Chapter 11: It's not as fun as it was.

A few days passed since Shin raided the mansion and brought the knives important to Kirin and brought a new companion in the name of Odessa.

"Shin... Isn't this...? Isn't..." Kirin is panting.

"Shin...! Oh god.. Shin." Kirin screamed.

Shin's eyes twitches, he stopped trying to stretch her. "Jesus... Calm your tone down. You won't know when you need to be extra flexible..."

Shin sigh. "I'm sorry. I forced you too much."

Kirin catches her breath and compose herself, she sat next to Shin.

"Are you bother about the future war?" She asked, her voice is soothing and soft.

"...Yes I am, I'm going to leave this place for a long time with Sen... Without Vermis Guiding this place while we're gone makes me worried." Shin sigh.

Kirin leaned into Shin's shoulder. "You're too close to me and the word 'Space' just doesn't exist in your vocabulary huh?" Shin said without any really putting up a resistant to her closeness.

"Well~ it's only to you though because I like you!"

Poor Shin, he doesn't have any fucking clue if she was flirting or being friendly. And he calls himself smart.

Anyway let's go to the point of view of the others.

"I still can't believe Angels, heaven, hell, and God exist!" Oddesa yapped, her voice filled with disbelief.

Sen and Kaide had already accepted her, as had everyone else—especially Kirin. She understood that Oddesa's involvement with the group that killed her friends was not her choice. Oddesa had been forced into that role, used as nothing more than a tool because of her ascendance, the ability to sense the strength of others. The people behind those deaths had manipulated her, making her complicit, but never truly a part of their cause.

Kirin had handled the situation maturely, never once lashing out at Oddesa. She knew that Oddesa herself wasn't to blame—her comrade's killers were buried deep under the soil of the earth, their punishment served.

During the mansion raid, when Shin had taken on the entire group alone, killing them all, Oddesa had been freed from the shackles of their control.

"Thank you for letting me stay here!" Oddesa said, grateful for their understanding.

"Well, Oddesa, this place is made especially for people in need," Sen smiled softly, his voice kind.

"He's right," Kaide added, "This place is a safe haven for anyone who needs it, away from the dangers of the outside world."

The place, the settlement, looked as peaceful and well-maintained as usual. People went about their tasks—cleaning, farming, raising livestock like fish and chickens—creating a harmonious atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Kirin and Shin were in the training ground, alone together. The others—Sen, Kaide, and Odessa—were enjoying a peaceful meal in the cafeteria.

Kirin leaned on Shin's shoulder, her voice breaking the silence. "Shin... May I ask...? How deadly can you be for someone you cared for?"

Shin didn't push her away, nor did he resist. He simply let her rest against him. It was warm, and honestly, it felt comforting.

Shin glanced down at her, his tone casual but edged with intensity. "Huh? You know how heavy a 10-story building is? Probably a few hundred, maybe a few thousand tons. I'd crush everything in my path for someone I cared for. Does that satisfy your curiosity?"

Kirin smiled softly, then clung to him even more, her voice almost playful. "It does."

Shin couldn't understand. Why was Kirin always so close to him? He wasn't anything special—at least, that's what he thought.

"Why do you always stick so close to me?" he asked, not pushing her away but genuinely curious. "I don't mind, but... you're the only woman besides my mom who's ever been this close."

Kirin giggled. "Well, we're the same age… and besides, you're actually pretty approachable. We're alike, you know?"

Shin scoffed. "Approachable? Me? Now you're just messing with me. Most people are terrified of me."

Kirin chuckled and then playfully said. "Because they never saw your smile~ only that serious cold face."

Shin chuckled and then smiled softly. "See~! They never got to see that smile!" Kirin said.

"That still doesn't change the fact that you are always sticking to me." Shin shake his head, a small smile formed in his face.

The two of them were getting closer than they expected.

"Alright, enough of this for now. Get back to training," Shin said softly, gently nudging her to move.

"Yeahhh... Got it," Kirin lazily tried to get back up.

A few hours passed, and the sun had set.

Shin and Sen were alone, having a conversation while the rest of the people were going about their own things—eating and gathering together.

Leaning against the wall, Shin let out a sigh. "It's been so fucking long since I felt at home."

"Yeah, me too," Sen agreed.

"Say, Sen... do you think we'll ever get a life we don't deserve?" Shin asked.

Sen leaned his back against the wall as well. "What do you mean?"

"We argued back then. About me making deals with demons—you were really against it, Sen."

"Well... yeah, I was. And I still don't like it. But after I found out that you did it to get rid of that man—a horrible man, a horrible father, and husband—I understood what you meant. Once I cleared my head, I realized you didn't do it out of greed or corruption. You did it for survival... and dominance."

"Besides," Sen continued, "that man you fed to the demons? He was one of the higher-ups of that so-called regime you told me about. It's all connected, isn't it?"

"Unfortunately, yes," Shin muttered. "Once we find out where they are and how strong they are... we'll be going up against an entire country. A country with military firepower strong enough to wipe out others with ease."

"But I'm not afraid. What about you?"

Sen scoffed. "A little... No, it's not dying that scares me. I'm afraid that if we die on one of our missions, the people here will lose their protectors. Yes, Vermis can defend them, but still... I want to see them all safe."

Shin chuckled. "Me too. Funny how dying isn't scary, but leaving people behind is what really bothers us."

The two brothers exchanged laughs.

"Hey, changing the topic for a bit—Kaide's younger brothers keep asking me to teach them Ascendance," Sen said.

"You mean Hans, Yin, and Ren?" Shin crossed his arms, curiosity flickering in his expression.

"Yeah, they won't stop asking," Sen sighed.

"Let's teach them—because why the fuck not? But we're not gonna train them like Vermis trained us. They won't become killers or war machines like us. And they definitely won't be breaking bones," Shin said calmly.

"Kirin and Kaide are already training under us. Adding more people means more good Ascendance users under our guidance," Shin added.

"What about the men and husbands in the settlement? Should we try to make them Ascendance users too?" Sen asked.

"Nah, they have their own lives. Let them be with their wives, their girlfriends—let them have a normal life here. If they want to learn, we'll train them. But we won't force or convince them," Shin replied.

The brothers went inside to join the others, and unsurprisingly, everyone was happy to see them.

As always, Kirin gravitated toward Shin, and he let her, settling beside her. Sen, on the other hand, took a seat next to Kaide.

"Are you drunk?" Shin asked, noticing Kirin's hiccups.

"Shin~!" she mumbled, leaning into him before eventually falling asleep against his shoulder.

Kaide giggled. "You do realize she's in love with you, right?"

Shin glanced at Kirin, watching her peaceful breathing. She was deep asleep. "Yeah, I figured that out pretty easily."

Standing up, he carefully lifted her into his arms. "I'm taking her to her room."

Kaide smirked. "You're not planning to have your way with her, are you~?" she teased.

Shin instantly frowned, making Kaide giggle. "I'm just joking~"

He scoffed, shrugging it off before carrying Kirin away. Once in her room, he gently laid her on the bed.

For a moment, he simply watched her sleep. "I get your hints pretty easily… You're the most cheerful, kind, and down-to-earth person I know."

Sitting down beside her, he sighed. "We only met a few days ago. And yet, that night, I killed the people who took your friends from you… I did that for justice. And for you."

His gaze softened. "You're the only one who's never feared me… It's refreshing. I don't even know what to say anymore."

He scoffed lightly. "I've had women flirt with me before… but thanks to this Ascendance, I can see right through them. Some only found me attractive for a one-night stand. Some saw me as terrifying. Others just saw a broken guy. But you… You're the only one who saw me as a kind, genuine person who just happened to have a bad life."

He clenched his jaw slightly. "The people I save—they see the real me after they realize I'm protecting them. But you? From the very beginning, you trusted your instincts. You actually fell for someone like me…"

His voice dropped to a whisper. "When I told you I kill bad people, you didn't try to be naive. You understood. You didn't just see me as a killer who saves innocent lives—you saw me… And that's something I haven't felt in the past seven years of living in this ruined world."

Shin chuckled. "God, I sound like a simp."

Kirin, still asleep, shifted to the other side.

Shin stood up and calmly said, "Goodnight."

He pushed the handle's lock and closed the door behind him, securing it from the outside so no one could enter.

Unbeknownst to him, Kirin slowly opened her eyes, tears welling up. She couldn't quite tell if they were tears of joy or relief, but she knew one thing for sure—it felt good.

"Am I… that predictable, you idiot?" she whispered to herself.

Before she could dwell on it any longer, the alcohol kicked in again, pulling her back into sleep. But this time, she drifted off with a smile, happy that something had happened tonight.

Somewhere in the vast unknown, Vermis soared through the sky at incredible speed, breaking the sound barrier multiple times.

The shockwaves that would normally tear apart any living being—human or demon—had no effect on him. His body, his face, and his will remained unshaken.

With each powerful thrust of his wings, he carved through the air, creating flares of light as particles ignited around him.

He was heading toward the gate of hell—to visit an old friend.

"I can't believe those two really believe me that it will take me 2 months to get to hell." Vermis talked to himself while continuesly breaking sound barrier after sound barrier.

"...It kinda does... It always took me a year to try and talk to Lucif. Hmm... The last time I spoke to him is? Shit it's at 1945. When I just wanna be sure that the leaders of Axis got in hell."

"I'm sorry, Lucif... I'm not gonna blame you for thinking I only visit you when I need something from you."

Hours passed. Thousands upon thousands of sound barriers shattered behind him as Vermis surged forward, unrelenting.

And finally, he arrived. Hell's Gate loomed before him, an impossible monolith of torment and regret.

Without hesitation, he stepped through.

The demons that remained in Hell recoiled in fear at the sight of an archangel, scurrying away like vermin. But Vermis paid them no mind.

"Now... where did that guy tie himself up this time?" he muttered, glancing around the endless wasteland of suffering.

It didn't take long to find him.

Lucifer.

Bound to a throne of jagged obsidian, his body pierced by countless needles—long, thick, and rusted, driven deep into his flesh. They didn't stop. The moment his wounds healed, the needles plunged back in, over and over, an endless cycle of agony.

Lucifer barely lifted his head. His eyes, once radiant, were now hollow embers.

"...What do you want? Can't you see I'm suffering for my sin against humanity?" His voice was hoarse, each word laced with exhaustion.

Vermis grimaced at the sight but stepped forward. "You've been... creative with how you punish yourself. Come on, brother. Enough already."

He reached out, but Lucifer's hand twitched, stopping him.

"No... Don't you get it?" Lucifer's breath hitched as another wave of needles sank into his flesh, tearing through his nerves like molten iron. Blood pooled beneath him, only to vanish into the throne as if Hell itself refused to let him die.

"Even if you've all forgiven me... I still rebelled against our Father... against God." His voice cracked as fresh wounds bloomed across his body, only to be torn open again.

Vermis exhaled sharply, watching his brother drown in self-inflicted torment.

Silence filled the air, heavy and suffocating, until Lucifer finally broke it.

"...State your business here… and drop that disgusting disguise." He barely flinched as countless needles burrowed into his flesh, piercing through muscle and bone, only to regenerate and impale him again.

Vermis nodded. His monstrous form—an entity of countless eyes and wings—faded away, revealing a man. A young man.

Lucifer let out a faint chuckle, though pain still laced his voice. "You're still the youngest, huh?"

Vermis gave a small nod and sat before him, enduring the grotesque sounds of his brother's endless torment.

"Come on, we don't have all day," Lucifer muttered. "Spit it out."

The commanding, confident presence Vermis once carried shattered in an instant.

"Heaven… is falling apart," he admitted. "Ever since Father disappeared seven years ago, Michael and Gabriel have been struggling to hold everything together. Countless souls… angels… it's all in chaos—"

His voice faltered. He exhaled shakily. "And on Earth… we're desperately trying to find out what happened. I— I'm sorry. I should've come to tell you in person. Instead, I sent a letter and left you here…"

Vermis lowered his head. "The last time I saw you was in 1945. You must've been furious—Father vanished without a word, and the only thing you got was a damn piece of paper."

The relentless grinding of the machines suddenly stopped.

Lucifer reached forward, his chains rattling, and gripped Vermis' shoulder. "I get it… you're having a panic attack."

His voice softened, almost hesitant. "How are they…? Gabriel? Michael?"

And then...

Tears started flowing, followed by an uncontrollable sobbing, Vermis cannot hold it anymore, the weight, the pressure, everything.

In just a second, Lucifer's body regenerate and he breaks the chains that are holding him. He held Vermis close.

"Hey... Get a grip brother." Lucifer looked at him, sympathy filled his eyes.

"Our brothers... Always doubt me, without you anymore, they just constantly doubt me... Pressured me, made fun of me, there's no one to protect me anymore from brother Michael, and brother Gabriel..."

Lucifer held him very tight. "I'm sorry... You've been through a lot... You're the youngest yet you get the heaviest responsibility..."

Vermis sobbed uncontrollably. "I can't... I can't do it anymore..."

Lucifer couldn't stand his younger brothe's cries, He finally snapped.

"let's go. Let's go back and take control on heaven. Set things back in balance."

In just a second, Lucifer's anger towards the angels that gave his little brother doubt, pressure, and frustrations, shook the entire hell.

A few moments of comforting, Lucifer and Vermis head towards heaven. It will take them a whole day to reach heaven.

Back to our beloved main characters.

"That's one fucked up looking hamster..." Shin said with disdain.

"What? That's a demon walking around. How the fuck did you mistake it with a hamster?" Sen said, his face says "unbelievable"

Sen, took a look on Shin's face. "Shit... Does your poor eye sight coming back again? Is Vermis spell for your eyes already wearing off?"

"And why hamster? Demons are red, sometimes dark."

Shin scoffed with annoyance. "Dude what the fuck? Don't shame me..."

"It's not my fault I'm born with bad eyesight. Blame the fucking DNA strand not me. And it's not my fault that that demon looks like a fucking hamster in my eyes." Shin complained.

"Yeah, I get it stop complaining... We need the uhmm... Contact lense you use to see when we're kids." Sen said.

Shin sighed... Frustrated that he feel weak with this disability he got since birth.

"Don't trip." Sen reminded Shin.

"First off all... How? I can't see if there's a small bump in the way? All I can see is blurry things with the color of the things."

"That's like asking me "Oh Shin you must find the perfect woman for you" like the fuck I know!"

"I'm a virgin! Every women I met either feared me, saw me as a one night stand only and never saw me for who am I!"

Sen sigh. "Look, I get it geez."

They got the eye contacts for Shin. He wore them, and everything became clear again. He went back to his room, laid on the bed, took off the contacts, and took a nap.

8 years ago, before the world went to shit.

"Shin! Sen! You'll be late for school! Hurry up!" their mother called.

"Yes, Mom... Just a moment. Let's go, Sen," a young Shin, 14 years old, said, nudging his 12-year-old brother.

They kissed their mom on the cheek before heading out. "Be careful!" their mother called as they left. Their dad, preparing for work, quickly kissed his wife.

"Our boys are growing up so fast," he said.

She smiled. "Yeah, they did. I'm happy they grew up kind, never wanting to hurt anything."

Their names were Mia and Yohan, the beloved parents of Shin and Sen, who tragically lost their lives at the beginning of the demon attack.

Shin and Sen happily ran to school, not caring about being late.

But then, two teenage students blocked their path.

"Shin! We've been waiting for you," one of them sneered.

Shin nudged his little brother to go ahead, faking a smile. Sen nodded and happily skipped toward school.

"What do you want...? I already... paid my way yesterday... Please, I don't have any more money," Shin said, trying to defuse the situation.

"This is for me... My lunch money," Shin pleaded.

The bullies didn't care. "Who the heck cares? Your family's rich, give us your money, and maybe we'll let you go without slapping you... or worse."

Shin, out of fear, lowered his head and handed over his lunch money.

"There we go. You're not a dumbass after all," one bully said. "You're our little money machine, got it?"

Shin didn't have the strength to fight back, so he nodded quietly.

But that wasn't enough. They slapped Shin. "Ha! What a slappable face…" one bully laughed. "Now I feel satisfied. Let's go. Leave this weak kid."

They walked off, leaving Shin standing there, tears slowly dripping down his face. He was silently sobbing.

He never told anyone. He never wanted to burden his parents or any adults, afraid that the bullies would come after them too. He feared they would lose their right to study, and in a way, he didn't want the bullies to get suspended. He was... naive.

The day ended. Shin have to fake a smile to get his little brother and come home with the fake smile. Acting that everything is fine.

Everything went fine. After they eat dinner, Mia their mother came to Shin's room. She knows.

She held Shin very tightly. "My son... I know you're not okay. I'm your mother, I can sense that something is wrong with my son."

The warmth of their mother is more than enough... Shin began to break down. Telling everything.

While their mother Mia held him close. She listened to him, let him let lose.

And eventually Shin stopped crying. He felt relieved. And then Mia whispered to Shin.

"I'm so proud of you for being man enough for your age to hold back, control the emotions, and open up to your own mother. I love you Shin."

"No matter what, you'll tell me what happens alright? No more secret, no more keeping emotions buried under your heart." She smiled warmly...

And then slowly...

Everything disappeared. Reality hits once again. Shin woke up, tears pouring. "Mom..." he wiped his tears. A cold, look paired with tears not stopping.

"I'm sorry... I'm not the kind son I once we're..." the tears never stopped. He kept wiping and wiping.

He isn't sobbing, or letting loose. He just... Tears never stopped.

To be continued...