The world of Oga's room was silent, save for the faint hum of demonic instruments and the occasional clatter of Lamia's impatient fingers against a tray. Forcas Rachmaninoff leaned forward, his monocle flashing in the lamplight, gaze fixed on the readings projected by the inscribed seals floating in the air. Hilda, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, scowled faintly but kept her attention sharp, unwilling to admit her own nerves.
Oga's body lay flat on the bed, veins faintly glowing with demonic currents, his brow twitching in response to the dream-world shocks. His fists clenched unconsciously against the sheets, sweat beading across his temple. The boy was in deep, tethered only by the doctor's stabilizing seals and Hilda's steady presence.
Inside the dreamscape, Oga staggered closer toward the center of the protective circles. Every step was agony—the electrical currents surged violently, biting at his skin, sparking against his bones. He gritted his teeth, growling low, "Like hell... I'm letting this stop me..."
At the center of it all, Beel slept soundly, tiny face flushed, sparks flickering intermittently. The protective field was a manifestation of his will—his fear that Oga couldn't endure. But Oga had endured worse. He'd fought Kanzaki, Himekawa, Aoi, Toujo, demons, and more. The difference here was that it wasn't about fighting an enemy. It was about proving to Beel that he was strong enough to stay.
The currents grew wilder the closer he drew. His chest seared, the familiar sensation of the Zebel power churning violently within him. His muscles screamed as if they were being torn apart, and yet his feet dragged forward, inch by inch. Sparks lashed against his body, burning away at his shirt, leaving faint welts along his skin.
"Beel!" Oga roared, his voice echoing unnaturally through the electric air. "I don't care if you think I can't handle it... I don't care if it kills me! You're stuck with me, brat! Whether you like it or not!"
The field sparked violently, as if rejecting his declaration, but Oga only smirked through the pain. "You think some damn lightning is enough to stop me?!" He pushed forward again, forcing his body into the storm, eyes locked on the tiny figure at the center. "I told you already... I'm your parent, right? So quit acting like you know better than me!"
In the physical room, Lamia squinted at the readings. "His heart rate is spiking dangerously. It looks like his body is—"
Her words were cut short by Forcas, who raised a hand. "Silence. Watch carefully. This is no ordinary human. He's forcing his way through sheer willpower."
Hilda's eyes softened faintly, though her tone remained sharp. "Idiot... always throwing yourself into impossible fights. That's just like you..."
Back in the dreamscape, Oga reached the edge of the inner circle. The currents lashed violently now, arcs of lightning slamming into his chest, back, and legs. He staggered, blood dripping from his lip, but his grin widened. His body was breaking—but his spirit was unyielding.
"Beel... wake up already!" Oga bellowed. "You're mine, dammit! If you think I can't handle you... then let me prove you wrong!"
He forced one last step, throwing himself into the inner field. The lightning surged, trying to hurl him back, but Oga roared, slamming his fist forward, tearing through the current, and grabbed Beel into his arms.
The moment his hand closed around the child, the field shattered like glass, collapsing in a surge of energy that washed over the dreamscape. The inscribed circles flickered and dissolved, leaving only silence. Beel stirred faintly, tiny green eyes opening just enough to glimpse Oga's bruised face. A faint smile—barely visible—tugged at the corners of the infant's mouth.
Oga, holding him tight, whispered harshly, "Don't ever pull that crap again. You hear me? You're not protecting me—I'm protecting you. Got it, brat?"
The dreamscape faded to black.
In the real room, Oga's body jolted violently. Forcas immediately barked an order, seals glowing brighter. Lamia gasped, clutching her notes, convinced he was seizing. Hilda narrowed her eyes, poised to intervene—but then Oga's body stilled. His eyes snapped open, glowing faintly with demonic green before fading back to their usual sharp glare.
Everyone exhaled in relief—except Lamia, who pursed her lips. "Six hours... I thought he died." She actually smiled, sharp and wicked. "That would have been convenient."
Oga's hand lashed out instantly, catching her by the collar and yanking her up. "Brat." He raised his other hand and smacked her across the head—not hard enough to injure, but enough to sting. "That's what you get for wishing death on people. Consider it a lesson in manners."
"Wha—?! You barbarian!" Lamia shrieked, thrashing in his grip. "How dare you lay hands on me! I'll have you—"
"Shut it, brat," Oga muttered, tossing her back toward the tray. "You talk too much."
Hilda sighed, shaking her head. "Idiot. You never change. Even after nearly dying, the first thing you do is pick a fight with a child."
Oga grinned faintly, stretching his sore arms. "Yeah, well... I'm still alive. That's what counts." He glanced toward Forcas, who adjusted his notes calmly.
"The reconnection has been stabilized," the doctor said, adjusting his monocle. "Your bond with the child has been restored. However, be warned—the King Fever is not a trivial matter. The energy transfer will continue to intensify as he grows. If you cannot keep up..."
"Yeah, yeah," Oga interrupted, smirking faintly. "I'll keep up. Don't worry about that."
Forcas raised an eyebrow, then turned away, muttering something about reckless humans.
Hilda finally pushed off from the wall, stepping closer, arms still crossed. Her eyes locked on Oga's, sharp but with a faint softness hidden beneath. "You idiot... You nearly got yourself killed in there. But... at least you didn't fail him. That much, I'll admit."
Oga's smirk faded slightly. He muttered, almost too low to hear, "Beel... really thought I couldn't handle him. That's why he went to Toujo... to Kogen..." His jaw tightened, the memory of Toujo's hand around Kogen's waist flashing vividly in his mind. His chest burned with something unfamiliar, a mix of anger and jealousy he refused to admit.
He turned to Hilda suddenly. "So tell me... why the hell didn't Kogen bring Beel here? Why go with Toujo instead? He should've been here for the doctor."
Hilda's eyes narrowed, her expression unreadable. Then, with a deliberate calm, she replied, "Kogen was right. Leaving Beel alone, even for a second, could have been dangerous. He acted as any proper guardian would. As for why he chose to remain with Toujo..." She paused, smirking faintly. "That is... a question in itself, isn't it?"
Oga scowled, gritting his teeth. "Tch. Damn it..."
The doctor, uninterested in the emotional subtleties, cleared his throat. "The treatment is complete. Rest is advised, though I suspect you won't listen." He began packing his instruments as Lamia sulked beside him, glaring daggers at Oga while rubbing her sore head.
Oga sat up, muscles aching but his spirit blazing anew. His fists clenched tightly as he muttered under his breath, "I'm in the mood... to get Beel back. And Kogen, too."
Hilda arched an eyebrow, smirk curling across her lips. "Idiot. Took you long enough to admit it."
Oga ignored her jab, standing tall despite the ache in his bones. His path was clear now—Toujo, Kogen, Beel. He was going to set this right, no matter how many rivers, battles, or idiots stood in his way.