ZERO SHIFT

The air grew dense as Kyle and Maya, now clad in their formal black and silver Unit Zero uniforms, prepared to teleport. With a flick of his wrist, Kyle opened a portal. Stepping through, they emerged before an imposing structure the Elders' Quarters. The building resembled an ancient Japanese temple, its architecture intricate yet intimidating. The gates loomed high, 40 feet tall, covered in engravings of celestial and demonic beings locked in eternal conflict.

As the gates creaked open, Kyle's sharp instincts flared. His gaze darted across the courtyard, noting the unnerving silence and the lack of the usual temple guards.

"It feels like a trap," he thought but gave no outward sign of unease. With his hands resting casually in his pockets, he walked in, Maya following closely behind.

Inside, the main chamber was vast, dimly lit by a few suspended lanterns. At its center stood a grand circular table. Seated around it were the eleven Elders, clad in their ceremonial robes. Behind them, four commanders stood flanked by their vice-commanders.

Kyle's eyes flickered over each group:

• Joshua of Unit 2, a towering man with a thick beard, exuded a calm, calculating aura.

• John of Unit 4, lean and sharp-eyed, was known for his no-nonsense demeanor.

• Selene of Unit 6, a woman with short silver hair, radiated an icy authority.

• August of Unit 8, a muscular man with an eyepatch, looked every bit the hardened warrior.

Each of their vice-commanders stood at attention, their expressions neutral but their eyes wary. However, all eyes soon turned to Kyle as he approached his seat.

Whispers rippled through the room.

"So that's the infamous Kyle," Joshua murmured to his vice.

"Youngest commander in history… and a troublemaker at that," August muttered under his breath.

For some of them, it was their first time seeing him in person. Unlike the older, battle-hardened commanders most of whom were in their late 30s or 40s and early 60s. Kyle, who was the youngest at 27, carried himself with a confidence that bordered on arrogance. His playful smirk was gone, replaced by an unreadable expression as he took his seat without a word.

The Grand Elder's seat at the head of the table remained empty. One of the Eleven Elders, a man with deep-set wrinkles and sharp, hawk-like eyes, rose to speak.

"We have called this meeting to address a matter of utmost urgency," he began, his voice echoing through the chamber. "The growing threat of demonic activity is spiraling out of control. We've traced its roots to an ancient cult operating in the shadows, their leader a powerful devil capable of corrupting entire cities."

A murmur of concern swept through the room.

"These devils," another Elder interjected, "are growing bolder. And yet, the real concern lies not with the cult itself but with what they represent. A resurgence of powers long thought dormant."

The Elder with hawk-like eyes continued, his tone heavy. "It's because The Devil King's bloodline persists. His legacy, lives on in that boy called Josuke akari."

The commanders exchanged uneasy glances. Selene's vice whispered something, but she silenced him with a glare.

"That boy is a devil," the Elder continued, spitting the word like venom. "And devil, no matter how what form are a danger. He must be eliminated before his power grows beyond our control."

The room fell silent. The weight of the statement hung heavy.

Another Elder, this one a woman with a soft yet commanding voice, leaned forward. "But Josuke isn't the only problem. The Pendragon bloodline still on lives in a boy called Arthur. His presence alone is a threat to the balance we have fought to maintain for centuries."

"Two anomalies within the same unit," John muttered. "This cannot be mere coincidence."

The first Elder nodded gravely. "That is why we must act. Both Josuke and Arthur must be neutralized before their existence invites calamity upon us all."

The doors to the chamber suddenly slammed shut with a deafening thud, locking everyone inside. The Elders' gazes sharpened. One of them raised a hand, and a shimmering barrier enveloped the room, sealing off any potential interference.

"This decision is not up for debate," the Elder declared. "The safety of our world is paramount. If you, Commander Kyle, or any of your subordinates stand in the way, you will face the same fate." As Kyle watched them with a smirk on his face.

Meanwhile, at Unit Zero Headquarters

Josuke adjusted the black straps on his tactical suit, his fingers moving deftly despite the tension in the room. Beside him, Ace cracked his knuckles, his broad frame filling the space. Lily checked her gear, her face unusually grim. Hinata, silent but focused.

The team's Night Raid suits were sleek and designed for stealth, each one tailored to enhance their individual abilities. They boarded the vehicle, their destination set.

The ride was tense, each of them lost in thought. When they arrived, the location was eerily quiet. The abandoned church stood in the shadows, its crumbling facade barely holding together.

From the roof, they had a clear view of the interior through the broken windows. What they saw made their blood run cold.

Inside, dozens of people were gathered, their faces twisted in desperation and madness. Some willingly stepped forward, offering themselves as sacrifices. Others were forcibly dragged to a grotesque altar where a towering creature stood a hulking figure cloaked in a red hood, its massive frame dwarfing even Ace. Its monstrous presence filled the room, and with each sacrifice, its power seemed to grow.

The team watched in silent horror as people willingly surrendered their lives, their blood staining the altar. The creature roared, a guttural sound that shook the very walls of the church.

Lily clenched her fists, her voice barely above a whisper. "What the hell is this…?"

Josuke's jaw tightened. "A nightmare."