Deep Darkness

It was late at night. Not that it made any difference to that girl who was now sleeping forever, unable to do anything.

Her bedroom door opened and a person approached the bed. In the midst of complete darkness, Akemi watched that girl with an ugly expression on her face.

"I hate you. It's all your fault."

She said in a very low voice.

“Even so… I wish you could talk with me. I need information.”

Akemi stayed silent for a moment, as if waiting for an answer that would never come.

“Heh. Who am I kidding? You ended up like this because you didn't know that the guardian would immediately revive if its target didn't give up on the idea of telling the truth to Ayumu. No way you would know the reason of it having multiplied.”

Akemi looked at the face of the girl who was sleeping peacefully.

“But there is still something bothering me about the guardian…”

She approached the girl's ear and whispered.

“You corrupted it, didn't you?”

Morning had arrived. Ayumu had already got up and was nearly ready to go to school, the only thing missing was breakfast. But when he got to the kitchen, someone was there.

“Akemi?!”

“Oh, good morning, Ayumu! Wait just a little longer, breakfast will soon be ready.”

“Sure… Wait! Didn't you returned to your home yesterday?"

"Yes. But didn't you ask me to stay by your side? So starting today, I’ll come every day before school. But I can sleep here if you want.”

"What?! But we're just friends… Wait! How did you get in? The door was locked!”

"About that… Let's say I got a copy of your key."

“You ‘got’? What do you mean?!"

“Hehe. It’s a secret."

Ayumu kept trying to get an answer from Akemi, but he failed miserably.

At school, the class went on as usual. But it was too normal.

“Ayumu, are we going to have lunch together again?”

Ryou asked during the lunch break with Takashi beside him.

“Ayumu, I made your lunch.”

Akemi showed the lunch box in her hand.

"What?! Forgive me! I didn't want to disturb your romantic lunch! We're going to have lunch alone, right, Takashi?”

“Huh? Oh, sure."

All the classmates and the teacher acted as if Akemi had never missed a class. That bothered Ayumu, but with all the strange things happening, he chose to not ask anyone why. In the end, a school day like that was all he ever wanted.

“See you tomorrow, Ayumu.”

“Bye, Akemi.”

The street was quiet, completely peaceful. But for Ayumu, that meant something else and he stopped.

“How long are you going to keep watching me?”

There was no answer to that question and no one was visible.

“Get off the roofs, you cowards!”

A feeling of unease enveloped the place. Those who silently followed and watched Ayumu understood that they had indeed been noticed. But there was a moment of hesitation before the three demons leapt onto the street, stopping right in front of Ayumu.

“I thought you monsters would only show up for the girls. I am honored to finally be worthy of being your target.”

Ayumu raised his right arm and then lowered it, the holy sword in his hand.

“But I still have one question. What are you attacking me for?”

That really didn't make sense. If all the demons were like the original guardian, they would attack only to prevent some information from being said. Ayumu who didn't even know about the loops was a really strange target.

"Has my very existence become an issue?"

He couldn't explain that, but it was a possibility. Ayumu's death would force a loop. Perhaps the guardian has concluded that killing him is the best course of action right now.

“Well, never mind.”

The demons assumed an attack position.

"This will be quick."

The demons leapt up, attacking swiftly with their claws. Seeing that, Ayumu moved to the side and dodged the attacks that ended up hitting nothing.

“It seems you all don't just look like the demon’s first form, but your strength are identical as well.”

Ignoring that comment, the demons attacked again.

"What a waste of time…"

Ayumu also attacked. Faster than the enemies, he easily decapitated the three who fell dead.

“The problem is if they all come back stronger...”

He watched the bodies disappear.

Is each of them an independent monster or if I kill the original demon will they all disappear?

Not feeling that he was still being watched, Ayumu went home.

"I am back."

He spoke when he confirmed that the girl was still sleeping. Then he went to take a shower.

It was late at night. While Ayumu was sleeping, Akemi was sitting outside in front of his house's door.

“Nothing unusual happening...”

She said in a low voice and sighed.

“This world is full of errors, but it looks like it still manages to stay stable.”

She was facing the empty street.

This is not what I wanted to happen, but if Ayumu has decided he wants to know the truth, I will help him.

Akemi lifted her head and began to observe the stars.

Well, I originally came here to reveal everything to him… So it’s fine, I guess.

She lifted her right hand to the sky, as if she was trying to catch a star.

But I didn't want to destroy that wish.

A car slowly passed down the street, catching Akemi's attention.

What's with that car?

After a few moments, she stood up and crossed her arms.

“Anyway, I have to think about how we can attract the guardian without me dying in the process. I need to be useful to him.”

Akemi turned around and walked into the house, walking through the door as if it didn't exist.

“Good morning, Ayumu.”

The next morning, Ayumu came across Akemi again in his kitchen.

"Good morning."

He watched the girl who was finishing making breakfast for a moment.

"Akemi, aren't you having to wake up too early to come here and do all this?"

"Don't worry about me, I'm getting enough sleep."

“Well, I have to visit your home at least once. You've come here several times and I never returned the favor.”

The sound in the kitchen stopped. Akemi was completely still. Ayumu found that strange, but before he could say anything, Akemi spoke first.

“Oh, sure. Visit my home, right? We... Can pick a day for that.”

Akemi opened the front door after returning from school that day.

"Of course he can't visit me!"

The house was almost empty. There were only the basics to someone be able to live.

I didn't even consider that he might come here when I prepared this house! And the story about my father is a complete fabrication! Oh, stupid Akemi!

The next day…

“Ayumu, today I need to do some shopping, so you can go home without me.”

Class had just ended when Akemi said that.

"I have nothing to do right now and today is Saturday so I can accompany you."

Akemi made an X with her arms.

“You can't come with me. It’s something I have to do alone.”

Does she want to surprise me with something? Or maybe she's going to buy things for girls.

"Alright. See you on Monday, Akemi."

"Yep! See you later!"

She hastly left the school, looking back a few times to confirm that Ayumu wasn't following her.

Great, he didn't come!

A car was slowly going in the opposite direction of her. Akemi looked at it for some moments.

What a strange feeling… I hope it's just my imagination.

Akemi went to a mall and her goal was very simple.

Alright! Now I need to find some good decorations for the house!

After a few hours, under the sky reddened by the sunset, she was walking down the street.

I wish I could teleport with these things... It would be so much easier…

She looked at the bags she was carrying.

“I hope the house turns out beautiful.”

Akemi was smiling, a smile that disappeared at that exact moment when something hit her right shoulder.

What is this?!

The bags she was carrying in her right hand fell and a terrible pain took over her shoulder now stained with blood.

"A shot?!"

She was too distracted and didn't even notice the presence of those people.

“Please come with us.”

A man suddenly appeared grabbing her left arm.

"Who are you?! Let me go!"

Another man approached her from behind and fired again.

Akemi screamed in pain. Her left leg had been hit.

"I know you’re a girl, but you'll have to excuse me."

The man covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief. As she tried to resist with no avail, she saw a car parked nearby. The same car she'd seen driving slowly multiple times.

And then, Akemi lost consciousness.

That night, Ayumu was watching a movie on the television. The house was dark, with only the television illuminating the room. But suddenly, Ayumu's tranquility was broken with a loud knock on the front door.

"What was that?"

Agitated by the noise, he didn't even consider looking out the window to see what it could be and headed straight to the frontdoor. But when he opened it, there was no one on the other side.

Did someone hit the door and run away?

Ayumu went to the street and looked both ways and saw no one. However, something was bothering him.

I have a bad feeling.

He tried to concentrate, looking around as if searching for something. A few seconds later, Ayumu moved.

"There!"

A gunshot cut through the night, but Ayumu turned around blocking the shot that came from above with his sword. Then a young man of about nineteen, wearing a black suit, landed on his feet a few meters away from him.

"Well well. As expected of the heir! He managed to notice my surprise attack!”

There was a dark smile on that boy's face.

"Who are you?!"

Ayumu assumed an attack position when he saw that there was a pistol in each hand of the guy who attacked him.

“Call me whatever you want. After all, I'm only here because of you.”

Dissatisfied with that answer, Ayumu clicked his tongue.

“Do you have any connection with those who attacked me, dark boy?”

“Dark boy? Dark… That’s it! You can call me Darkness! After all, it suits me!”

What's with this guy? He is more than just strange!

“Oh? Why that angry face? Let's be friends!"

“In what place a friend present himself shooting at another person?!”

“Haha! Please, see that as my calling card!”

“I've had enough of you! If you won't tell me anything useful, I'll make you disappear from here!"

Ayumu was preparing to attack when his opponent appeared right in front of him with one of the pistols almost touching Ayumu's forehead.

“Bang! This is the end for you.”

A cold sweat ran down Ayumu's face. From that distance there was no chance of him dodging and there would be no way to heal himself if he died.

Focus on your resistance! Maybe I can resist the shot if I use all my power!

"Well, before I send you to the other world…"

Darkness quickly lowered his arm and shot Ayumu's left leg who had to hold back a scream. Ayumu's attempt to resist was completely useless, with the bullet going through his leg. And before he could do anything, he was hit by a kick to his right side, which made him fall in the asphalt.

The bullet he used is the same as the one from that day!

The enemy approached, both weapons still in hand, but not pointing them at Ayumu.

“Now, my friend. Reveal the last miracle to me and I will give you a quick death.”

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Ayumu was still lying on the asphalt.

“Very funny, my friend! Have you ever considered becoming a comedian?”

The dark smile was still on the young man's face.

"As I just said…"

Ayumu used his super speed to get up and attacking.

"I don't know what you're talking about!"

Everything happened so fast that his opponent could only react based on his survival instincts, using the guns in his hands to block the blade.

“Did you heal? Ah, the bullet must have gone right through you. How careless of me. I have to upgrade those cursed bullets.”

The force that Ayumu was applying increased until he managed to move his sword and throw both guns away.

"Oh no! It's the end for me!"

Ayumu wouldn’t miss that opportunity and attacked head on.

"Just kidding!"

Darkness dodged the attack and landed a punch right in the middle of Ayumu's face, knocking him away.

“Is that all the strength of the heir?”

Ayumu was already getting up again.

"Who are you? How can you be so strong?”

"I'm just a normal person doing some business."

"You're the one who should become a comedian."

Saying that, Ayumu made the sword in his hands disappear and assumed a fighting stance.

“Oh? Will you give up your advantage?”

The enemy also prepared to attack. And without saying anything, Ayumu attacked. Darkness dodged the blow and tried to counter without success. And then, another attack from Ayumu was blocked and after that he blocked a kick from his opponent.

"Not bad! Not bad! Where did you learn to fight?”

I would love to know that answer.

The two continued exchanging blows for a few moments until Darkness pulled back a little.

“This is very fun, my friend! But it’s time we put an end to this!”

“I would love it if you would stop calling me friend… Darkness.”

"Yes! Yes! Liked it! Darkness sounds really good!”

"You're crazy."

"Those words hurt my heart, my friend!"

Darkness literally threw himself at Ayumu who defended himself. Their hands held each others hands. Both being pushed hard by the other.

“Who will have more strength?”

Darkness' voice was already completely filled with madness.

"I'm sorry to say that you... are an amateur."

Ayumu stopped pushing and pulled his enemy down, making his head the perfect target for a knee. And before the enemy could recover, Ayumu who now had his hands free, hit Darkness multiple times in the face and finished with a right uppercut. Screaming, Darkness went flying and fell like a stone to the ground.

"I won. Now you will tell me who you are.”

"Hahaha! I had a lot of fun!"

Darkness sat up, blood running down his face.

"But we'll have to save our conversation for the next time."

Ayumu immediately made the sword appear in his hands and blocked several shots that came from behind. Three men were approaching shooting.

“Don't get in my way!”

He took off running, dodging the shots and as he approached them, he swung his sword, cutting the hands of the three men.

Ayumu turned his eyes to Darkness but he was no longer there. Meanwhile, the three men also ran away.

"What the hell! What's going on here?"

He was frustrated. First it was the demons and now he was being attacked by people who, for some reason, knew about his power.

“What is the last miracle?”

He looked at the sword in his hands.

“If this sword and my power aren’t the miracle, what else could be?”

Sunday was supposed to be a quiet day, but after what happened the night before, Ayumu tried to call Akemi early in the morning.

The number you dialed…

“Is her cell phone turned off? Then I’ll send a message.”

After lunch, seeing that he hadn't received an answer, Ayumu called again only to hear the same electronic voice saying the number dialed wasn’t available. And because of that, he sent another message.

The afternoon passed and no answer came. Calling still didn't work either.

“Did something happen to her?”

Ayumu was getting restless. Normally he wouldn't think the worst, but with all these strange happenings, he couldn't get the bad thoughts out of his head.

And then the night came. Ayumu checked the time and it was already past 9pm. Akemi hadn't responded yet.

He already knew that none of his classmates knew where Akemi lived, but he still contacted Ryou and Takashi just in case.

"I don't know. I never asked where she lives.”

The two gave the same asnwer.

What should I do? Is she okay?

As if in response to that, Ayumu received a new message.

It's from Akemi!

He quickly opened the message.

“‘Come to school’… Why would she ask that at this hour?”

It was almost 10pm. Darkness and silence dominated the street.

I have a bad feeling.

Ayumu ran off to get a train and soon after he was arriving at school.

The gate is open?!

Although all the school buildings were completely dark, some of the schoolyard lights were on and the strangest thing of all was the completely open gate.

Fearing a trap, Ayumu slowly entered the school with his sword in his hand. He was focusing on his surroundings, trying to feel the presence of whoever was there.

After a few steps, he noticed a red light, a circle on the floor in the central area of the schoolyard.

What is that? Looks like there's something in the light.

Step by step, he got closer. Until he finally managed to identify that, or rather, the person lying in the light.

"Akemi!"

Ayumu gave up on any idea of remaining silent and started to run, only to immediately have to jump back to dodge a shot.

"Who's there?!"

“We meet again, my dear friend!”

Someone came out of the shadows.

“Darkness!”

"Yes that's right! That name does sounds good! I really liked it!"

He was beside the circle. In each of his hands was a pistol.

“Bastard, what did you do to Akemi?!”

“Oh, this?”

He put the pistol in his left hand away and lifted Akemi's head by her hair. And seeing that, a great feeling of wrath took over Ayumu. The girl was alive and with her eyes open, but her eyes had no sparkle, and she not showing any reaction was also a disturbing thing to see. And to make things worse, she had blood on her clothes that was hard to see due to the circle’s light.

“This girl is troublesome, so we had to take precautions and put her in this demonic circle.”

"Take your filthy hands off her."

Ayumu didn't scream, but his voice was clearly filled with hate. That terrible scene was happening right at the school, in the place where he should be creating positive memories.

"Oh sorry. I only wanted to show you her pretty face, my friend.”

Darkness released the girl's hair, letting her head hit the floor. Ayumu couldn't hold back any longer and attacked with his sword at incredible speed.

“Oops!”

The sword was being blocked by two pistols. Even angrier, Ayumu drew back his sword and slashed again only to be blocked once more. This sequence kept repeating itself, Ayumu attacking and Darkness blocking.

The impact of the blows was impressive, causing loud sounds that resembled thunder, and shock waves. Despite that, those pistols continued to withstand each hit and keep up with the attacks, forcing Darkness to only keep taking a few steps back with each attack.

"Impressive! Is this the true power of the heir? Such strength! Such speed! But…"

After blocking another attack, Darkness jumped back and started shooting, forcing Ayumu to run to the side to dodge.

“Your movements are too predictable! This anger of yours is getting in your way!”

The shots finally stopped because Darkness had to reload.

This is my chance!

Ayumu started moving forward only to have to dodge to the side to avoid shots coming from a garden. Two men were there using a tree as cover.

“Don't get in my way!”

Without thinking, Ayumu cut the air, but it generated a light in the shape of a waning moon that went towards the men, hitting and cutting them superficially at chest height and throwing them away.

Still dominated by anger, Ayumu didn't even stop to think about what he had just done and walked towards his enemy who was already aiming at him again.

"Very good! Very good! Let's dance more!”

The shooting resumed. This time, Ayumu stopped moving and met them head-on, blocking one after another.

“You’re getting faster and faster!”

The shots stopped. Ayumu jumped and fell attacking with his sword, Darkness blocked with his pistols and the ground below him sank under the impact.

Ayumu retreated slightly and attacked one more time, even faster.

“You’re truly wonderful, my friend!”

One of the pistols was pointed at him, but he couldn't change his direction anymore. And then, a shot and blood fell to the ground.

"Oh, this is the aura of your sword…"

Ayumu's sword had stabbed his enemy's belly.

“What is this curse on these bullets?”

Ayumu showed his left hand full of blood. In it was the bullet from the last shot.

“Did you manage to grab it? Hahaha!

""What's so funny?"

Darkness continued laughing and tired of that, Ayumu was about to end his life. But he felt a terrible presence and was forced to remove his sword from his enemy's belly and retreat. Then, a claw hit the ground where Ayumu had been a few milliseconds before.

"Why are you here?!"

Ayumu couldn't believe what he was seeing. Before him was the original guardian, now with two wings.

Until now this demon had never appeared attacking me… What did I do to attract it?

The monster completely ignored Darkness who was watching everything in silence, and jumped with its claw aimed at Ayumu.

“Give me a break!”

Holding the sword with both hands, Ayumu blocked the attack and his left arm screamed in pain, blood dripping from his hand.

I haven't healed yet?! But the bullet didn't even pierce my body!

The pressure of the guardian's attack was greater than ever, Ayumu's arms trembling as he tried to contain it. And then, the demon's tail hit Ayumu's belly and he was thrown away.

"This thing is getting too strong…"

Ayumu got up and didn't see anyone else there besides Akemi still lying in the circle.

“Huh? Did Darkness run away? But what about the…”

A bad feeling came over Ayumu who immediately jumped to the side. Then the demon landed with its claw at the spot he was just now.

“That’s right… This bastard has two wings now!”

The demon was already flying towards him again.

“How about you die for good now?!”

Ayumu met the attack head-on with his sword, the force of the impact dragging him back a little. And before he could do anything, the demon had risen again and was ready to attack once more.

If this continues, I will die.

The attack came again, this time Ayumu dodged to the side, but he was hit in the face by the demon's tail, almost throwing him to the ground again. As he composed himself, the demon was already ready to repeat the attack.

This stupid monster will keep repeating this over and over.

Yet another attack, Ayumu once again blocked with his sword. And this time his left arm made a really bad sound.

It broke!

The demon went up again. It realized it had the upper hand with that strategy and decided to continue with it to put a definitive end to this fight.

I have no choice but to counterattack. I'll have to bet on my speed and do something very dangerous.

It was time for the decisive moment. The attack was already coming.

If he manages to react to what I'm about to do… it will be the end for me. But I'll bet everything on this crazy move!

The demon was coming down and Ayumu started to run towards him. To the demon, that was the suicidal act of someone desperate and victory was certain.

The claw was approaching, the demon flying at the height of Ayumu's chest.

"Die!"

Ayumu stretched his legs, sliding his feet on the floor and throwing his body back. The guardian was speechless watching this happen, it flying over his target as an upraised sword sliced it in half.

Lying on the ground, Ayumu saw the demon crash into the school building and instantly disappear.

"I did it? This is a true miracle… If that thing gets even stronger, I don't know if I'll be able to defeat it again…"

Ayumu got up and started to run towards the circle where Akemi was.

Is this circle the reason she is like this? How can I undo it?

His sword was glowing, as if it was reacting to the circle.

“Please work!”

Ayumu placed the tip of the sword on the circle and then the red light began to envelop the sword as if it was grabbing it and Ayumu began to feel a strong pain.

"What the hell is this?! Disappear!”

He stood his ground, concentrating his strength on the sword that was slowly consuming all the red light. And finally, the circle disappeared and the sword regained its original glow.

"I did it…"

The sword disappeared and while Ayumu was catching his breath, Akemi sat down on the floor, her eyes showing life once again.

"Where am I…? What happened…?"

"Akemi!"

Ayumu quickly hugged her with his right arm.

“Ayumu?! Huh? Eh? What happened?"

"Thank God! I'm so happy that you’re alright!"

Akemi was confused, but her memories of when she'd been attacked started to resurface in her mind.

"Oh... You had to save me again... I'm really useless…"

"Don’t say that! You are not useless!”

Akemi blushed, she didn’t know how to respond to that. And then, she hugged him too.