Chapter 23
A Heart That Always Stay No Matter What...
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Tesss!!
One drop...
Teass...
Two drops...
Blood continued to flow from Ryuma's back, specifically from his wings, staining the ground with golden blood.
"Ugh..." Ryuma groaned, gently touching his wings.
On the deserted, silent road, Ryuma walked alone. His steps faltered, his eyes nearly closed. The cold night wind made him shiver slightly.
"Will it all end here?" He murmured softly, continuing to walk.
For a moment, Ryuma stopped, his hand gripping a lone lamppost standing at the edge of the empty field.
Tess...
His wings turned pitch-black. Feathers continued to fall from his left wing, while his right wing began to lose its light, dimming like a setting sun.
His breath came in ragged gasps.
Slowly, his grip weakened, his fingers loosening from the solitary pillar. His vision blurred, and his body began to tilt forward. Before he could fall, someone suddenly appeared before him.
"Azrallik-san..."
That melodious voice. Ryuma knew exactly who it belonged to. But his vision had already gone dark, and he remembered nothing else from that night.
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The first rays of the slowly rising sun pierced through Ryuma's bedroom window, illuminating the room that had been shrouded in the darkness of the night.
"Uhhh..."
His eyelids fluttered as sunlight touched his face.
Slowly, Ryuma opened his eyes. Instead of the dark night, he saw the ceiling of his room. His body felt warm, and he was lying on something soft and comfortable.
"Azrallik-san...?"
That voice again. A melodious voice that was so familiar. The same voice he had heard yesterday, just before everything went dark.
Ryuma slowly turned his head and saw Gabriel sitting beside him. Her beautiful eyes were glistening with tears.
"Ga... Gabriel...?" Ryuma murmured softly.
Gabriel didn't say anything. She immediately wrapped her arms around Ryuma, who was still lying on the bed, her fingers clutching tightly to his shirt.
In his arms, she sobbed.
"Why? What happened?" Gabriel asked between sobs, pressing her face against Ryuma's chest.
"Gabriel... I'm sorry," Ryuma murmured, his hand gently stroking her hair.
"You're hurt. Very badly," She continued, clutching his shirt tighter. "Your wings, Azrallik-san... they're starting to lose their light!"
As Gabriel spoke those words, Ryuma merely nodded slightly, then closed his eyes.
"I know," Ryuma murmured, slowly opening his eyes again. "I've lost my light."
Gabriel suddenly lifted her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. "That's why, Azrallik-san..." She added.
Silence. Gabriel's voice rose. She leaned her head against Ryuma's shoulder.
"I'm so worried... If you leave again, I won't be able to stay in this world."
Her voice was barely a whisper as she spoke the last words. Tears now soaked Ryuma's shoulder.
Ryuma remained silent, his eyes distant. But his arms tightened around Gabriel's waist, holding her close.
"I'm sorry, Gabriel. For everything." Ryuma said softly, the apology slipping gently from his lips.
"I tried to heal you," Gabriel murmured, gently touching Ryuma's wings, which remained spread wide across his back. "But my light could never reach yours again."
He glanced back, confirming that his wings were indeed still fully extended. But both had changed.
His wings had turned pitch-black, not like those of a fallen angel, but like a soul that slowly dying.
"Do you see them, Azrallik-san...?" Gabriel asked, her voice trembling.
"They're fading..."
Ryuma remained silent, frozen in place. His eyes widened slightly, his gaze empty, yet his brow furrowed.
"From now on," She continued, her voice growing firmer, "I will protect you. No one will ever harm you again."
A smile bloomed on Ryuma's face as he gently wiped away the tears streaming down Gabriel's cheeks.
"Thank you, Gabriel. I owe you the world and everything in it." He murmured softly, caressing her cheek.
"Just a moment, Azrallik-san," Gabriel said, then standing up. She turned and left Ryuma alone in the room.
After Gabriel left, Ryuma stared at his hands again. His face twisted in pain as he tried to move his wings slightly.
Tess!
Blood soaked his mattress again as he tried to close his wings. Just as Gabriel had said, his wings resembled withered flowers.
Ryuma stood up, clutching his aching shoulder. His wings no longer stood upright but drooped to the floor, dragging behind him as he walked.
For a moment, his gaze remained blank as he stared at his once-majestic wings, now fading into death. He gently stroked their coarse feathers.
"My light... are you still there?"
His voice was soft, trembling as it broke the silence of the room.
"Forgive me... I've ruined everything."
His voice choked, his hands clenching into tight fists.
"I couldn't even maintain my bond with Father."
But the door slowly opened again, and Gabriel entered, carrying a bowl.
"Azrallik-san..." She called softly, taking his hand and helping him sit.
"Gabriel, I'm sorry," Ryuma said softly, his gaze lowered.
Gabriel shook her head gently, her hand gently holding Ryuma's. "No, Azrallik-san. Don't apologize. There's no reason to."
With a tender smile, Gabriel scooped up a small spoonful of soup and began blowing on it. Her red lips parted slightly as she tasted the soup to check if it was still too hot.
"No matter what happens, I will never abandon you. That is my promise. Not as an angel," She said softly, gently bringing the spoon closer to Ryuma's mouth. "But as a sister who loves you dearly, Azrallik-san."
The warm soup flowed into Ryuma's mouth, carrying with it the warmth of Gabriel's unwavering presence.
"I promise. Not as an angel, but that I will never leave again, Gabriel," Ryuma said firmly, holding Gabriel's hand and smiling.
"That's a promise we both made."
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The sound of the door creaking open slowly made Rias look up. Akeno stood there, smiling gently, her arms crossed beneath her chest.
"Akeno," Rias called out, placing her pen on the desk. "Is there something you need?"
Akeno's footsteps answered Rias's question. Instead of replying directly, she slowly walked toward her.
With her hands clasped in front of her, Akeno stood directly in front of Rias's desk.
"Rias, I just went to class 2-B," Akeno said, placing her index finger on her right cheek. "But I didn't see Ryuma there at all."
"Ryuma?" Rias narrowed her eyes.
"Fufufu..." Akeno chuckled softly, then nodded slightly.
"Yes, Rias. The class teacher said Ryuma wasn't in today." She continued, glancing sideways as if deep in thought.
"And the new girl student didn't come either, even though she'd only been here once."
"New girl?" Rias asked, raising an eyebrow slightly.
"The girl we met with Ryuma yesterday." Akeno replied, nodding slightly.
"Ah..." Rias nodded several times. "Yes, I remember."
"I found out through Sona-kaicho that her name is Gabby, from class 1-A," Akeno said. "And whether it's coincidence or not, she's also absent today, just like Ryuma."
Rias fell silent, her gaze sharpening slightly. She propped her chin on her right hand, then removed her glasses.
"There's no such thing as coincidence in this world, not after everything that's happened," She murmured, her eyes shifting sideways to gaze out the window. "Why are so many new students suddenly arriving?"
"Mhmmm... Perhaps it's because many creatures are drawn to this city, Club President?" Akeno replied with a sweet smile. "If you'd like, I could visit Ryuma's house this evening to check on him."
"No."
The rejection burst from Rias's lips spontaneously, without hesitation and with unwavering firmness. Hearing this, Akeno grinned.
"It's my duty, after all. I still have unfinished business with him," Rias retorted firmly. "There are still so many things I want to ask him."
"Fufufu... That's not fair, Club President," Akeno leaned forward slightly. "Are you getting a head start?"
Rias's grin widened. She slowly stood up and began walking toward the window. "There's no such thing as a head start, Akeno."
She stood there, gazing out at the area beyond the building. Her voice was steady, her gaze unwavering. "All that matters is how quickly you act."
Knock! Knock! Knock!
The sound of knocking at the door made Akeno turn around. Rias did the same, nodding to Akeno to open the door.
When Akeno opened the door, it was Sona who stood there. Her usual emotionless expression had been replaced by a faint smile.
"Rias, I've come to visit," She said flatly.
"Sona?" Rias's eyes widened, but a moment later, she smiled. "Please, come in and sit down."
"I'll make some tea." Akeno said, leaving Rias and Sona alone.
Sona sat on the long red sofa, followed by Rias, who returned to her desk.
"You don't visit often, Sona," Rias began. "Is there something you need?"
"Yes," Sona nodded slowly, her eyes turning serious again. "I want to ask you a few things."
"What is it?" Rias asked, leaning forward slightly.
"It's about Ryuma," Sona said, pausing to take a deep breath. "You've been hiding the truth from me?"
Silence. Rias didn't answer, her sharp gaze fixed on Sona. Only the ticking of the clock broke the stillness of the room.
"Oh, Ryuma," Rias sighed. "It's not that I was hiding the truth from you, Sona. I was just being cautious."
Her words trailed off as she put her glasses back on and began flipping through several documents. "So much has happened this month. The Fallen Angels have suddenly become incredibly aggressive."
Sona raised an eyebrow slightly as Rias continued. "You know, they're targeting devils who possess Sacred Gears. Yet for all the years we've been here, they've never made a move."
"Why only now?" Rias asked.
Sona remained silent, her eyes narrowing.
"Ever since Issei was killed that day, the fallen angels have been hunting him more relentlessly. I didn't even realize it," She continued. "They knew about this long before we did."
"I suspected Ryuma was their spy," Rias said, slowly rising to her feet.
Her footsteps echoed across the floor, breaking the silence of the room once more. She stopped at her desk, clasped her hands behind her back, and perched on its edge.
"That's why I found it so hard to trust him," Rias said, crossing her legs. "I thought he was only after my family, so I believed this was something I had to resolve myself."
"But it turns out," Rias smiled, "he's not who I thought he was."
Hearing Rias's explanation, Sona nodded slowly, her expression remaining serious.
"But Rias, why is he here?" Sona asked.
Rias shook her head slightly. "I don't know. All I know is that he must have something he wants to do."
"Something he said... something about his sin..."
Sona's eyes widened slightly.
"The sin that caused him to fall from heaven."
Rias paused, studying Sona's expression before continuing. "I don't know much more about it yet, but I want to learn everything."
"Rias," Sona murmured softly.
Rias tilted her chin slightly and raised an eyebrow. "What is it, Sona?"
"I want to know more about Ryuma," Sona said, her voice firm and steady. "I want to meet him."
Rias's hand unconsciously tightened on the table after hearing Sona's words, but her face remained adorned with a small smile.
"This isn't like you, Sona," Rias said, her smile twisting into a smirk. "You've always found it so difficult to take an interest in others. Especially a fallen angel."
A faint smile appeared on Sona's face as she shook her head gently. "There's nothing wrong with that, is there? I simply want to understand what I don't know. That's all."
Rias chuckled softly, but her eyes suddenly sharpened. "No."
Sona instinctively pursed her lips. "Hey, why not?"
"Because he's still under my supervision." Rias replied, sticking her tongue out at Sona.
"Oh, Rias," Sona said with a faint smile, her eyes closing. "You always keep everything you want to yourself, don't you?"
Slowly, she stood, crossing her arms over her chest. "But isn't it time for you to let go of that childishness?"
Rias's grin returned, and she immediately shook her head. "I have no intention of letting it go, Sona. Never."
A faint smile returned to Sona's face as she let out a long sigh. "Then I'll await news from you, Rias."
The room fell silent again, the only sound being Sona's soft footsteps as she walked toward the door. But suddenly, she stopped. "But Rias, I'll be making my own moves as well."
The door closed again, leaving Rias alone in the room, her wide grin still in place. Her crimson hair fluttered in the breeze, and her grip on the wooden desk tightened.
"Ryuma," She murmured. "I won't let anyone take you."
"Ara...? Sona-kaicho has already left?" From behind another door, Akeno entered carrying a tray with a glass of warm tea.
"Yes, she's already gone." Rias said curtly, walking toward a small room concealed by a thin curtain.
One by one, Rias removed her Kuoh Academy uniform and stepped into the bathroom. She turned on the shower, letting the warm water wash over her tired body.
Only the sound of trickling water filled the air before Rias's voice broke the silence.
"Akeno," Rias called from behind the curtain.
Akeno set the tray down on the table and turned toward the bathroom. "Yes, Club President?"
"I just wanted to know... how do you see Ryuma?" Rias asked, her voice slightly muffled by the sound of the water.
For a moment, the room fell silent again. Inside the bathroom, Rias washed her long, crimson hair, her sharp gaze fixed on the showerhead pouring water over her body.
Outside, Akeno smiled broadly, a blush returning to her cheeks. She gently bit her index finger before answering Rias's question.
"Ara... Ara... Ryuma again?" Akeno said with a soft chuckle. "He's such a kind, handsome, and composed young man. When I look into his eyes, I see something I've never seen in any other man's."
In the bathroom, Rias listened intently, her hands gently cradling her chest.
"It wasn't lust. It wasn't love. It wasn't even affection. It was respect. When the male students would praise me like a goddess, he would simply remain silent," She continued. "And when I teased him, he would blush. It was so amusing."
Rias chuckled softly, picked up the soap, and began washing her body.
"Rias..." Akeno's voice drew closer. When Rias glanced sideways, Akeno was already there.
Akeno's head popped out from behind the curtain, her smile widening into a mischievous grin. "You don't mind if I keep him all to myself, do you?"
Rias calmly continued her bath, her eyes closed. She firmly shook her head.
"Mouu~ Why, Club President? Don't you already have Issei?" Akeno pouted, puffing out her cheeks and pursing her lips.
"Because Ryuma is under my watch," Rias stated firmly.
"For now?" Akeno pressed.
Rias smiled again, her eyes slowly opening. As Akeno waited for her answer, the words that followed were a declaration: resolute, undeniable, and unwavering.
"Forever."
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"See, Azrallik-san...? The world is truly beautiful now."
Gabriel's white gown fluttered in the wind as her gentle eyes ceaselessly scanned their surroundings. Her hand never left Ryuma's as they walked side-by-side through Kuoh City.
"It's truly beautiful, Gabriel," Ryuma murmured, smiling softly and nodding slowly. "I'm grateful humans have found their peace."
"Hey, let's go to that park!" Gabriel urged, her steps hurried as she pointed toward Kuoh Park, which was surrounded by a beautiful sea of red roses.
"Slow down, Gabriel..."
Gabriel stopped in the middle of the rose sea, turned slightly, and plucked a single rose. She tucked it behind her right ear.
"Hey, Azrallik-san, what do you think?" Gabriel asked, her cheeks flushing slightly as she tilted her head shyly, revealing the rose adorning her hair.
"Absolutely stunning, Gabriel," Ryuma said, gently touching her cheek. "Your beauty surpasses all else, just as Father promised."
A soft breeze stirred Gabriel's gown. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and giggled softly.
"I'm happy, Azrallik-san," She said, turning to gaze at the small pond where several swans glided gracefully across the water. "This world... it's almost like heaven."
As they walked, several passersby began to notice Ryuma. Some stared in awe, while others wore strange expressions.
"Is he cosplaying?"
"You mean cosplaying as an Angel?"
Ryuma's wings dragged across the ground, even though he was wearing a loose black robe that reached his thighs. The robe couldn't fully conceal his massive wings.
As a result, the withered, blackened wings swept the road with each step he took.
"Your wings are truly beautiful," Gabriel said, smiling gently as she wrapped her arm around his right arm. "No one could ever doubt that."
"The same goes for you." Ryuma replied.
Gabriel then led Ryuma back to sit beside the pool, gazing at the water's surface that reflected the twilight sky. There, they held hands, Gabriel resting her head on his right shoulder.
"I remember how much Father loved you, Azrallik-san," Gabriel murmured, her voice softening. "As if the world and everything in it were created solely for you."
"That's not true," Ryuma said, shaking his head gently.
Gabriel looked up at Ryuma, who was still gazing at the surface of the pond.
"Father created the world and everything in it solely for His creatures," Ryuma continued. "God never discriminates among His creations, for His love is universal."
"Mhmmm..." Gabriel chuckled softly, pressing her face against Ryuma's neck. "Father's love and affection will never leave you... or any of us."
"Let's continue." Slowly, Gabriel began to rise, her hand helping Ryuma to stand as well.
As the afternoon waned, Ryuma and Gabriel resumed their leisurely stroll through the increasingly bustling streets of Kuoh City. Workers were returning home from their jobs, and countless students were streaming out of their schools.
"I wish we could do this forever," Gabriel murmured, resting her head back on Ryuma's right arm. "Just like this. Just the two of us, and the peace we've created together."
Only the sound of their footsteps broke the silence. Ryuma remained silent, but his smile was unmistakable—a smile of genuine happiness, one that hadn't graced his face in a very long time.
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Tokk!! Czttt!!!
"Ah...?!"
On the other side, when Rias gently knocked on Ryuma's door, her hand felt like it had been shocked. She let out a soft sigh and immediately withdrew her hand.
"What was that?" Rias murmured, her eyes widening.
Clutching her hand, Rias examined the door. There was nothing unusual about it. No visible magic. Just silent wood staring back at her.
"I don't sense any magic, but when I..." Rias tried to reach out again.
Czttt!!!
"Awww...!"
Just like before, her hand was shocked. She cried out softly and shook her hand gently, her palm emitting a faint smoke.
"Something's strange," She murmured, her eyes narrowing. "There must be something here."
Without hesitation, Rias unleashed her power: the Power of Destruction. Through her hands, she conjured a crimson bolt of lightning and hurled it directly at Ryuma's door.
Instead of exploding, the power seemed to be absorbed, vanishing without a trace. As she stood stunned, an overwhelmingly holy force erupted from within the door, causing her legs to tremble violently.
"This?! This power?!" Her eyes widened, while her body trembling violently.
As soon as it struck her body, she collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, while sweat drenching her face.
"Holy power..." She murmured, clutching her chest, where her heart was pounding far harder than usual.
Her gaze returned to the door, still intact, without a scratch or dent. As if it was mocking her.
Slowly, Rias tried to stand. Her legs trembled so violently that she had to grip the wall to steady herself.
"Another reason to add to my list," Rias murmured, a smirk spreading across her face. "Why I need to know more about you, Ryuma."
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Hey guys, author here.
Currently, I was trying to improve my writing style, slowly but surely. But here, I want to know if all of you prefer this style or the old style? Your feedback is important for me so I can improve better in the future. Thanks!! Plasee answer in the comment.