Chereads / The Hopeless Hero (Draft) / Chapter 98 - A Final Vow

Chapter 98 - A Final Vow

"Do you think that we'll meet Ray, Dusk, and her family at the 9th gate?" Leonna asked me as we continued our path downwards.

"Oh, you're right," I said. "Those cuntmandments did say that they were down here. I hope they're safe."

"I don't think that you'll have anything to worry about when it comes to them," Kuro said. "They're with someone who will keep them safe."

"Well that's good to hear." Xylvia said with a smile.

We boarded onto the next train that would take us to the 5th gate.

"I guess that means that the only thing left for us to worry about is…"

We all turned our heads to face Kuro as we took our seats.

"…you." I said.

3 hours earlier

~

"I'll be coming with you guys," Kuro said. "There's someone that I have to meet."

"Oh boy." Wrath sighed.

"Who's this person?" I asked.

"Just a girl," Kuro said. "I have some important business to discuss with her."

"God of the Heavens, you've said that you would meet her for years, but you always chicken out in the end." Wrath said with another sigh.

I noticed Kuro's eyebrows furrow a little.

"Well, this discussion is very important, so I have no way of canceling our meeting this time." Kuro said, starting to lose his composure.

A faint smirk formed on Wrath's face. I started to get a little nervous for what was about to come.

"I can already see how it will all go down," Wrath said, his arms raised like he was in a play. "You'll walk into her house, rose in one hand, and the small box in the other."

"A rose seems a little strange to have for a business meeting." Kuro said, his entire body shaking.

"You'll practice those few special words for a little bit until she shows up in front of you, wearing a beautiful dress and a smile that will take your breath away."

"I m-mean, it is p-polite to c-compliment someone's attire." Kuro said, stuttering on his own words.

"You'll stand there like a moron, stuttering like you are right now, trying your very best to get those words out, but you will succumb to your own embarrassment and run away, leaving her standing there and having to wait yet again."

"B-b-b-BUSINESS!!!! IT'S BUSINESS!!!!" Kuro screamed as he fell to his knees and began muttering the word "business" to himself over and over again.

"Woah, Wrath just brought God to his knees." Leonna said.

"Are…your trying to propose to this girl?" I asked Kuro.

"I…*sigh*…yes." Kuro said, sounding defeated.

I'm starting to feel bad for this said girl.

"Who is she?" Xylvia asked.

"Um…well, her name is Kirino and…she's kind've known as…Devil…"

~

This is gonna end badly.

I could see Kuro fidgeting with his fingers, and small box being held in one of his hands.

"What do you think Hiro," Xylvia asked me. "This sounds really exciting."

"I mean it sounds really sweet, but…" I paused.

"But what?" Xylvia asked me.

"I may not know much about angels and demons and stuff, but wouldn't something like this start a war?"

"I feel like something like this would cause the exact opposite to happen," Leonna said, joining the conversation. "If Kuro and this Kirino girl were to get married, then maybe the angels and demons would decide to vote for peace instead of wanting this long war to continue on."

"I don't think that everyone would agree," I said. "Remember, the Ten Commandments and two of of the Seven Deadly Sins still want a war to happen."

"That may be true, but I don't see why this shouldn't happen," Xylvia said. "I mean, it's marriage. What's there to stop them from going for it. I'm assuming that they both really love each other."

"What is it about marriage that makes everything so beautiful," Leonna said. "Just thinking about it makes my heart flutter."

"Me to," Leonna said. "I can only imagine what the wedding dress will look like on this girl."

Both Leonna and Xylvia were suddenly off in there own world talking about everything related to marriage.

"What's up with those two?" Yuno whispered to me.

"Just women being women," I said with a shrug. "Oh, by the way, could you do me a favor?"

"Hmm?"

We kept on walking from one side of the station to the next, barely paying any attention to what was happening in each gate.

"It feels like the deeper we go, the more depressing it gets." I said.

"The past Devil ruled with a terrible iron fist," Kuro said. "Everyone calls the past God a monster, but it was Lucifer himself who pulled all the strings. He was nothing but pure evil."

"Do you think that Kirino can fix all of this?" Leonna asked.

"I believe in her, but she can't do it alone. I also couldn't fix Heaven alone either. We did everything we could together. Even if our century long efforts only got us to this point, it's still progress."

Our last stop was in front of a large gate that led to that castle we saw way back at the Third Gate. It looked intimidating and cool at the same time.

"ID please." Said a guard with a spear.

Kagashi pulled out his ID as well as a piece of paper and handed them to the guard.

"Very well," the guard said after skimming through them. "Devil will be seeing you at the dining area."

The halls were decorated with lit candles and paintings of men and women with horns and wings. There was carpet the color of blood rolled out across the floors and stairs that reached unimaginable heights.

"You'll feel like you e only taken a few steps on those stairs and you'll suddenly find yourself at the very top," Wrath said. "God of the Heavens, could you please stop shaking like that."

Kuro's entire body was shaking with anxiety as he did everything he could to hold onto the box.

"This isn't the kind of behavior that a God should be using you know." Wrath said, rubbing his forehead.

"Shut up! I've only been God for a century!" Kuro said.

"KURO!!!"

Two young people, a guy and a girl, came running to Kuro and greeted him with a hug.

"Mia, Kaito! What are you guys doing here?" Kuro asked, a little surprised.

"There no way in hell that we'd ever want to miss your wedding!" Kaito said.

"Even if it's the 10th time you've tired, we will always show up." Mia said.

"Man, you guys are the best!" Kuro said, hugging them tightly.

"He's done this ten times?" Yuno asked, completely slumped over with a dumbstruck face.

"He said that he was chosen because he was the best fit to take on the role," I said. "What kind of terrible people was he living with?"

"Let me introduce you guys," Kuro said. "Everyone, these two are some of my friends. This man is Kaito, and this girl is Mia. They're both the ones who control that Red Strings of Fate."

"It's quite a crazy job sometimes," Kaito said. "Things always keep getting tangled up…"

"It's a good thing you have someone with you who has a brain," Mia said. "If it wasn't for me, the number of strings that would've snapped would've been uncountable."

Kaito chuckled while scratching his head.

"Hey now, don't forget us!" A voice said.

Another couple came from behind Kaito and Mia.

"Daisies, Yume! You came here to?!" Kuro asked, getting excited yet again.

"Yep, ten times the charm." Daisuke said.

"You got this Kuro! I believe in you!" Yume said.

"Aw, thanks guys," Kuro said, blushing a little. "Everyone, this is Daisuke and Yume. Also known as…"

"The new Sin of Greed and Sin of Lust," Wrath interrupted. "It's a pleasure to meet you two."

"The pleasure is ours." Both Daisuke and Yume said.

"New Sins?" I tilted my head.

"The old Sin of Lust and Sin of Greed have had there roles terminated after what had happened with the current war," Kuro said. "These two decided that they wanted to fill in those roles, so Kirino appointed them as the new Sins."

"I'm sensing more than one Sin here though." Yume said

"Hey Shana, come on out." I said to the sword on my right side.

The sword shifted into a human form. Within a few moments, Shana was right beside me. Or rather right behind me with her head peeking from my right side.

"Shana, you know you don't have to always be in that sword form." I said to her.

"But I'd much rather stay close to you," Shana said. "Besides, you never know when you'll need me to help you fight."

"Who's this young little girl?" Yume asked.

"Oh, this is Shana," I said. "I guess you could call her the new Sin of Pride."

"I wouldn't say new since she's been alive for centuries." Wrath pointed out.

"…c-cute…"

We all turned our direction to Yume who was suddenly stuttering and turning red.

"Oh boy…" Daisuke said, facepalming. "Everyone brace yourselves."

Brace for what?

"SOOOO CUUUUUUUUTE!!!!!!"

Yume suddenly went ecstatic as she ran to Shana and lifted her up off the ground. She spun around with Shana in her arms, like a mother playing with her daughter.

"aaaaAAAAaaaaaAAAAAaaaahhhh!" Shana shrieked in high and low pitches. "H-Hey…p-put me…down…!"

"HOW DARE YOU HIDE SUCH A CUTE, PRECIOUS BEING FROM ME," Yume said, completely possessed. "SHE'S SO CUTE!!! I'LL GIVE YOU ALL THE HEADPATS AND CAKES THAT YOU'LL EVER WANT!!!"

"AaaaaAAAaaa…w-what's…cake…?"

"SHE'S DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT CAKE IS?!?! COME WITH ME SHANA!!! I'LL SHOW YOOOOOU!!!"

"AAAAHHH!!! H-Hiro…HELP MEEEEEeeeee…!!!"

Yume carried Shana in her arms all the way to where the dining area is supposed to be.

"Um…should I be worried?" I asked Daisuke.

"Nah," Daisuke said. "Yume always freaks out over cute things. If anything, that Shana girl will have a wonderful time."

"Some things never change," Kuro said, jokingly shaking his head. "Come on everyone. Let's join them."

"Alright," Kaito agreed. "But this time, you're proposing to Kirino. Got that?"

"Of course I do! And I will!"

"And no running away again either, or there will be bell to pay." Mia said.

"That doesn't sound reassuring, but I'm still going through with it!" Kuro said, his fists clenched with determination.

Kuro bursted through the doors of the dining area, a weird look determination on his face.

"Alright, I'm re-AAHH!!!"

Before Kuro could even finish his sentence, lines and lines of chains came barreling out of nowhere and wrapped around Kuro's body. The chains pulled him close to large throne-like chair, where a young woman with long, jet-black hair that looked oddly similar to Kuro's (minus the curls).

"Ah…h-hello Kirino…" Kuro said, obviously a little surprised. "How's your day going?"

"Oh boy." Daisuke said, facepalming yet again.

"I've actually been having a fine day," Kirino said innocently. "Although I think it would be much better if you finally did what you've tried to do… TEN TIMES ALREADY!!!!!"

Kirino went full rage in a matter of seconds.

"Seriously! I can't believe you! You've had me waiting all this time! AND NOW YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO ASK ME HOW MY DAY WAS?!?!"

"Could you please put me down Kirino," Kuro asked as kindly as he could. "I need to ask you question before my self-esteem drops down again."

"Make it quick! I've still got a lot more that I need to say to you!"

The chains were drawn back to wherever the came from. Suddenly, in one swift move, Kuro landed on his feet, pulled out the box, got down on one knee and…

"Will you marry me, Kirino?" Kuro asked.

Those for words sent Kirino into a blushing storm. Her face got so red that she had to cover herself from everyone else.

"Woah…ok. I…wasn't expecting that dude," Kirino said, still hiding her face. "You dummy. At least wait until I'm ready for it…"

"It wouldn't be a surprise if you were ready for it," Kuro said. "I can't tell you how much guilt I felt every time I ran away. I'm very sorry for doing that to you. But now, I'm ready. And all I need now your answer as well as your hand."

Kirino brought her hands down from her face. Her blush was still clearly visible, but so was a beautiful smile.

"We've had to wait for centuries for this," Kirino said. "How in the hell could I possibly say no?"

Kirino reached her hand to Kuro and let the ring, which had a diamond colored red and black with a silver ring, be placed onto her finger.

"Please Kuro, take me as your bride and never let go."

"I'll always have your hand Kirino," Kuro said. "And I will always and forever love you until death, whenever that is, do is part."

And with that, the two of them shared a kiss.

"FINALLY, Daisuke screamed. "You can all come on out now!"

As if it were a surprise party, hundreds of men, women, and children of various breeds came out of the rooms scattered across the dining room. Roars of cheers erupted from the large crowd, congratulating the two couple on their marriage.

"Damn. These people must've been growing impatient." I said.

"I'm a little surprised that they haven't started chunking rocks at him." Wrath said.

"That sounds a little excessive father." Xylvia said nervously.

After a few hours passed, the party had officially peaked completely. Various wines, fancy foods, and desserts were all lined up on rows and rows of tables that seemed endless.

The food was incredibly delicious. The wine was both sour and sweet. And…

"CAKE IS SOOOO TASTY!!!!" Shana shrieked with a mouth full of frosting.

Shana was having a blast with Yume at the dessert tables.

"SOOOO CUUUUUTE!!!" Yume shrieked.

"Hey, save some cake for the rest of us you two." Daisuke said, laughing at there silly time.

Kuro and Kirino were talking with a large group of demons as they laughed and sounded like they were talking about what the wedding dress would look like.

"Sounds like those two are having a blast." Xylvia said, sipping a glass of wine.

"Well, marriage is the most exciting time in a person's life," Leonna said, also with a glass of wine. "I can only imagine what those two are feeling right now."

"I can only wonder how many tales have been told before those two got to this point," I said. "I may have just met him, but it feels like I've known him for forever."

I suddenly saw Yuno out of the corner of my eye signaling me over to her. I quickly dashed over to her without alerting the other two.

"Did you get them?" I asked her.

"Yeah, sure did," Yuno said. "These were quite expensive too, so don't you dare blow it!"

"Don't worry. I won't."

I quickly thanked Yuno and hurried back to Xylvia and Leonna.

"Hey, can I talk with you two for a moment," I asked. "Somewhere quiet?"

"Ok then." Leonna asked, sounding a little confused.

"You're starting to sound a little sus Hiro." Xylvia said with a smug face.

"Whatever you're thinking inside your head is most likely not what I'm going to do." I said to her, ignoring her dirty joke while keeping my blush hidden.

There was a small balcony that had an incredible view of the outside. You could see pets of the castle decorated with lights and many fancy fire works (actually flames forming cool shapes, not the ones that blow up in the sky).

"Why did you call us out here," Xylvia asked. "I mean, I'm always down to try new things, but I wanna make sure that Leonna's comfortable too."

"WAIT, WHAT?! Here…now…w-with all of th-those people?! And with Xylvia too?!" Leonna shrieked, freaking out a little.

"Would you cut that out Xylvia! I'm trying to be serious here." I said, pretending not to here what Xylvia had just said.

Xylvia stopped laughing and actually gave me her attention. Leonna did the same thing after she stopped freaking out.

"Ok…where do I start," I began to say. "Um…I guess first of all, I would like to thank you two for always being there for me. You've done so much for me. In fact, I don't even know how I can reply you both. And on top of that, you've given me so much love. More than I could've ever asked for."

"Well, of course we did," Xylvia said. "I love you so much. In fact, back when I confessed to you, I was very scared that you were gonna say no. I've grieved that day so much. The day where I finally confessed. And when you said yes to me, I felt like I was gonna die of happiness. I love you so much Hiro. And thank you for staying with me and for going on so many adventures with me."

"I love you as well Hiro," Leonna said. "I may not have known you for as long as Xylvia has, and I may not have the same special bond that you two share, but I was still happy that day when I kissed you. You looked like you were in so much pain. All those bodies… It was too much for you, so I did the only thing I could to calm you down. I felt very guilty about it because I knew about Xylvia and how much she meant to you, but I didn't know what else to do. I'm sorry Xylvia. And I'm sorry Hiro."

"What are you apologizing for," Xylvia asked. "You saved him many times. And I can tell that you love him a lot, so it's ok. Yeah, sure I felt really jealous about the whole thing, but I'm glad that you decided to go for him too."

"Thank goodness. Im glad to hear that from you Xylvia."

Looks like they've gotten closer. That's good to hear. I fact, that's all I ever want. Is for us to grow close and closer together.

"I love you both so much," I said. "Im not su-"

*BUMP!*

"Oops! I'm very sorry!"

I turned around to see Shana bowing her head and apologizing.

"It's ok Shana," I said to her, patting her head. "Go keep on playing with Yume."

"Ok!"

As soon as Shana ran off, I turned back around and was about to continue what I was gonna say.

However…

"Will you…"

"…marry us?"

I was greeted with two beautiful girls down on one knee…each with an open box that had a beautiful ring inside of them.

I felt tears beginning to well up.

"Wow," I said, pulling out my two boxes. "I thought I came prepared, but you guys were already one step ahead of me."

"You're gonna have to work a lot harder if you're gonna have any chance at beating us." Xylvia said.

"You may have a two Sins as your swords, but we know all of your weak points." Leonna said.

I couldn't help but laugh a little.

"Heh, I guess I've still got some training to do. But for now…"

I let the two girls put the rings on both my fingers. Then, I placed my rings on their fingers. We all held hands, admiring the special jewelry that we gave each other.

"…how about we live the newlywed life for now?"

Both Leonna and Xylvia smiled at me. Xylvia was the first one to give me a passionate kiss. Then, Leonna gave me one as well.

With our proposals finished, both Leonna and Xylvia said…

"Please take good care of me."

And I answered…

"I will. With all my heart. Xylvia, Leonna, my love is yours…"