Mephisto had ruined everything.
Shiro couldn't find Yukio.
After being released from his demon captor, Shiro had tracked Yukio's footprints to a chapel in Northern Cross, and that's where the trail ended. The boy had used his portal key and disappeared. The key could take him to any religious building, anywhere. Shiro had zero chance of finding him now.
He needed to change tactics to locate Yukio. Heading back to the place he started, Shiro made his way toward the ongoing demon invasion. There was one more person who could help him, and that person was Shura.
He immediately noticed that Shura knew this version of Yukio much better than he did. Shiro had no experience with the teenagers. In his time, his sons were only five years old. Shura might be able to give him valuable insights into the lives of his boys after his death and perhaps a window into Mephisto's evil plans.
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Shura was soaked with sweat and covered in layers of dirt. After fighting endlessly, she had slain some of the biggest and nastiest monsters she'd ever seen. As her exorcist team retreated behind the walls of True Cross Academy Town, a rumbling suddenly shook the ground.
"Oh, shit..." She muttered. "What now!?"
A giant fire-breathing manticore landed behind her with a bone-crushing explosion, destroying an office building like brittle pumice stone.
"FALL BACK!!!!" Shura commanded. "I'LL KEEP IT BUSY!!!"
With a cacophony of shouts and screams, the exorcists fled, leaving their commanding officer alone. Yet, one man stuck by her side.
"You too, old-timer!" She ordered, pointing to Shiro in disguise. "This is a death mission, and all I've got is a half-powered sword!"
"Don't you mean...Baldy?" Shiro smiled. "Isn't that what you call geezers like me?"
Shura broke into a tired grin. "Where'd ya hear that saying?"
"I used to work with your old master, Fujimoto." He smiled. "I think he'd be disappointed if I left you here to die. I ain't a coward."
"Heh." Shura pulled Fang from its scabbard. "Suit yerself, but if you get hurt, it's your own damn fault."
Shura then, without hesitation, charged toward the monster, slicing at its exposed breastbone. The beast lurched back in pain, crushing another building in its wake. With a few precious seconds to spare, she ran for cover.
The monster retaliated quickly, whipping its mighty wing toward her, its feathers razor-sharp and gunning for her jugular.
"SHURA!!!" The older man lunged behind her, firing a spray of glowing bullets. The metal projectiles expanded within the air, creating an aria field of protection--just in the nick of time. Both of them tumbled headlong into the concrete. Shura's ample chest broke Shiro's fall.
He smirked as he reluctantly lifted his face from the soft, welcoming cushion.
"Sorry, lady." He quipped. "I haven't the time for that sorta thing."
"Hehehehe." Shura clapped him on the shoulder with appreciation. "You're a damn good shot, thanks, man. I was a goner!"
"Ah well, I'm a bit rusty." He laughed good-naturedly. "These old bones are slowing me down."
"I swear you shoot just like Fujimoto; that was incredible."
Her face became troubled at the thought before she added--
"In fact, only Shiro could have made that shot."
The old man's eyes slid to her, and he winked.
Shura stared at him perplexed, an uncanny feeling taking over. She reached out a hand, touching his scruffy Jaw.
"Shiro?" She whispered. "Is it...you? But how!?
"LOOK OUT!!!!" Shiro pushed her roughly out of the way as the monster's claw slammed into him. The force of the blow sent his body tumbling into a brick wall, knocking the wind from his lungs.
The beast's ugly head turned once again towards them. Shura raced out in front, conjuring Fang's power. "LADY KIRIGAKURE TECHNIQUE! WHITE FURY!!!"
In response, the monster unleashed a blazing torrent of hellfire. Shura held back the flames with every ounce of power her blade had. But much to her horror, her sword began to sputter, losing its demonic glow. Jack Frost had left her.
"Run for the City!!" Shura shouted at Shiro. "I'm out of demon juice; I'm gonna die!!!"
"I won't leave you!!!"
"That's an ORDER!!!!"She barked. "I'm in charge here!"
Shura screamed as the fire intensified, scorching her skin like vellum in a bonfire. The flesh peeled away from the tips of her fingers, and large rippling blisters marred her beautiful face.
Shiro ran to help, but he couldn't get there in time. The same thing happened as before. His legs froze in place, and he fell hard to the concrete.
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Shura felt as if she was dying; this was indeed the end.
She felt intense pain, the roar of flames...followed by nothingness.
The sound of fluttering fabric and calming white light lulled her from the encroaching blackness and back into the land of the living.
The fire was gone, and Shura was strangely ensconced within a cool and billowing shroud. Was this what heaven looked like? Had she passed over to the land of Azazel? She felt strong arms encircling her waist, pulling her into a protective embrace.
It was then that she realized the fire still raged from all sides.
"Darling, let me get rid of this beast for you." The tranquil voice soothed. "You performed admirably today. I am so proud."
He raised a hand nonchalantly above his head and snapped his fingers. With a roar of thunder and a blinding chain of red lightning, a slice expanded within the skyline, swallowing the monster into a black void. He snapped his fingers once again, sealing the spacetime.
Shura raised her eyes to her saviour and was met by Mephisto's face mere inches from her own.
"Are you alright?" He whispered, kissing her forehead gently. "I thought I'd almost lost you. Don't ever frighten me like that again."
Shura's body, scorched, battered and bloody, gave out from injury and exhaustion. Mephisto caught her in his arms, wrapping her broken form within his cape.
"I'm burnt too bad." Shura groaned. "The pain...I can't..."
"No, I won't let you die." He promised matter-of-factly. "Darling, you are much too important."
Mephisto brushed his fingers over her eyes, and she fell into a comatose state.
"Sleep now...my dear.." He murmured. "It's for the best..."
As the demon turned to leave, Shiro stood in his way.
"Where are you taking her?"
"She needs immediate medical assistance." The demon replied. "These wounds are horrendous, and the pain unbearable."
"She'll die from the infection!" Her appearance broke Shiro with concern. "Dear god, Shura!!"
"Mmm. maybe not." Mephisto reasoned with a hint of darkness creeping into a voice. "Perhaps a dose of my blood will fix all of this?"
"WHAT!!!? NO!" Shiro snarled with immediate realization. "She doesn't deserve that! Shura's too good to be us!!!"
"You mean she's too good to be with me?" Mephisto laughed. "What's the matter, Shiro? Jealous?"
"What the fuck are you rambling on about?"
"You abandoned her," Mephisto narrowed his eyes. "You abandon everyone, including me, Yuri, your children. It's your fault, Shiro--all of it. I'm offering this girl the thing you denied her, the thing she's always wanted, a chance to live. And in return, she will become my new Champion."
"Don't you mean your slave?" Shiro mocked. "She will owe you a lifetime of servitude?"
Mephisto lifted Shura's limp hand to his lips and kissed it with a deliberate slowness.
"No, Shiro-pon..." His grin was full of fangs. "I'm giving her love..."
"You fucking liar!" He snarled. "You don't love her!!! You're incapable of that!"
"Says a man too self-absorbed to care." The demon chuckled. "It's too little, too late eh, Shiro?"
Shiro balled his fists at his sides. Mephisto turned his back and walked away.
"I don't believe any of this!!" Shiro accused, calling after him. "This is just one big manipulation!"
"Fine, Shiro-pon, have it your way," Mephisto announced haughtily as a portal opened before him. "Explore this timeline as long as you wish. Let's see if you can do any better."
"It can't get any fucking worse!!!" Shiro roared. "You bastard!!!"
Mephisto rolled his eyes, flipping Shiro the finger.
"SHURA!! If you can hear me!!!" Shiro shouted after them. "Don't agree to anything he says!!!" He'll steal your soul!!!!"
With a snap of his finger, Mephisto and Shura disappeared.
And Shiro was left all alone.
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