Chapter 13: Esdeath's Decision(Rewrite)
When they returned to Grigori, Azazel and Baraqiel were already waiting for them. They both sighed in relief when they saw they were fine, but when Azazel saw the girl in Kurayami's arms he was interested.
He walked closer to get a good look at the girl.
"So what is special about her? I don't see you as the heroic type to save a stranger."
Kurayami may be a mass murderer, but he was a child hurter.
"That was rude. Regardless, when we got to the second village we dead beasts impaled by ice. There were footprints in the snow and a blood trail. When we tracked her down, she was hurt but moved forward despite it. I decided to bring her back as she seemed talented and to prevent her death.
And Incinerate Anthem reacted strongly to her. I believe she has a Sacred Gear of the opposite nature to the cross."
Azazel found her aura was pretty strong for a kid on top of the fact she was a normal human. And if Incinerate Anthem was reacting it must be quite powerful.
"Take her to the sickbay. You can wait for her to finish treatment."
Akeno was fine with that as they did save a life. They would not go out of their way to save everyone, but even one was a win. As for Shemhazai, he left for his duties immediately so they took her to the sickbay. When they got there, a doctor began to diagnose her, but Kurayami had prevented her death.
"She will be fine. She just has severe blood loss. I will give her a simple potion to recover her mana which will work on its own."
He gave the potion through her IV to recover her fluids and mana blood loss. He also made sure she had no other injuries which she didn't. Once he was sure that she was out of danger he started to walk away.
"She is out of danger and now you three just need to wait for her to wake up. Call me if anything comes up."
Once he left it was just the three of them with the girl. Akeno sat on the small couch next to her bed while Kurayami was standing over her. He was wondering why she felt familiar.
He reached out and placed a hand on her head. Using his Mana Sense, he deep-scanned her body and felt something weird.
'Something is up with her blood, it's human, and yet it feels different. She feels, cold, and dark.'
He could feel an energy in her body that was far purer than Demonic Power, and much more profane.
'A demon.'
He pulled back his hand as he was now curious. Demons were rare as in the history of this world only 5 have ever crossed over from Hell. He had spent a long time learning the history of the world and each Demon was powerful.
"What do you sense?"
He turned to glance at Raynare.
"She has a Demon."
Akeno as the better mage gasped.
"How? Do you know how powerful those creatures are? How could a human girl have one of those."
"I am not sure, but I believe it ties to her Sacred Gear. I have never heard of this one though so let's wait for her to wake up to ask Azazel."
As he said, they all began to pass the time. Akeno pulled out a Magic Grimoire to read, while Raynare just spoke with Asmodai her scythe. They were talking about Kurayami as time passed he did not move.
He blinked now and then, but otherwise, he looked like a statue. Raynare shook her head in shock as she wondered if he was part reptile or something. She had not seen him move at all in 5 hours.
In the past, he once stayed still for over a week as he waited in ambush in the Amazon. He had gone on a bloody rampage through South America as he slaughtered every gangster he came across.
They ended up teaming up, but he dived into the Amazon and used the environment to his advantage. That was a good memory as the Rain Forest came to his aid. All who went into the forest never came out except him.
Seeing him lost in thought made Raynare curious about him. She had known him since he was 8 years old a little over 2 years, but he was a big mystery even to his family. Depressed, paranoid, suffering from a severe case of PTSD, and more skilled than he should be.
'What happened to you?'
She sat next to Akeno as they were both looking at Kurayami oddly. At that time, he did not move while Raynare and Akeno watched him. An hour later, the girl began to stir. When her light blue opened up she looked all around and the first thing she saw was Kurayami's purple eyes staring into her head.
She created an ice spike and tried to drive it into his skull. He opened his mouth and caught her spear with his teeth. The girl seemed horrified as he snatched it out of her hands with his teeth alone before crunching down and swallowing it.
'Demonic.'
"Relax. I am not going to kill you."
"How can I believe you?"
She spoke in Russian as was expected from where she was found. Luckily fallen angels innately translated everything to a way they could understand. English in his case. Japanese for Raynare and Akeno. However, it did not mean they could not speak those languages.
"I healed you."
As soon as he said she lifted her shirt and saw she was.
"Where are I?"
Kurayami explained her situation so she would calm down.
"Japan. We were out there killing the monsters who murdered your village where we found your footprints and blood so we followed. We found you near death, so I healed you and brought you here to Japan to treat you."
Akeno tried to be kind as she said some kind words.
"I am afraid only you survived. ISorry for your parents."
The girl thought about it and yet there was no sadness in her gaze.
"I see. I am the only survivor."
He nodded as he looked at her eyes. He knew that look in her eyes very well. It was one he shared with her. It made his face begin to twitch which meant he wanted to smile just that he couldn't.
"You don't care do you?"
Akeno thought that was impossible. Not just anyone could be that cynical at such a young age. However, they indeed found such a person in her. And if they wanted to see another one they just had to look at Kurayami.
She shook her head with a blank look.
"They were weak and the weak died. Do not apologize, it was going to happen in time."
He finally moved as he introduced himself.
"You are rather interesting for a human. My name is Kurayami."
She sat up and introduced herself.
"My name is Esdeath."
Akeno stood up and bowed. She was a true Japanese girl, he wasn't.
"I am Akeno, she is Raynare, and that is my twin."
She thought those names were a little strange. As she had grown up deep in Siberia she barely knew about the outside world.
"If we are in Japan how did we get here? How long have I been out?"
He explained the events that led to finding her.
"We teleported here through magic."
She thought about her special ability to manipulate ice that she unlocked a few months ago.
"Does it have to do with the spike I tried to kill you with?"
"It does. However, now is what you plan to do next. You know about monsters and the Supernatural right?"
She nodded.
"The beasts around my village were hunted, but they just were too strong and it resulted in everyone dying. Now I don't know what to do."
She looked a little confused overall as she had no idea where to go from here. He thought about it and gave her more info so she would come up with a decision.
"Well allow me to explain a bit better. We are part of an organization called Grigori which is made of Fallen Angels led by Azazel who you will meet soon. He wants to talk to you."
She tilted her head as she heard a bunch of alien terms to her.
"Fallen Angels?"
He finally remembered that she lived in an isolated village where the Bible might not be heard of.
"Well in the world there are many races besides humans like Dragons, Monsters, Angels, Devils, Yokai, Fairies, and humans. Fallen Angels are either the result of Angels who fell from heaven or were born. We three are the later, but you will learn more later if you choose to stay. We do have a large library for it."
She thought about it and wanted to know more. She was about to stand up and looked right at him.
"Take me to this Azazel. I need to talk to him.
"No need. I am here."
Azazel walked which made her look at him. Just looking at him was enough to tell her that he was strong.
"Well, you must be the girl they brought back. What's your name?"
She felt a little nervous as he felt extremely strong.
"Esdeath."
He raised an eyebrow as he made his question.
"Tell me. Do you have a black mark on your chest? It should have appeared out of nowhere without explanation."
When she heard that she knew he was talking about the one on her chest. She nodded as she waited for him to explain. Azazel smiled with a dumb smile as he now had another special Sacred Gear.
"Ok, this will be hard to explain, but God made 13 Longious. But, he also made an experimental 14th which contained the sealed essence of a Demon. He named it the Demon Extract. Do you hear voices telling you to do evil deeds, or hurt yourself? Kill your family and yourself."
Her eyes opened wide open.
"Yes. I ignore them, but what it?"
He sat in a chair and explained.
"Sacred Gears are things created by God. You won't know who he is, but just know he is crazy strong. Anyway, he created many types, but the 13 Longinus and yours are things that had enough power to kill gods. Yours was made from the body and soul of an Ice Demon, so the voices are trying to torment you."
She thought about it and felt it was hard to believe she had such power to kill a god.
"You said there are 14 that can kill gods. Who owns the other 13."
Azazel smiled and pointed to Kurayami.
"He possesses one of them. Unlike yours, his is fire-based called Incinerate Anthem, your opposite. We have another kid here named Vali who owns another one called Divine Dividing. The rest are owned by pretty famous people, or are missing."
He smiled and gave her an offer to join. He would rope in another Longinus before another faction learned about her.
"We have a special school for Sacred Gear users where we can help you master your power so you can protect yourself because even if you are strong as a Longinus user, everyone will be after you."
She thought about it and agreed as she was alone at the moment. She would leave if things were not to her liking.
"I will get knowledge as well right? I rather not be ignorant of the world."
That was the expected result as one should not rely on others.
"That is obvious, for now, you can be in the same class as these three."
Raynare nodded as she had no issue with it.
"Well, I guess you are joining the team. He already explained, but my name is Raynare. I don't have a Longinus, but I have technically three sacred gears."
Hearing that made Esdeath curious.
"Can you have more than one?"
Azazel explained to clear up some of her thoughts.
"Normally no. However her sacred gears come from the same source, so it was a unique case. If you need anything else come find me."
Azazel left and now the 4 kids were alone talking among themselves. She was curious about a lot of things and wanted to go to the library.
"Where can I learn more?"
Raynare decided to let her know something first.
"Even though it seems we are speaking the same language we are not. Fallen Angels can understand all languages. If the books we have are not in Russian, you won't understand them."
She was surprised as she thought they were speaking Russian like her.
"So I need to learn first."
Kurayami nodded and helped her stand up.
"You will. Also, I think you have recovered enough to walk around."
She stood up and got dressed in the clothes they left for her and when she was dressed she went out of the room being led by Kurayami, Raynare, and Akeno
"Well, first we should see my Dad."
She was curious about who his and Akeno's father was and agreed. When they found him Esdeath felt he was really strong as well. Kurayami called out to him as Baraqiel was polishing his sword
"Dad. She is awake."
Baraqiel looked at the small girl with a smile.
"What's your name?"
She looked into his eyes and answered.
"Esdeath."
"Nice to meet you. I am glad you pulled through. On another note, Azazel tell me you own a Longinus. That true?"
She nodded.
"The one named Azazel said I do, but I want to learn more to say for sure. I need to know for myself."
He felt she was quite a smart kid who reminded him of Kurayami.
"Well, you can count on me to teach you anything you need. You will be in my class after all."
Raynare just had a thought as they had saved her from dying.
"Where will she stay? Will she stay at the Orphanage, or what?"
Akeno being who she was offered her a place at their home.
"You can live with us. We got the room."
Kurayami saw no issue with it as he saw it as an investment.
"I don't see why not. With magic, we can expand the space in the house to accommodate someone else."
Baraqiel now had a headache as it seemed they kept finding strong kids. He looked at Esdeath as she did not mind the offer. Baraqiel thought about what Shuri would say. Knowing her she would get mad he rejected her.
He sighed as he thought of his wife who was kind as a saint. Esdeath did not mind if she was rejected as she was not one to beg, but it sounded better than being left in a strange orphanage.
"While not preferable if you say no I will do my best. Sorry for bothering you."
She started to leave, but that just made him feel even more guilty. He sighed as he decided to allow it.
"I will call Shuri, she is the one who does all the housekeeping while we train."
He used a communication spell to connect with his wife and when she answered she was a little confused.
"Baraqiel. You never use this. What is wrong?"
He began to explain what had happened.
"Today was Raynare's, Akeno's, and Kurayami's first mission and they rescued a hurt girl, who happens to have a Longinus. Akeno offered her a place with us. Otherwise, she goes to the orphanage."
Shuri began to chuckle as that sounded like something Akeno would say.
"We took Raynare, so why not, but this is the last time."
Baraqiel agreed.
"I agree. I don't think more young Longinous users will be found that soon."
He hung up and looked at the small girl to let her know the news.
"Well good news, my wife agreed. I also think this is the last time, but even I doubt we will find more Longinus users. What are the chances of us finding young Longinus users anyways."
Esdeath looked grateful as she did not have many options.
"Thank you, sir."
Akeno jumped and hugged Baraqiel's neck. He held her up as she was truly happy they listened to her.
"Thank you, dad."
Baraqiel sighed as he put her down.
"It's fine, that is your best trait. I say we go home for now. How do you want to go back?"
"Flying."
"Flying."
"Flying."
All three of them spoke at the same time as they all wanted to have a good flight. Esdeath was confused, but she got her answer when they got outside and all 4 of them revealed their wings.
She looked at all four Fallen Angels wings and she was truly impressed with them. They seemed to come out of nowhere. Kuarayami extended his hand to her as she could not fly.
She looked at his wings compared to Raynare and Akeno and felt his were extra impressive. However, he was not fully grown Baraqiel exceeded him in majesty.
"I can carry you."
She took his hand as he carried her with a single arm around her waist.
"Am I heavy?"
Kurayami shook his head.
"Not at all. We are stronger than we look."
They all took off which was mesmerizing. Who can say they are being carried by a Fallen Angel like she was? Now she was interested in something else.
"How does it feel to have wings?"
Aleno was the one to explain it as she twirled in the air like a dancer. She was proud of her wings. She and Raynare had their three sets of wings finally, but their wings seemed different.
Kurayami's were large, dark like a void, and bigger, but even then they could not compare to Baraqiel's majestic wings.
"Normal, to us, it is like any other limb. They can be as soft as someone carrying you like my brother. ."
Kurayami continued her sentence for her.
"Or as sharp as razor blades. By tensing the muscles in our wings our feathers go from soft as feathers to as sharp as blades."
She gazed at Kurayami's wings with a hint of longing. Never did she ever desire to have her pair, but now she can say she did. They continued flying and when they got to the house Shuri was waiting outside like always.
When Shuri saw Esdeath she sighed as it was another cute girl. Just looking at her cute face it was obvious she was going to grow into a real beauty. But she knew her son well and his muted emotions would not notice.
Good thing her therapy sessions were working to open up his shell. She wanted to help him before he entered puberty as he would become handsome, and powerful, so she did not doubt he would draw women like a magnet.
Though the issue was he would not notice if he was left as he was now.
'She is cute too.'
Shuri approached Esdeath and stroked her head.
"You must be Esdeath."
Esdeath tilted her head as she couldn't understand a thing. When Kurayami realized that he translated for her.
"She said you must be Esdeath."
Esdeath spoke up in Russian which Shuri could not speak.
"It is nice to meet you, miss."
He translated for her which made Shuri realize something. Being a Fallen Angel was sure convenient. It went like this until they decided the first thing was to teach her Japanese. Now Shuri was curious about something.
"You said she had a sacred gear right? A Longinus."
Kurayami nodded and explained it to his mother about it.
"An extra experimental Longinous, the Demon Extract. Gives the user the ability to control extreme amounts of ice. Supposedly a former weirder froze a country into ice."
Now Shuri was worried as her son Longinus was said to be able to burn a whole country to cinders.
"How does it compare to yours."
"Mine was given its power by the blood of Jesus and then God. In the future, if I wanted I can burn countries to ciders. But then again, any Ultimate Class being can do the same."
"Please, try not to burn or freeze countries."
Kurayami was not that insane.
"No worries from me."
Esdeath agreed.
"I also rather not cause that."
Regardless it was time to eat. They all entered the house and they helped Shuri prepare the table and such. Esdeath saw the chopsticks and it only took a short explanation to figure out how it worked. Kurayami never saw the point so he used a spoon and fork, unlike his family.
After the meal, Kurayami himself used a space expansion in the house to make her a new room. Esdeath was thankful for the room as at bed time she relaxed on the magically crafted bed. It was soft and released gentle mana.
She took a deep breath as she heard the voice of the Demon return telling her to murder everyone in the house.
She crushed that voice and began to doze off.
'I am not weak enough to be affected by the voice of a dead demon.'
She fell asleep after crushing the demon's voice. As for Kurayami, Rebellion, and Submission came out of their pacts and rested on either side of him. Having his most trusted partners with him helped him.
As for Tyrant, he was sleeping in his pact as he did not want to come out. As for Ulrik, the Undead and his horse were out patrolling along with Cain. Always ready to defend their masters before they had to trouble themselves.
As was the job of knights like them.
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