"So, with Joker joining us, that makes four of us," Kurai muttered, arms folded as she walked behind the group. "Not sure that's going to be enough."
Hikaru chuckled, winking at her from Mamoru's shoulder. "Don't worry. I know two guys. Old allies of mine."
Kurai rolled her eyes. "They better not be more mortal scum."
She stomped away in frustration.
---
~Bolivia – Remote Archaeology Site~
The sun hung high over a rugged landscape dotted with tents and scattered dig equipment. Archaeologists moved between trenches, cataloging artifacts with brushes and notebooks.
"Mamoru! How's it hanging, old bud?" came a shout.
Mamoru turned and grinned. "Not too bad, Levi. How's the site coming along?"
Levi, a tall man in dirt-stained cargo pants, shrugged. "Oh, you know—same old, same old. Just teaching these shovel bums the in situ process. But I doubt you came all this way just to ask about my dig."
Mamoru stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You're right. Do you still have it?"
Levi's gaze narrowed. "You mean the Lance?"
"Shhh!" Mamoru hissed.
Levi grinned and patted his hip, revealing a leather strap holding a lance wrapped in cloth. "Of course. I keep it with me at all times. Can't let something like that out of my sight."
"If Mamoru's here, that spells trouble," came another voice. A rugged man with sun-bleached hair and a dust-covered shirt approached.
"Jarod," Hikaru said, materializing beside Mamoru. "Knew you'd be nearby."
Jarod shook his hand. "Mamoru was asking about the Lance, huh? Let me guess—you're up to something dangerous again."
"I'm here to recruit both of you," Mamoru said firmly. "We're going to war with Heaven."
Jarod stared. Then burst into laughter. "You're kidding, right? No way. Count us out."
Mamoru glanced at him. "Do you still have the Slingshot?"
"I do," Jarod replied cautiously. "But I already told you—"
"Now, now, boys, let's not be hasty," Kurai purred as she stepped into view, flanked by Suimin and Joker.
"Like he said, we're at war with Heaven," Kurai continued. "Having the wielder of the Lance of Longinus and David's Slingshot might just turn the tide."
Jarod blinked. "I don't even know any of you besides Mamoru."
Kurai walked up, placing her hand on his chest and leaning in. "Think about the power and riches you could achieve. Anything your little mortal heart desires."
"Anything?" Jarod asked, eyes narrowing.
"Yes," she said, winking.
Jarod grinned. "Fine. With a pitch like that, I can't say no."
"That makes six," Mamoru said. "One more should do it... but I'm out of ideas."
"I know someone," Levi said, almost shyly.
"You what?!" everyone shouted.
Levi shrugged. "Her name's Esmeralda. She's not far from here. Maybe a few hours' drive."
"Ugh, a drive? What a drag," Suimin groaned. "How about I just teleport us there so I can go back to sleep?"
"If you do, you can sleep as long as you want," Kurai said sweetly. "And my brother will buy you all the food you want."
"And a new gaming setup?" Suimin asked.
"Ugh. Fine," Mamoru muttered. "But don't troll us."
Suimin clapped his hands. Lightning crackled around him as the world twisted.
---
~Peru – Esmeralda's Cantina~
They materialized near a rustic cantina nestled along the jungle's edge.
"She owns that cantina," Levi said, pointing.
They stepped inside to find a dim, vibrant space filled with locals and travelers. Behind the bar stood a striking woman with amber eyes.
"Como te va, Esmeralda?" Levi greeted.
"Hola, Levi. Bien. Quienes son tus amigos?"
Mamoru stepped forward. "We're here because we need your help. Levi says you can."
Kurai crossed her arms. "How exactly can this piss stain help us? She looks weak and pathetic."
Esmeralda's eyes flashed. "¿Qué dijiste, puta?"
She vaulted the bar counter, landing in front of Kurai.
"Now, now, ladies," Mamoru said, trying to separate them. "Let's take a breather."
"Screw you!" Kurai yelled, lunging.
"KURAI. ENOUGH!" Hikaru snapped.
He took over Mamoru's body, his tone commanding. "Go outside and wait for us."
Kurai's glare softened. "Yes, sir."
She turned to leave.
"That's right, pendeja. Walk away," Esmeralda muttered.
Kurai flipped her the bird as she exited.
Hikaru turned back to Esmeralda. "She has a point, though. How exactly can you help us fight Heaven?"
Esmeralda's expression grew serious. "I came across something when I was a little girl."
---
~Flashback to Esmeralda's Past~
Esmeralda's voice lowered, becoming almost haunting as she spoke of the past.
"My parents abandoned me at an orphanage when I was young. It wasn't a rich place, but it was my home. I had one friend, my best friend. We were inseparable."
Her eyes drifted back in time. She could still see him—his face, that smile that had been a lifeline.
"Then, one day... the Pope came."
Her voice faltered, eyes narrowing. "Romanoff. During one of his missionary tours."
She closed her eyes, letting the memories flood back.
"It was lunchtime, but my friend was nowhere to be found. I snuck off to find him, and I heard crying. It came from the admin office."
Esmeralda's hand trembled slightly, but she held it steady. "I peeked inside and saw it—the Pope—touching him… I wasn't strong enough to help him."
Her voice cracked, the pain of that memory evident.
"I ran to one of the nuns and told her what I saw. But she didn't believe me. She said I imagined it."
Esmeralda paused, shaking her head. "Later that night, I overheard them talking—'Is she going to be a problem?' the Pope asked. 'No,' the nun replied. 'As long as I get my monthly payment, she's no threat.'"
Her hands tightened into fists, her knuckles white. "That's when I knew—there's no such thing as safety in this world."
"I was so shocked I dropped my lamp," Esmeralda continued, her face twisted in anguish. "The noise alerted them. I ran, ran until I found myself inside the headmaster's bedroom. I wasn't supposed to be there, but I couldn't escape."
She inhaled sharply. "I saw it."
"SATANICA SANGUINE."
Hikaru's breath caught. "You mean the dark grimoire—the one said to hold blood magic and forbidden spells?"
Esmeralda nodded, her face hardening with resolve.
"I used it to escape," she said quietly. "It gave me the strength I needed. And I vowed, from that day, that I would destroy every last piece of corruption the church had planted."
---
Suddenly, the air was pierced by the sounds of gunshots and the roar of engines. The quiet of the cantina shattered like glass.
"BIG BROTHER! HELP!" Kurai's voice pierced through the tension like a blade.
Levi, Suimin, and Hikaru shot up from their seats.
"What's going on?" Levi hissed.
Esmeralda looked out the window. "There's trouble."
The group rushed toward the door. Shots echoed louder as they approached the source of the chaos.
Mamoru looked at Levi. "Let's go!"
Esmeralda followed closely, her face set in grim determination. "Stay close."
Outside, the fog rolled in thick, swallowing the area whole. The group pressed forward, their senses heightened.
Suddenly, a loud crack rang out, followed by Kurai's shouting once more.
"BIG BROTHER HIKARU, PLEASE, HELP ME!!!"