Aurelia never failed to be mesmerised by such a scene. With how peaceful he appeared, he was like a benevolent Buddha. But that aura surrounding him indicated otherwise. That red aura with his black hair, his crimson gaze glazed over in focus, and those tense muscles covering his torso made him seem like a god. And with his power, he had the qualifications to assume such a title.
.
|DxD|
.
Su! Su! Su! Su! Su! Su! Su!
Slowly, the injuries on Igor's body healed at a visible rate. All the bruises gradually vanished along with the signs of fatigue on his skin. With his eyes closed, Igor focused on circulating all the demi-ki around his body.
With the subtle healing factor imbued within it, it would only take him a few complete circulations to completely heal his body. But…such an ability would not come without a significant cost.
gruuu…gru…gruuuuu...…gru…
Feeling his stomach growl violently, the blonde couldn't ignore the pains of hunger.
[I'll never get used to this.]
Cancelling his transformation, his hair slowly fell to the ground while his aura receded into his body. Subconsciously turning his head to look at Aurelia, he couldn't help but remember his other sister.
[It's been too long since I've seen Asia…and Akeno.]
Having gone so long without seeing those two familiar faces, a part of him couldn't help but worry.
[A few months must've passed in the real world. No one caused trouble for them…right?]
With the massacre of the Himejima happening directly underneath the noses of the Shinto Pantheon, the blonde knew he had stepped on many toes regarding that incident. He didn't regret exacting vengeance on the clan, but he couldn't be at peace knowing that he wasn't there.
Closing his eyes in focus, he once again tried to will himself to leave the time chamber, but like always, he couldn't. His body barely flickered for a moment before it stopped.
[Haaaaa. I still can't exit the time chamber.]
He had been trying for years, but he couldn't leave the time chamber. Even the massive doors seemed to be locked, barring his exit.
[Damnit. I just hope that old man Baraquiel has returned by now. Sister Cleria wouldn't have let him stay away for long. And if Uncle Azazel is involved, then atleast they can keep aunty, Akeno, and Asia safe.]
He had no hope but to be optimistic like this. This matter concerned the safety and well-being of his loved ones, especially Asia. Vasco had entrusted Asia's safety to him in hopes that while he dealt with the internal affairs of the church, he would safeguard her since she was a well-known prime target.
[No no no no no. She's safe. They're safe. Nothing has happened to them. Nothing WILL happen to them.]
Nothing can happen to them otherwise-
[No. Don't think about it. This matter is already out of my control.]
Shaking his head to clear these thoughts, he stood up.
[I still have three years left. I have to maximise my training and gain as much strength as possible during this time.]
Adjusting his mood, he was about to walk forward when he suddenly came face to face with Aurelia.
"?!?!?!?!?!"
To be specific, she was so close to him that their noses were almost touching.
*Vein Twitch!*
Almost releasing a mouth blast on instinct, the blonde was now stuck with puffed cheeks since he couldn't just release it on his sister. Turning his head to the side, he released the accumulated ki through a large mouth blast.
"Pweh!"
Booom!
Wiping his mouth of spit, he turned to glare at Aurelia.
"What are you doing?! I was THIS close to blowing your head off, sister!"
Yet instead of replying, all Aurelia did was continue to look into his eyes…with a judgemental, yet worried gaze.
"You've been losing your focus more and more frequently these past few weeks."'
"..."
Such a sentence was so out of the blue that the blonde found most of his anger dissipating.
"I…really?"
"..."
The worry in her gaze gradually turned blank at the stupidity of his words.
"You are someone who was trained by the Great Sage himself in sensing aura. Your perception at the very least, is unrivalled within your generation. Yet somehow, I who wasn't actively trying to evade your presence, was able to walk up to you without your knowledge."
"..."
A hint of embarrassment formed on Igor's face.
"Alright. I admit my mind has been wondering these past few weeks. But…I'm just worried for the others, that's all."
"..."
Touched at his care for the others, she decided to reassure him.
"Do not worry so much, Igor. Nothing will happen to them. Besides, worrying about something out of your control is rather pointless."
"Heh~. Those were my exact thoughts too, sister."
"Oh? So you can think after all."
"Yep. I sure can-"
*Realisation*
"Hey!"
"Fufu~."
With a golden teleportation circle forming beneath her, the silverette smiled warmly at the blonde.
"I am pleased to know that Lord Dimori does have a brain after all."
Vwong!
"Oh no you don't!"
Placing two fingers on his forehead, Igor began searching for her presence.
"Calling me an idiot and thinking you can get away with it…?"
Amidst his mumbling, he finally found her presence appear in their room.
"Well you have another thing coming!"
Tswii!
.
|DxD|
.
Azazel was in a crux. Ever since he returned to Kuoh, he had been bombarded by shocking news from every angle. Barely three weeks had passed and he still couldn't process the myriad of news he had received from both Cleria and his informants.
From the massacre of the Himejima at Igor's hands, to the miraculous revival of Shuri at Amaterasu's hands, all those were big pieces of news. He didn't even want to get started on Shiva's involvement in all of this.
Overlooking the town of Kuoh from the balcony on Cleria's mansion, the fallen couldn't help but release a sigh. There were still signs of construction happening, but compared to two weeks ago, it was much better.
"1999. Who knew it would be such a turbulent year."
Taking a sip from the coffee mug in his hand, he chuckled.
"I suppose it is a great way to end the millennium."
It was still early morning. The sun had just barely peeked through the clouds and the winds from the cold night were still billowing. Wearing a gown and some slippers, Azazel was content to simply enjoy this breeze.
But, he had something of vital importance to do.
[It's been twenty days since anyone has last seen Baraquiel. Even my informants can't find him.]
While each brother did have certain means of finding each other, it was possible to disable them. But, Azazel knew there was still a possible method he could use to locate his brother.
"Haaa…I guess it means I'll have to see Shuri then."
He was a bit hesitant in meeting his sister-in-law. After all, although somewhat illogical, a part of him did partially blame himself for what happened to her. As the wife to a cadre of Grigori, she should've received extra protective measures. It was an oversight on his part, an oversight that almost cost them dearly.
He could only be thankful to Igor because without him, the possibility of Amaterasu resurrecting Shuri would've been pitifully low.
"But…supreme class, huh."
If there was anything that surprised Azazel the most, it was Igor surpassing all of them and reaching the realm of supreme class. That news was even more astonishing than Shiva being present in Kyoto. Time chamber or not, Igor reaching the realm of supreme class in less than a century was nothing short of proof of just how monstrous he was.
"And if he really did disappear into the time chamber with that lass…"
His mind suddenly churned at the possibilities.
"Should we expect children, or a more powerful blonde."
He had only seen Aurelia, or 'Kurohime' as she used to be called, with blonde hair. He could clearly remember how beautiful she was and could only imagine how beautiful she would be with white hair.
"Hehehe~. With a pretty girl like that, not even a monk could resist not touching her for ten years."
With a perverted grin on his face, he was about to descend into a field of fantasies when he was suddenly interrupted by a pair of arms circling his waist.
"Hmm?"
Looking down, he was met with Cleria's pouting face.
"Pretty girl, huh?"
Cleria was also in a black gown…only. With her hair tied in a messy bun, it was evident that she had just woken up. Walking around barefoot, she was far less concerned about the cold tiles and more concerned about who this pretty girl was that had Azazel grinning like this.
But, Azazel was already used to such situations of jealous girlfriends and knew how to diffuse them. Smiling warmly at his lover, he placed a palm on her back and began gently rubbing it.
"There are many pretty girls in the world, Cleria-chan. But none…"
Lowering his head, he steadily approached her lips.
"...as pretty…"
Chuu~
"...as you."
Chuu~
With Cleria caught in a daze…
[Cute~.]
…he couldn't help but steal a deep kiss from her.
"?!"
The silverette was caught in momentary surprise. The sudden feeling of his lips aroused a tingly feeling all over her body.
"Mmmmm~."
Instead of trying to push him away, she pulled him closer. With her arms behind his neck and his on her waist, they shared a warm kiss under the morning sun for a whole minute before she finally ran out of breath.
"Haaa…haaa…haaa…haaa…"
Hiding her face on his stomach, she didn't want him to see how flushed her face was. There was no way she would admit that she actually enjoyed it. Feeling embarrassed at how he so easily tamed her, she tried putting on a brave front.
"F-fine. I'll forgive you for your earlier comment."
"..."
Badump…
Feeling his heart tighten at how cute she appeared, Azazel could no longer hold himself back. Tightening his grip on her waist, he picked her up.
"Kyaaa! What are you doing Az-?!"
Before she could complain any further, he kissed her neck.
"Wai-nnnn~."
Her toes curled at the sudden feeling of her neck being sucked. Instinctively wrapping her legs around his waist, Cleria let herself drown into his embrace. As for Azazel, his fire had been stoked and he would need an hour…or two to calm down.
[I'll look for you later, brother.]