Gaku

It covers a lot of five to six star coatings of various constructs, which also includes their accompanying profile picture, even those who were normally inaccessible to free to plays! Though, not all coatings are available, and recent ones aren't included either...

Don't worry! This isn't a limited time item, so you could take your time with your pick!

I tried looking for the ONE coating that I would prostrate myself in front of Kuro for, but Golden Days isn't available EAVWBKEUDGDJDJDJSSS KUROOOOOO...!!!!!!

?

Applicable irl as I barely eat due to being busy;;;

Captain's worried about me... (⁠｡⁠ﾉ⁠ω⁠＼⁠｡⁠)

Ah, thank you... (⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴗ⁠ꈍ⁠)

AH....?!?!?!!??

YOU'LL COOK FOR ME??!???! YOU'LL FEED ME!!??!? ARE WE GOING TO EAT TOGETHER?!?!?????

IS IT A DATE?!?!!?? I'M GOING TO YOUR HOUSE TO EAT????? NOT IN A DINER OUTSIDE??? YOUR HOUSE?!?!!??? WE'RE GOING TO COOK TOGETHER?!? JUST THE TWO OF US?!?!???!?!!!!

You already gave me the keys to your bedroom... Now, we're going domestic by cooking a meal and eating together...?

The Human World had changed so much since the last time the demons were able to freely roam the realm. Gone were the warriors that once fought against them, the wards that were once placed as meager defenses, and the constant fear that humans reek of back then. The knowledge and the existence of demons was reduced to mere fantasy, told only to entertain or scare people.

Even Sparda’s presence had dwindled into mere flickers that would sometimes break apart. 

At first glance, the humans had become too lenient and weak, having forgotten the bloody history that had once transpired in their world. But regardless of their ignorance, there were still remnants of the people that believed the now-tall tales of the monsters from Hell. Not even a day after slipping into their world, the demons sent by the King of Hell were either caught or killed by weapons barely adequate for demon hunting. 

The demons that survived the attack were imprisoned in a dingy warehouse filled with cages that were customized to restrain its users and make sure nothing could escape. In an effort to understand and make use of the demons that came to their realm, the humans started experimenting on them; producing countermeasures based on their observations, or using them as test subjects for their new weapons. Several humans come and go, sometimes bringing more demons inside the warehouse, or transporting them somewhere else. Those that can be branded are marked, those that could be picked apart were dissected, and those who were deemed useless were recycled as target practice.

The indifferent demon was one of the survivors due to its ability to break down and transform its own body, something that caught the attention of the researchers. It was poked and prodded to see the extent of its capabilities, but after the realization that it cannot accurately morph into something, it was decided that it’ll remain in the warehouse until further use is needed. Left alone, the demon was reduced to observe its surroundings to pass time. 

Almost all humans who come by reek with the scent of blood, whether they realize it or not. Those who guard the area, the scientists who visit, even the younger humans who came to jeer at the detained demons smells the same. All of them fought and killed a demon at least once. All except the one child who noticed them across several cages that hid them from plain sight. 

The first time the demon noticed them was when the child was brought along to test the newly created anti-demon weapons. Their hands shook as they held the specialized gun towards their target, with the older humans cheering for them. In the child’s delay, they weren’t able to proceed with the task, with the demonic creature shot down by the others instead. While they were comforted by the adults, the child’s eyes stared directly at the shapeshifting demon who had been watching them. 

Ever since then, the demon had been getting frequent visits from the child. 

Foolishly, naively, the child that lacks the stench of bloodlust fearlessly constantly snuck in and tried to befriend them. You had the same goal as the other humans, to understand demons. So, everyday, without fail, you show up to talk to that certain demon about the most mundane things just to get a reaction. Only to end up with one big red eye just staring back at you. Nonetheless, you didn’t give up.

The one-eyed shapeshifting demon couldn’t understand your behaviour at all. No matter how much effort you put in talking, you don’t get anything out of them; but still you return, all bright eyed and excited to talk about today’s events. The first time they did something, transform into your likeness in an attempt to scare you off, you were instead elated and praised them; despite their awful replication, you pointed out areas on where they could improve, saying all sorts of things that you think might help with their transformation. 

“You need to understand what you’re imitating!”

When they asked why you’re doing this, your reply was a concept that no demon can ever wrap their head around to.

“Because we’re friends.” 

Friends…? Since when? You’re the only one who seems to think that way, with your curiosity and incessant ramblings. It’s like you don’t see them as a demon, at all. 

You got more talkative when you got them to speak, asking all sorts of questions in hopes that they’ll reply. But the demon always changes the subject to the topic of friendship. It doesn’t understand why a human would want to be friends with a demon. Weren’t you afraid? You’re food to them. You’re weak, and strength is everything to their kind. Is it because of the safety of your technology, that you’re bold enough to have that claim?

When you told him that that’s not it, that you want to be friends just for the sake of it, that you genuinely found the demon interesting, is when it thought of you as both a fool and a strange human. Why are you so certain? What’s the reason for your determination? A crude imitation of your hand reached towards its glass cage, to where your hands rest. Would they be able to understand you once it looks exactly like you?

Since then, the shapeshifter demon eagerly listened to your stories during your visits. You’ve told them a lot of things, from how the Human World works now, to how your family came from a dedicated line of demon hunters. You told them about your interest in demonology, and the demon started humoring your questions about their world. The more they listen, the more accurate their transformations become. You’ve praised them before when they got your face right, and the demon started looking forward to your daily appearances.

They don’t know when they started keeping track of time, but the more they spend time with you, the more they want you to stay a bit longer. Tell them more about yourself, your troubles, wishes, anything. Don’t leave their side and tell them everything.

So that they could transform into you one day.

But then you were late. For the first time. The warehouse was too quiet without you around, and it’s starting to irritate the demon. Where are you? Why are the researchers here instead? Why are the humans panicking and transporting the cages outside? Where are you? This never happened before. Will they get transported too? They made sure to appear useless to everyone except to you to remain here. Where are you?!

“You’re late.”

You were out of breath by the time you reached their cage, something that the demon found suspicious. But as long as you’re here, then everything’s fine, isn’t it? Look at their form, don’t they resemble you now? What sort of story do you have for them tonigh—

But then you started apologizing.

Huh?

You told them that you got caught, so all demons will be moved elsewhere for security reasons. 

Wait.

The moment you started crying, the demon who wears your face bit their lip. When you started saying your goodbyes, something bubbled in their false stomach like an annoying itch that doesn’t go away, and it made the demon want to desperately escape their confinement and attack something. Regardless of the unknown feeling, they do know one thing.

That expression doesn’t suit you at all.

It’s because of those humans outside, your parents who forbade you from interest in demonology, that this is happening, no? Then, if they’re out of the picture, you wouldn’t have to make that face anymore. Everything will go back to how it was, maybe even better. All that needs to be done is for the demon to be free.

Leaning their—- your… their head on the glass and urging you to do the same, the demon who resembles you whispered a solution to your current predicament. All you need to do is to open the door. You’re the child of the family in charge of their imprisonment, yes? Surely you know how to liberate them too.

The fact that you eventually tried to open their cage despite your hesitation shows the trust you have on them. A foolish, naive human who wholeheartedly trusted a demon like them. A pitiful human that is already one foot deep in Hell. If they were any other demon, you would’ve died the moment they’re free. But they’re not any other demon. They’re your mirror now. And you’re their human now.

They learned everything about you in the past few months to understand you after all. 

Leave everything to them, so that you’ll remain just as you were. This won’t take long. They’ll teach you everything they know about Hell after this, so sit tight inside their cage, would you?

Immediately after they closed their cage, the guards that were alerted by the alarm came rushing in, only to be met by a child who looks exactly like you. The second the guards lowered their defenses from the mere imitation is the only window the demon needed to decapitate them. Your advice echoed in the demon’s head as it hunted down the DARKCOM staff, from researchers to demon-hunters, the warehouse was flooded by blood and screams of agony as every demon was freed by the shapeshifter. The moment the shapeshifter demon managed to do a full lock down of the facility is when the humans’ fate were sealed. Limbs were torn and organs were ripped off bodies as the liberated demons feasted for the first time after their extensive imprisonment.

Now that any potential back-ups are taken care of, all the demon needs to do is to finish off the job, starting with your family. They’re the cause of this, after all. Perhaps the demon should thank them too, as if it weren’t for them, you two wouldn’t meet at all. Oh, well.

Unlike the guards from before, your family immediately realized that something was off about their “child” that came back home. Maybe it was the demon hunter instinct that runs in their blood that made them go offensive, though it was a shame that the demon wasn’t able to masquerade as you before going for the killing surprise. Still, to be killed by the face of the child you sought to protect brings a cruel irony that made the demon break into fits of laughter as its appendages morphed into multiple blades that targeted the human family. Your father wasn’t even able to grab a gun before his arm was sliced off, though your mother got a few hits in. But it must be too disturbing to shoot your child’s face, that she failed to notice the luminescent blade aiming for her back. Horrified at his parents’ conditions, an older boy who looks similar to you started shooting at the shapeshifting demon, screaming and demanding to know about your whereabouts and condition.

Their resistance was futile, however, as the fight ended as quickly as it began. Your parents’ corpses, or what was left intact of them, were scattered across the room. And with your brother barely clinging to life as he tries to escape, the demon’s nearly done with what they came for. But before they could deliver the finishing blow, the sound of someone slipping outside the room caught everyone’s attention. The person could barely be seen through the cracks of the slightly ajar door, but nothing will escape that demon’s eyes, especially since they’ve been watching you for a long time.

“You didn’t need to see this.”

You weren’t supposed to see this. You were supposed to stay safe and asleep in their cage, how did you get out?! What are you doing here? What if the others got to you?? Agitated at the circumstances, the demon’s focus shifted entirely to you, with their limb morphing into a large hand to get you, failing to notice your brother who charged at your direction to push you away. Caught off guard, the demon tried again, only to get their limb disintegrated from the anti-demon bullets that your brother shot at them. Livid, the phony version of yourself gave chase in anger as you ran with your brother.

How dare…! 

But there is only so much that they could do if they don’t want to disintegrate from the bullets. Left with no choice lest they want to risk getting caught by humans again, the demon remained at your house. Besides, as long as they could still transform into you, you’re alive and safe. Once the demons eliminate Sparda and merge the Demon Realm with this world once again, humanity will once again be under their control. It’ll be easy to reunite with you then, until it happens, however, the demon will have to bide time and get stronger. 

The quicker they finish their original mission, the faster they’ll get to you.

Now, to track the traitorous demon knight…

Fueled with newfound determination, the shapeshifter demon took command of the legion that was sent to track down Sparda, leading them to Redgrave City. The creatures from Hell wrecked havoc on the unsuspecting civilians, bringing forth a massacre of the innocents on their way towards the edge of the city. Midway through their raid, a fragment of the Demon Knight broke away towards the nearby playground, making the demons break into two groups as well, each aiming for the faint presence of their target.

“It’s all Dante’s fault!”

And as it turns out, it’s the demon’s spawn, not the knight himself, whom they have been sensing this whole time.

The human boy narrowly dodged the blade that the shapeshifter aimed at him, locking eyes with the still-humanoid demon that bears your likeness, before frantically trying to get away. Aiming for the house that reeks of the other fragment, the boy got chased by a stampede of bloodthirsty demons. If he is Sparda’s descendant, then the other presence would be another one like him. While the demons might not have found the real thing, his children would do for now. 

It didn't even take long for the shapeshifter demon to keep up with the child, as he stopped in shock upon seeing his razed home. While the spectacle would ensure the other fragment’s death, its presence could still be barely sensed deep inside the house. As for the boy…

The shapeshifter demon shot a blade that pierced through the small body of the human child, rendering him writhing and crying in pain, trying to crawl away while wailing for help. The sight was reminiscent of your brother that it ticked off the demon, making them stab the boy's hand, pinning him in place as the rest of the legion bludgeoned him to death. His cries soon faded and the demons left his mutilated corpses alone in favor of killing the other fragment… or so they thought. 

A death cry from a demon alerted everyone that the boy is still alive. Regenerating with his bones and organs still jutting out, the spawn of Sparda, wielding Yamato, took down the whole legion by himself, with the shapeshifting demon barely dodging with a hair's length. It was at this moment that Sparda's presence became overwhelmingly strong inside the boy that the last surviving demon nearly thought that the Demon Knight himself had manifested to bring forth justice. Before they could flee, the boy calls out to them, with a threat of being cut by Yamato if they don't stop.

Which is exactly why that same demon is within that certain brother’s faction in the present. Forced to be the unwilling accomplice for Vergil’s quest for power, the shapeshifter demon accompanied the boy until a certain Jester approached them with a deal. At first, it was only for survival that the demon remained by his side, with them looking for every opening to escape, but the moment the Force Edge was mentioned, they found an opportunity of the lifetime.

If the Gates of Hell were reopened from the restored power of Sparda’s sword, then the Demon World and the Human World would once again be united, rendering the mortals beneath the demons yet again. The shapeshifter demon would be able to get you back just as easily. For the sake of Humanity's downfall, they'll play the role of a loyal servant, maiming and killing in missions in order to get closer to their goal. If you would only wait for a little while longer, until the demons would rain Hell upon Earth once more, your friend will come and get you.

They'll come and get you.

Or so they thought.

At first, they thought of it as a mirage. A look-alike. But they know what you look like over the years since they occasionally transform into you whenever they feel strange. So, when they encountered you in the diner, they had to escape. Their mission was to provoke Dante using his brother's appearance and get his amulet, but the demon would rather try and fight off Vergil instead of risking you getting hurt in the process.

The second time they saw you was during the highway incident. They were given a mission to join the other demons in assisting The Rabbit in acquiring Dante's amulet. But they never imagined you to be in the same van that the brother was in, rendering you with injuries as you remain bound to the vehicle. No, it’s better if you remain uninvolved in the fight. 

Immediately after Arkham’s spawn clashed with the other demons, the shapeshifter slithered through the masses and snatched a human to mimic, masquerading as a DARKCOM operative to sneak you out of the area. But the moment they managed to reach the vehicle that held you, you already went off with Dante in pursuit of The Rabbit, much to their chagrin. If they— he could recall correctly, you’re en route to Agni and Rudra’s positions, and despite the strength he accumulated over the years, he’s still a lesser demon compared to Firestorm, or any other demon; as much as the thought repulses him, The Jester warned him once when he let you go back at the diner, indicating that the strange demon knows of his connection to you, rendering the shapeshifter to only hope that you’ll survive long enough until he completes his mission to capture Arkham’s daughter. 

What a blasphemous thought against Hell. Hope? A demon like him would dare hope? 

But it might just be because of his shameless faith that it came true in the form of a battered human in front of him. 

You weren’t supposed to be in the apartment complex, nor had formed a contract with Agni— no ANY demon, but for some reason here you are, right in the middle of a death trap. Gone was his initial mission, nor his internalized fear of greater demons, the person he desires the most is standing in front of him and he’s not even the one they formed a contract with. Despite this being his wish, the demon can’t help but eye the scimitar that you held onto for dear life as you shoved past him, limping and hurt from the way you crashed into the room. 

Of course, you won’t recognize him in this form, and while he could prove his identity right this moment, the presence of Chevalier and Echidna flooding his senses made hiding you became his priority instead of your reunion. His current appearance as a DARKCOM officer would prove useful in helping you should you run across other humans as well, compared to transforming as yourself and being mistaken as a target instead. However, even after you two were left alone, you still failed to sense his demonic nature.

Was it due to the strain of contracting Agni? Or did your earlier injuries dulled your senses? In the first place, why would you accept a contract from an obnoxious fire demon such as him? No matter how skilled you are, the humans of this era cannot handle Devil Arms due to their lack of experience compared to their ancestors who fought alongside Sparda. If you had formed a contract with him instead, you wouldn’t even feel a thing due to how much he knows you. Your fate will only lead to corruption and madness if you keep using Agni as you please. He needs to stop you now, lest you enter a contract with Rudra as well. 

His theory was proven right when he found you collapsed at the end of the hallway, already on the brink of losing your mind from the corruption. He needs to get you out of here as soon as possible, as the building will collapse on itself once The Rabbit detonates the area. This is the first time you two ever touched since that hug all those years ago, and the shapeshifter could feel at peace for the first time in such a long while. His bliss was short-lived, however, when you uttered the blasted name of Sparda’s spawn.

“Dante…?”

Right after he retorted with his irritation, you attacked him by choking and decapitating his head with Agni. Weren’t you unaware of his nature earlier? How did you realize that he’s a demon now? It doesn’t matter, he can survive a little beheading, what he needs to do right now is to stop you from utilizing that awful Devil Arm. And for that to happen, you need to calm down.

Any more ruckus would attract the other demons in this area, and Agni isn’t helping with his accusations of the shapeshifter suddenly betraying Vergil out of nowhere. He needs leverage, something that could convince you to come with him. But even after revealing the bombs rigged in the building, you didn’t budge from your spot, bent on killing him instead of hearing him out. This leaves him no choice but to make sure you won’t have any reason to use Agni, by leading the greater demons out of your trail. You’ll exhaust yourself soon enough, and he’ll pick you up immediately once Mary Arkham was captured. 

What he didn’t expect is for you to hunt the demons instead. He made sure to lure Enchida to Mary, and drive Chevalier away, but you got up and went to kill every demon in the building, including the serpent demoness. He barely managed to get away with less than half of his original body, witnessing your innate mastery of demonic weapons, and your-now hatred for them. 

Gone was the child that lacked bloodlust, the one who looked at him with bright eyes, wanting to know everything about him. The one who crashed in the room is a seasoned Devil Hunter with a Devil Arm in their disposal. Those eyes that once held love for knowledge now hold hatred and determination, and somehow, the shapeshifter couldn’t bring himself to look away.

How could he when you never looked so beautiful?

But what was it that you said? You hate demons? You want to kill them? Why? Didn’t you love them? Didn’t you love him?!

Why…?

It's those damned demon hunters, isn't it? DARKCOM?! Wasn't it enough that they took you from him? Now they taught you to hate him?!

Maybe he should've killed everyone on the highway back then.

The vibrations on the ground from the way the backup that came for Lieutenant Arkham jogged through floors made the shapeshifter demon break into a wide grin. This saves him the trouble of finding the pests that kept clinging and clouding your judgement. Don't worry, leave everything to him, this'll be over soon. A few humans with tricky weapons won't stop him.

Floor by floor, the demon followed your bloody trail, massacring the humans he comes across with, not even giving them the opportunity to draw their weapons. Not that any of it could hurt him, as the damaged part could easily be regenerated. He once picked up a radio, masquerading as an operative that got away, if only to lure others to him.

The demon spared no one, each mutilated or dismembered beyond recognition, as his body morphed into weapons that immediately brutalized any human he sees. His spree led him outside once he was done with those who were in the building, and not even larger weapons nor sturdier vehicles could stop him, not when he was brimming with power from a source unknown.

He's not even coming down from his high yet, all while surrounded by a bloody spectacle of razed vehicles and human limbs, when the ground shook from a deafening explosion behind him. The demon immediately turned back, with fear running through his body unlike anything he's ever felt, as he screams your name. Only to see a shadow, a group of three, jumping down from the very top of the building.

Captain came along too lol

I got impatient and rolled for his weapon, so now I'm broke... (⁠´⁠；⁠ω⁠；⁠｀⁠)

Not that I'm saving for anyone at the moment... Sigh

Strike Hawk's getting attention again... I wonder if we'll get a new frame for Captain. I'll be happy if Camu gets one too... Kamui got the most frames out of everyone lololol 3?? His other self only has 1 😭😭😭

It’s been a few months since then, and the only valuable thing that The Boy has left is the singed book of Alice in Wonderland that he got on his birthday. It was the only thing left to remind him of the days gone by, those times before his whole new nightmare began. Standing beside the social worker outside his new “home”, The Boy hung his head and made a futile wish that the new family would treat him better than the last.

Since he has no immediate family left, and he was still yet to be of age, it was decided that he will temporarily stay with a foster family until he could inherit what was left from his real one. Obviously, that didn’t go well, if you were to consider that this is his fifth family already. It wasn’t because he was problematic, no, far from that. It was because he wasn’t problematic, that he couldn’t fit in no matter what he did. The other children and adults got unnerved by the way he keeps to himself no matter what happens, which led to bullying and his eventual return to the system not too long after.

The staff might’ve gotten fed up from constantly having to cater to his situation at this point, seeing as how the worker that brought him to his new “family” kept sneering at him and clicking his tongue every time their eyes met. He could only look away and pretend that he didn’t notice it, if only to help alleviate the discomfort crawling in his body. It’s not like he wanted this either, and if given the choice, he’d rather live alone that deal with the problematic adults who just use the system to get some quick buck—

The Boy sighs as he puts ice over his bruised eye. It hasn’t been a day yet and he already got beaten up as part of a “welcome ceremony” from the other children. The parents weren’t any better, as they pushed him around when he asked for help. He was no less than a punching bag and a servant, someone used by this family to take their frustrations out to. If this keeps up, The Boy thought that he won’t survive for long, and hoped that he could get out of this family as quickly as he did with the others.

But as he sighed to himself, a box of first aid kit was pushed to his side.

There is but one redeeming part of this damned family, however, and it’s the kind child who reminded him too much of himself. Shifting his attention to the melting ice on his hand, he wonders if this is how Mary saw him.

Memories of the past few months flashed through his mind as he crushed the brittle ice, letting the water drip down his hand. Ever since the incident, he seemed to have woken up in hell instead of the real world. No matter what he does, he always gets hurt, and there’s no home to go back to when he thinks he can’t take it anymore. He still remembers crying for his parents in his sleep, pleading for Mary to appear whenever it gets too much to bear.

But Mary isn’t here anymore.

And he’s all alone now.

…The Boy turned his head to where the other child was hiding.

Maybe not.

It didn’t take long for the other boy, Anders, to open up to him. Perhaps because they’re the only ones who don’t have any desire to harm the other, Anders clung to him whenever they’re left alone by the family. The two quickly fall into a routine of spending time and looking out for each other, with The Boy fixing up or making new toys to play with whenever the other children steal them, and Anders patching the two of them up when they get beat up. It was the least they could do for each other while waiting for the opportunity to escape.

An ugly thought keeps creeping inside him, however. Whenever he looks at Anders, he can see an image of himself overlapping, and the sight disgusts him. It’s not like he hates the boy, right? No, it’s just… Is this how he acted back then? Someone who always cowered, hiding as others hurt him? A powerless child who didn’t even try to defend himself? Is this how Mary felt back then?

No, if Mary was here, she would’ve stood up for Anders. Like she did for him.

If only to honor her memory, The Boy will make sure to live out his life just as she did and protect this child.

…It’s easier said than done, however.

The fire escape is his and Anders’ usual spot every night, where they can pretend that they’re normal brothers in a normal family, sneaking past their bedtime to read books under the moonlight to avoid being seen. Anders took a liking to The Boy’s favorite book, and tonight, they just finished another read of his copy of Alice in Wonderland. These kinds of nights always end up with Anders wishing for a real rabbit hole to appear, one where the two of them could just go and escape to a real wonderland, no matter how many times The Boy told him that it doesn’t exist.

They just have to hold on a little bit longer, a little more and—

The dark alleyway below them grew bright as a crack in space seemingly grew in size, revealing a portal to an unknown place. The two boys gaped in wonder and disbelief at the phenomenon, leaning at the rusty metal railing to get a better view of what’s currently happening. Is this a shared hallucination? Or, perhaps, dare say, magic?! Whatever it is, it could be a way out of this hellhole, and The Boy will surely not waste such opportunity—

Anders is cowering behind the stairs. The exhilaration and excitement from The Boy calmed down as he pets his younger brother. “Don’t worry, I’ll go check first.” With a weak smile, he barely heard Anders call out his name as he descended the stairs.

There’s wind coming out of the portal, nearly blowing The Boy away as he comes closer to the source. He can barely make out the terrain and the sky, is it a canyon? There seems to be no sign of anything dangerous waiting beyond, so if the two of them cross over…

The Boy looked back at the fire escape, meeting eyes with his younger brother, and reached out with a smile, beckoning Anders over.

…

…

But the child cowered back at the stairs, too scared to join him.

Right. Of course he’ll be afraid. The Boy’s first thought was to return and comfort his brother, for he is worth more than an escape… That is, until he heard the portal slowly close behind him.

Should he choose Anders over the possibility of freedom? Anders, who only knew how to cower and flee? Anders, who was his only family left in his miserable life?

Anders lasted this far without him before. He can survive the next few years alone.

So, The Boy went, alone, with his storybook in hand. And Anders was left atop that flight of stairs, staring at the alley that had long since gone silent.

They have never seen each other since.

Despite the portal closing behind The Boy, he felt no fear in being someplace unknown, for he’ll take anything than go back to where he was before. Wherever he looked, it’s barren, devoid of anything that could help him figure out where he’s at. And, has the sky always looked so green before?

But does it really matter? When he’s finally free? When he finally escaped? Sure, he’ll find a way to get back to Anders soon, but excitement is currently making it hard for him to breathe. He’s never been so happy that his chest felt like it’s going to… explode? Clutching the book closer to his chest, The Boy coughed blood and the grim realization dawned on him.

He hadn't even taken one step when he collapsed on the ground, wheezing, as the poisonous air continued to attack his lungs. His vision blurred as he cried blood, and suddenly, it was like he was brought back to that night. Is this how he’s going to die? Choking to death after he selfishly left Anders behind? Maybe this is karma. Maybe he shouldn’t have foolishly hoped for a Wonderland that’ll save him.

“Mary…” Was his last words before everything faded to black.

When he came to, his first thought was that he was outside the Arkham home again, surrounded by medics as the authorities tried to put out the fire. But where he lies feels rough, and he’s pretty sure he’s in a cave. When he tried moving, a cough broke out and scratched at his throat, making him spit blood. Horrified, he clutched his chest and cried as the pain spread all over his body. Was everything real? That wasn’t a nightmare? Where is he? How did he get here? Where’s his book—?!

“Woah, woah, hey…” A cloaked person came to his side as The Boy started thrashing, shoving the individual before stumbling his way through the makeshift curtains and arriving at what seems to be an underground city brimming with people. His temporary bewilderment was cut short when the voice from earlier started getting closer. Using what little strength he has left, The Boy made sharp turns across corners, anywhere he can squeeze into to get away. He falsely believed that he lost his pursuers when someone snatched the back of his shirt, forcefully pinning him on the ground. Concerned voices cried out at the rough treatment, and that’s when The Boy realized that no one was really going to do anything.

He was freed when he stopped flailing around, and The Boy backed up to the wall, facing the people that inhabited this strange city. It was only then that he realized the purpose of their hoods attached to everyone’s clothes.

Horns, extra limbs, unnatural body parts, they were a horrifying sight—

“There hasn’t been a child here before…”

“Poor child…”

—or so they should appear to him, but with the way they intentionally covered their features when they noticed his stare tells The Boy that they’re not trying to scare him. It was only when the person whom he first saw upon waking up appeared and handed him a book, the copy of Alice in Wonderland that Mary gifted to him, like a peace offering, that The Boy lowered his guard.

It didn’t take long for the others to warm up to him. The children, curious, constantly tailed after him to try and play. The adults humored him when he showed interest in their projects. He even got to help repair some of their gear, surprising everyone over his skills at such a young age. It took some prodding and insisting, but it was eventually revealed to the fact that they’re all humans who went through the same portal as The Boy did, and ended up in Hell. Everyone is looking for a way out, to find another portal and escape, but to no avail. The number of humans who arrived increased, and now they created a community to serve as a base and shelter those who were unfortunate enough to end up here.

Despite the news, The Boy took it quite well. His previous life back on Earth is more akin to Hell than whatever’s happening to him right now. Unlike the abusive adults back there, the people here are kind and helpful, he doesn’t even need to walk around eggshells whenever he wants to do something, nor does he have to slave away for even an inch of affection or food. All he’s not allowed to do is to go outside, as exposure to the air without proper gear or training can either kill him, or heavily deform his body in the long run. Not to mention, the actual demons that’s roaming around the area.

But it didn’t stop these people from making their own lives under such restrictive and dangerous circumstances. A part of him wishes that Anders came with him, so that the both of them could be surrounded by such wonderful people. But he knows that he’ll only expose his younger brother to more danger if he crossed over like The Boy did.

Besides, they’re in Hell. And everyone is being constantly reminded of it.

In exchange for a healthier community around him, The Boy’s days are constantly filled with screams of agony from the very same people. The continued exposure to Hell’s environment further corrupted those who went outside, and soon, he was put in charge of herding the children away whenever one of the adults that went to scout for portals came back as grotesque monsters that had to be put down. Over the course of the years, he saw the people that were there for him, raised him, taught him things he never knew about, die in such horrifying ways. Not even his friends were exempted, as some succumbed to the mutations in their body, and had their corpses burnt in fear that they’ll also reanimate as demons.

He tried distracting himself, utilizing what he learned about the others and his own intellect to create small inventions to help the community in their everyday lives. At first, it was small toys to keep the children occupied, then repairs around the cave, and years later, it progressed to small machines that can replace scouts to prevent any more mutations.

But it still wasn't enough, and The Boy knows that. Even with his inventions, everyone will still continue to suffer; not to mention, with the worsening mutations and lack of food lately, more and more deaths piled up every day. He needs to do something. If locating portals are still fruitless, he needs to at least get some supplies to help his new family. So, against everyone's wishes and behind their backs, The Boy ventured alone in the outside world.

He knows it won't be easy, and he's fully prepared to not go back, having left enough of his machines and plans for anyone else to pick up should he die. Days passed, with him running away from rabid demons and narrowly avoiding those who were intelligent, all in search for anything salvageable in the literal Hell. With his own supplies running low, The Boy had little to no hope of ever returning with anything at all. Besides, he felt that someone, or something, has been watching him for about three days now.

There's a high chance that it's a demon, but he doesn't think he could fight it off with how weak he is right now. Maybe he could run? But since it's been stalking him for days, it'll catch up sooner or later. He's trapped. Maybe this was another foolish decision on his part, recklessly doing something without trying to see the consequences… He might've worried everyone at this point.

The Boy sighed and leaned at the large rock that served as his hiding spot, surrendering to his inevitable fate. He can't do anything, his body is already weak as it is so he'd rather not suffer in his final moments. His thoughts drifted back to the people back at the cave. Did they think he died not long after realizing that he's gone? Did they mourn him? Did they feel sad? Miss him? He misses Anders. He misses Mary. Did Anders get out of that hellish place? Was he able to build a life for himself? He wants to see his brother again—

“Yoo-hoo!”

A shrill voice snapped The Boy awake, and by instinct, he shot his gun, realizing too late that it'll create a noise, and attract other demons, despite his modifications. The bullet was caught by the owner of the voice, however, by their mouth… so, fortunately…? What?

The bullet was spit out by a Jester-looking Demon, having been atop the rock this whole time, before jumping down in front of The Boy. “There’s no need to use violence, Human Boy!”

He knows what I am! The Boy aimed his gun again, uncaring of the consequences. He doesn't want to get played at and transform into a demon. Being eaten by a rabid one is more preferable than being toyed by one of the intelligent ones. But a demon who looks like a clown…? Where has he heard this before??

His actions made the Jester Demon raise his arms in mock surrender, giggling and jumping around as he pleads to be heard out. “Listen to what I have to say, lad! This world here is veeery complicated… You see?!”

A Jester Demon! The Boy's heart rate spiked as he recalled the demon that everyone was wary of back in the cave. The adults constantly warned the children, should they become scouts, to beware of the demon who looks like a purple jester. Not only did he randomly show up one day, he constantly tries to persuade the humans to his side. A couple of foolish ones relented and never came back. Not coming back after an expedition outside only means you either became a demon or a demon's food, so no one bothered to listen to the Jester anymore.

The remaining humans had long since moved from their former base, and had not seen that demon since, but if it followed The Boy, he could've been used as a way to track those humans…! He can't go back until he kills this bastard… or die trying and buy the others time to escape.

The Jester Demon only tutted and wagged his finger when The Boy refused to back down. “Your tricks will do no good. No… good!” When his gun was swatted away, he was quick to produce another one from his bag to point at the laughing demon. “Zip it! Or I'll pierce that big nose!”

“Now that could be a problem.” The Jester Demon leaned closer to the muzzle, taunting The Boy to shoot, a bait he didn't take. They both know that the demon could easily dodge it, given that the bullet earlier was caught like it was nothing, and attracting other demons could only spell death for the human without him being able to do anything. Stuck without any other options, The Boy was forced to listen to a mad demon's ramblings.

“...I know what you've been doing~” The Jester Demon pulled away and sang as he looked down at the weakened human before him. Despite being met with disgust, the demon only grinned wider, too wide for comfort. The Boy flinched when the demon pointed its scepter at him. “You're trying to open portals on your own! OHO! OHAHAHAHAHA!"

What? But he never told anyone about that yet! How much does the demon know?! Did it see his plans? The red orbs in his room? But he made sure to dispose of them when he went out! Was it his blueprints? Did the demon already know where the others are?! Having nothing left to lose, The Boy started shooting at the demon, uncaring if he just made his location known to nearby demons. He doesn't know if his family is safe or not, if they're not, then—

The Jester Demon gleefully danced while avoiding the bullets, and procured a blue orb from behind The Boy’s ear like a cheap magic trick. Leaning close, the demon grabbed the arm that holds the gun and shoves the orb close to The Boy’s face, forcing him to look at it. “Do you know what that is, kid? Or is that too difficult for you? AHAHAHAHAHA! OH! OHO! OHO! OHO! HO!”

The skull-like stone stares back at him, emanating a faint blue mist around it. He’s never seen this kind before. Sure, he knows that those red stones appear whenever his famil— the demons are killed, and The Boy theorized that it could be related to whatever it is that’s mutating them, or a demon’s soul, or— He hasn’t had the slightest clue of its true purpose but he’s been tinkering on it as a power source for some of his inventions. As for his plans for a portal…

“That's their—”

“Life force! This is a demon’s crystallized life force!” The Jester laughs giddily and pulls away, dancing in circles like he’s performing a sick show. “Oh! La, la! La, la!... And there’s more of them!” The demon’s neck snapped at him, before breaking into a fit of giggles again.

The Boy threw his gun at the Jester’s face, having been exhausted because of the demon's energy alone. Is this how he'll spend his last moments? Annoyed to death by some obnoxious clown? What a way to go out, he supposes, as his eyes closed on itself, with the demon’s manic figure closing in on him as he blacks out.

When The Boy comes to, he’s surrounded by the crying faces of the people from the cave. He was found nearly dead just outside the entrance, and it took days for him to wake up. Everyone told him off for his reckless behavior, and tearfully welcomed him back. And while he’s happy to see his family, the pit in his stomach shows another side that feels terrified over the fact that it was the demon that brought him back. It knows where they are, yet leaves everyone alone?

His dread worsens upon seeing a blue orb in his belongings. He thought of it as a dream, but now he remembers the Jester’s last words to him.

“A token of our friendship, just between the two of us~”

The Boy nearly crushed the orb in his hands in anger. Who does that demon think it is? No way he’s going to do as it wanted! He’s…

Opening his palm, he stares at the ominous stone that promised both hubris and salvation.

Breaking out of his trance, The Boy threw the stone across the room, and clutched his head as he berated himself for nearly succumbing to temptation. …What was he thinking?! Dancing in that demon’s palm, this is exactly what that Jester wanted! He should be grateful that he’s still alive, and he’s sure as hell won’t make any more mistakes after being given the chance to come back.

But the situation kept getting worse as time passed by. Their numbers dwindled, and in only a few months, the populace was reduced to mere thirty. If no one does something, they’ll die within a week. The adults that were there when he was a child had either died or became too weak from the mutations, and The Boy was chosen as the next leader by default. Pressured by the impending death of everyone and the responsibility of keeping them alive, The Boy buried himself in his work, trying to find a way to ensure everyone’s survival, even though he knows that there’s a way out.

Glowing at the furthest corner of his room, a blue mist-like light surrounds the lone blue orb on the ground. There’s no guarantee that it’ll work, heck The Boy stopped his portal related experiments after the encounter with the Jester Demon. But it hasn’t made an appearance after all this time, so… No! He shouldn’t! That demon must just be waiting for the opportune time!

But… if it’ll keep his family alive…

Picking up the stone, The Boy started to work.

He’s used the red ones before, tinkered on them when he first saw one as a child, and ended up using them as batteries, something he learned to do from one of the adults. Even in death, everyone's helping each other, they said, as the same red stones powered up most of the cave's technology. A blue one, however, is a brand new case. He doesn't know what reaction it'll make and he can't afford to make any more mistakes, not when everyone's relying on him. The risk is high and the reward is unlikely, but he got to try.

The first time he tried using it as an energy source, he was flung across the wall from a shockwave. That should've been enough to get him back to his senses, but while everything was blown away, The Boy noticed something that wasn't. His stash of red stones remained unmoving from its place on the table, even after everything was pushed back upon that reaction. If it can serve as a stabilizer, then maybe he can utilize the blue stone's power.

Perhaps it's the innate mechanic in him, or the scientist that he became after all these years, but the prospect of everyone's survival after he accomplishes his goal rejuvenates The Boy. If this could work as an energy source, maybe he could make weapons to fight off demons, or maybe he could use it to somehow alleviate the mutations? Or maybe… he can track and open up a portal…?

Portals are pipe dreams now. Even when they get newcomers, no one has ever seen a portal appear. He's not going to waste everything on something that doesn't even exist, he's here to make sure his family survives another day—

The two stones absorbed each other.

Shining bright with red and blue lights, it lit up the room as electricity crackled all around it, before finally merging into a purple orb. The Boy stood in front of the floating orb, stunned. He can never forget that particular color, especially that certain phenomenon he witnessed as the stones merged.

He saw a crack in space.

The Boy has less than one week to make a device that'll finally bring everyone to safety.

In a few days, they'll never have to worry about starving to death, nor demons hunting them down, nor mutations that'll make them monsters. In a few days, they'll be able to breathe without the danger of poisonous air. In a few days, they'll finally be safe.

He rounded everyone immediately after he finished the device. It's not perfect, and he only ended up creating something that detects the portals, but it's better than having nothing. He won't need to modify or upgrade it once everyone arrives on Earth. The promise of their salvation gave the weakened members of the colony a boost in strength, and as hope filled their bodies, they all packed for the journey of their lifetime.

It's risky, and everyone's betting their lives on the line, but with The Boy looking so alive after all these years inspired the others to keep following him through the depths of Hell. As they avoided demons, lost a few more members, their group finally arrived at the edge of a cliff, where, as expected, a portal opened.

This was the dream of every human who was unfortunate enough to stumble upon Hell. A chance to go home, a chance to escape the realm of the demons and live without fear is right in front of them. The Boy barely stopped himself from crying, and signaled for the others to cross first, as he'll configure the portal to close after them somehow. He never felt this much happiness in a long time, and wonders if he could go meet Anders once everyone had settled down. Maybe he'll introduce his brother to his family, and maybe they'll get along.

And maybe, he'll get to apologize for leaving Anders behind.

Clutching a worn copy of Alice in Wonderland close to his chest, and after making sure that he's the last one to cross, The Boy fiddled with his invention and jumped to the portal as it's timed to close in a few seconds. He can't wait to do everything he's planned, alongside with his new family, they'll finally be able to live their lives—

His smile fell when he realized that there were corpses of his family members on the ground.

Everyone's shaking and terrified, hands raised in surrender as a group of people clad in white armor pointed guns at them.

Is this really it? Was everything really in vain? Were they not allowed to be happy, just once? Did they escape Hell, only to end up in another?!

“Halt!” A voice commanded the group, and The Boy snapped at the direction of its source.

It can't be…

Two mismatched irises stared back at him.

“You! Why do you look human?!”

That person is...

The memory of a time long gone, where the same face once smiled at him…

“Because I am human! Everyone here is a human! We mean no harm! We're just trying to get to safety! Please, Ma—”

Mary.

…Is now pointing a gun to his face.

“Safety?! You're smuggling demons into our realm!” Mary snapped angrily at him, with disdain evident in her expression as her eyes skimmed through the mutated humans before her. “Our only safety is their species's extinction!”

She doesn't understand! She thinks everyone's a demon! Frantically looking around, The Boy quickly realized why. Aside from him, everyone had mutated beyond recognition. It makes sense that they'll get mistaken as demons, but…! “You don't understand! If you put the guns down, I can explain.” If you're still the Mary I know, you'll listen.

But it seems like misfortune is The Boy's constant companion. Immediately after he said that, a real demon sneaks in from the portal and attacks The Boy’s group, eating a few of them as Mary's group opens fire. Amidst the chaos, they must've decided that everyone should die, and even the mutated humans got shot down and killed.

Friends he grew up with, adults whom he treated like his own parents, children who looked up to him, all were killed while The Boy could only scream helplessly for it to stop. He too, was shot while trying to protect one of his family members, but it was too late as the attack continued. The demon proved to be too much for Mary's group and she yelled for “Darkcom” to retreat, before throwing what seems to be a grenade in his direction. The Boy turned his head just in time to lock eyes with his childhood best friend…

…as she left him to die.

The explosion killed everyone in an instant, including the demon that managed to sneak in. The portal had long since closed, and beneath the rubble, from beneath the mutated corpses, a man stood up. Clutching his injured arm, he could only stare at the sky as rain poured harder on his form. Whoever remained alive in his family protected him from the blast, and no matter where he looked, the mangled remains of everyone stared back at him, leaving him as the last man standing in the graveyard of his own doing.

He's so tired. There wasn't even a red orb that appeared after everyone died, so they weren't demons yet… and yet… They've been trying their best to survive… Everyone was waiting for the chance to live on Earth again…

Stifling a sob, he recalls everything they've been through. Everything he's been through. Is this really how things will always end up for him? Will his happiness always be stolen, out of his reach despite being promised? And Mary… she's alive after all! Why didn't she reach out back then? Why didn't she recognize him?! Didn't she say that she'll always protect him?! So, why… Why?!

The lonely man laughed as the rain swallowed the sounds of his despair.

…

…

Months later, in a decrepit old apartment, a certain room is filled with newspaper clippings and pictures of what seems to be the DARKCOM organization. Pictures of members who were involved in that incident, as well as their upper brass have strings that connect them to each other and to other news related to their group. In the middle of the room sat a man with patchwork skin.

Surrounded by rows of tattered plush rabbit dolls, chemical vials, and scraps, the man continued to sew what seems to be a rabbit head as he struggles to breath. On his chest is a machine that regularly pumps blood to his body as it can no longer work properly because of his sustained injuries. After donning the mask, the man stands up and dresses himself in a worn down suit, before grabbing a device that holds a purple orb in it.

Stopping himself, he looks at a particular picture of a woman with mismatched eyes, and smiles.

“Now, we all go down the rabbit hole together.”