Chapter Text
Where are we?
I don't know, I'm trying the scanner now.
And here I thought we will have some time off.
You know that won't happen. Demons don't need a time out, so we won't have it either.
Yea yea, but still... Give me at least a week please.
Ah, I feel like tearing something to shreds, that would help me to cool off.
Calm your murder tendencies at least for a bit please, we have more important things to focus on.
Oh, come on. After all the bullshit these past few months, you can at least let me have some fun.
But he's right-
So, you're taking his side? Come on, I thought you understood meeee. You can join me you know? Let’s-
Can you guys calm down for a sec?!
I have the scan results.
…
...
...
Good
We are in another multi-timeline world. But this one has a lot less variability. Still, linking will probably be needed.
And I think you all actually know this world.
It's known as Ryu ga gotoku or simply as Yakuza.
Wait... YAKUZA?!
I just started playing that game. Did demons get the idea from me? I-
OH HELL YEA! I'm taking Majima!
Wait, are we in 0 or-
Can you guys just wait and BE QUIET FOR A SEC!?
...
First, yes, we are in 0, at the very beginning.
But before we start, we should just sit and plan everything. Since we are all here together before anything starts, we have to use this chance. Demons don't give that often.
You're right. We should plan things beforehand, so this doesn't end up in total chaos.
...
Like it usually does.
Why are you looking at me???
It's not my fault.
Weeeelllllll...
Hey! Come on, can you take my side for once kid? Stop agreeing with him. I thought we were best friends. And besides, you're not perfect either.
I never said that.
Ok, that's enough!
Let’s not point fingers and focus. Please.
Sorry
Sorry
Sorry
Hm..
Now sit down and listen....
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So, E will take Majima-
HELL YEA!!
... Heh
And I will take Kiryu. Technos will stay with me, and Kate will use her... little flying army to watch over everything.
We hopefully went through everything, so you know what to do. But this world being what it is...
Just
Be careful
I mean it
We will
Don't worry Ella
Yea don't worry about us.
All right...
Let’s do this!
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Night was slowly taking its hold over Kamurocho. As the orange sunlight faded, colourful lights of neon signs replaced it and people flooded the streets in their unquenchable thirst for entertainment.
But there was one man, walking the busy streets that did not care about those shining rainbow lights.
He slowly walked, his expression unreadable. He looked almost too plain with his black suit, in the sea of people rocking their flashy outfits. But there was one thing special about it, small but very noticeable to some, a shiny silver pin.
As Kiryu walked towards the narrow streets leading to the meeting point, he felt a shiver run down his spine quickly followed by an intense feeling of being watched. He turned around but saw no one suspicious. So, he continued but the feeling did not disappear.
Alright then, if someone is following him then he will show them what a bad decision it is. After a few meters he quickly turned into a small alley, which was devoid of people. Then he turned to face the entry way and waited.
For a few seconds nothing happened. No sound of approaching footsteps or voice close by. Everything was quiet. Too quiet.
Suddenly a voice rang inside his head.
At least it felt like it was in his head. A woman's voice. Clean, elegant, maybe even calming.
"So, you noticed me almost instantly. Impressive, Kazuma Kiryu"
She laughed.
Meanwhile Kiryu was looking left and right, but no matter what he just couldn't see anyone.
"Who- wher- how do you know my name??" Kiryu shouted out loud
"Shhhhhh. Calm down. The whole Kamurocho doesn't need to hear you.
But I should introduce myself. Forgive my manners.
My name is Ella."
Bright purple light flashed for just a second in front of Kiryu and he had to close his eyes. When he opened them, someone was standing there.
A tall, slender figure with... wings?
And it looked like a weird-
"Dragon???"
It was the only thing he managed to say. Now he was just staring at this creature, into its glowing purple eyes. It smiled, well he thinks it did.
"Nice to meet you. My friend."
It opened its mouth and talked. With the same elegant voice, he heard before.
This thing was all grey with veins? and other parts glowing purple, including its eyes. It had long limbs and its hands ended with very sharp looking claws. It looked terrifying yet there was something strangely beautiful about it.
"I'm sorry if I scared you. It's just, I don't know how I am supposed to do these introductions differently. I figured this is the fastest and therefore the best way. I just show myself and try explain things."
"Then, who-, what are you?"
Kiryu finally managed to say.
"I am one of those who call themselves THE PLAYERS. We came from another world to protect this place against beings of pure evil we nicknamed demons.
We all have special powers that allow us to influence certain things and events in specific type of dimensions.
But for that, we need what we call a link. Essentially, it's special someone that has much bigger impact on reality that your average person. Like a main character of a game. We can be their guide and help them achieve their goals just like a player would with his character, hence the name PLAYERS.
And you are one of those people, Kiryu.
I know this is... A LOT so I'll wait and let you prosses this."
After that she fell silent. She set down and just watched him.
Ok, did he got drunk and passed out somewhere and he has this weird dream or maybe he's just asleep at home. Or did someone punch him too hard during a fight?
But he must be dreaming, there no way this is real.
But it felt real. And he must go to collect money for that loan shark so there is no way he got drunk before a job.
Ok so, let’s say this is real, then what does that mean?
Kiryu thought back about what she said earlier about herself and apparently others like her. Different dimensions? Demons? And this whole player business?
He has so many questions. But first...
"You said something about links and special people and that I am one?
What does that even mean?"
"First it means I can offer you to become my link. I can help you with struggles that you will face in the future. I can protect you to a certain degree. But the main thing I can do is make you stronger. What we PLAYERS can do is amplify our links strengths. We can't really make someone really weak god-like, we have to use what the person already has and make it better.
I can offer you some of my strengths and abilities and you will offer yours in exchange. We will become a team. But I don't want this to be some kind of business trade or something I...
I just want us to be friends. So, we would help each other because we want to not because we have to."
After that speech, she offered him a shy smile. He could tell now that it was definitely a smile.
This whole thing was weird as hell but despite everything, it was real. And she seemed sincere. And to be honest, Kiryu wanted to agree just out of curiosity. But this feels too important. It doesn't seem right to just agree without much thought.
Yakuza is a dangerous business and having a magical being protect certainly sound like a great advantage.
Well he has one more important question.
"If I agree and became your... link? But I won't like it can I-"
"I you ever wish for me to go my separate way and leave you be I will accept that. Is that what you wanted to know?"
"Yes..."
Well, that certainly makes things easier. So why not?
"Alright, I'll do it."
"Oh? I did not expect you to decide so fast. You continue to impress me.
But before you accept you should know two things that I haven't mention yet:
Link between a PLAYER and someone else is more than a trade of powers, way more.
It's a link between two minds. To a certain degree you will feel what I feel and vice versa. In this body I can't feel physical pain, at least not my pain, but I can feel yours. The link can be weakened to prevent this, but I don't like doing that.
The second thing. If demons attack, I will require your help with fighting them. And that can be incredibly dangerous.
With this in mind, has your decision changed?"
The second thing wasn't really a problem but Linked minds?? Kiryu didn't know if really liked the idea of someone listening to his thoughts.
" I don't mind helping you fight. If it's to protect this world, my home I would help anyway. But I'm not sure about the mind thing."
"I understand. I can give you all the time you need to think it over. And besides, you have a job to do today, yes? So, I won't keep you any longer. Good luck.
And when you want to give me an answer just yell my name in your head and I'll come.
Goodbye for now, Kazuma Kiryu."
And with that, she disappeared.
Kiryu just stood there for a while, thinking.
But he has a job to do that won't wait for him so he snapped out of it and started walking out of the alleyway. He and Nishiki agreed to meet after this so maybe that will help to ease his mind after... This.
He hoped so.