Chrono X Angel Book 1: Prelude to Chaos

Chapter 8

After the earthquake, a strange feeling had come over the pinkette. A blanket of darkness descended upon her, then suddenly she found herself looking outside of her own body, but from within and with no control of her actions. As Usoko watched in horror, the thing inside her body blew a hole in the wall of the apartment before floating out through it and heading towards Ayanami Industries. What she did not know was that the tremor that had hit the region had started about 20 miles off the coast in a place called Ahrimanabad, where the seal on the Black Knight had begun to falter. However the damage was enough to allow the consciousness of the sole inhabitant of the stone to escape and had immediately found its way to Usoko for reasons the girl could not conceive of. Once in control of her, it burst through the wall and made its way to the only place where it sensed opposition could be found: Ayanami Industries. As Usoko fought to regain control of her body, she was aghast to see herself extend a single hand out and fire a car sized blast of energy at the building, causing a massive explosion. A fight then ensued between her, Nonami and Emiko, who had fortunately been there at the time of the attack.

"USOKO, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU???" Shouted Emiko in her second form, as she blocked a hail of purple fire arrows, "WHY ARE YOU ATTACKING YOUR FRIENDS???"

The girl sneered, replying in a voice that was both Usoko's and something else, gravely and monstrous.

"And as I told you, Oni, I'm not USOKO!!!"

At the last word, she unleashed black flame from her palms, scorching Emiko and causing her to scream.

"Very well then," called Nonami from up above as she aimed a silver and blue bow at the girl, "If not Usoko then who, pray tell, are you?"

She fired, the gleaming arrow grazing Usoko's arm as the girl's smile grew wider.

"Ah, the Arrows of Light..." She said, sighing almost wistfully, "You really think those old relics will do you any good? You're as foolish as your ancestor, and twice as doomed!"

Usoko's left arm became cloaked in shadow for a moment before disappearing completely from the elbow down, leaving a small black wisp in it's place.

"But I suppose I can grant a dying girl's last wish. I am a gentleman, after all."

The laugh that came from Usoko's mouth then was nothing short of horrific, it was like the crunching of a thousand skulls mixed with a lion's roar, then distorted as though it were underwater.

A massive, four-fingered ebon claw appeared behind Nonami and seized the vampire, holding her as though she were a doll in a child's hand, and slammed her into the ground before dissipating as Usoko's left arm reappeared.

When it spoke, the voice that came out was no longer Usoko's at all.

"I am known by many names, and have worn many titles, but perhaps the one you will most recognize is... Ahrimanes."

"No." Wheezed Nonami.

"Impossible." Whispered Emiko.

It laughed.

"I promise you; I am indeed Ahrimanes the Dark. The Angra Mainyu, All the Evil in the World. I had been sealed away long ago by that thrice-damned warrior, but now..."

Another cruel laugh.

"Now I am free. Free to rule this place. Free to slaughter the wretched human insects who have polluted this world. Free to do as I please, for can anyone in this age hope to stop me?"

"You... miscalculated one thing..." shouted Emiko in defiance, "Usoko's one stubborn girl, I doubt even you could hold her back for long."

"That's right," agreed Nonami, though mostly taking Emiko's word for it, "If you think Usoko will just let you have her body without a fight, you're in for a painful surprise!"