The crowds erupted with thunderous applause; the first act of the night was over. The idols of Dusk rose had made a resounding splash that drew thunderous applause from the 200,000 strong. The crowd now, hungry for the next performance.
"Do you regret leaving us now, former backup dancer Hana?" Lucifer leaned back; one leg crossed over the other with a coy glance to the girl.
"I do not. It was a prison that you kept me in-" Hana retorted with her usual fire. However, she was promptly cut off.
"Such a drama queen you are. Besides look at your figure now, any man would dream to have you. Harem starter Eren would take you in with open arms... Or legs-"
"Lucifer!" Eren's turn to intercede; blurting out Lucifers true name in the company of mortals. Eyes shifting quickly to think of a cover for the mistake.
"Lucifer? The devil? Why did you-" Hana's brain tried to connect dots that were better off disconnected.
"Oh, how temerarious of you; to use my pet name in public with such open company. As the adage goes saint in the streets demon in the sheets." Lucifer's covering words served both as a veil and demagogic jab to his dear little dove.
"So, are you gay-"
"NO!" Flushed red, a rarity from the reaper who remained calm in the face of adversity and danger.
A slight chuckle from the former Idol. It really was a shame that he was taken or not interested in her. He was quite a catch. And she was recently released to be able to go fishing once more.
'Up next. The queen of the skies, the fire breathing dragon herself, the princess of battle idol. Mizuki~'
The arena erupted in excitement for the Idol who flew in from the top of the arena. A wingspan that could block out the sun, with a dress made of black scales that reflected the glowsticks, casting an otherworldly aura about the dragon princess. Her eyes, a deep purple that could hypnotise the unwary. A presence that could command all below her. She may not have been the No.1 idol, but most certainly a fan favourite.
"Wow..." Hana, the ever-stoic former idol was awestruck by the grace and poise that was shown by the performer.
Even Lucifer was taken back, and a little flushed. "She's beautiful… Those wings are nearly as glorious as mine."
"..." Eren still didn't care. Rather keeping tabs on Megi; skulking around elsewhere in the stadium.
'Her opponent for tonight's event! Mizuki will fight against your number one ranked idol-'
*CLUNK* *DEWwwwwww*
The lights and projections were shut off. The dome in pitch black. Attendants murmuring in confusion.
What had happened? Panic was beginning to rise from the stands. Was there an emergency going on? Did they need to leave?
However, the real show had just begun. The chaos was only around the corner.
*VROOOOOM* *VROOOOOOM*
An engine broke through the veil of darkness. An explosion of light as the arena erupted in flames, from a machine that brought forth the demon cries from hell. A mustang broke through the flames; swerving along the stage in a 180 spin, the vehicle stopped with a screech and a drift.
The crowd was silent in amazement. Watching as the demon and death machine was brought under control. It's deep engine rumbling came to a halt in the middle of the arena.
Shin emerged from the car, lighting a cigarette as he did so. Taking a long drag, blowing smoke into the air with a smirk. Roars of applause as the lights came back on, and music began to play.
"Sorry princess, you'll have to play with me tonight." He spoke with confidence and brashness that matched the persona. The rising king of the battle Idol, the bad boy of the genre, Shin.
Cheers and jeers both from the crowd. Equal parts adoration and disgust, for such an interruption. Youngsters loved the move from the star. Older more traditional audiences found it an afront to the spirit of the genre. No one could deny however, that the crowds were now alive.
"What is the meaning of this?" Mizuki glared down at the man, her eyes filled with disgust, her words sharp and venomous. She was ready for a fight, not to be disrespected by some upstart.
Blowing a puff of smoke. He met her gaze with a cocksure attitude and a mischievous grin. "Is it not obvious, I want your spot. That number three spot you're sitting on comfortably with that scaley ass of yours. Tonight, I'll be on the podium, where I belong!" A loud declaration, a challenge to battle. One that roused the audience into a frenzy.
"Is this really all battle idol is?" Eren saw right through the ploy. It was all for show; a play on the stage of the world.
"At least once a week there is an altercation like this. Some new up and comer always challenging an established Idol, or two established Idols battling it out for the rankings. It's what drives people wild." Hana explained. A life she was happy to leave behind, but a part of her would forever long to be in that limelight. The rush and the thrill, she just couldn't get enough. Even for a self-proclaimed hater.
"It's about time someone put you in your place you arrogant fish farming peasant. 'Tornado of flames!' " Mizuki was more than happy to entertain this fool's challenge; her wings flapped hard, creating a vortex of flame.
"Oh? You're not going to sing and dance for me first?" Shin smirked. He was ready for a battle. To take the top 3 spot from the princess of battle Idol.
"Fine then. 'Swords of sin!' " Shin's own magic, from behind him emerged blades made from a black mist, thrown into the firestorm. Extinguishing the flames in an instant.
"Armoury of pride!" Shin commanded another spell, and from the ground rose a set of plates that resembled a lion's body. Golden greaves, vambraces sown with tinted silver, golden mail placed atop a plate with a roaring lion.
He Stepped into the armour and becoming one with the armour. Closing the helm that was a lion's open maw. The eyes lit up as his face became secured under the ferocious face.
"Tch, you arrogant bastard. You really don't know who you're messing with. 'Torrent Firestorm!' " With a swift beat of her wings, a barrage of fireballs shot from the sky. Her roar could shatter glass.
"YEAHHHHHHHHH!" This is what the crowd wanted. To see the Idols battle it out, a clash of magic. The flashier and explosive, the better.
The flames erupted on stage. Engulfing both combatants.
"Eren..." A whisper from that voice, from that phantom. It spoke to the reaper. Not from nearby though; the cheers of the crowd began to lessen. The voice like a beckon somewhere below.
"Eren..." He heard it again; this time the voice was clearer. And with it the crowd fell silent in the dome. No sounds. No cheers, no jeers. Not even Lucifers incessant flirting. Nothing. Even the battle on stage was muted.
"Eren!" Loud now, drawing his eye into a dark corner of the stadium. There, through the flames of a muted battle, that smile stood in the stands and called to the reaper.
"What do you want?"
"..."
Nothing said, instead it turned to a figure hidden in shadow. Face obscured, though a full black suit was all that could be made out; odd and out of place even in and amongst the multicultural crowds.
Without seeing the veiled eyes; a feeling. The pair locked eyes. Like the shadow danced a pair of fingers up Eren's spine until it reached the base of his neck. An unusual feeling foreign to Eren…
…Was it fear the Reaper was feeling?
Impossible, yet it persisted. A creeping sense of dread and danger. A shadow was lurking here, that was his own.
Only a brink and the umbra man vanished, as if never there. The sounds unmuted in an instant. The battle continued.
That madness... It was only just beginning.
***
Elsewhere:
*Wham*
"Get up!" Megi stood over the rising star's talent manager. A man as greasy as an old burger left in the sun too long.
"Please... Don't." His voice was broken, beaten, and bruised from the fox spirit's rage. In this room; she was not the kind and compassionate fox that aided her master. Here, in the dark; she was the hunter and the ally of the helpless.
"Blood tooth cartel? Who else will be meeting tonight?" A sword pressed against his neck.
"Uhhhh... W-Well... I only know one person. The cherry blossoms queen's manager... She will be there… A-and I think the cherry blossom queen herself will be there."
"Who?" Megi already knew the cherry blossom queen would in fact not be in attendance. She and the snake were left in some forgotten room under the stadium.
However, who was her manager? Not the snake woman. Someone else. The fox spirit was working up the chain that her master did before her.
"Where is she?" Megi, sword at the man's neck. An anger that seemed to radiate from her eyes.
"In the corporate lounge. Getting ready..."
"..." No words were needed. She knocked out the fat pig man. Her next target, getting closer to the heart. Another shadowy figure, another puppet of El Rey Sol.
"Guren."
The hulking juggernaut rose at the words of Megi and began to confine the man in rope.
Wouldn't want anyone to walk in on an injured talent manager. They were in the middle of an important show. Letting them get the attention was the last thing the shadow wanted.