ZERO SHIFT

The Enemies' Victory

The final echoes of Ragnar's laughter reverberated in the barren landscape as his body lay broken on the ground. His once-proud figure, now a symbol of destruction, was overtaken by the cold silence of death. The demons that stood over him were victorious, but not jubilant. There was a chilling solemnity to the moment.

One demon, his form hulking and jagged, raised his sword high, and his voice rumbled like thunder. "Long live the fallen kings," he muttered, the words imbued with a hollow reverence. Around him, others knelt—each one bowing their heads in a ritualistic salute to the death of the King of Devils.

Yet, despite their feigned respect, the demons were well aware that Ragnar's downfall was only part of the story. The power of chaos wasn't with him "it most be with his that child" one of the demon said. The child of Ragnar Josuke still lived. And they would not rest until they hunted him down.

One of the demons, a towering figure with horns black as night, turned to his leader. "He's dead. The king is dead chaos is ours," he said, his voice heavy with finality. "It's over."

But the leader, a demon with eyes like molten silver, frowned and shook his head. "No it not. There is a child is out there. The scent of Ragnar's blood lingers. His son still lives it most be with him."

Aiko's Escape

In the distance, far from the battlefield, Aiko clutched her infant son tightly in her arms. Her breath came in shallow gasps as she dashed through the winding streets of Soryu, the city alive with the quiet buzz of night. But there was no peace in her heart—only fear. She could feel the devils closing in, their hunt growing ever more relentless.

Aiko knew her son's fate was sealed the moment Ragnar died. The devils would never allow a bloodline so powerful to persist. Josuke, her precious boy, had inherited the very essence of the Devil King. His power could not go unchecked.

Her steps faltered as exhaustion weighed her down, but she kept running, faster, pushing forward. She had to get him to the orphanage there was no other safe place left. She could sense the surge of power radiating from him, even now, as an infant. Josuke's potential was unlike anything the world had seen, and his enemies would stop at nothing to claim it.

When she arrived at the orphanage, it felt like the last refuge on earth. The orphanage workers were kind, compassionate souls, and Aiko knew that Josuke would be safe here—hidden from the darkness of the world. But as she approached the door, the weight of her task became overwhelming. She had one last thing to do before her life would slip away.

The Seal of Containment

Aiko had prepared for this moment. As a healer, she was attuned to the flow of mana and had learned ancient rituals that could control the immense power she had sensed in Josuke from the moment of his birth. She had learned of a seal one that could bind his powers temporarily, ensuring they would not consume him.

She took the pendant from her chest a small, silver charm engraved with protective runes and gently tied it around Josuke's neck. The pendant glowed softly with a divine light, a barrier that would hold his powers in check. As the last traces of her energy began to fade, Aiko whispered softly to her son, her voice a soft prayer.

"Josuke… you may not understand now, but I'm doing this to protect you. When you are ready, when the time comes… you will break this seal. But until then, my son… this is your shield."

Aiko's hands trembled as she secured the pendant around his neck. As she looked at her son, tears blurred her vision. She had done all she could. Her task was finished.

The Devil's Senses

Unbeknownst to Aiko, the devils were already closing in. They had felt Josuke's presence, the pulse of power from Ragnar's bloodline. The child was still alive, but hidden. The devils knew they could sense him, even if they couldn't locate him just yet. It was only a matter of time before the seal would weaken.

One of the demons the same one with the obsidian eyes turned to his fellow hunters, his expression dark. "The child is near. I can sense it," he muttered, his voice a low growl. "Even with the seal, he cannot hide forever."

The others grumbled, their eyes narrowed with anger. They could feel the power within Josuke, a force that would one day rival the King of Devils himself. "We must find him, no matter the cost."

Aiko's Final Sacrifice

Aiko's breath quickened as she hurried away from the orphanage, but her steps grew slower as the reality of the situation set in. She could feel them—they were coming. The demons were closing in.

She turned a corner and saw them: shadows moving swiftly toward her. The leader of the demon hunters stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with cruel intent. "You think you could hide the child from us? It's too late."

Aiko's heart sank, but her love for Josuke remained strong. She couldn't let them take him. She couldn't let him suffer the same fate as Ragnar.

"I will protect him," she whispered to herself, her resolve hardening. "Even if it costs me everything."

With a final, desperate effort, Aiko placed Josuke carefully in the alleyway, hidden in the shadows. She whispered one last plea: "Please, live. Live for me, Josuke."

But it was too late.

The demon struck with ruthless efficiency, his claws tearing through Aiko's flesh .She gasped, the pain exploding through her chest. Her blood spilled onto the ground, but her eyes remained focused on the alleyway where she had left Josuke.

"Go, my son… live…"

The demons laughed as they watched Aiko crumple to the ground. Her life was extinguished, but her sacrifice would not be in vain. The seal she placed on Josuke remained intact, a silent protector as the devils turned their attention away from the infant.

The Devil King's Betrayal

In a far-off land, the demons who had executed Ragnar's death turned their attention to something far more sinister. Standing before them, watching his brother's body crumble to dust, was a figure who bore a striking resemblance to the Devil King himself—but there was something different about him. His horns were longer, more elegant, curling upward like twin spirals. His tail flicked behind him with predatory grace. His skin was pale, almost translucent, and his eyes burned with an inner fire—a crimson glow that radiated with cold power.

This was Thalros, Ragnar's twin brother and another stand beside with a little Resemblance to Ragnar it was his son first Kaiden.

Thalros and Kaiden gazed down at Ragnar's remains, a smirk curling on their lips. Kaiden knelt down and said "Even in death you still deny me of the power of chaos not only did you forsake me Father his voice filled with rage as grabs Ragnar's face you gave chaos to that tainted demon child of yours I'll make sure to get rid of them Just like you did my love so that even in death you will still suffer pain Father "As the Devil King's body had already begun to turn to dust, his essence fading into the wind. His death, however, had been planned.

"Fool," Thalros whispered, kneeling before his brother's remains. "You were always the foolish one. You never understood how to rule. The chaos could have been used to further power. But you, Ragnar… you squandered everything."

The demons stood behind Thalros in reverence, knowing they had served him not Ragnar throughout the battle as but Grieved the lost of their King and other celebrated. Thalros' power was undeniable, his cruelty boundless.

"Long live the king," one of the demons muttered, their voice laced with mockery.

Thalros looked up, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "Yes," he said softly, his voice a hiss. "Long live the king. The king who will rule." Kaiden on standing beside Thalros the laughing at his father death. The demons returned back to the Thalros to report as the stepped up and told be "My King,"the said and continued "The woman and the child are dead they lied to Thalros out of fear, fearing death Thalros replied "Good,"as Kaiden opened the portal back to The underworld as they walk away.