𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙥𝙚 | 𝘢𝘬𝘪 𝘩. ᯓ ᡣ𐭩

˚⊱ 2. | ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴇɴᴄᴏᴜɴᴛᴇʀ ᴘᴛ. 1⊰˚

Touko stood before the mirror, her gaze locked on her own reflection. This was the day she had been waiting for, her first mission as an official Devil Hunter. She straightened her uniform, the weight of the responsibility, the anticipation of the unknown, it all showed in her eyes. But there was something else — resolve. The fire within her burned fiercely, reminding her of why she had taken this path.

She stared at her reflection, her heart filled with a bittersweet mix of emotions. She thought of her family, the very reason she had become a Devil Hunter. The memory of their loss still holding a fresh sting, but it was transformed into a fierce determination to protect and prevent others from sharing that same fate, for ending up as miserable as she was. It was a silent vow, a pact she had made herself and her lost loved ones, to honor their memory and fight to make the world a safer place. Touko felt a renewed sense of purpose, her resolve strengthened as she prepared herself in front of the mirror.

There was a soft knock on Touko's door, followed by Aki's voice. "Hey, are you ready to go? We're waiting for you out here." Aki's voice carried a subtle edge of impatience.

Touko took a moment to collect herself from her thoughts, turning her head to her door. "Yeah, I'm ready. Just give me a second." A hint of trepidation laced her words. She took a deep breath and double-checked herself, making sure she was in order. Silently reminding herself, she opened her door, meeting Aki's gaze with a firm nod. "Okay, let's go."

Aki stood patiently outside the door, his fingers tapping a steady rhythm against his thigh to release any anxiety in him. He gave her a nod, silently acknowledging her preparation. Today would be the test he was personally waiting for, the chance to witness firsthand if she had the strength and skill necessary to be a capable Devil Hunter.

Touko, Aki, Denji, and Power walked through the bustling streets alive with energy and activity during the sunny afternoon. Their faces reflected a mix of anticipation and focus as they headed towards their assigned destination, following Makima's instructions. The cityscape unfolded before them, yet it did nothing to dispel the gravity of their oncoming mission.

"Okay you guys, listen up." Aki began, his voice firm and commanding. "We're facing a devil, or someone possessed by one, that's capturing innocent people and torturing them by using emotional and physical torment to transform its victims into aggressive monsters."

Touko, Power, and Denji listened. Touko's expression grew more serious, while Power and Denji exchanged a glance, slightly acknowledging the weight of their mission. They braces themselves for the weight of the challenge ahead, knowing that the devil they were going to face would be a dangerous one. Yet together, they were steadfast in their conviction, their individual strengths meshing together to form a cohesive unit ready to confront the malevolent power lurking in the shadows of the city.

They soon reached their destination, a dilapidated apartment on the outskirts of the city. The air hung heavy with an aura of malevolence, as if the very atmosphere itself was tainted by the devil they were after. Touko, Aki, Denji, and Power tensed, their senses on high alert as they approached the warehouse. This was it; the devil they were sent to neutralize was nearby, its ominous presence palpable in the air.

Carefully, they moved deeper into the apartment, the dim light playing shadows across the surroundings. The smell of decay and rot immediately filled the air, creating a sense of unease.

"Ugh! That stinks!" Denji's voice came out stifled, his arm pressed against his nose and mouth.

"Let's focus." Aki's voice was firm, his tone leaving no room for dissent. "This smell is unbearable, but we can't let it distract us."