Only then were they greeted by their worst nightmare. The demons within could sense their presence, though to them they were only fodder. But not to Caine. In a matter of seconds, the entire group was slaughtered. Though, only one remained alive, frozen in fear. Hikaru.
   Caine approached him with eyes full of hatred. Why DID he let him live? Not even Caine himself knows why, Hikaru was infuriating. He was a blind lamb walking into the mouth of a lion. It was easy to take advantage of the small mortal, and he did. Sexually. That should be enough to show that this was no little game. That demons were not to be taken lightly. Though.... Hikaru didn't seem to object all that much..?

    Hikaru returned to the others, mortified, aching, and full of guilt. What had he done? The others were quick to cleanse him and give blessings, as well as understanding that this was an accident to say the least. It was out of Hikaru's control. Katsuki attempted his best to comfort him, but probably only made it worse... 
  Hikaru was a noble exorcist with a heart of gold, knowing what was right and wrong. Hikaru's sacrifice aided their cause, helping them judge the state of the gate further. How many casters to bring, how many weapon users to bring, how long the seal would take to be replaced.... It would be no easy task, but they were ready. 

    In contrast, demons who had jobs to uphold, the pacifists, the lazy or otherwise, or even the first prince himself wanted nothing to do with the war. It was not for them to rise against. There was no need to start a war. For what goal? Greed?

     It wasn't long before the small group of exorcists to be detected by the creatures within the sealed gates, and leave it to Caine to speak up and greet them, much to Berith's discontent... It was a small group of three or four, but only one really stood out to Caine. That brat. Clearly in fear. Panic. Unaware of what he was truly getting into. Amusing, really.

    Seconds was all it took for Caine to pierce their hearts, snap their necks, and crush their throats before stepping up to Hikaru. Eyes bright like fire, seeing right through him. He seems like he would be easy to break. Don't worry, he was.

    Caine bent him to his will, subjecting him to kisses and caresses before taking him fully. It was all just a joke to him, Something to laugh at. To break a mortals idealistic view that this was some easy little game of footsies. He sent him back to the gates with a snap of his fingers, off to gloat to the others. Leave it to Berith to be absolutely furious at this.

       Soul Jars
           - Demons are able to steal souls of the living when they pass into the mortal realm.
           - Some are placed into glass jars when not being consumed for their energy or power.
           - Souls give off a faint glow, emitting just enough light to make snazzy decor objects.
           - The more pure the soul is, the brighter it glows.
           - Each soul is a unique color for each mortal.
       The Demon Knights

           - The Demon Knights were a group of demons brought together by Lucifer himself. (even imbued with Lucifer's flame) 
           - Of the 200, 10 were regarded as the leaders.
           - They were one of the oldest and most powerful demons in the Realm, so much so that they are revered and praised by many demons. 
           - All was well until the rebellion of the strongest knight. After, the knights became officially defunct and vanished. 
           - The remnants were even hunted and killed, in fear of their power and possibly taking over other lands in Hell.
           - It is rumored that very few Knights survived, some even rumored to be living among the mortal world and following a peaceful lifestyle. 

Aug. 1st, 200BW | 1208^MY | 6'2 | ENTJ

Strengths
    -Charismatic
    -Dutiful
    -Strong Willed
    -Strategic
Weaknesses _{^{(Though small and rare)}}
    -Arrogant
    -Dominant
    -Not the best with others emotions
    -Lax _{^{(from centuries of relaxation)}}
      -Indulgent of Shuji

1198^MY | 6'0 | ESTP

Strengths
    -Protective
    -Confident, Bold
    -Perceptive
    -Dedicated
Weaknesses
    -Quick to anger
    -Prideful
    -Defiant
    -Insecure with himself
    -Insensitive, Overly direct

Head of Affairs and Soul Distribution

2374^MY | 6'3  | ISTJ 

Strengths
    -Calm
    -Rational
    -Methodical
    -Orderly
Weaknesses
    -Overly devoted to work
    -Socially awkward
    -Quick to stress
    -Stubborn

Oct. 12th 990 | 18 | 5'6 | ISFJ

Strengths
    -Idealistic
    -Rose-colored glasses
    -Devoted
    -Moralistic
Weaknesses
    -Naive
    -Gullible
    -Ignorant
    -Narrow-minded

Represented by the sin of Envy 

1198^MY | 5'11 | INFP 

Strengths
    -Open Minded
    -Pacifist
    -Passionate
    -Observant
Weaknesses
    -Submissive
    -Envious of his brother
    -Soft-spoken
    -Avoids Confrontation

 2570^MY | 6'0  | INTP

Strengths
    -Level Headed
    -Observant
    -Unbiased
    -Patient
Weaknesses
    -Reserved, Private
    -Stoic
    -Forgets how to be social 
    -Difficult to read 

✩Senkai

✩Hikaru 

✩Caine

✩Berith

Zion

    Hikaru took it upon himself and stood at the front of the Haiden*, a small memorial lit with candles and his sword sat upon the front stairs, telling all about the war that was had, how Shuji gave his life to protect the city, the country, the mortal world as a whole. 

     The Peace Keepers within the city took over the duty of the shrine, dedicating not only to Senkai, but to Shuji as well. His story would live on for centuries at the shrine and in the city itself.

     Shuji and Senkai remain at the shrine, living within the Honden*. To the mortals, they were invisible, able to free roam their city peacefully and still stay in contact with the Peace Keepers that have become their friends. 

     Hikaru frequents the shrine most, having taken on most its responsibilities himself with Shuji's guidance and Senkai's teasing. More often than not, Hikaru would stay on shrine grounds in what was Shuji's small house. The three of them had became close after the war.

     Shuji and Sen were able to live eternity together as lovers. As Deities. The were free to come and go as they pleased from the realms, yet they remain watching over their city and would have it no other way.

     Caine on the other hand was at a loss at the sealing of the gates. It was no longer about his father, it was about Hikaru. There was no way to contact him. He never expected to fall so uselessly for a mortal, let alone someone like Hikaru, but it was safe to say that boy changed him.

     Alastor finally returned to his sons, but mainly to Caine. He was far from pleased with him, disgusted in his futile attempts and that he more so that he had fallen for some mere mortal. Backhanding him across the face was among the first things he did to him. His talk brought Caine to his knees and to tears alike, leaving him yet again. Alastor was more than sure his son would always be a failure, threatening to disown him. 

    Azael was there to comfort his brother, though Caine wanted no part of it. He spent most his time in his room. Who would have thought the Ram himself would be so heartbroken and in love. It was unlike him. 

    Eion had returned in hopes to speak with Caine, telling him how Hikaru was doing and the events happening in the mortal world.  At first he wasn't one to listen, but warmed up to the Nephilims company in time. Hearing that Hikaru missed him too was reassuring, and hearing that Kazumi wanted to see him was a little heartbreaking. 

   There was no time for a reunion, Shuji quickly jumping back into battle and leaving no mercy behind. With Kito* in hand, the two deities and the exorcists pushed back the demon lines far enough for the Casters. Katsuki and the others made quick work of the seal, putting a final end to the war. Many died in the fight, even Shuji, yet their lives were not lost without reason. The demons would not plague the Mortal World again. 

    After long talks and debates, Hikaru was given the green light to give Caine a exemption to the seal. Hikaru was given the verses, and had practiced them non stop before finally heading through the Void and to the gates. Hikaru and Caine stood with the barrier between them, and simply he recited it, hoping for the best. 
    After a moment, Caine was able to step through the gate. He barely believed it, but Hikaru was quick to explain what he had gone through in order to do what he had just done. It had nearly brought Caine to tears, quickly hugging him and lifting him off the ground. 
    The two were able to stay together and Caine able to pass back and forth as he wished to be with Hikaru. So far the only thing standing in their way is how long the mortal life span is...

Strengths
    -Strong willed and Dutiful
    -Responsible
    -Calm and Practical
    -Idealistic
Weaknesses
    -Perfectionist
    -Stubborn
    -Judgmental
    -Unintentionally Insensitive 

    Isael was given the nickname Caine by the other demons, representing his envy and view towards his brother. Azael was never a problem in their fathers eyes, and resented Azael for it. 

    Just the same, Azael was given the nickname Abel, as the pacifist between the two brothers.

    Despite Caine having sex with Kazumi without consent when they met, as Caine's feelings develop, guilt begins to grow on him. At first it only pissed him off more, but the more he understood his feelings towards the mortal did he look for a way to make up for what he had done to him.

   Shuji has always had long hair, even as a child. It never seemed to bother him, giving him no real reason to cut it. His hair is smooth as silk, almost reaching to his butt when the story starts.

  Shuji was born with the ability to see deities and demons alike. No one knows why or how, but it considered a blessing none the less. 

  The city name Reisi has two kanji, 礼 and 司. Together the two literally mean "Decorum" and "To Govern". The City was lovingly named after Munakata Reisi.

   Demons and Deities age extremely slow in comparison to mortals. Some, like Lucifer for example, has always looked extremely young despite his age. None the less they remain rather youthful throughout their lives.

    Of the three races, Deities are the strongest with demons a close second, while the mortals are the weakest by miles. They have no powers or extended life like the others and are often seen as the far inferior race.

   Despite Lucifer's knights being long gone after the rebellion, one remained. He stands at his Prince's side to this day, unknown to the realm of his past.

   
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  The shrine was originally run and upheld by Shuji since he was a teen. It is later passed to Kazumi to be ran and taken care of.
     --> Haiden ⁽¹¹⁾
           - From the Tori ⁽¹⁾ (front gate) and up the sandō ⁽²⁾ (pathway to the shrine), you are greeted with the haiden, or hall of worship.
           - Within is were ceremonies take place, as well as worship to the god enshrined there.
     --> Heidan
           -Not all shrines have this, but leading up to the honden is sometimes a heidan.
           -It connects the haiden and honden and is a place for offerings to the god enshrined.
           -In some places it is more often used for rituals.
     --> Honden ⁽¹³⁾
           - The hall enshrining the god, or sometimes, gods. It is off limits to the public, and are considered holy grounds.
           - The doors remain closed and there is a special ritual to open them.
           - Normally, only the priests can enter for rituals.
           - On occasion, the doors may be left open during festivals. Here is where Senkai and Shuji reside.
     --> Kito
           - One of Senkai's divine swords. He has many, but Kito was his most prized. 
           - It was given to Shuji before the war, a symbol of his love and trust to Shuji.
           - Kito currently is in Shuji's possession.

      Exorcisms
           - Rituals performed by exorcists to send stray demons back to the Demon Realm.
           - Exorcising them from the mortal world does NOT kill them, only sending them back to their world.
      Temptaint
           - The process of exposing one to divine or demon blood OR a wound inflicted by such. Be it on purpose, or accidental.
           - Doing so allows the exorcist (or mortal) to see the demon/deity.
           - Some mortals do not require a temptaint, having accidental exposure, born with the ability, or other special circumstances.
      Demons Exempt
           - Not all demons are ill willed and wrathful as mortals imagine them to be. Some pose no threat to the mortals. 
           - Under special circumstances and have been recognized by the Keepers, a demon can be granted an exemption to the Gates seal. 
           - So far the only ones with Exempts are Berith, Eion, and later Caine. 
           -Demons like Lucifer and Abel would most likely be granted Exempts, though never having pursued it.