Tengoku e no Hangyaku - Rebellion against Heaven (english version)

Chapter 1: The Day It All Came Down

In this world, superheroes and villains are an everyday occurrence. Epic fights, destroyed cities and people praising or cursing the so-called "saviors of mankind". But what you almost never see... are divine things. Gods, demons, angels, those kinds of beings are almost myths in our society. That is, until you witness something like that with your own eyes.

My name is Kisaragi Ryuusei me, I'm 14 years old and, even if it sounds strange, I've always known that the world will never be perfect. But that doesn't stop me from trying to enjoy it. I live in Tokyo with my parents and my two younger sisters, Akari and Mei. My family is pretty normal... well, it was until the day it all went to shit.

It was an ordinary day. I woke up late because, well...I'm a teenager. I ran downstairs with my pajamas in disarray and my hair more unruly than ever.

-Ryuusei, it's about time! -shouted Akari, my younger sister, as she devoured a bowl of cereal.

-Don't worry, it's Saturday," I yawned as I sat at the table.

-That doesn't mean they can sleep in," Mom said, serving me rice and fish.

-But the world is not going to end because of that," I replied with a smile.

-One of these days you're in for a surprise," said Dad, sipping his coffee.

If only I knew how ironic that would be. After breakfast, I decided to go out with my best friend Haruto. He was one of those friends who are always there for you, even if they were a pain in the ass. We met at the park near my house and started talking about meaningless things.

-Hey, Ryuusei, what would you do if the world ended today? -asks Haruto suddenly.

- What kind of foresight is that? Obvious intention to survive, tone.

-You're an idiot.

We laughed, not knowing that those would be our last laughs together.

Suddenly, the ground begins to shake. At first I thought it was a normal ground, after all, we are in Japan. But when the buildings started to split as if they were made of paper, I knew this was different.

-WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?! -Haruto shouted, holding on to a pole.

The sky darkened. Thunder crashed as if hell itself had broken loose. Screams. Glass shattering. Cars overturning.

I ran desperately through the crowd. People were crying, some trapped under debris. An older man fell in front of me, his piercing crushed by a concrete beam.

-MY LEG! MY FUCKING LEG IS BROKEN! -his voice mingled with the sound of sirens and explosions.

I saw a woman suffering with her daughter, both covered in blood. A piece of metal pierced her husband's chest. His body was still writhing.

-DADDY DADDY DADDY DADDY! -the girl screamed until her voice was gone.

I tried to move, to look for Haruto, but then I heard her scream.

-RYUUUUUUUUUSEIII! -I turned around and saw him....

A light pole had fallen on his torso. Blood was gushing from his mouth. His eyes looked at me with despair.

-HOLD ON, HARUTO! I'LL GET YOU OUT OF THERE! -I ran toward him, but a nearby explosion threw me to the pavement.

When I raised my head, Haruto was no longer breathing.

I was in shock. My hands were shaking. The sound of chaos became a distant murmur. Then, the ground beneath me gave way, and I fell into darkness.

When I opened my eyes, I was no longer in Tokyo.

In front of me, a hooded figure stared at me blankly. His face had no features, but his voice was as clear as water.

-Welcome to the other side, kid.

-What? Am I dead? -My voice cracked.

-Not quite. Not quite.

The atmosphere was cold. A mist covered the ground. A smell of blood and death permeated the air. I struggled to my feet.

-Who are you? -I asked.

-Some call me the darkness or the afterlife, others simply Death. But you can call me whatever you like, after all, I will be your last companion.

I tried to process what he says, but my head was still spinning from everything going on.

-Look, creepy hoodie, I don't have time for this. My friend just died, Tokyo is falling apart and I just want to wake up from this nightmare.

Death tilted his head, as if confused.

-Interesting. Not many people react with humor at the sight of my face.

-You're no big deal yourself," I replied with a half-smile.

-Ha. You've got guts, kid.

Then, Death approaches and puts his hand on my head.

-But if you want to live, you will have to pay a price.

An intense cold ran through my body. In that instant, I understood that the world I knew had ceased to exist.

And that my story was just beginning.