Chapter 1 — The Angel of Darkness Returns
Smoke was still rising from the destroyed court. Remains of concrete, blood, and burned school uniforms were scattered across the ground like fragments of a recent and violent past. That was the main court of the Zerk School, now in ruins after the most brutal student war the world has ever seen — the First School War of the Zerk World.
Amidst the destruction, Huguel, the feared Angel of Darkness, walked slowly. He was 19 years old, with black hair falling over his face covered by a patch over his left eye. His expression was empty, as were his brown eyes: emotionless, hopeless. He wore a black shirt with a white skull printed on the chest, black pants, white sneakers, and on his back, black wings hung silently like the feathers of a crow that has grown tired of flying.
In his hand, a black sword covered in blue flames pulsed gently, as if it breathed with him.
Behind him, a police car stopped with a creak. The police got out in silence, observing the scene as if trying to understand the end of that massacre. They whispered among themselves, debating what had really happened between the schools and what had led the students to such an absurd war.
But Huguel didn't even turn his head. He kept walking as if their presence was insignificant. Then, the phone in his pocket vibrated.
He stopped. He picked up the phone. He answered.
"Hello, Ana Bela," he said in a low, cold voice.
"Huguel?" the female voice on the other end sounded relieved. "Where are you, my Angel of Darkness?" It's been two months without news.
"I'm busy... with a plan," he replied.
"What plan? Ever since you left, you haven't spoken to us again. Not even with your powers..."
"It's not time. When the time comes, I'll talk." Ana Bela took a deep breath on the other end.
— Alright... my Angel of Darkness. But... how is the Jacaré Sul Favela?
— Great — Huguel said. — What's up?
— Maximum security. No criminal dared to show up. Crime... disappeared after your actions. Here, you became a living legend.
Huguel remained silent for a moment, observing the shards of war before him.
— Have you heard about the School War in the country of Zombo? It was in the elite neighborhood... a crazy student, with a disgusting smile on his face, started an entire war for no reason at all. All out of pride and ego! If that bastard were in front of me, I would—
— Enough — Huguel cut him off, firmly.
Ana Bela stopped. Silence.
— Sorry, Huguel... I got emotional.
— I'm busy. Call me later.
— Alright... I understand. I love you, my Angel of Darkness.
— See you later — Huguel replied coldly and hung up.
He put away his cell phone and continued walking to the center of the destroyed court. There, where the blood was still fresh, was Breno Hugo, also 19 years old, brown hair, intense blue eyes, wearing a light blue jacket and black pants, completely bloodied and with his body bruised. But his eyes... burned with pure hatred.
Breno was crawling towards a nearly dead body, still breathing, about to deliver the final blow.
That was when Huguel appeared next to him, silent as a ghost. Without saying a word, he touched his shoulder.
At that very moment, Breno froze, as if time had stopped around him. His body was paralyzed. It was as if he had ceased to exist in that second.
Huguel walked past him and looked at the body lying on the ground.
It was Houka, a 19-year-old student with yellow hair, red eyes, and paper-white skin, wearing the elite school uniform with a red tie. Even on the verge of death, a wicked smile remained on his face.
Huguel watched him for a few seconds... then, for the first time, he spoke with emotion—a strange, subtle, almost respectful emotion:
— Hi, Houka... nice to meet you.
[End of Chapter 1]