top of her lungs which placed her in immense pain as she resurrected a few deceased beings which brought Sawano to a surprise then Xiazress and Okisaki jumped down and stared down at Sawano.)
"Xiazress(Possessed): Now, answer me this Sawano. Why would I have ever married such a weakling like you?"
"Okisaki(Possessed): You're not my brother, you never were anything to me!"
"Sawano: I know what you're doing Tayna..."
(Footsteps was heard as a familiar someone came up to Sawano.)
"???: Sawano...?"
(He looked up and was shocked more than ever to see her.)
"Kiri(Possessed): If we was friends, would you please shatter your own core?"
(Sawano screamed loudly into the sky which reactivated one hundred percent of his power which caused him horrific pain as the Inferno raining from the sky was being sucked into his core. A few seconds later, Sawano roars loudly which that time was heard across the ocean and after descending to the ground he returned into his transformation he was when he returned.)
"Tayna: WHAT THE...?"
"Scarlett: That's something new.."
"Azumi: Hmm..."
(Sawano said nothing as he stared at Tayna with nothing but hatred in his eyes. Xiazress and Okisaki charged after him with his back turned but he'd vanish and appear behind them then chops the both of their neck pulses which knocks them unconscious. After so, he began running then blasted his way to Tayna as Gaito was distracted by his past.)
"Masunashi(Possessed): Little brother...! Come join me and our parents, lets die together!"
(Gaito walked towards her as Faiz took the advantage and slashed Gaito but ended up being an illusion where the real Gaito was standing in front of the possessed Masunashi.)

"Gaito: So... THAT'S how its going to be huh...?"
(Lightning started to circuit fast in both his veins and across the ground.)
"Just going to bring up my past like this..? BAD NEWS NOW..."
(He clenched his fast as the lightning started zapping around him faster.)
"I... WILL..."
(A Demi-God marking appeared on his head then he shouted with power in his voice.)
"MAKE YOU REGRET THAT!!!!!!"
(A massive lightning beam struck down at Gaito which created a massive wind gust and reactivated his Demi-God form at full power which the markings returned and Gaito's eyes was light blue and everyone stared in disbelief and Ares was surprised.)
"Ares(Thinking): That son of a gun is ACTUALLY Zeus's Demi-God...! He could possibly.. nah, I shouldn't talk him down like that."
(Gaito broke a piece of reality off the ground after surpassing time and one shots Faiz with a ferocious right hand rocketed straight to his chest which instantly made him power down then Gaito places two fingers in front of Faiz and he looked up to see Gaito.)
"Gaito: LIGHTNING BOLT."
(The bolt blasted Faiz across the whole fountain then he'd crash into the prime minister's office and fell unconscious. Sawano and Tayna continued their fight in the skies as Gaito looked up then saw the corrupted Masunashi then walked towards her and connected each other's heads in which Gaito read her memories and heard her faintly.)
"Masunashi(Conscious, voice echoing): Little brother! I know who turned us into demons!"
(After Gaito listened in he lets go of his corrupted bigger sister and looks up at Sawano slashing Tayna faster than before. A wind gust began building in the sky which started creating a tornado in mid-air from Sawano's sound-breaking speed while swinging HellBlazer. Most of the fighters down below tried to avoid getting sucked into the building tornado as both specters and the remaining Anti-Gods was sucked in and was sliced and diced inside. A second later the wind stopped but Sawano drilled HellBlazer deep into Tayna's chest which created a strong earthquake then had her screaming for mercy and in agony then he kicked her to the ground with stronger force which made a crater.)

"Gaito: SAWANO! Let me finish her."
(He walked over to the wounded Tayna and kicked her in the stomach then deepened the wound with painful electric shocks.)
"Tayna: GAH...!!
(She coughed out blood while Gaito stomped on her neck.)
"Gaito: It was you.. YOU DID IT.. YOU'RE THE BASTARD WHO MADE ME MURDER THEM..! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO CAUSED THAT CURSE ON THE TAMAREI FAMILY..! I'VE LOST EVERYTHING BECAUSE OF YOU...! AND NOW..."
(He summoned Venomshank and slashed off her limbs one by one as she screamed in even more torture.)
"I'm going to make you sleep forever."
(He aimed the saber at the top of her face.)
"SLEEP. And ROT in hell, you damned bitch..!"
(He thrusts the saber into her face which he slashes it into twos which had everyone a bit uncomfortable and Sawano descended to the ground and nor Gaito or Sawano didn't bother to look at one another.)
"Chloe: The prime minister is safe!"
(They all looked at Chloe as some of them didn't realize about Velriot, Scarlett and Chloe being resurrected.)
"Gaito: How are you three even alive...?"
"Velriot: Kira had some resurrection classes so look at her."
"Kira: UM.. K-KIRA DID THAT BECAUSE UH.. WE needed more hands for the fight...?!"
(They all agrees upon it.)
"Prime Minister: Please.. let me thank you all for what you've done and protected me! Every single one of you have my thanks.."
"Ares: Its all thanks to this powerhouse right here."
(He patted Sawano's head as everyone agreed.)

"Prime Minister: You're responsible for planning to take back Japan..? Please, name your desire! What could you want..? Yen? A new home? Anything you want, you let me know..!"
"Sawano: All I want... Is for you to continue keeping Japan great."
(Everyone smiled as Sawano raised his hand in the air and the ring grew green.)
"Now.. REWIND!"
(Rumbling was heard across the entire city where all of the damage that has been done from city by city has been rebuilt and reconstructed then Hakodate successfully rises from the ground instead of no longer being stuck between the surface and civilians left the underground lockdown areas and cheered for their victory. Most of the elite fighters began to wake up and Sawano walked to Xiazress and Okisaki.)
"Xiazress: Ngh... What happened...?"
"Okisaki: I don't know..."
"Sawano: We won the battle.. that's what happened."
(They both smiled and hugged Sawano as Sawano hugged them back.)
"Ash: Well, a job well done. Unfortunately, Poseidon couldn't be here to help."
"Ares: You still was a lot of help Ash."
"Ash: You was too Ares!"
(As everyone was regrouping with one another, two months went by which was now chilly in the fall. Xiazress and Alesander talked while she was holding Kazuya, Sawano attended the meeting which was for twenty stars and Chimon reappears, walking better than ever.)

"Chimon: Ha ha! Hey everyone! Firstly, two months ago, we took down not only The Anti-Gods for good, we took back Japan!"
(They all cheered and clapped for their victory.)
"Everyone, we actually have an update on the list. BUT.. Before we go to the list, we have a new member of the Elemental Division! You're good to come in!
(Sawano was surprised and saw her come through the door and bows before everyone.)
"Azumi: Greetings everyone, my name is Azumi Umezaki. Oh! Hi Sawano!"
(Sawano waved as she sat next to him and Chimon began to announce the top ten.)
"Chimon: Alright! Now, lets begin. And actually, there is only five new changes. Star twenty, rank five, Azumi."
(They all clapped and cheered for Azumi.)
"Star twenty, rank four, Kira."
(They clapped for Kira's rank.)
"Star twenty, rank three, Gaito."
(Gaito snores with a sandwich in his mouth.)
"Star twenty, rank two... Faiz."
(They all was surprised at the loss of his rank.)
"Nightwave: So who is number one...?"
"Kira: Kira wants to know right now!"
"Chimon: Star twenty... rank one, Sawano."
(Everyone cheered loudly for Sawano as he was shocked himself.)
"Sawano! That also reminds me, the prime minister called. He personally wishes to speak with you back in Tokyo."

(He looked at Chimon with a surprised look.)
"Sawano: I wonder what's going on now...!"
(The prime minister started filing paperwork which was an official document to enter the Intercontinental Elemental Tournament.)
"Prime Minister: Japan will succeed...!"