Humans...The most dominant species on the planet in terms of population. Everywhere you find yourself, you`ll find them but there`s a little problem. Most of them aren`t strong. They`re weak and fragile. An existence which struggles to accept change and don`t like when the things they grow up believing are questioned. One simple example is the discovery of stars other than the sun. Back then, it was quite hard to believe any of the numerous bright dots in the sky were stars with entire planets of their own. People were killed just for questioning religions but as time progressed, humans became more welcoming to new things but there are still things that humans may never be able to come to terms with and accept...Monsters known as `Abominations`... These creatures have been around as long as humans have had their history. Abominations are mindless monsters hellbent on killing and consuming humans. They hunted and killed humans with no mercy but still humans weren`t going to die off so easily. In the 1100s, there was a war between the Abominations and human. This war was named `THE GREAT HELL` and by the end of the war, Abominations were close to extinct. The humans decided memories of the abominations and all the horrors they had gone through didn`t deserve to live on and soon, all records of these monsters existing were erased but it was in human nature to hate change. Sightings of abominations began to grow more frequent and their attacks more constant. The now clueless part of humanity began to question and panic because they didn`t understand what was going on and the kings of the world were forced to create a group or organisation to counter these questions. This organisation was named `ANOMALOUS eXECUTION EXECUTION` or as it was commonly called, `AXE` and the descendants of the kings who formed this organisation were known as `Higherups` while the men who worked and fought the abominations were known as `Hunters`. Members of AXE hunted down abominations for centuries and the strongest of them were giving Ranks. By the year 1400, there were 12 ranks and the one at number 1 would be given the title of strongest on the planet. Countless Rank 1`s had been on seated but one went down in history as the strongest in all of history. The name of this legend was none other than `Andrea Torrez`...mother of both Diego and Romeo Torrez.
A revelation like this struck Diego as he never really saw his mother as a fighter. She was sometimes a bit rowdy around him but she was normal...the most normal part of his life he could remember having. Romeo on the other hand didn`t seem to be phased or surprised by it in the slightest. It wasn`t surprising though because Romeo had grown up with AXE even if he was still a kid. Romeo knew more and had more experience in fighting and using his powers.
"Are you sure she`s the strongest?" Diego asked sceptically. "I mean, mom wasn`t what I`d call a fighter and being the strongest seems like a bit of a stretch even if she`s as popular as she seems.
Romeo shrugged and leaned back on the bench. "She is and us joining AXE is probably our best shot at finding her"
"Do you think she might be here? I mean at the interschool tournament." Diego asked.
"She might but, the chances of that happening are one in a million" Romeo sighed. "She`s the most important person in society and most likely doesn`t have time to watch a bunch of schools with teenagers fight" Romeo finally stood up and stretched a bit. "Frost Wheelers match ended with him being the obvious winner and I`m surprised you managed to win against a third year student"
"Yeah...Im just as surprised as you are but guess what" Diego said and Romeo turned to look back and saw Diego was in a `Halo Mode` just like his own. White hair, glowing red eyes and those wings.
"That checks out" Romeo muttered in boredom.
"I thought you`d be more excited than that and besides, I kinda need your help getting used to this power" Diego said and turned back to normal.
"You`ll figure it out yourself and one word of advice before I go...In the semi-finals, you`re almost certain to face a certain someone" Romeo cautioned and watched as Diego`s mood shifted. "You`ll lose that match Diego. Forfeit while you still can " And with that, Romeo walked off leaving his older brother with confusion and frustration. Diego had finally found out what his mom was up to but now, he had to find her. Other questions gnawed at him though. After coming back from the dead, he felt off... Diego knew a second chance at life would have a price but he still didn`t know what it was. He felt like there was a piece of something he was missing and he had to find it at all costs.
The next day was a bit of an awkward one. Misa seemed to have been extra cheerful that day and Diego expected her to be quite pissed off about how he had won his fight with her brother. Mora`s right arm had been cut off and his right eye had been destroyed but hearing the news made Misa kinda excited. He knew their sibling relationship was weird but he still didn`t expect her to hate him that much.
Frost didn`t sleep in the dorm that night and Diego hadn`t seen him the whole day either. Frost was someone who had a lot of secrets that he kept away from people but Diego respected that so even when Frost would disappear for days on end, Diego knew he would be back and besides, Frost was the strongest student in `Hunter High` and that meant he wasn`t someone who needed to be watched over.
The only person Diego knew was stronger than Frost was Ivankov and that man was also the principal of Hunter High. Ivankov always got on Diego`s nerves but still, there was mutual respect between the two. Diego met Ivankov later that afternoon. Ivankov was on a call that seemed really important. Ivankov always seemed to be on the phone but when he saw Diego, his eyes lit up and he abruptly ended the call.
"Where have you been? I`ve been looking all over for you kid" Ivankov grinned and shoved the phone down his pocket.
"Nowhere important" Diego shrugged "Where`s Frost though?" He asked.
"Haven`t seen him in a while" Ivankov said but then the grin left his face. "Can you do me a favour, kid?" Ivankov asked.
"What is it?" Diego asked cautiously.
"Forfeit your next match..." Ivankov warned. This was the second time he had heard those words and to be honest, it was really getting on his nerves. A frown grew on Diego`s face. How weak did they think he was? With his Hell Breaker and his new Halo Mode, Diego felt invincible and whoever his match in the semi-finals was, he was certain he wouldn`t go down that easily.
"Who the hell am I even fighting anyways?" Diego grumbled stubbornly and Ivankov was just about to reply when his phone rang loudly.
"Shit" Ivankov cursed under his breath and picked up the call. " I have to go kid. Just take care of yourself and don`t do anything stupid." Ivankov warned and got into his car before driving away a few moments later.
Diego frowned again and turned around but that`s when he saw Frost standing behind him. Diego was clearly startled but Frost didn`t seem to care.
"Don`t sneak up on people like that" Diego yelped but Frost just sighed and looked up into the sky.
"Your next match...Forfeit it before it`s too late" Frost said and as soon as he did, Diego groaned in frustration.
"Why The Hell Does Everyone Keep Telling Me That?!" Diego almost yelled and Frost casually ignored his outburst.
"Best case scenario" Frost started "You survive with a limb or two still intact but worse case scenario, you go through so much pain that death feels like mercy. Choose your pick because the girl you`re going to fight tomorrow isn`t really...normal..."
Diego tilted his head to the side in surprise and confusion. "A girl?" He asked. "Is she really that bad?"
Frost`s face twitched as Diego asked that question. "Her name is `Zany Belle`, a third year. She may seem harmless but don`t let those looks deceive you"
"I already beat on third year and I`m sure I can beat another" Diego challenged. "Even if you`ve seen a future where I die, I don`t give a damn"
"Whether you heed my warning or not doesn`t bother me. Your match is tomorrow and that`s all the time you have to prepare." With those words, Frost walked away.
Frost didn`t really care what decision Diego would make but that didn`t mean he didn`t care what happened to him. Frost kept walking around Helryn Highs campus and after turning a few corners, he found a large crowd gathered around someone. He pushed his way through to the front of the crowd and that`s when he saw a girl...the same girl he had just warned Diego about...`Zany Belle`. It all suddenly made sense to him why there was such a large crowd. They were all here just to get a glimpse of her because she could only be described in one word `Beautiful`. Zany was petite and stood around 5`2 ft. She had long purple hair which accented her purple eyes as well as a pair of sharp fangs that sticked out.
well as looks that could kill and make even the toughest man submit. Frost almost instantly turned and try to make as great of a distance as he could between he and the crowd but then he felt an arm grip his back and before he knew it, he was on a secluded rooftop of one of the buildings on campus. Frost turned around and a scowl grew on his face as he saw Zany standing behind him.
"Betcha missed me ~Frosty~" Zany cooed and winked at him. For the first time, Frost`s scowl grew and his arm reached out to his back as his arm gripped his katana tightly.
"The next time you teleport me anywhere without my consent, you`ll lose that arm of yours" Frost promised.
"Aww c`mon Frosty~" Zany whined with a petulant pout on her lips. " Most guys would kill for me to be this close to them and besides, you know you like it when I touch you~" she teased as her voice slowly turned seductive.
"I`m not some other guy and for the last time, don`t call me Frosty" Frost warned and let go of his katana. "Why are you here anyways?" Frost asked and leaned on a wall on the rooftop.
"That Diego kid, I`m fighting him in the semi-Finals tomorrow correct?" Zany asked with clear interest.
"That`s correct" Frost muttered. "Why ask me that though?"
"Oh? Maybe because I`ve grown a bit fond of watching him. He`s cute and fights recklessly in a way that keeps my eyes glued to every movement" Zany sighed dreamily.
"I`m not the person you should be talking about this to" Frost said coldly.
"C`mon Frosty~ You don`t have to be so mean all the time!" Zany whined and stomped her feet like a little kid but then she suddenly stopped and smirked mischievously. "Unless you`re jealous~" Zany teased and waited for Frost`s reaction.
"You`re a child, Zany" Frost sighed after a long moment and made his way off the rooftop but not before adding "I`m not going to lose my match...I`ll see you in the finals" and with that, Frost was out of sight.
"I`m not going to lose either" Zany muttered and disappeared into this air, leaving the rooftop empty and silent like no one was ever there.
Frost moved almost aimlessly throughout the day until night fell and that`s when he finally retired to his room. Diego wasn`t around by that time and Frost guessed he was probably out trying to master his new angelic powers. There was an eerie silence that oddly enough felt quite comforting for Frost. The young demon took off his black shirt and placed his katana down on the bed beside him. The red markings on it began to glow and a red mist formed around the katana until the whole room was covered in it. When the mist finally disappear, a woman sat down right beside the katana. She was tall and had black flowing hair as well as two gigantic horns at the top of her head. She wore a black robe and her fair skin was a contrast to her rather dark appearance. This woman was the voice that always spoke through the katana and her name was `Chaos`.
"You`re worried about him aren`t you...?" Chaos asked and leaned into Frost`s side.
"I`m not" Frost replied with a frown. "That boys a reckless, cocky, overconfident brat that needs to learn he can`t rush into everything like it`s a game..."
"Hmm...But it is to him...isn`t it?" Chaos asked with a low purr as she nuzzled closer to Frost`s side. "From what I`ve seen from him, he`s trying to end his life as quickly as possible. That`s his goal"
"That was the case once but it`s changed now" Frost muttered and stretched a bit. "If he really wanted to die, he wouldn`t still be here but he`s too stubborn to realise it himself. "
"You overthink things sometimes Frost...and besides, I know you`ve grown a soft spot for him...even if you`re too stubborn to notice it himself." Chaos teased, using Frost`s own words against him and that managed to wiggle out a small smile from the otherwise emotionless Frost`s face.
"You`re right" Frost sighed and yawned. "I probably am overthinking this. Diego can take care of himself in a fight..." And with that, Chaos disappeared and Frost went to sleep...or at least his own version of it. Frost had his own questions about Diego and his miraculous revival from the dead and his new abilities. Diego`s blood made him special but there had to be a limit to it and that was Frost`s fear...Diego hitting his limit and actually losing his life with no way to revive him"
The next morning drew the biggest crowd so far. Thousands of students rushed to the arena and took their seats hours before time as no one wanted to miss this spectacle. The iconic first year who was taking Hunter history by storm and one of the strongest and most beautiful students to ever grace Helryn High with her presence were about to fight in one which promised to be the most entertaining spectacle so far. Diego walked into the arena and the crowd instantly went wild at his arrival. Diego waved to the crowd but the movement seemed almost forced as he had always hated crowds and attention as a whole. He looked around the arena to see if he would find his opponent anywhere but then his eyes landed a girl. Diego looked surprised because the girl didn`t look like someone who could even fight. The girl walked up to Diego and smiled innocently.
"You`re my opponent aren`t you?" The girl asked in a cute but impossibly innocent voice. Diego seemed confused and didn`t even know how he was supossed to fight her. She was beautiful, the most beautiful girl Diego could remember seeing his entire life and she looked like she couldn`t harm a fly.
"Uhh...yeah but I`m not sure any of us want`s to fight..." Diego said. Zany Belle wasn`t someone Diego wanted to fight because to him, beating her felt no different from fighting a child but then he remembered his fight with Romeo and he shuddered at the memory. Quickly, Diego took a few steps back and made a good distance between him and his opponent.
"You won`t hurt me will you?" Zany asked with wide, innocent eyes.
"I-" Before Diego could finish his sentence, he heard the announcer yell "THE FIRST MATCH OF THE SEMI-FINALS IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!!! DIEGO TORREZ VZ ZANY BELLE" Diego`s eyes were focused on Zany and his guard was all the way up. As soon as the announcer yelled "BEGIN!!!" Diego had no idea what to expect and also no clue what to do because Zany just stood there smiling at him. Diego opened his lips to speak again but before he could say anything, Zany disappeared and appeared in front of him before hugging him. She was pressed up against him and was crying like a child. Misa who was sitting in the crowd huffed with a look of clear irritation on her face. " Who the hell does she think she is?!"She muttered jealously as she watched the scene unfold.
"Y-you`re a bit too close don`t you think?" Diego protested but Zany didn`t budge. She just held him tighter and cried harder. The crowd let out wolf whistles and squeals at the cute scene but when no one expected it, `SNAG!!!` Zany`s fangs sunk right into Diego`s neck. The crowd gasped in surprise and confusion. Diego tried to react but couldn`t move. Zany moved back and slowly licked his blood off her lips with a mischievous grin. Diego was paralysed and couldn`t move a single muscle in his body. Zany laughed wholeheartedly at Diego`s predicament.
"You really are easy to trick y`know?" She said and continued to lick the blood off her lips. "Oh? You really are cute if I do say to myself~" She winked and sauntered towards him. "You`re probably wondering why you can` t move aren`t you cutie~? I guess I`ll tell you since you can`t even ask yourself. Zany suddenly appeared in front of him and bit her lower lip in admiration before pulling out a small pill from behind her back. "Before the match started, I kept a dose of this little thing on me. It`s a neurotoxin and you let me get close enough to deliver it with that bite. Thanks to this little thing, I`ll be able to have some fun with you for about three hours or more~" Zany winked and continued to admire Diego when slowly, almost unnoticeably, Diego flinched but Zany saw the small movement. "Oh? You can still move can you? Well I should have expected that but I`ll just fix it with another nice little bite." Zany said and readied her fangs for another bite but before she could, Diego took a shaky step back...then another...and another until he could move close to normally. Zany didn`t understand how he was moving and the smile left her face almost instantly but it didn`t matter much to her. She always had a plan for any situation that would arise.
"F- finally...I can move again" Diego muttered. He didn`t know how he managed to nullify the paralysis but then he noticed his body was burning hot. In actuality, his body sensed the danger and used every possible means it could to find a way to destroy the neurotoxin. It made antibodies in less than a minute and was working overtime and that explained why his body was so hot.
"I wouldn`t celebrate so soon if I were you" Zany giggled and disappeared once again. Diego tried to analyse the situation but there wasn`t much to get from what he had seen so far. Zany could teleport but that was all he knew. Her teleportation also didn`t seem to have any limits or drawbacks as she kept spamming it like it was nothing. What other tricks did she have up her sleeve? Diego would have to find them out as the fight progressed but right now, he had to focus on not getting caught in a situation like that again. His eyes scanned the place but she was nowhere to be found. There was utter silence and nothing pointed to where she could be. Diego heard a low rumbling sound coming from behind him and he turned around as quickly as possible only to be met by a wave of purple spiked rocks which were heading his way. He reflexively dodged them all and that`s when he finally saw her. Zany was sitting on a large rock with her face in her palms and a bored pout on her face.
"You aren`t taking this seriously. Show me some of the cool stuff you did in your fights against Mora and Romeo" Zany sighed in boredom as she idly stared at Diego.
"I am" Diego argued and slowly began to take his jacket and white shirt off which made Zany`s cheeks turn pink and she squeaked quietly. "You`re the one who isn`t taking this seriously aren`t you"
"D-DONT JUST START STRIPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR FIGHT!!!" Zany yelled and blushed harder while standing up.
"From what I can tell, you don`t want me getting close to you. That means your you aren`t as tough as the other third years." Diego said and stretched a bit. "If that`s the case, then one solid punch should be able to do the trick because you`re weak" As soon as those words left Diego`s lips, Zany growled hatefully and large bursts of purple aura expelled from her.
"What The Hell Did You Just Call Me?!" She yelled and another large burst of aura exploded from her body.
"Now that`s interesting. You`re cute even when you`re angry" Diego complimented and Zany blushed hard again and her aura turned pink in response.
"D-DONT JUST SAY STUFF LIKE THAT IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR FIGHT!!!" She blushed and shook her head. She began to mumble loudly while avoiding eye contact with Diego completely.
"Damnit...what`s wrong this time?" Diego asked and Zany looked at him like he had just asked the most stupid question in history.
"S-SHUT UP!" She yelled and looked away from her with a squeak. "Stupid Stupid Stupid!" She yelled over and over again but then she cleared her throat loudly. Her cheeks were still a deep shade of pink. She took a moment go gain back her composure and mentally scolded herself for reacting like that as she spoke. "I-I`m not weak...and don`t call me cute" She pouted childishly but then started floating. The aura turned back to purple it grew stronger and covered up most of the area around her. Zany`s hair began to float and her eyes turned a bright shade of purple. "I`ll show you why I`m not weak...I hope you`re ready to have some fun!" She yelled and a large wave of aura blew through the arena. "This is my true power... `HELL WITCH!`
END OF CHAPTER 10