Prologue

For most normal children, they would be sleeping soundly in their warm beds at home, then waking up catching the scent of breakfast being cooked by their mom. Then after saying goodbye to their parents, you would leave for school with their friends. Getting through their classes, they would go play at the park with their friends before going back home to join their parents for dinner, while they ask them about their day.

That would be the perfect and normal life―

For those living on Hagun Island, an unknown island located on the further coast of Japan and hidden from the outside world using magic techniques. The children who lived on this island never experienced the luxurious life that they desired. Around the island were children appearing to be between the ages of seven to thirteen who currently worked in the fields on the island to forced to grow their food to survive.

Most of them at this age would normally appear to be tired, but at this point, they were all used to this type of labor by now. Wrapped tightly around their wrist was a bracelet invented using magic, these bracelets were placed on them to keep them under control. Each of them knew this was the only choice either of them had, especially since none of them had parents or families looking for them. They were either abandoned by or even sold for money.

[If you still want to make a bet on who you think will win, then you'd better hurry before the start of the match.]

The children could hear the sound of the announcer from where they stood. In the middle of this island, there was a town where they could find opportunities to earn money by doing jobs and buying anything that they would need. Built-in this town was a circular stadium with different holographic screens floating around before them with the stadium in full view. Those who filled the stands were adults who were mainly middle-aged men.

Most of them gave off a different kind of presence that didn't seem to belong to any normal human, but a good number of them were indeed humans with an unusual aura that covered their bodies.

For the children forced to live on this island, there were only two methods for them to earn any money or to live; one of them is to work in the towns, growing their food, and then the quickest way was to fight in this tournament.

The Nether Realm Tournament―Gehenna.

An underground tournament that is held in the human world where individuals gather children with special powers and have them fight. Either against one another or against monsters with bets being made on the victor, along with certain individuals paying to view this tournament firsthand. This place is perfect for those obsessed with their greed.

[Hello our adoring audience! Welcome back to our wonderful tournament. Today we have our house favorite―]

Inside of a barely lit hallway leading towards the spacious tournament ring, walking towards the light at the end of the hallway a young boy who seemed to be the age of 10. Finally, he stepped outside for the entire stadium to see. He was a black-haired boy with gray eyes that displayed his determined nature and clothing that seemed specifically made for combat yet didn't hinder his movements; sheathed on his side was a sword that didn't seem to be anything special.

[Welcome one of our favorite combatants in Gehenna. Kensei Amagiri!]

Kensei walked on the steps of the ring stepping into the arena for the entire stadium to see. Most of those in the stadium cheered loudly seeing him, while some glanced at him with questioning glances.

"Is that their combatant?"

"From the data that they have on him, he is the last descendant of a clan who specializes in slaying demons and exorcising evil spirits. Aside from that, there isn't much special about him."

"Is this some kind of joke? If he had a sacred gear than it may have been interesting."

Some individuals were new to this kind of gambling laughed at the thought of Kensei even competing. Though they did gather human children to work in the fields, those children did still have the chance to compete in the Gehenna Tournament to make more money.

[Well, without further ado lets get this started.]

As the announcer said that, three openings slid open around the stadium that he was standing in. From each of them a mechanical sound could be heard; appearing before him was a single monster larger than he was. It was a creature with the face and body of a lion albeit with three horns, but with at least three rows of sharp teeth like a shark, its tail resembled that of a scorpion and wings that look almost like bat wings.

[Just look at his opponents the legendary beast, the vicious manticore!]

Following his command, a wide barrier was erected generated around the ring making sure that none of the combatants could leave the arena.

[Now! Battle Start!]

After saying that the inside of the scenery changed into a different environment around him to a wide green area. As if it followed the announcer's signal to start, the manticore charged at Kensei at high-speeds using all four of its limbs. Following its movements, Kensei swiftly dodged its charge at him by moving on to the left. But once he did that, the manticore reacted by directing its scorpion tail at him almost like a whip. Since his feet still hadn't touched the ground there was no way for him to move out of the way, Kensei soon crossed his arms and blocked its tail whip. He could feel the pain from the impact from its tail being transmitted all over his body but he bared with the pain by clenching his teeth tightly.

Kensei pressed his foot against the ground in an attempt to stop himself. Once he finally stopped himself from moving, he looked forward noticing that the manticore had vanished. Staring down at the ground, Kensei took notice of the larger shadow that almost enveloped him. Directing his head upwards, Kensei pressed his foot against the ground stepping away from his former position. A great amount of force was generated from it landing on the ground something that he could feel from where he was. The manticore launched its stinger at him, unsheathing his sword Kensei blocked the point of its stinger using the flat of his blade and altered the path of its stinger so that dug deeply into the ground.

The manticore made several attempts to pull out its stinger. Seeing that it was incapable of even moving anymore, Kensei pressed his foot against the ground and charged forward at the manticore.

"Oooooh!"

It let out a painful scream as Kensei hit it in both its eyes using the bottom of his feet, temporarily blinding it for at least a couple of seconds. Feeling that its scorpion tail was freed from the arena, it attempted to swing its tail around frantically attempting to hit Kensei. Though with every single one of its attempt either dodged or deflected via with his sword, but as he did that it whipped its tail back around aiming its stinger at the back of his neck. It appeared as if Kensei's sword wouldn't be able to make it in time to block it or dodge it.

The next move that he made shocked those who were in the stands. Without hesitation, Kensei held his sword using the blade and blocking its stinger using the bottom of its grip. As his hands were gripped on his blade, blood started to seep from the cuts on both his hand. Gritting his teeth a bit from the pain, Kensei soon fixed his stance with his sword and gripped the hilt of his sword and slashed upwards. Then―

"Raaaawwr!"

Kensei immediately cut off the base of its stinger sending it into the air, streams of purplish blood shot out from the wound. It was unable to recover from the loss of this body part. Seeing the opportunity, Kensei jumped into the air and stabbed the sharp part of its stinger into the head of the manticore killing it instantly not only due to the wound but also due to the poison sent directly into its body. The manticore soon stopped resisting and just died.

After witnessing this ten-years-old killing this manticore, the arena remained silent for a second before they erupted in a roar of cheers.

[Incredible! Kensei Amagiri our house favorite has pulled out another victory against his opponent! I don't think that those cheers are enough…cheer louder!]

From the request by the arbiter, the crowd started to cheer louder for him. Though there were some of the fighters like him who enjoyed the cheers that came from the crowd. Kensei, on the other hand, was different from them, he didn't fight for the thrill of it; he only fought for the sake of surviving on this hell.

After his fight was over the other one started soon after, currently, inside of a room Kensei was being watched over by a group of gun-wielding men clad in white full-body armor with black mixed in it. These were the Gehenna Guard, highly skilled individuals in charge of making sure that the fights remained in line and would mercifully kill anyone who attempted to rebel.

They had already taken away the weapons and armor that Kensei used during his match against the manticore. Normally, he would've already been on his way out of the arena after having his weapons taken away from him. From where he stood, Kensei could hear someone entering the room based on the footsteps that he heard.

Stepping into the room was a young man in his late twenties with dark-colored hair and brown eyes, based on appearance alone one could tell that he was of Japanese descent. This was the organizer of the Gehenna Tournament―Taro Aoyama. Kensei quietly narrowed his eyes at him with a great deal of annoyance being given off.

"Now now, Kensei no need to give me that look. I just came to give you your pay for the match and to inform you of the schedule of your next few matches."

"Why would you even bother telling me that? Normally you would send a letter to my house."

"Shut it brat!"

One of the guards took the butt of their gun and smack it on the side of Kensei's face, he could feel the force of the attack as it caused a bruise to form on his face. Seeing this occur causing Taro to sigh of disappointment.

"Come on guys don't rough up the kid."

"Yes, sir."

Despite them agreeing with his request, Kensei continued to glare at the dark-haired spectacled young man with a great deal of hatred in his eyes.

"Still with that look on your face. I wouldn't expect anything less from someone of the Amagiri Clan, you know your mother was like that until the end. Your father was so intent on selling you for the money we offered. A surviving member of the formerly well-known Amagiri Clan, the crowd who came to see today's match was a lot bigger than usual."

Hearing that last comment about his mother caused the hatred to flare in his eyes, Kensei had been on this island for almost two years now and several people for his match continued to increase. Despite the calm and kind tone that came from Taro's mouth, Kensei knew that all that he cared about was the money made using the tournament.

"…."

He didn't say a single word and just continued to glare at Taro who just shrugged his shoulders.

"Don't give me that look, I'm just fully embracing my true nature as a human and that's our greed…the same as devils. But, the only difference between us and devils is that our lives are limited so there are little and limited times for us to truly enjoy life. Plus there is research in your brat's special abilities and sacred gears that are being sold to a different organization interested in you little freaks. There is also even this weirdo from the church who is interested in anyone who can wield some type of sword. So don't hate me for being human."

"You're barely even human, to begin with."

Kensei thought harshly about the man before him. Taro explained the schedule of his next few matches today, after that the guards started to take him outside of the arena.

"By the way, why don't you use your families' techniques? I know that your mother taught them before she died."

"I refuse to use my families' ancient techniques for you peons."

Kensei commented coldly as he turned his back on Taro.

Letting out a slight chuckle before glancing towards the ten-years-old with harsh eyes, he directed his hand that had a unique magic ring on his finger.

"Chains of Gehenna Bind…Kensei Amagiri."

The magic ring on his finger started to shine with a pale light, in response to this the bracelet around his wrist started to shine with the same light. From where it was placed on his wrist ominous-looking magic symbols started to creep around his entire body. Kensei's eyes widened in shock as his body gave up on him and the pain was sent throughout his entire body causing him to fall on his knees.

"…."

Though Kensei was used to this level of pain, it was still an excruciating thing to experience and he couldn't move a single muscle. He could see the luxurious shoes belonging to Taro walking near him, then before he knew it. This was their means of controlling them through the use of the ring on his finger that him alone could use and that is connected to all the bracelet worn by the children of this island.

STEP!

Taro stomped on Kensei's head forcing him deeper into the street before losing the calm look on his face as he glared down coldly at him.

"Don't be cruel Kensei, I don't think that this is a productive way to act. Aren't we all getting benefits from this little operation of mine?" Taro sneered at him, as he twisted his foot on his head sending pain around Kensei's body. Kensei then looked after noticing a yellow envelope being thrown on the ground next to him. "Chains of Gehenna: Release."

Kensei could finally move again as he let out a breath of relief, at the same time Taro removed his foot from off of his head.

"Now, I was a meeting to attend with a couple of friends. Just remember this Kensei…the lives of you brats whether you're fully human or whatever freaky species existing in this godforsaken world…all of you belong to me."

Saying those final words after fixing his suit, Taro left the room leaving the guards to lead Kensei back to the area belonging to the children there.

Built-in another secluded part of the island further away from the city was a village that contained several small houses where the children lived. Though the houses didn't look like much, at the very least it kept them protected from harsh conditions. Almost a hundred children were living in this single area, but for most times the numbers would diminish from those who never survived the matches in the Gehenna Tournament.

Kensei walked down the dirt road leading towards where he lived and watched as some of the kids who lived there stood outside training themselves further so that they could survive. Since there were no schools on this island a good number of the children had to be taught by the oldest kids. Due to the conditions, they had to develop and mature quicker than they should.

Soon enough, Kensei stopped in front of one of the small houses and walked in front of the front door; used a key on hand to open his door. Walking inside he noticed the depressing settings and furniture that was called the "living room".

"Hey, Claire. I'm…."

"Welcome back, Nii-chan!"

Wrapping their own around his waist cheerfully was a nine-year-old girl with grey-colored hair with the same colored eyes; she was noticeably adorable while having a graceful face. Seeing the cheerful look that she sent towards him caused a small smile to form on his face.

"Hey, Claire."

Kensei greeted as he patted Claire's head, feeling his hand on her head caused a giggle to escape her mouth. This was his Claire a young girl that Kensei met almost two weeks after being brought onto Hagun Island. He didn't know how long she had been on this island, but when he found her Claire was shivering under a tree wearing clothes that didn't seem like any worn by anyone else there.

Seeing the injuries on his body, caused a gasp to leave from her mouth.

"Nii-chan how did you get those injuries?"

Claire questioned as she looked at his face.

She knew from experience that most of the injuries that Kensei got from the monsters he battled at the beginning were injuries ranging from cut and slashes. Though as time passed the injuries he would receive diminish unless the creature was more powerful than intended.

"Don't worry your pretty little head, this is nothing."

"I'm going to go get the kit."

His attempt to lessen her worry went unheard as she left the room at a fast pace normally impossible for someone her age. Seeing that she left, Kensei let out a sigh and took a seat on the couch in the living room waiting for her to come back. Just as that thought crossed his mind, Claire walked back into the room carrying the first-aid kit in her hand. Opening it, she began the minor first-aid for the injury on his head.

"So did Alice ever come back from her match?"

"No, Alice-nee never came back."

Claire answered. This Alice was someone else who lived with them in this house, and just like Kensei, she competed in matches like him. They thought that it would be better for Claire to work on growing food with the others, while the two of them fought to earn more money. Though there was a difference between Alice and Kensei….

Unlock! Open!

Just as Claire was finishing bandaging his injuries, the door opened revealing a blonde-haired girl the same age as Kensei or even possibly a year older with bright yellow yet at the same time looked blank and almost uninspired. Her body was a bit weaker compared to Kensei and wore light clothes that didn't look to do much with keeping her warm showing the slightest hint of a growing chest, but the first thing that they took notice of was the fact was she was covered in blood. Her name was Alice Evangelista.

"A-Alice what happened?!"

"Huh?" Alice questioned before taking note of the blood that stained her clothes and finally thought that it was strange that she was getting weird looks from the others living around here. "Oh, this is from the monsters that I fought."

"Monsters as in how many?"

Hearing Kensei's question, Alice thought about the answer before remembering the number.

"About ten maybe thirteen." She answered him causing him, but Alice then ran her fingers through her long hair almost as if she looked bored after remembering the fight. "They thought that increasing the number of monsters would make things interesting. Since you know…I can make demonic beasts."

Alice held her hands out as the shadow under her feet started to extend outwards and twitch almost as if it were alive. Soon enough different parts of creatures started to extend out from the shadow before Alice caused them to settle down and vanish. It always sent an unsettling feeling down their backs seeing this happen from time to time.

This was her sacred gear, Annihilation Maker a High-Tier Longinus that allow her to create several demonic beasts based on the imagination of the user; it also has world-class powers with the potential to destroy the world if used in the wrong hands.

"If they are going to send me up against monsters, they could have at least send more with far more interesting ones. My imagination wasn't even stirred a bit."

Alice lazily replied.

Since her sacred gear was mainly based on her imagination, if she wasn't inspired by anything then they won't be as strong as they're supposed to be. Though they could still do some damage depending on what they're up against.

"Alice-nee go take a bath, while I get dinner ready."

"Va bene."

Alice said an Italian word that meant "Okay" since at least Kensei needed time to begin to understand, while Claire could easily understand her without help. As they stood there, they could hear water running in their single bathroom. Seeing that she followed her advice, Claire went towards their kitchen.

"Okay, I'll get dinner ready. You can't fight on an empty stomach, right?"

Kensei smiled at her happy expression, as she walked into the kitchen with a pot already sitting on the stove. Since this place wasn't was furbished as the locations in the city, they had to cook by starting a fire on their own. This wasn't a problem for Claire. Snapping her finger towards the stove, a fire was lit under the pot and its contents started to cook. Since neither Kensei or Alice could cook properly, they normally left it to her. Walking outside of the bathroom wearing a new change of clothes was Alice who continued to dry her hair using a towel placed on her head.

"You know Alice you should wear some more clothes so you won't get sick again."

"But, I don't want to. You know I hate wearing heavy clothes not that they allow us to have anything besides these anyway."

Alice complained as she took a seat next to him waiting for Claire to finish cooking before leaning her head on his shoulder. Taking a glance towards her, Kensei noticed a far more depressing look on her face different from the usual one she would wear.

"What's wrong?"

"On the way here, I noticed that Maki, Jude, and Yuu wasn't around. I know that their matches were already scheduled before yours so they should be here, but they aren't here."

"…."

Kensei didn't say a single word, knowing what that could have meant.

"Then, they were probably taken elsewhere off the island."

"To be experimented on by someone? To be given an unfair deal to act as just another [Piece] for one a relative of one of those old devils? Or did they―?"

Alice didn't finish her sentence and just wrapped her arms around Kensei's arm. From just this alone Kensei could already tell that she was afraid not just for herself, but also for Claire and Kensei who was her only family.

"I was abandoned by my parents and shunned by my old friends due to my sacred gear, then brought here to fight for the entertainment of others. To make a small sum of money that barely provides use the basic needs, while those guys who keep us here takes the rest. Then to be afraid of being taken away, then either turned in an experiment or slave. I don't think that I can bear being away from either you or Claire."

Seeing that she was worried about being away from them, Kensei placed his arm comfortably around her shoulder and brought her into a hug. Alice stared at him with slightly widened eyes as she didn't except for him to hug her back, he also placed his forehead on hers.

"Don't worry, I'll protect all of us. That's a promise."

He said with a bit of confidence laced in his words without a hint of hesitation.

Hearing the tone of his voice and the brave smirk on his face, Alice stared at him with her face turning a bit pink.

"Idiota."

Again Alice spoke an Italian word as she glanced away from him.

It didn't take Kensei much knowledge to tell that she called him an idiot, the two of them then sensed that someone was watching the two of them. They turned towards the source and noticed Claire staring at the two of them with her cheeks puffed into a pout, along with an adorable glare.

"Alice-nee, I told you that you couldn't have Nii-chan!"

"Hmmm, but my imagination always stir whenever I look at his cute face. He's one of the only people where who always fight so courageously without fear. I can't afford to have someone else take him away from me."

"Muu, but Nii-chan promised he'd marry me!"

Her sudden response caused them both to stare at the young grey-haired girl with a dumbfounded look on their face.

"Wait, when did I say that?"

Kensei was confused about what just came from Claire's mouth since he never remembered making a promise like that before.

"It was when we first met, you held your hand out and said [You don't have to worry anymore because I will always be with you forever]."

Now that Kensei thought about it, saying that to a girl her age would sound like a marriage proposal. It, however, didn't deter Alice who soon wrapped her arms around his neck bringing him into a hug with a hint of a teasing look directed at Claire.

"Then why that means I'll just have to take him away from you."

Hearing that from Claire was the last straw, a grayish almost silver aura started to cover her body as she continued to glare with an adorable look at Alice. This was a different kind of power beyond anything that neither Kensei or Alice could utilize―no it was something she was born to wield. Kensei knew that if she were the utilize it there would be nothing that even he could do to stop her without getting physical.

"C-Come on, don't you think that the food will get cold," Kensei said a with a bit of a nervous tone, as he stood between his adoptive sister and Alice. "Why don't we all just eat together?"

Regaining her composure, Claire calmed down and went over to the pot to place the food on the plates they use to eat on. Once they were finished, they sat around the small table that with a single utensil in their hands. It wasn't the best meal, but it was the best Claire could do with the ingredients that they had and yet it still tasted good all the same.

"Okay, let's say grace."

"Wait, Alice, I don't think that―"

"Oh, Lord. Bless this food and the one who…."

"Auu."

Hearing that unfinished prayer causing a sharp pain to go through Claire's head causing her to place both her hands on her head. Seeing the pained look on her face, Alice stared at her with an apologetic look on her face.

"Sorry, Claire. I forgot."

"Alice-nee do you hate me or something?"

Claire questioned with tears forming at the corner of her eyes, seeing her beginning to cry Alice waved her hands forward in front of her.

"Of course I don't hate you, Claire."

"Okay, let's eat without giving Claire a praying induced headache."

"Va bene."

"Okay."

They agreed to eat lunch and they began to quietly eat, enjoying the food prepared by their young cook. Though it wasn't much they still enjoyed it. As they continued to eat, Claire started to take silent glances at Kensei who bit down on the bread in his hand. Feeling her eyes on him, he glanced towards her with a wondering look.

"What's wrong?"

"I was just thinking about…why don't you ever use your families' techniques? If you continued wouldn't that mean you're hindering yourself, then maybe you won't get so many injuries."

He stopped eating after hearing Claire ask that question, even though Alice continued eating the food she listened to their conversation.

"I don't want to use my families' techniques in these kinds of fight. Since our ancestor, all of our martial arts and swordplay had been polished for centuries to protect people. Most of those techniques were taught to me by my mother...so I refuse to use them in a tournament like this."

"But, you said that you would protect us. Then wouldn't that give you a reason to use them?"

Claire questioned him, it was something that caused Kensei to be lost in thought as he just continued to stare away from her. Since he was a child, Kensei was always told that their clan has sworn to protect the innocent from evil spirits and demons. His mother never answered the one question that he always wondered. Where their other relatives? And why weren't they with them? Every time Kensei would ask she would remain silent.

"Claire, I―"

BEEP BEEP

A signal came from the bracelet on his wrist. Three of them knew that this was a signal that his match was about to start in a couple of minutes. Kensei sighed as he stood up from his seat placing his spoon next to his plate and glanced towards the two of them.

"I'll be right back in a while guys."

"Nii-chan…."

Claire said to him with a hint of worry in her voice but was stopped as Kensei petted her head and sent her a kind smile.

"Don't worry about it, I'll always come back for you."

"Ahem."

Alice let out a fake cough causing Kensei to laugh somewhat nervously.

"Hahaha, of course, you to Alice."

The blonde nodded in agreement to what he said accepting his answer. Seeing that they were both alright, Kensei left the house locking the door behind him and started to head towards the arena for his next match. As he continued to walk down in the direction, he began to clench his fist tightly as what Claire said continued to go through his head.

"Would it be alright for me to use our families' techniques in a place like this? Would that be alright, mom?"

Kensei wondered to himself with a conflicted look on his face.

Inside of what seemed like a control room, Taro stood inside behind several individuals working on different controls. What showed on the large monitor in front of them were different cages with an assortment of different monsters held inside of them. He stared at them wondering which one would he send out to fight against Kensei.

"That kid has been here for four months yet he still hadn't used any of his families' techniques in any of his matches. I promised my audience a match with the Last Amagiri and they're starting to have doubts about him being one." Taro continued to complain about his situation with an annoyed look before a cruel idea came to mind. "Well, I tried being hospitable. Send in five demons and a throw in a Cerberus."

"But, Taro-sama isn't that a bit too far."

"Sending in those four would be―"

"Horrible? Harsh? Inhumane?" Taro sneered as he glared at them. "Do you think that you're being kind to the little brat? For almost three years we've been sending children and young teens gathering orphaned children some with special powers, then sending them up against demonic beasts and monsters. Are you having a change of heart after all this time?"

Seeing the cold almost heartless look sent them the workers couldn't refute what he was saying in the slightest. Each of them only turned towards the monitor and smiled almost sadistically.

"You know when I first heard about the supernatural from my grandfather, I thought he finally went senile. Not that I cared, either way, the only thing that I ever cared about was money. It was until I was in my third year of high school when I saw one of my young junior students fighting a demon using a sacred gear. Since that day, I started to research about them until I found a leaflet that I could use to summon a devil. It was then I finally got my questions answered and I fell into despair." Taro spoke out loud in a bit of a depressed tone. "I realized that no matter the hard work or time I spent working. The money that I would have made in a single lifetime pales compared to what a devil can make as long as I continued to do things the normal way. It was then that I made up my mind to embrace my greed just like a devil and gambled everything for the sake of building all this on this island. My paradise is those brat's hell."

A/N: There goes the first chapter of my new DxD Story! I have been thinking about doing a story like this for a while. For those wondering whether or not Kensei has a Sacred Gear…he does not, but he will learn different abilities soon. It appears as if this OC has been caught in the middle of a dangerous tournament located on an undiscovered island along with his two friends. So, until next time.