Chereads / OtherWorlders: The Abyss Stares Back / Chapter 15 - Withering Rose

Chapter 15 - Withering Rose

The bell has rung and marks the end of Atkinson's High Monday lesson. The students thanked their teachers before rushing out of their classes to go to each of their separates clubroom, and some, going straight to home.

Although, our silver haired protagonist remains in his seat, pondering on his actual goal.

'Will gathering all the 7 Sins actually helps in the fight against Shur-El? Hell, even with the aids of the Devils, will we even able to win?' he thought to himself before shaking the thoughts away.

Then he gets up from his seat, looks around to find he was the only one in the class.

'It's a feeling I'm more than familiar with.'

He struts away from his seat, going out of the classroom, and was met with an empty hallway.

For the first time in his life, he knows not where to go next.

The recent events has clustered his mind so much to the point that he has no idea what to do afterwards. Going home, meet the freeloaders, have lunch, and train? For what? The second invasion is probably closer than he thought, so he dares not making reckless decision.

And so, he grabs his phone, and proceeds to call someone.

He awaits till the person picks up the call, only to have the call goes into the mailbox.

"What the hell is those two doing?"

He shakes his head, slightly irritated, before walking aimlessly in the hallway.

He walks on and on, until the thought of a certain pervert comes to his mind.

'What's Wilson has been up to?' he thought before turning away, and towards the direction of a certain red headed princess' clubroom.

...

Few minutes later, he finds himself standing in front of a clubroom. He shifts his views to the signboard that reads; 'Paranormal Study Club'.

'Ironic,' he speaks internally before scoffing.

Then he knocks on the door.

"Enter," said a familiar voice.

And so he slid the door opens and was met with the gazes of Nora Gregory; sitting by her desk, Asuna Shirahashi; who was reading a book, Jacob Wilson; sitting comfortably on a sofa, and an unfamiliar blond petite girl who sits opposite of Jacob, while preparing a tea.

"Welcome, Ryv!" greets the president cheerfully.

"Hey, dude!" said Jacob with his chin upwards.

Ryvern waves at them and enters the room, before closing the door.

"What're you doing here?" asked Asuna with a rather unpleasant tone.

The silver haired boy paid no mind to her question before sitting himself on one of the sofa, right next to Jacob Wilson.

The two boys bump their fist with a smirk on their faces.

"'Sup?" asked Jacob.

"Just checking on you, we haven't met at all since I last saw you three at the church."

Jacob holds his fingers up, displaying four of them to Ryvern.

"Four, actually."

Ryvern tilts his head as Jacob gestures his hand to the blond student, who just finished pouring tea into a cup.

"Meet Ava Taylor, a transfer students, and also the 'friend' I told you about."

Ryvern meets his eyes with the blondie and politely greets her.

"Hello, I'm Ryvern Ryndelle. Nice to meet you."

Ava places down the teacup before bowing slightly to him, greeting him afterwards.

"Nice to meet you too, I am Ava Taylor."

Ryvern smiles before turning back to his close friend.

"I didn't know the whole story but did you confess yet?"

Jacob turns red as he blushes, along with the blondie, who turns red too. Ryvern also gains a slight chuckle from Nora, although there their attention was caught by someone slapping their hands onto the table.

"If you're here for a chit-chat, don't bother wasting more time and leave," hissed Asuna to Ryvern as she glares at him.

It turns into awkward silence as the four of them looks at her. That is, until Ryvern clears his throat and turns is attention to Ava.

"So, why did the Fallen killed you, Ms. Taylor?" asked Ryvern which gained a flustered look from Ava.

He waits for the answer from her but Jacob helps her instead.

"It was her 'Abilities'."

Ryvern mutters 'hmm' to himself.

"What kind is it? The Abilities, I mean."

Jacob scratches his head as he answers;

"It was an S-rank ability called; Healing Touch. We didn't exactly know why they want to kill her for it, but it's probably has something to do with the Fallen Angel activities lately."

Ryvern nods before asking him again.

"What kind of activities?"

Jacob did not answer however, as he turns to the red haired Nora. She nods afterwards and starts to explain to Ryvern.

"They've been capturing a lot of awakened human lately and most of them ended up dead. We have no idea why they did those stuff and we've thought of trying to interrogate some fallen angels to find the answer."

Ryvern suddenly smacks his forehead with his palms.

"What's wrong?" asked Jacob.

Ryvern bite his lip before sighing.

"I forgot to ask that Iana why she killed..." he trails off and lands his gaze to Ava.

"Her."

Nora gasps as Jacob suddenly grabs him by the collar.

"You mean you didn't kill her yet?!"

"Dude! I'm sorry I've busy lately, okay?" Ryvern explained as Jacob slowly releases his grip from Ryvern's collar.

"And why would I kill her? She could be my leads to the Fallen current objective."

"This dude..." Jacob glares at him.

And before he could lunges at him, there was a knock on the door, which caught all of their attention.

"Enter," said the red haired princess as a blond haired man in a fancy suit enters the clubroom, along with his entourage, 9 women in maid outfits.

"Nora, my most beloved darling. How have you been?" said the blond man he opens his arms.

"Dae-Daemon?" Nora had the surprised look on her face.

Asuna clenches her fist, Ryvern stares at him blankly, while Jacob and Ava looks at the scene, confusedly.

"Who's this guy, Nora?" Jacob, now standing up from the couch, asked his master.

"H-he's my-"

"I'm her fiancée."

This caused Jacob to stand up and his rage build up.

"W-what? This asshole is your fiancée?"

"Hmm..." the only silver haired guy said as he hold his chin.

Everyone has confused look on their face.

"Darling, is this one of your servants?" Daemon asked the trembling Rias.

Before Rias could answer, Ryvern laughed and says,

"Good joke."

Unfazed, Daemon stares at him intently before scoffing.

"A human?"

The blond man laughs out loud afterwards.

"Simmer down, will you? You standing right next to-" Ryvern was cut off by a punch, which he blocked with his arm.

"Nice reflex," commented Daemon as pulls his fist back.

"Good punch."

The two man then have their own staring contest, which was cut short when Nora asked the blond haired man.

"W-what are you doing here, Daemon?"

Nora tries her best to be composed.

Daemon removes his glare from Ryvern and smiles towards the red haired lady.

"Do I need a reason to meet be soon-to-be bride?"

No one replied to his question, which he grew irate at.

"Anyway, I heard that you tried to have our marriage cancelled."

Nora is visibly shaken at the comment.

"My dearest darling, why would you such a thing?" taunted the blond.

Jacob, who could not hold his anger anymore, summoned a sword with white hilt before swings it at the blond Devil.

At the same time, Ryvern sensed another presence and tried to block Jacob's attack.

"Wilson, no!"

However, the swing was blocked by Daemon, who was a second faster than Ryvern.

"Ohoo." Daemon scoffs while still staring at Nora. "I see that your servant has tried to kill me."

As soon as Daemon finished his sentence, a magic circle forms in the centre of the room, and a figure of lady slowly appears.

After the magic circle dissipate, a lady, no old than 40s of age, in a rather fancy noblewomen outfit, makes herself known to the group.

"This is a disgrace, Lady Nora," said the newcomer before turning her gaze to the blond man.

"So be it. Daemon Beelzebub, who was threatened by a servant of Nora Gregori, now has the right to hold a 'Battlefield' against Nora Gregori and her peerage."

Nora sits back on her chair as her legs has lost all its strength. Daemon smirks as the lady continues.

"What say you, Duke Beelzebub?"

With a happy smile on his face, he says;

"I have no other choice but to comply; I agree."

The older lady nods.

"I, Grayfia Gregori, am a witness to the declaration of 'Peerage Battlefield' between Daemon Beelzebub and his peerage, against Nora Gregori and her peerage. As the law of the ancient times, the 'Battlefield' shall conclude in a week after the declaration."

"Ehh?" said Jacob as he was confused.

Ryvern sighs deeply as he sees the situation that had occurred.

Daemon claps as he walks up to Nora's desk.

"It's a shame, darling. We could've have at least have our wedding normally, but then again, if I hadn't do this, you would still refuse to marry me."

He waves at Nora before turning his back, walking away.

"See you in a week, darling!" said Daemon before he turns his attention to Ryvern.

With a cold expression on his face, he asks;

"What are your connection with Nora?"

"It's nothing intimate," bluntly said the silver haired guy.

Daemon scoffs arrogantly before passing him, leaving the room along with his entourage of women.

"What..."

Ava slowly speaks out.

"...just happened?"

No one said a thing as Nora covers his face, hiding her grimace of despair.