Asuka

Immediately, I was suspicious of this boy. I mean, I already was, but this brought it to a whole new level.

Not much time passed before Alex and Nozomi had come back.

Alex: "What was that?! Are you okay?!"

Asuka: "Y-Yeah, I'm alright"

Nozomi looked down at the ground and saw my shattered scythe.

Nozomi: "Oh Asuka..."

Asuka: "It's cool, I'm an Alchemist, remember?"

I knelt down and used my Alchemy to reform the scythe to how it was. I then shrunk it down and put it in my pocket.

Alex: "What happened? We heard an explosion"

Asuka: "A Demon attacked us and Jade took it out"

Alex looked over at Jade with a skeptical look in his eyes.

Alex: "You made that explosion?"

Jade: "Yeah, sorry, I didn't mean for it to be that loud"

Asuka: "He used some kind of Summoning powers to summon different kinds of weapons"

Nozomi: "He can summon without any training?"

Asuka: "It's like a mix between Combat and Summoning, he can summon a crazy amount of weapons at once"

Alex suddenly drew his sword and held it up to Jade.

Alex: "Fess up, why are you here? What's your goal?"

Jade didn't even look down at the blade, he just pushed it away with his finger.

Jade: "I'll be honest, I have no clue"

Alex: "What's that supposed to mean?"

Alex pressed the tip of his katana against Jade's chest.

Asuka: "Alex! Stop!!"

Alex: "Speak"

Jade: "I seriously don't know. I can't remember much of anything, really"

Alex: "Do I look like an idiot?!"

Jade: "You look like you're about to cut my head off"

Alex: "Tell the truth right now"

Jade: "I already have, you just aren't accepting it"

Alex: "You some kind of spy sent by the Devil? Come to try and take the rest of us out?"

Alex's blade lit on fire.

Jade: "Can one of you get your boyfriend off of me? The flames are a bit hot"

Alex suddenly punched Jade back, making him land on the ground.

Nozomi: "Alex!!! Stop it!!!"

I went to grab him, however flames engulfed his entire body.

Alex: "Come on!! You wanna kill us so badly like you did to Draco and Scarlet?! I'll end you before you can even blink!!"

Asuka: "That's enough!!!"

Alex: "Stay out of it!!!"

He looked down at Jade.

Alex: "Get up!!"

Jade simply stood up and patted down dust off of his clothes.

Jade: "You really don't want to do this"

Alex: "I definitely do"

Jade looked over at us.

Jade: "One of you is a healer, right?"

Nozomi: "I am"

Jade: "Cool, make sure you're ready for lots of it"

Jade held his hand out, summoning a long black spear made of what appeared to be Onyx.

Alex: "I'll send you back to Hell!!!!"

Alex dashed forwards, swinging his sword as hard as he could. The flames danced along as his swing grew closer and closer. With a swift movement, Jade parried the attack. Something very strange happened though. On contact, all flames on the sword vanished, like they were put out.

Alex: "W-What the—"

Jade: "Oh, yeah, my weapons have different abilities depending on what they're made of. Ruby explodes, Sapphire are homing missiles, and Onyx is like a vacuum, putting out any flame that comes in contact with it"

Alex: "Then I'll make flames so strong they can't be put out!!!!"

Asuka: "Alex!!! Stop it right now!!!"

I ran in and stood in front of Alex with my arms out.

Alex: "He's probably some kind of Demon!!"

Asuka: "You don't know that!! Put your swords away!!"

For a second, he seemed to calm down. The next, I saw his eyes glowing a bright red.

Alex: "Asuka. Move"

Asuka: "This isn't you! Scarlet wouldn't want you to act like this!"

The second I said it, I instantly regretted it.

Alex: "You... you have no idea what Scarlet would want!!"

His body erupted into a large pillar of flames.

Alex: "She was the last of my family!!! I did everything I could to keep her out of this life and Chris fucking killed her...!!!!!"

His flames started dying down a bit.

Alex: "I... I just want her back..."

Tears ran down his face.

Alex: "And I'll kill as many Demons as I have to!!!"

Asuka: "He's not a Demon, he's probably the one person who can help us right now. So please, try and calm down"

Alex: "I-I..."

Nozomi came up behind him and placed her palms on the side of his head. Slowly, his eyes rolled back and he passed out in front of us.

Jade: "Is he okay? That was quite a show he put on"

Asuka: "Sorry... a year ago from yesterday was the day we lost two good friends. One was his sister. The other was Nozomi's brother"

Jade: "I'm sorry that happened. You have my condolences"

Asuka: "Anyways, please come with us"

Jade: "Alright, but let's hurry before something else like a dragon comes to take me"

After having to carry Alex all the way back to the House of God without getting the police called on us for carrying an unconscious boy, we brought Jade to Arana's office. Alex had gone back to his room to relax and cool his head.

Jade, Nozomi, and I all waited in the office while Arana was out doing something. I got flashbacks to when I first brought Draco here. His amazement was pretty cute, however Jade showed no amazement. He didn't even seem surprised at anything, he was just mellow.

Nozomi: "Um, Jade? Are you okay?"

Jade: "Yeah, why?"

Nozomi: "You look very unfazed by all of this"

Jade: "You could say that, I guess"

Nozomi: "Why is that?"

Jade: "No clue, maybe because my memories are gone"

Asuka: "You do have a few since you know how to use your spears"

Jade: "Oh, yeah, I guess you're right"

Nozomi: "You didn't notice?"

Jade: "No"

After that, he was silent like the conversation never happened. Arana finally ended the silence by walking into the room.

Arana: "Nozomi, Asuka, thank you for bringing him here. I'll deal with Alex later, but for now..."

She sat down at her desk and poured a cup of coffee.

Arana: "Mr. Jade"

Jade: "Just Jade is fine"

Arana: "Then, Jade, who are you and what is your purpose here?"

Jade: "No memories, no clue who I am besides the fact that I'm Jade"

Arana looked a bit skeptical.

Arana: "And yet you took down a Class A Demon with little to no effort?"

Jade: "Your guess is as good as mine"

Arana took a long sip from her coffee.

Arana: "All contact with the Heavenly Father has proven to be pointless. No matter what we try, we have no contact with Heaven. Even most Guardian Angels have been recalled"

I immediately remembered what Annis had said to me.

Asuka: "Something big must be happening"

Arana: "And I have a strange feeling that Jade is a part of it"

Jade: "This seems like quite the pickle"

Nozomi: "Divine Magic is still working, so nothing too bad has happened, right?"

Arana: "We can only hope. For now we will enroll Jade into our training program, if that's alright with you. Either way, we cannot let you leave until we sort things out"

Jade: "Fine by me, though I have a request for my stay"

Arana: "What?"

Jade: "Got any psychedelics?"

...

Huh?

Arana: "Pardon?"

Jade: "Psychedelics, you know, plants that can make you see some crazy stuff"

Arana: "Uh..."

Asuka: "W-We don't do that here, we wouldn't have any"

Jade: "Darn, guess I'll grow some myself"

Jade got up and started walking out the door.

Arana: "H-Hold on a second!"

He didn't pay her any attention and walked right out the door mumbling to himself about a lab.

Arana: "I'm sorry, you two, but could you please keep an eye on him?"

Asuka: "Of course"

Arana: "I will continue to try and get in contact with Heaven. Until then, you two should rest. You've been out hunting Demons every day for a month now, take a break"

Nozomi: "With all due respect, we can't stop right now. The attack earlier was made public, the Demons don't care about being discreet anymore"

Arana: "Yes, I suppose you're right..."

She stood up from her desk.

Arana: "I need to show you two something"

We followed her out of the room and through a blocked off area of the complex. This was a place that only Arana was able to go, even May couldn't go here. We stopped before a set of two massive black steel doors.

Arana: "Before I show you, I need you two to swear on the name of the Lord that you will never tell another living soul about what I show you"

Nozomi: "I swear"

Asuka: "Me too"

She nodded and pulled a lever on the wall. The wall closed behind us, leaving us with no way of leaving. All that we had left was the large doors.

Arana: "Brace yourselves"

She held her hand out and the doors swung open. The second it opened, the smell of sulfur filled the air.

Asuka: "Sulfur— But that's—"

She created a dome of golden light around us and started walking in. We quickly followed her to make sure we stayed within the dome.

At first, it was pitch black. After a few minutes of walking, we finally saw a light at the end of the tunnel.

Asuka: "W-What...."

The sight left me speechless.

Nozomi: "H-Hell, t-this is Hell..."

We had entered a large cave system made out of black stone. A blood red mist flooded in from holes in the roof of the cave. Down on the floor of the cave were souls screaming in agony. There were millions of screams that echoed throughout the cave. I couldn't see what was at the bottom of the cave, however I'm thankful that I didn't.

Asuka: "W-What is this doing under the House of God?!"

Arana: "Why do you think we were formed? Yes, it was to keep the mortals safe from Demons, however there was a much more important reason"

Nozomi: "To... guard the gates to Hell..."

Arana: "That is correct"

Asuka: "So... we have a method of going to Hell?"

Arana instantly caught on to what I was thinking.

Arana: "Absolutely not!!"

Asuka: "But if Draco is really down here, maybe we can save him!"

Arana: "You know that none of you are ready for something like this. I've traveled down here a few times, however I can only last five minutes before I'm overrun and out of strength"

Asuka: "Then if we brought a group, I'm sure—"

She cut me off.

Arana: "Hell doesn't just wear you down physically, but mentally as well. Hell is designed for torture, pure unyielding torture. It serves no other purpose than to punish those who have lived a sinful life. It is not a place one simply goes through to find a lost soul"

Nozomi: "Why did you show us this?"

Arana: "Because you two have every right to know. You tried to stop me from unleashing a great evil when I was blinded. You two are truly blessed by God's divine light. Even when you had nothing, you still fought for the sake of us all. And after the things you've seen, I knew you would be able to handle this"

Asuka: "Why doesn't May know?"

Arana: "You've seen her, she can barely handle talking to a crowd, let alone handle the concept of Hell in the basement. She's talented and still the most powerful under me, however she lacks the courage"

I looked out into the dark abyss.

Asuka: "What floor are we on?"

According to the rules of Hell, it is divided into floors, the lower you go, the farther away from God's Grace you are. At the lowest point is where Satan is imprisoned.

Arana: "I cannot disclose that information"

Nozomi: "Why?"

Arana: "Because I do not know either. Hell is vast, so much so that it feels like it's own universe. In all, Hell is larger than Heaven, so many more damned souls than virtuous"

Nozomi: "This... is a lot..."

Asuka: "And terrifying, what if they find this way out of Hell?"

Arana: "There is a seal around the door that prevents any Demon from passing"

Arana turned.

Arana: "I can trust that you'll keep your oath?"

We both nodded.

Arana: "Good, then let's leave before we are spotted"

Suddenly, a winged Demon swooped down at us. Arana quickly put her arm out and formed a long golden spear, impaling the Demon before it could get to us.

Asuka: "Yeah, let's go"

We quickly got back to the door and Arana closed it behind us.

Arana: "This secret must never get out. Most Angels don't know of this"

Nozomi: "We won't tell a soul"

Arana nodded.

Arana: "Oh— Where did Jade go? Please find him and try to keep him under control until we can figure out what to do with him"

Asuka: "We'll try our best"

With that, we went off to find Jade. However, the entire time we walked, I couldn't get the idea of the gate to Hell was underneath the House of God. I mean, it made sense since this was the most protected place on earth, but it still freaked me out. If the barrier blocking the Demons ever failed, we would be overrun in minutes.

But... It could also lead us to Draco.

After searching around for about an hour, we still couldn't find Jade.

Nozomi: "How does he just vanish like that?"

Asuka: "Everything about him is strange, maybe he can turn invisible or something"

Jade: "I can't do that, but I found a cat"

Nozomi and I jumped back as we turned around to see Jade standing behind us, holding a small gray cat.

Asuka: "We've been looking everywhere for you!!"

Jade: "Sorry, I saw this cat running around and I have made it mine"

Nozomi sighed.

Nozomi: "How about we all go get some lunch?"

Jade: "Sure"

After convincing Jade to put the cat down, we made our way to the cafeteria and found Alex sitting by himself. A cheeseburger sat on his plate, however he had barely touched it. When he saw us, he got up.

Alex: "Hey... guys... I'm sorry..."

Asuka: "Don't worry about it, we know it's been rough, it's been rough for all of us"

I nudged him with my elbow.

Asuka: "Wanna hop on Genshin and beat the new boss?"

He smiled.

Alex: "Sure"

While Nozomi and Jade ate, they watched Alex and I playing a game called Genshin Impact on our phones.

Nozomi: "Jade, do you remember anything yet?"

Jade: "Nope, but for whatever reason, I really like sushi"

He had an entire plate of sushi, but that was his third plate.

Alex: "Haha!! Let's go!!"

We had just beaten the boss and Alex got a rare item.

Asuka: "Nice!! Even I don't have many of those"

Alex was about to say something, however he looked down at his phone and immediately lost his smile.

Asuka: "What's up? You okay?"

Alex: "Yeah, just... Draco's still on my friend list"

Jade: "Who was this Draco?"

Alex: "My best friend, Nozomi's brother, and Asuka's boyfriend. He died last year when a friend betrayed us in favor of the Devil"

Jade: "His last name is Himeko, right?"

All of us glued our eyes to him.

Nozomi: "How do you know that's our last name?"

Jade: "No clue, just popped in my head"

Suddenly, a realization struck my mind.

Asuka: "Nozomi, I need to talk to you"

I grabbed her hand.

Nozomi: "What—"

I quickly dragged her off into the girl's bathroom. I looked around to make sure no one else was in there before talking.

Asuka: "I think I know why he's here"

Nozomi: "You do? Why?"

Asuka: "He's here to help us get Draco back"

Nozomi: "Asuka..."

Asuka: "I know, it's stupid and sounds ridiculous. Just hear me out. Jade is stupid strong, I bet he could even take down a Sin. He arrives here with no memories other than how to fight and a single name, your brother's"

Nozomi: "We swore not to tell anyone. We can't go through with that, you saw what I saw. And besides, Arana has forbidden it"

Asuka: "That didn't stop us before when we left the first time"

Nozomi: "That wasn't our choice, we left or else Draco would've been killed. If we go behind Arana's back, we'll get in serious trouble. And Hell? We may die down there"

Asuka: "But that's what Jade is for!"

Nozomi: "Asuka... I can't support this... it's too dangerous"

Asuka: "We could go down there and get Draco back! Isn't that what you want? To see him again?"

Nozomi: "Of course I want to... but... I'm scared... okay..."

I could see her hands shaking.

Nozomi: "I don't think I can handle Hell... I'm... just being honest..."

I walked up to her and hugged her tightly.

Asuka: "Hey, I won't force you. But I'm still going"

Nozomi: "I can't stop you, can I?"

Asuka: "Nope"

Nozomi: "How will you tell Jade and Alex about it? You made an oath"

Asuka: "We swore not to tell anyone. But say they happened upon it while trying to get back to their room, that's not me telling them~"

Nozomi: "You're sneaky"

I giggled.

Asuka: "Let's just hope it works"

Later that night, I had gathered Alex and Jade in the library. Nozomi didn't show, since she didn't want any part in it.

Alex: "What did you want us for?"

Asuka: "There's been noises coming from down the hall over there, late every night. I think it's a few people trying to pull pranks"

Alex: "Okay... so why do you need us?"

Asuka: "Because one person who sees it won't be believed"

Alex: "Alright, I guess"

I had Alex and Jade take the lead. As soon as they got to the end of the hall, they found the small bit of caution tape saying not to cross.

Alex: "We can't go back there, it's off limits"

Jade: "What weird tape"

Jade simply pushed it to the side and continued walking.

Alex: "J-Jade! Get back here!"

Alex went in after Jade, just as planned. They kept walking until they reached the massive set of black steel doors.

Alex: "Yeah— we definitely shouldn't be here, let's go"

Jade: "There's a lever on the wall"

Alex: "Don't—"

Without a second thought, Jade flipped the switch and the wall behind us closed. Slowly, the doors to Hell opened and revealed the long tunnel to the inferno.

Alex: "T-This... it's a portal to Hell..."

Jade: "Under the House of God? Doesn't that seem a bit counterproductive?"

Alex: "T-This is crazy"

Jade: "Let's take a look"

Alex: "Absolutely not!!!"

Asuka: "Alex"

I appeared behind them.

Alex: "A-Asuka?!"

Asuka: "This could be what Jade was sent here for. He knows about Draco of all people when he doesn't have his memories. He beat a seriously strong Demon with no issue. He could be the key to going into Hell and bringing Draco back"

Alex: "Are you cra—"

Alex stopped himself.

Alex: "You... you really think we can save him?"

Asuka: "I'll be honest, I have no clue. But it's our best bet with Jade on our side"

Alex: "Just three of us?"

Asuka: "I mean, with Jade, we should be good with any Demon we face"

Jade: "Don't rely on me that much, you'll also need to carry your weight"

Asuka: "I know, I will. My Alchemy will seriously help with a lot in Hell. Alex's fire manipulation would help a lot too"

Alex: "Look... let me sleep on it"

Asuka: "I'm leaving in the morning, before anyone else can catch us"

Jade: "I mean, hey, I'll go. You need me for this plan to work"

Asuka: "I'll meet you down here at five in the morning, make sure you aren't followed"

The three of us made sure to close everything up before going to bed.

That morning, I had woken up bright and early to pack stuff like food and water, since I'm not sure what we would have access to in Hell. I had packed multiple crosses, holy water flasks, and other stuff like that. The final thing I put in my bag was a Bible.

I snuck out of the room and made my way for the gate to Hell. When I got there, I saw Alex and Jade waiting for me

Asuka: "Decided to join?"

Alex: "I won't be able to live with myself if I let you go in and something happens to you. I... I also wanna get Draco back"

Jade: "It's a long journey, I took some time to read last night and the place is huge"

Asuka: "We'll be fine. What did you two pack?"

Alex: "Medical stuff, camping equipment, survival things mostly"

Jade: "Lots and lots of food and water"

Asuka: "Then we should be good"

Before we could open the doors, we heard Nozomi behind us.

Nozomi: "Wait!"

She ran up to us.

Nozomi: "I-I'm coming with"

Asuka: "Are you sure? We won't force you"

Nozomi: "It's my brother we're saving, there's no way I could sit this out. I made him a promise and I'm going to get him out of there and back home"

I nodded.

Asuka: "I'm not going to lie, we may not make it back"

Jade: "I mean, I'll make it back, can't guarantee the rest of you, but I'll try my best"

Alex: "We're with you"

Nozomi: "We started all this, now we need to finish it"

I pulled the switch, opening the Gates of Hell.

Asuka: "Let's get Draco back!"

————————————————————————

I hope I'm doing okay with Asuka's POV—

Thank you all for reading this far into this book and thank you for taking the time out of your day to read my stories!! I really hope you enjoy these!!

See you next chapter!!