55 Twisted Palace

After such a hectic morning, Axel actually enjoyed the his boring school life. Luckily, he wasn't mentally ill as school quickly got too boring as he easily finished his work.

It was after school when his problems began. Ann asked him if he wanted to watch a movie, something he was actually looking forward to. However, because of the stupid world trial, he was forced to reject her offer as he had to raid the palace with Akira and Ryuji.

To say she was sad was an understatement as Axel actually feared she was going to cry. If she did, Axel probably would have went with her, world trial be damned. It was only one time anyway.

Luckily, she didn't make things hard for him as she gave him a small nod before leaving. Exhaling a long sigh, Axel found himself in a bad mood as he made his way to the roof.

Once he arrived, he greeted Akira and Ryuji with a short nod. Akira seemed worried as he cautiously asked, "You alright Axel?"

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Axel said, "Yeah, I'm fine. Ann just wanted to hang out but I had to turn her down."

Ryuji's eyes widened as he yelled, "Dude! Why'd you turn her down? You should have just went with her!"

"It's not that simple. Remember how I told you I'm not from this world? Now the world views me as a hostile element and has put a bunch of restrictions on me. My abilities are sealed and the only way to unlock them is to help you two take down Kamoshida's palace."

Ryuji and Akira both looked shocked by Axel's revelation. And who wouldn't be? Basically, he just told them that the world is literally against him until he can prove himself.

Ryuji's face became serious, unlike anything Axel's ever seen before as he solemnly said, "Don't worry Axel. Akira and I have your back. From now on, we take this seriously."

Axel was surprised by Ryuji's seriousness as he felt a gentle warmth appeared in his chest. Akira's face was equally as serious as he said, "Okay then, now that we're doing this seriously, we need to plan ahead."

Akira softly put his bag infront of them and quickly unzipped it. Then, under the surprise of both Axel and Ryuji, a small black and white cat emerged.

"MORGANA!?!"

"MONSTER CAT!?! I MEAN, MORGANA!?!"

Morgana softly pawed at his ears as he said, "Hey guys, good to see you again. And Ryuji! I'm not a cat, you blonde haired delinquent!"

Seeing the pair butt heads right off the bat, Axel sighed as he started feeling worried about the future. Akira shared his sentiment as he sighed as well.

It took a couple minutes for Ryuji and Morgana to stop. The pair turned towards Axel and Akira, only to be stunned as they were leaning against a wall, watching something on Axel's phone.

Curious on what they were watching, Ryuji slowly came closer as he asked, "Whatcha guys watching? Can I have a look?"

Akira and Axel both looked at each other before silently passing him the phone. Taking the phone, Ryuji watched the video for a couple seconds and became stunned.

Axel had silently recorded his fight with Morgana. This should have been fine, if not for the fact that Morgana actually sounded like a cat in the video, making him look crazy.

Ryuji hastily tried to delete the video but Axel quickly snatched back his phone as he smirked, "Nope, the video stays Ryuji."

"Dude! What the hell!?! You know what? Fine, keep the video. But don't send it to anyone!"

Before Axel could reply, a small beep came from Akira's pocket as he pulled out his phone and grinned. A groan escaped Ryuji's lips as he looked towards Axel and muttered, "Really?"

Axel shrugged his shoulders as their small group decided to finally focus on the matter at hand.

---

After a short briefing about their mission, the group of misfits made their way to the palace. However, when they arrived in the metaverse, everyone froze in place as they stared at the new appearance of the palace.

The school was partially destroyed with smoke and flames everywhere. Littering the ground outside were blacked out silhouettes that wore clothes way to similar to their school uniform.

Axel looked through a hole in the wall and saw even more silhouettes on the ground. Some of them weren't even silhouettes but we're shadows. Majority of them were rather weak shadows, like the pixie, but there were also some rather large and strong shadows as well.

He glanced towards Akira and whispered, "Do we continue forward or should we wait until we can make sense of the situation."

Akira became quiet for a couple seconds before saying, "We should investigate what exactly happened. Like the last time we were here, let's talk to some of the shadows and students to try and get some answers. However, under no circumstances are we to spilt up."

Just as he finished speaking, he turned and glared at Axel as he continued, "You got that Axel?"

Axel's lips twitched as he rolled his eyes and said, "Yes mom…"

Axel slowly entered the vent, followed by Akira, Ryuji and finally, Morgana. However, they didn't even make it halfway through the vent when the entire thing collapsed.

All of them screamed like little girls as the vent fell for almost a minute before it crashed on the floor, hard.

Slowly, Axel exited the vent as he coughed, "Is everyone… *cough* alright?"

"Still alive…"

"Dude… that freaking hurt!"

Not receiving a reply from Morgana, Axel painfully sat up and yelled, "Morgana!"

Suddenly, a small figure flipped down from where they fell and landed in from of Axel.

Morgana smirked as he said, "I'm fine, I've always landed on my feet!"

Ryuji seemed to really want to retort but held himself back as he was currently experience varying levels of pain.

After a few minutes, everyone got their bearings. Axel scanned the surroundings and noticed that they were back in the underground dungeon.

Akira seemed to realise this as well as he looked towards Axel and said, "Should we continue down or head up to the safe room."

Since their goal was to clear Kamoshida's palace, he didn't hesitate as he said, "We continue downwards. Morgana, while we make or way down, I need you to fill us in on how to clear the palace. Let's move people."

Akira and Ryuji nodded to each other as they quickly followed behind Axel. Morgana easily kept up with the pair as he explained how to 'clear' the dungeon.

To erase the palace, they needed to steal Kamoshida's 'treasure'. The treasure represents there dark and twisted desires, so stealing away the targets desires changes them on a mental level.

He also explained that the target has to 'realise' in reality that they were coming to steal the treasure. Obviously, once they become aware of what's happening, the palace becomes even more dangerous.

However, it's necessary because their knowledge of the theft enables the treasure to become physical.

After he gave them a basic explanation, Morgana suggested that they map out the entire palace so they can easily get to the treasure room after they inform the target.

Axel and Akira both agreed but Ryuji was kind of confused as he asked, "Wait! Can someone please explain what he just said?"

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Akira nodded and said, "Basically, once we plot out the route to the treasure room, we can send him an anonymous note telling him someone is trying to steal his treasure. Once he knows we're coming, the treasure will become real, allowing us to steal it."

Lights went on in Ryuji's head as stars appeared in his eyes, "Dude! You guys gotta let me write the note!"

Giving Ryuji a weird look, Axel and Akira glance to each other and sighed.

"Sure thing Ryuji. We'll be counting on you." Said Axel, looking towards the overenthusiastic teen. Seeing the wide smile on Ryuji's face, Axel shook his head before continuing deeper into the dungeon.