Unknown Location...
SWOOOM...
A soft wind blew against Code's face, flaring his hair.
"Ugh..." He groaned and slowly squinted his eyes open as he sat up.
He looked around, his expression shifting into surprise.
"It's this place again?" he muttered, staring at the endless sea of crimson stretching forever. "This sea of blood."
A voice came from behind him.
"We meet again."
"What the—?!" Code spun sharply, eyes locking on the creature standing before him.
"I wasn't expecting you to be here so soon," the boy said.
"Wh-who are you?" Code asked, terror in his voice.
"Who do you see?" the boy replied calmly.
"I-I see myself," Code murmured, heart pounding. 'Why does he look like me?'
'Because I'm you, and you're me,' the boy answered, his voice echoing.
'Huh? What's he talking about?' Code wondered.
"Haha, I know you'll find this hard to believe," the boy said.
Then he delivered the revelation.
"I'm the demon that possessed you."
...
"Ahh!" Code gasped as his eyes snapped open.
"Arrgh... arrgh..." His breathing turned ragged while his gaze darted about. "What the hell was that?" he whispered.
VROOOM!!
A car zoomed past him, as he looked up sharply.
"Eh? Where am I?" he muttered.
Before he could gather his thoughts, a voice jolted him.
"Oi, stop moving around or we're gonna fall."
"Eh?" Code looked down and froze, realizing he was being carried. "V-Van Ackerman?" he blurted.
"Yeah, that's me," Van replied casually. "Since you're awake now, I guess you can walk on your own." He suddenly let go, dropping Code to the ground.
"Ouch!" Code yelped in pain.
"Arrgh, how are you slim and heavy at the same time?" Van asked, stretching his back.
"That's kinda insulting, y'know," Code snapped, rising and dusting off his trousers.
"Good grief, don't I deserve appreciation after carrying you all the way here?" Van said as he walked off.
"Thank you?" Code muttered sourly as he followed. "That should be my line after blasting my left arm away."
"What left arm?" Van asked, glancing at him.
"You bastard!" Code barked. "We both know it regenerated!"
"Sheesh," Van sighed.
"Thinking about it, where even is this place? Doesn't look familiar," Code said.
"Stop asking questions," Van replied flatly.
'Tch,' Code clicked his tongue. 'This asshole. Is he actually Van Ackerman?' he wondered.
"Here we are," Van announced, stopping before a skyscraper.
"Huh?" Code muttered, looking up to read the inscription:
WORLD ASSOCIATION OF SORCERERS' HEADQUARTERS, AZURA.
"Wh-what are we doing here?" Code stammered, stepping back. "Don't tell me you're planning to report me to W.A.S."
"What are you talking about?" Van said. "I'd prefer selling you to traffickers than doing that." He waved dismissively.
'This motherfucker,' Code thought, jaw tightening.
They entered the building, a soft chime ringing as the door opened.
"Welcome," a cold, detached voice said.
"Liora," Van greeted, removing his mask.
"Woah," Code murmured, looking around.
The office stretched wide, and opposite the entrance sat a large circular desk with a single chair behind it.
"Huh?" Liora's eyes widened as she recognized Van. "Van Ackerman," she said in shock, sitting up straight.
"Heyo," Van replied with a casual wave. "Code, this is Liora, the receptionist. She handles our missions and raids."
"H-Hi, n-nice to meet you," Liora stammered.
"Hey," Code said.
"Where are they?" Van asked.
"They just left not long ago," Liora replied.
"I see." Van turned to Code. "Let's go."
"O-okay," Code said, following him as they disappeared into a room to the right.
Once they were gone, Liora exhaled heavily, cheeks flushing. "Oh my gosh, Van Ackerman. He's so handsome," she whispered.
...
"What's with that woman?" Code asked as their footsteps echoed through the hallway.
"Can't blame her," Van said. "She saw Van Ackerman. That's a privilege."
"Neh?" Code scoffed. "I don't know about that."
"I think it's this room," Van said, stopping at a door as he opened it.
Code hurried closer, his curiosity rising.
The room was engulfed in darkness, swallowing any light from the hall.
They stepped inside.
"Woah, why's it so dark?" Code said.
Only the hallway's light seeped in.
"You don't have long," Van said as he turned toward the door.
"Eh? Where are you going?"
Van didn't answer. He simply stepped out and said, "Survive."
Then—
BLAM!
The door was shut
"What?!" Code shouted.
Suddenly—
FLICKER... FLICKER...
A crimson glow filled the room, revealing the terrain around him.
His eyes widened as he realized the chamber was a dungeon, stretching endlessly in every direction.
And worse—
"SHRIEK!"
Code snapped toward the sound.
Demons filled the space before him. Hordes of them, shrieking and snarling.
***
To Be Continued...