Axel Amsel/Plot

### A Mere Human Arc

Axel corners Kazuki in the hallway when the human is alone and tries to intimidate him into joking his cheer squad. Kazuki's bodyguard Sherbet Summers appears and is instantly suspicious of Axel who claims that he’s just giving Kazuki a little pep talk as his upperclassman. Sherbet flashes him a dubious look but dismisses it and turns to leave, apologizing for interrupting the two. As Axel redirects his attention back to the helpless human, Sherbet fakes a sneeze and throws a shuriken at his head and she grabs Kazuki's hand as they make a break for it. Axel transforms into a werewolf and chases after them on all fours.

Kazuki and Sherbet lose him but are knocked out by Mitzy and Roxy with a swift neck chop from behind. In the gymnasium, Kazuki is chained to a pole and is greeted by Axel who asks him again to join his squad. Kazuki snaps at him, demanding to know what his deal is and why he cares so much for a plain human like him. This causes the twins to snap back at him, calling him an ingrate for turning down their captain’s kind offer until Axel snaps his fingers and orders them to check up on Sherbet. They nod and do as they’re told, leaving Axel to deal with Kazuki.

Grinning, Axel brings up Kazuki’s regeneration ability that he acquired from getting his Mark of the Beast. He asks Kazuki to forgive him for what he’s about to do before ripping out his heart which is connected to a black tar-like substance stretching out from his ribcage. He tries to slow the beating of Kazuki's heart by telling him to breathe which works and the initials “E.O.B” appear on the organ. This visibly confuses Axel but he shrugs it off with a smirk and releases his hold on Kazuki’s heart, sending it back into his limp body with a snap. He then convinces the human once more to join his side, highlighting the fact they are the same. Kazuki, with his spirit broken, finally agrees in defeat. Axel approves of his compliance and inquires if he will be needing Sherbet any more. Kazuki just tells with him to not harm her which Axel responds by slicing his chains with his hand and welcomes him to the team but Kazuki ignores him as he gets up.

As they were cleaning themselves off Axel grabs Kazuki by the shoulder and warns him of the repercussions that would come if he were to ever betray the squad. Kazuki replies to this with a flat “understood”, completely unfazed by the werewolf’s sudden change in demeanor.

#### Kazuki Vs Axel

Kazuki questions Axel on his goal which Axel tries to avoid but Kazuki demands to know more about the hierarchy that he mentioned earlier. Axel quietly mentions Xiomara before falling silent and tossing Kazuki his cheerleading uniform.

Sherbet bursts into the gymnasium and voices her hurt that Kazuki would join forces with the likes of Axel but Kazuki argued that he had no choice. Axel tells her that he had promised to kill Kazuki if he ever turned his back on the squad, causing Sherbet to shield Kazuki with her own body. Kazuki clenches his fists and with all the courage he could muster, Kazuki shouts out to Axel from behind Sherbet that he’ll take him on. Amused, Axel questions him on his sudden display of bravery in which Kazuki merely quotes him on how they’re the same making him fit to be his opponent.

Axel tells Sherbet to get real and that they’re up against The Brazen Youths, not some schoolyard tykes. Sherbet fires back by saying she doesn’t care if he doesn’t join, but Kazuki is coming back with her no matter what. She walks over to Kazuki and places her hand on his shoulder. Axel breaks up the heartwarming moment by saying that he had promised to kill Kazuki if he ever turned his back on the squad, causing Sherbet to shield Kazuki with her own body. Axel just shrugs as he had no problems beating her into a bloody pulp as well. Kazuki clenches his fists, feeling completely helpless as the two canid breeds continued to go back and forth. With all the courage he could muster, Kazuki shouts out to Axel from behind Sherbet that he’ll take him on. Amused, Axel questions him on his sudden display of bravery in which Kazuki merely quotes him on how they’re the same making him fit to be his opponent. Kazuki, seeing Sherbet’s worried look, gives her a reassuring nod before moving past her to approach Axel.

The werewolf transforms his arm and beckons the redhead to come at him. Kazuki closes his eyes and reopens them as he suddenly combusts into black flames. Kazuki jumps out of the flames to strike Axel with bladed tonfas but Axel catches it with his bare hands, taking a moment to marvel at it before tossing it aside along with the human.

In the middle of the fight, Kazuki becomes exhausted, giving Axel an opening. The werewolf slashes Kazuki on the face with his clawed hand, mutilating his cheek and eye. A black photosphere manifests in front of Kazuki, causing him to panic at the sight of it. Lunging forward, Kazuki cries out to Axel to run away but he doesn't move and takes the blast head-on. The photosphere reverberates violently against his body until it fizzles out into nothingness. Axel coughs up blood, commenting on how the attack messed up his insides and could have destroyed his heart. Kazuki asks him why he hadn’t dodged the attack which Axel only chuckled at. He tells him that he wanted a better taste of that “dark power” of his which makes Kazuki squint at his wording. The two dingo-canids run to their injured captain's aid and before teleporting away look at Kazuki with anger in their eyes. They warn him that this isn’t over and that they won’t take such an embarrassing loss lightly. After the cheerleading trio made a huge spectacle of themselves with Axel vomiting blood and the twins crying out in horror, they vanish.

### Brazen Youths Arc

Axel continues to keep tabs on the human even after his defeat by having his cheerleading posse constantly spy on Kazuki. Kazuki and Sherbet stop by the werewolf's dorm where they notice that the door isn't fully closed and Axel no where to be found. Unbeknownst to them, Axel masked his presence and was stealthily clinging to the corner of the ceiling adjacent to the door before launching himself Kazuki. Kazuki could barely breathe as Axel playfully had him in a headlock but the human was able to vocalize his relief that he had recovered. Sherbet catches Kazuki as he was let go and angrily turns to say to Axel that they're leaving which causes Axel's mood to change. The werewolf apologizes to the both of them for what put them through, explaining how that dark power of Kazuki’s isn’t something to be taken lightly and ensures his Cerberus Cheer Squad will do their best to protect them. Sherbet argues that she doesn't need his protection as she was more than capable of protecting both herself and Kazuki. The human tries to convince her to just accept their help which the tanuki eventually does.

#### Axel vs Xiomara

Axel summons Kazuki for what he calls "special training" in the gym but is interrupted when Xiomara and Blanc enter uninvited. Elated to see his sister again, Axel transforms his arms and bolts towards the two assassins, giving Xiomara a big hug. The older Amsel sibling didn't resist the younger's show of affection but eventually pulls away with a smirk, saying that she didn't come to see him. Her vacant red eyes dart over to Kazuki and she begins making her way over to the tensed human before Axel blocks her path. While staring her down, Axel challenges her to a sparring match to prove how much he’s grown. Surprisingly, Xiomara accepts his challenge but she tells him he’s allowed to strike her while she’s in this form.

Axel tells his sister to not cry if he ends up giving hurting her in her small, normal body. Xiomara bites back by targeting his pride which embarrasses him and Axel transforms into his were-form. Xiomara evades all his slashing attacks with ease and she vaults herself over his shoulders, putting him a submission hold. Kazuki tries to intervene but Axel tells that this was between him and his sister making the human take a step back. Coldly, Xiomara advises her brother to stop this petty sibling rivalry already, adding that it’s boring. She continues on, saying how even if she were to transform, the difference in power is too great and she might actually end up killing him. After Axel's arms are dislocated, the two assassins leave and Kazuki runs up to the werewolf, asking him if he's alright. Axel tells him that he is and gestures Mitzy and Roxy over with his head. The twins chop both of his dislocated arms, triggering Kazuki's hemophobia and he faints

#### Kazuki’s Breakdown

Axel is made aware of Kazuki's odd behavior after Sherbet comes over to his domain in the gym. Concerned, Axel accompanies Sherbet to Kazuki's dorm where they see that Kazuki hasn't been talking care of himself at all.

Stone-faced, Axel questions him on his well-being and Kazuki lies that he's fine which causes Sherbet to step up. She tells him that he doesn't have to lie, bringing up their friendship which causes Kazuki to reveal how he isn't supposed to exist along with his past reputation as a monster. Sherbet expression softens as she tells him that she understands but Kazuki screams at her that she doesn't as he he isn't a monster like her and Axel. Sherbet is hurt by his words and storms off, leaving Axel to look at Kazuki with disappoint before running after her.

Axel is attacked by Ember Hertz while he is outside in search for Sherbet. However, their fight is constantly interrupted by the many lightning strikes conjured by Elliot's **Pandora's Box**. Axel is struck by one of these lightning strikes but he fortunately transforms most of his body to lessen the impact of the blast. Axel summons Conrad to take his place in the fight before passing out.

#### Kazuki vs Blanc

A day after the fight with Elliot, Axel reveals to Kazuki and Sherbet that he is joining their squad when they heard arguing. Two males students were enemies in a love-triangle which becomes even more heated when one of Xiomara's uniformed assassin approaches them and encourages them to fight. Axel intervenes before the fight could escalate but Xiomara and her two closest assassins suddenly appear, causing the two male students to flee in fear. The uniformed assassin greets the Brazen trio but Xiomara dismisses him to focus her attention on Kazuki which makes Blanc jealous and he attacks the human. Kazuki numbs both his hands with his **Numbing Burst** but that doesn't stop Blanc’s wrath as multiple ice pillars shoot out of the ground and close in on the injured Kazuki. Axel moves in front of Kazuki to shield but Sherbet beats him to it and is impaled in the solar plexus. The pillar of ice vanishes and Axel catches Sherbet and yells at her for putting herself in danger when she doesn't have any healing abilities. She weakly tells him that she just wanted to be useful for once and passes out.

As Sherbet is recovering in the school's infirmary, Axel confesses to her that he is in love with Kazuki. Sherbet is overjoyed when she hears this and devotes herself to being his wingman but Axel is hesitant. Kazuki returns to the infirmary after talking to Conrad and asks the two what they were talking about. Axel stumbles on his words before Sherbet tells Kazuki that she’s feeling much better and how she be able to get back into action. Kazuki smiles and advises her to just take it easy.

### Underworld Arc

Kazuki makes Sherbet and Axel aware about his plan to separate from Rouge which the tanuki suggests they go to Ember. After seeking out Ember, the hellhound takes the Take-down Squad back to the dorm shared by the two other assassins. While Axel and Xiomara's relationship had been mended, Blanc isn't happy to see the werewolf and the two bicker before Ember calms them down.

When Kazuki is thrown into The Underworld and Rouge's soul is reborn into a new body, Axel joins the party in rescuing the human. During their search in the Underworld, the party came across a tavern where they would retire in for the night. To Axel's dismay, he is paired up in a room with Rouge who confesses to Axel that out of all the rest, she always hated him the most. This causes Axel to feel guilty as he is reminded how badly he treated Kazuki when they first met. However, Rouge continues by saying how, after seeing how deeply the werewolf cares about the mission, it’s no wonder why Kazuki is in love with him. Axel becomes flustered at this and repeats her but Rouge just goes into the bathroom.

Axel eventually falls asleep and wakes up the next day to learn that Rouge had ran away. Axel informs the rest of the group about her disappearance which Sherbet and Blanc blame him for.

When they finally find Kazuki, Axel blames himself for Rouge's disappearance and is comforted by Kazuki who expresses his gratitude that they were able to find him.

#### Axel vs Rey

As they switched their mission of rescuing Kazuki to Rouge, Axel alerts the group that he has to use the bathroom. He was going to go into a secluded alley until Sherbet told him to use the bathroom in the Forever-Still Space. After transporting himself out of the space, Axel sees Rey and accosts him as the imp was a suspect in Rouge's disappearance. Rey tells him that Rouge was happy where she is and proves it by showing her on the crystal ball. The image of Rouge being molested by Neo disgusts Axel and he transforms into his were-form. Rey shoots Axel in the hip with his evolved **Silver Breacher Palm** which throws the werewolf back. Axel panics when the wound isn't healing and Rey fires another shot but Xiomara shields her brother from the blast. This caused her to be shot in the heart which went through her body, striking Axel in the left shoulder. Rey is summoned back to the Viscera Purgers's castle before he could do any more damage. Axel passes out from shock and is taken to the Forever-still Space to recover where Kazuki visits him a little while later. Kazuki informs Axel of his sister's death which he doesn't take well and he roughly pins Kazuki against a well. Axel calms down and solemnly asks Kazuki to take him to Xiomara which the human does. Xiomara's body was resting on the bed the master bedroom with Blanc kneeling at her side. Blanc refuses to leave Xiomara side which angers Axel but Kazuki stops him before he could say anything. The two leave the frosthound to mourn and Axel tells the others what was being done to Rouge by Viscera Purgers, confirming that they were the enemies.

#### The End

Lured by a strong presence, Kazuki runs to an abandoned town with Sherbet and Axel following behind him. Kazuki instructs his friends to stand back as Neo finally appears which commences the final battle. In the middle of the heated standoff, both of Kazuki's onyx blades shatter and Neo charges with his Ephemeral Platinum Saber, causing Sherbet to scream. This succeeds in snapping Kazuki out of his shock and miraculously the shattered remains of his tonfa blades form a shield, protecting him from the blow that would’ve ended his life. However, this was all an illusion made by Neo and it revealed that Kazuki was stabbed in the heart Neo fuses with his saber and he awakens as a god. With despair and rage fueling them, Sherbet and Axel charge at Neo but they were both killed with a single head tap that destroyed their brains.

All seemed dire until Kazuki absorbs the souls of his fallen friends and transforms into his Cerberus form. Kazuki is able to defeat Neo with his newly acquired **Hades Raging Blood Burst** which sends the demon to his own Forever-still Space where he will stay for all eternality. This causes all the Overworld characters to come back to life but Rouge is not so lucky as she crawls over to Kazuki to say her final goodbye. Kazuki cries as he doesn't want her to leave him but Rouge reminds him that his friends are still there and places a final kiss on his forehead before fading away.

Ember and Oralee appear which relieves Kazuki but the two other members of the Take-down Squad were wary of the small demoness. Ember tells them not to worry and that Oralee is on their side and the demoness uses her powers as the Child of Light to transport The Overworld characters back to their homeworld. There Kazuki makes his feelings for Axel known as he kisses him.