Controlium: Volume 1

The Devil rises

Mike was standing in front of Mars, who was staring at Mike with no feeling in his red eyes.

Mars - Before you say anything, Mike, let me tell you that now you're dead! Smith's father shot you to death, and I took you to Controlium's judgement palace. Here your future will be decided; you either go to heaven, hell, or stay here at our place 'Gowntown' with other low-level spirits. There is no other option; you will have to undergo judgement!

Mike – Yeah, yeah, whatever. By the way, what kind of judgement will it be?

Mars – There are three kinds of judgement – you can be judged from your brain, fight with another low-level spirit, or...

Misa suddenly entered the judgement palace with a judge called Mr. Popo.

Misa – Mars! Is it ready?!

Mars – Oh, just! Mike, say what are you choosing?!

Mike – Do I even have an option other than FIGHT!!

Mars – As you wish!

Mars waved his scythe, and a dark aura covered it. He dropped the scythe on the ground with great force, and a dark aura emerged.

In a matter of seconds, Mars changed the whole palace into a fighting arena.

Mars – So it's time for fighting! The rules are simple: fight or die!

Mike – We are already dead.

Misa – This will be interesting, Mike!

Misa entered the ring.

Mike – My opponent?

Mars – She's already in the ring!

Mike – Misa?! Well, you surely meet my expectations.

Misa – Huh, don't spare me based on my gender!

Mike – Well, I really don't care!

Mike also entered the ring and started stretching. Mr. Popo, hidden under his cloak, sat on a chair. Mars started the match.

Mike – I quit; she won.

Misa – Are you scared?

Mike – Anything I do is pointless, besides, it was your plan all along. Isn't it you who killed Smith just so you could make his father do the killing – isn't it?

Misa – Well then, I quit too; you won.

Mike – Ah, you're in pain.

Misa – Suit yourself!

Mike – Take this, you bastard!

Mike attacked with a punch to Misa's face. She laid her hand to stop the punch. Mike jumped at that moment, targeting her face with his punch. Misa kicked Mike. Mike fell down, coughing blood.

Mike – That's not fair; Misa was a spirit before me, she has powers and more strength than me.

Mars – No, Mike, she died before you and she was capable enough to come to 'Gowntown' for judgement. No other humans capable of judgement died after her. You are the first person we found capable of judgement. Judgement is a very strict rule. We couldn't skip it.

Mr. Popo – Continue the fight!

Mike stood up with more resilience in his eyes. He ran toward her, bent down, and hit her leg with his leg. Misa fell down. Mike jumped and kicked Misa in the face. Misa slid and lay injured on the floor. Mike ran toward Misa, targeting her chest with his leg.

Misa made eye contact with Mike. Mike made contact with Misa. Mike slipped accidentally. Misa grabbed his collar; he stood up with his unstable body, and Misa kicked him in the stomach. Mike got pushed and fell down.

Misa – Are you exhausted this early?

Mike – Well, how are we even feeling any sensation?

Misa – You are feeling pain?

Mike – Pain is not physical. 

Misa ran towards Mike with a punch. Mike suddenly blocked the punch. Misa became unstable and fell over Mike, accidentally kissing him. Mike got up and started spitting. Misa did the same.

Mike – What the hell is wrong with you?

Misa – Who do you think is the reason behind it?

Misa and Mike continued the fight, but Misa won somehow, and Mike was injured.

Mike – Finally, some peace!

Mars – So our winner is Misa!

Mr. Popo – Mars, wait. I really enjoyed this fight. So, Misa, I will grant you one wish if I am capable of that. 

Misa - Umm...well I don't have any wish but can you not send Mike to hell and let him stay here as my partner?

Mike – Do you have feelings for me?

Misa – Certainly, yes, but not philosophical, rather practical.

Mike – So, I am a tool for you?

Misa – You can say that.

Mike – For now.

Mr. Popo – Okay, okay, Misa, your wish is okay, but that's so wrong. But yeah, I can do that. Wish granted!

Mike – Now what! Letting me live so now you can kill me with words?!

Misa – Not a bad idea, though. I am going to train with you, and you will also help me with future fights against enemies!

Mike – Yeah, whatever. It's not right for me to say anything, yet.

On the other hand, in hell, the area was covered with lava, fire, and blood. There was a huge red castle there. A young boy was standing in front of the huge castle. He was praying to the Devil. After a few moments, the evil Devil, with a horrific face and red eyes, appeared in front of that young boy.

Boy – The king of hell, the great, the powerful Devil, I wanted to say that a new boy named Mike Jones has become a spirit in Controlium. Rumors are spread that he wants to stop Infinity.

Devil – Infinity? Those bastards really think they can get him? Nonetheless, no human, nor a Shinigami, has the power to defeat him.

Boy – But I think you might reconsider your words, sire. That boy is...