(First Person)
Fading Angel.
While not a Longinus, it's arguably one of the most versatile Sacred Gears out there. I was convinced this sacred gear had something to do with the Angel devil, how else could I explain the ridiculous similarity in their powers?
Its ability was simple yet undeniably overpowered. Just by making a physical contact with other creatures, I could siphon their lifespan and then store it as an energy I could use to construct weapons.
More years used = stronger & special the weapon created.
I could just drain a devil of their ten thousand years lifespan and create something absurdly busted, which would solve all of my problems…
…is what I would've really wanted.
The sad part is…it has a hard cap of five thousand years. Azazel proposed a theory that God himself must have nerfed this sacred gear.
He backed his theory by claiming that there was a reckless user who nearly wiped out the western coast of Europe, all for a petty reason that made no sense.
Moving on, there was another catch…every time I used stolen lifespan to create weapons, a random memory from my mind would vanish. Normally this wouldn't be much of a concern; the odds of losing something truly valuable was low, but still…the random factor was the frightening part. It's like playing Russian roulette…but with your memories.
These were the two reasons why this sacred gear was considered a wasted potential. Nobody would ever want to lose themselves in pursuit of power. How is it even fun when you forget your own identity?
Lucky me, I was immune to this drawback. Great Will's blessing protected my memories from any alteration without my consent.
Perfect.
With that I shifted my focus back to conjuring a strong weapon. I needed something that would ensure Reze's survival in my absence…not that I had stopped watching over her.
I exhaled. For a moment, the black halo above my head flickered to life, and then, my hand was enveloped in a black flash, as if something was being created out of nothing.
Seconds later, I was holding a dagger. Calling it a dagger wasn't completely right. Its edge gleamed unnaturally sharp, however the weapon itself looked completely ordinary. There was nothing supernatural about it…at least from the looks.
But I could tell, just from gripping it, this weapon was extremely dangerous…even as a single-use item.
I took a step towards Reze and gently placed the dagger in her hands. She looked down at the weapon, then up at me. Slowly, a smile tugged at her lips.
"Aleks… you're really a sweetheart, you know that? I'm lucky to have such a caring boyfriend~" she teased, her usual playfulness in her tone.
I smiled back. Taking care of her was second nature to me, I could never leave her unguarded or compromise her safety. This world was full of nasty secrets… and Makima was one of them.
I'd be a fool not to suspect Makima of having ulterior motives. She had deliberately sent us to Hokkaido under the excuse of team bonding. And if she truly is the same Makima I remember…then she must have planned something devious.
I had no proof, only a gut feeling, but that was enough.
"Use this if your life's in danger," I said, resting a hand on her shoulder. "It will break after unleashing its full potential… so use it carefully."
Reze flashed a V sign and winked. "Don't worry about me~ I'm strong. And you wouldn't let me die, right?" she said, leaning even closer. Her eyes lingered on mine, as if trying to reassure herself with the answer she already knew.
Seeing her trust me like that made me both happy and scared. Happy because she believed I could protect her. Scared because… I might not be able to reach her in time.
Who am I kidding? I am terrified of leaving her alone. But I can't just treat her like a princess who is not allowed to leave her castle.
She is her own person, and she chose to come to Kyoto willingly. As her teammate, the least I could do was watch over her.
Worse, I had put her in a bigger danger if she stayed behind in Tokyo. Sebastian was first, who would be next? Other hybrids? Or maybe the War Devil herself? The world simply refuses to leave her alone, it would find any twisted opportunity to take her away from me.
…Maybe I'm still thinking with a weak mindset? Clinging too tightly, and afraid to leave her be, assuming she can't protect herself.
And that's why I'll just have to keep my guard up. Nothing I can't handle.
"Well, dear, I'm flattered you think so highly of me," I replied, my voice calm and playful. "I believe you're more than capable of handling yourself."
"Starting tomorrow until the next two weeks, we'll train hard enough so we can make it out alive," I finished.
Reze leaned back slightly, her emerald eyes sparkling as she grinned. "That's the Aleks I know, glad you're back to your normal self!" she said, her voice carrying that teasing edge she always had.
"Normal self?" I echoed, raising an eyebrow.
"…Yeah," she continued, smirking. "The usual confident and a bit arrogant Aleks. I like him. Unlike this gloomy bitch-face you've been carrying around lately."
Damn, she had no filter.
Hearing her words, I visibly twitched, holding myself back from showing any reaction. She was honest, after all, and brutally so.
I rolled my eyes at her jab, but I couldn't help smirking. That was Reze I loved.
"Arrogant huh? Fine I'll make a personal note to start calling everyone a mongrel."
And then my tone softened.
"But still… You better promise me to keep that smile two weeks from now."
She tilted her head, her grin fading into something gentler, "Two weeks? You make it sound like Makima had already planned my death."
"Maybe she probably has." I had no evidence to back my claim, rather it was my gut feeling.
"…Fine. I will. You better promise we are going to Hawaii after the mission." She said while holding my hands and intertwining her fingers with mine.
I looked at her emerald eyes… God this girl was really cute… I'd even end this Universe if anything happened to her.
I tilted my head and replied with a smile, "Sure thing. I'll also make sure it's our best vacation ever.'"
***
May 7th, 2011.
5 p.m.
Today was the day.
Without realizing how quickly two weeks had slipped by, I still felt unprepared. Every day, every night, my thoughts kept circling back to this moment.
What was in store for me? I didn't know. What I did know was that I wasn't going to let myself suffer at the whims of others.
I had to prove Gojo wrong. Prove to him I wasn't weak. And this… this felt like the perfect opportunity.
These two weeks had been productive beyond expectation. My progress with Fading Angel amazed even me.
I'd also spent time helping Reze with her training, and I have to admit… that girl is really something.
She defeated me in my base form with almost no effort. Sure, I hadn't used Fading Angel's full potential, but even so… that performance was enough to shock me.
I lied…I was not really surprised.
And finally, after nearly a week, I got to meet Yana and Yelena again. Relief washed over me seeing they were doing better than I imagined. Being exposed to the supernatural world and then nearly being killed…it should've left them with real PTSD, but they were stronger than I thought.
Yana had even asked me to help her train her Sacred Gear, while Yelena was just glad I returned unharmed after being taken away by Makima.
I was relieved they were doing fine.
Oh, and Reze—
"Aleks-kun?"
And then there was her.
A pleasant voice broke my thoughts.
I turned. Makima sat across from me, her face touched with a faintly confused look.
"Anything on your mind? You've been quiet since we boarded the train."
I had plenty on my mind. Things I didn't want to tell her…not yet.
"Nothing. I was just glad I could go to Kyoto with you." A partial truth.
Makima smiled. She might not show it on her face but I can feel it…she loved every time I praised or revered her in some way. It was as if she got something out of it.
"Is that so? You wish to tell me something? I can see your hesitation, Aleks-kun."
Her voice was smooth, teasing, but there was warmth beneath it.
Impulsively, I reached for her hands. To my surprise, they were cooler than I expected, but soft. And then I looked at her, gathering enough courage to be bold.
"After the meeting… would you like to explore Kyoto with me? I know all the good spots and places… if you're willing, of course."
Makima tilted her head, her smile deepening, eyes glinting with amusement.
"Are you asking me to go on a date with you?" she asked, playful, but her tone carried a subtle edge I didn't notice. "I must ask though… would you still be fine going out with me?"
Her words sounded playful, teasing even, but why did I feel there was something deeper hidden beneath them? I couldn't say why, yet something felt off.
I covered my unease with a smile. "Of course. Why would I not be fine? Sometimes your actions do catch me off guard, but I still… love you."
For a moment, Makima said nothing. Then, without breaking her calm composure, she closed the distance between us. Her arms wrapped around me in a careful, deliberate hug, her hands resting on my back.
"I thought you'd never say that," she murmured softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Its decided then….after meeting, I will go out with you~"
***
(Third Person)
In another compartment.
Reze was bored out of her mind. The bullet train to Kyoto was longer than she'd anticipated. Normally, she'd be sitting with Aleks… but he was with Makima, and there was nothing she could do about it.
Frustration simmered beneath her skin. Even with all the power she had now, it still wasn't enough. Against Makima, she was powerless.
She stared blankly out the window, letting the scenery wash over her. At least the view was something to keep her occupied.
Then, instinctively, she turned to her left. Someone had appeared silently, as if they had just warped there.
A man, roughly Aleks's age, short black hair, pale grey eyes. He wore a crisp white shirt, and black pants, the familiar uniform of Public Safety she knew too well.
"My apologies for the intrusion," he said in calm and measured tone. "I am Tobio Ikuse, from Special Division 1. I came to introduce myself to you, our newest teammate…miss Reze. If you don't mind, may I sit?"
Reze narrowed her eyes. She had never seen him in the headquarters before, and someone like her always kept track of every face.
Could he be one of Makima's dogs?
Her mind raced. Thinking of all possibilities of her current situation. If she refused… what would he do? The worst-case scenario flashed in her thoughts: a fight in a moving train.
Fine. I'll play along.
She drew a slow breath. "Fine," she said, her tone clipped. "But don't sit next to me. You creep me out."
Tobio's lips curved into a faint, amused smile despite the subtle insult. "Touché. You have a way with words," he said, sliding into the seat across the aisle, leaving the middle seat between them empty. "If I were you, I'd choose them carefully."
Reze didn't react. She just listened and understood one thing, his tone wasn't playful. It was a warning.
I hate this guy already. Why did Makima assign me to his division? Reze groaned inwardly, annoyance prickling at her nerves.
Tobio turned to her, pale grey eyes assessing her like a map of reactions. "I ask everyone who joins my division the same question," he said, calmly.
"If you know Aesop's fables, you'll understand. Tell me… do you consider yourself the country mouse… or the town mouse?"
Reze froze. Her heart tightened. That's… the same question I asked Aleks on our first date…
How… how does he know that?
Her fingers instinctively hovered near the trigger pin at her neck.
Tobio's eyes didn't waver. "Miss Reze… I'd be careful if I were you."
"I am not here to fight you," he continued, voice still calm but carrying an edge. "Whatever caused you to prepare yourself… understand this: being a Public Safety Hunter carries a high mortality rate. My division… even higher. I've seen rookies die from a single mistake. One wrong move, and it could be your death sentence."
His pale eyes lingered on her. "My advice? Watch your back."
So this is the game you're playing, Makima… can't leave me alone for a single day, huh?
Reze sighed. But in that moment, she realized one thing.
She could never get along with Makima, and she would make it her life's goal to wash away Aleks's obsession with her, no matter what it took.
***
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Author's Note:
This chapter marks the beginning of the finale of this arc. Keep reading and give those juicy stones! Next couple chapters will be 🔥