Igor looked away from her into the horizon. The skies were dark with blood. The earth was coloured like rusted iron, and the rivers ran rancid with waste. But in this cesspit of a realm, there was light. It was a smidge, a tiny ray that barely pierced through the mist, but it was there.
"I will take care of Valerie to the best of my capability."
He looked her in the eye.
"You can trust me on that."
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|DxD|- Chapter 132- What Drives You
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Flowers fade as time ebbs them away. Petals shrivel and crumble to dust as the sun rises and falls. But even in the greatest of difficulty, a path—that little hope—is always there, always waiting for the one with the fortune to grasp it.
Years of winter had passed, and the spring rains had arrived. The gentle downpour seeped into the burnt roots of her body, dry and yellow from drought and torment. Her thirst was quenched. She relaxed, and for the first time in forever, her breaths felt lighter.
Valerie opened her eyes. A heavy hand nestled in the locks of her hair. It was patronising. It was invasive. It was also…relieving. Her body tingled in comfort. Soft, golden energy coursed through her blood and veins.
Minutes ago, she had followed Penemue into the sealed-off glass room in the research hall. She met Igor, a looming man who was as cold as his mask. His strict presence reminded her heavily of the inquisitors and hunters she read about.
No greetings. No pleasantries. He observed—no, he had analysed her like some strange object.
'Stand still.'
Those were his first words to her, and the next thing she felt was his hand on top of her. It was a deep contrast…that this seemingly cold person could possess such soothing energy.
But as she looked at his mask, his eyes concerned her. She recognised the gaze of someone looking at a tool, a utility to use. This…man, this healer, saw a Longinus. Not the person behind it.
She closed her eyes and silenced the last bit of hope in her heart. Vampires rejected her. And this Igor did as well. It was fine. As long as he helped her, she would repay this favour in the future and leave this place...if she lived that long.
"How are you feeling?"
Penemue asked softly. She was a comforting presence in this contrast of warm and cold.
"I'm fine, Penemue."
Valerie gripped the railing on her bed and stifled the rising yawn in her throat. Igor's energy felt as good as soaking in a bubble bath after a tiring day.
She relaxed and let him continue what he needed to do. She did not fear any harm, not when Penemue was right there.
Igor withdrew his hand moments after. He pulled a notebook from his pocket and scribbled something on it. Valerie waited patiently for his diagnosis, because she had caught his brief flicker of surprise.
Igor closed his notebook with a snap, and his next words sent shivers through her.
"You should be dead."
"..."
His tone was disturbing. He spoke no different from a doctor prescribing medicine. Valerie calmed herself and sat up properly. There must be a reason for his words.
"To put it in a way you might understand, Valerie, the body is the wax, and the soul is the candle flame. In mortal races, the body eventually dies and the soul fizzles into the next life or damnation. Vampires are a little different, but follow the same principle."
"I'm a dhampir."
Igor stopped her by raising his hand.
"I'm aware. Let me finish."
He lowered it.
"Vampires can replenish their wax by consuming blood. Dhampirs negate that need through their human side. Sacred Gears, on the other hand, are like a small cup of water that can be boiled by the flame."
Igor paused for a moment, finding a way to describe the absurdity of Valerie's soul.
"Your cup has spilled water over your candle and snuffed out the flame. That is why I say you should be dead. You are functionally soulless, Valerie. It makes no sense that you're still breathing."
"Igor…"
Penemue worriedly placed her hand on his shoulder. She warned him with her eyes to ease his words. But as harsh as they were, Igor saw things differently.
"If war couldn't kill her, my words are nothing."
As Igor looked into her eyes, he felt a trace of admiration. Words on a dossier failed to describe the resilience of this woman.
"Tell me. What is it that drives you? What is so important to you that is worth fighting for every single day?"
"..."
Igor changed his words when she did not answer.
"Whatever it is, hold onto it dearly. You will need it. You will need it very much, Valerie. Because as it stands, you are the first person I have ever seen this close to death."
Chapter 132