"Welcome home, Lord Tenra."
"How's Asia?"
"Miss Asia is well. She's resting in her room."
After school, Tenra made straight for Asia's room. Maru and Birento greeted him at the door. He nodded, then stepped inside—and found Asia sitting on her bed, completely absorbed in the Codex of Divinitas et Diabolus.
A flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes, but his expression softened as he approached.
"Asia, are you feeling any better?"
Asia startled, snapping out of her reverie. Her face flushed with confusion and a touch of panic.
"Tenra-san, I… I…"
He sat beside her, voice gentle. "You don't need to be afraid. You don't have to feel lost. Even if the Church turned its back on you—even if God has left you—Asia, you still have me. I'll always be your friend."
He brushed a hand over her forehead, his tone all warmth and reassurance.
Maybe it was manipulative to say such things to a girl so lost and vulnerable. But anyone who wouldn't do so at a time like this was a fool, not a saint.
"Tenra-san…"
Tears welled in Asia's eyes, emotion threatening to spill over.
Exiled from the Church, abandoned by her only home, and now forced to face the death of her Lord—Asia was adrift, a lifeboat on a stormy sea, her sense of self foundering. She clung to sanity by a thread, but the next wave could sweep her under at any moment.
And in that moment, Tenra's kindness was the only thing keeping her afloat. The first friend who had ever truly accepted her. That single act of grace would be enough for a pure soul like Asia to remember forever.
He drew her into a gentle embrace, letting her sob quietly against his chest. For a long time, he simply held her, steady and unshakable, until her trembling eased and her breathing slowed.
"Asia, what will you do now?" he murmured, stroking her hair.
"I… I don't know."
Her voice was small, lost. The Church—her only sense of belonging—had cast her out. She had nowhere to go. No home, no future.
"Then stay here with me. Let me take care of you. Let me protect you."
"I… I…"
"No refusing. We're friends, aren't we?"
He tapped her forehead, a playful glint in his eyes, but his tone brooked no argument.
Asia stared at him, tears brightening her gaze once more. She couldn't say no. She didn't want to say no. In the end, she only nodded, surrendering to the warmth he offered.
A moment passed. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, Asia looked up at him, earnest and searching.
"Tenra-san… do you want to become God?"
His eyes flashed, but he didn't flinch. He nodded.
"Yes. I want to become a god—a god like the one you once worshipped."
He stood, voice rising, passion infusing every word.
"This world lives under the illusion of peace. Angels, fallen angels, devils, vampires—their wars never truly ended. Blood, pain, hatred… This world, abandoned by its Lord, is sliding toward darkness and ruin. If nothing changes, chaos will return."
"Maybe I'm arrogant. Maybe I'm defiant. But I've made my decision—"
"If God is dead, then let me become the new Lord!"
"No matter the price, no matter the sacrifice, I will become that supreme being! I'll drive out the darkness and evil from this world! I'll fill it with nothing but light and love!"
His words echoed through the room, each syllable ringing with conviction. Asia stared at him, stunned.
At first, the idea of Tenra aspiring to godhood had seemed impossible. Now, all she felt was awe.
To save a world without its Lord. To bring light and love to everyone.
Tenra-san… harbored such a noble dream.
A faint smile tugged at Tenra's lips as he watched her reaction. He'd laid it on thick, sure, but it wasn't all empty talk. He did want to become a god. He did want a world filled with light and love.
Of course, the world he envisioned would kneel before him. But that was a detail Asia didn't need to know—at least, not yet.
"Asia, will you believe in me?"
He cupped her cheek, voice low and persuasive. "Believe in me. Help me. Support me. Let's bring light and love to this world together."
This was his true aim: to make Asia his first believer.
Asia stared at him, something shifting behind her eyes. Then, with a tremulous, determined nod, she answered:
"If it's you, Tenra-san… I will."
Her faith had been shattered only yesterday. Now, in her moment of greatest need, Tenra had offered her a new purpose, a new hope. After reading the Codex he'd written, she believed—truly believed—in his vision for a world of light and love.
To her, Tenra was the Lord's successor. If the Lord was gone, then placing her faith in the one who carried on His will was only right.
No—maybe that was what a true believer should do.
So she chose.
She would worship Tenra. She would make him her new Lord.
Doubt and fear vanished. With faith restored, Asia seemed to glow, transformed and reborn.
Tenra had expected this outcome—he had plenty of backup plans if she'd refused—but seeing that pure, worshipful gaze fixed on him, he couldn't help but exult inwardly.
What a pure girl.
His very first believer.
"Asia…"
"Tenra-san…"
He looked at her with gentle affection; she gazed back with devotion and longing. He bent down and pressed his lips to hers.
Asia flushed, but didn't resist. If it was Tenra-san—if it was her Lord—she would accept anything.
After a long moment, Tenra finally let her go. Asia, blushing furiously, buried her face in his chest, too shy to meet his eyes.
"Asia, to make our dream a reality, I'll need your power. Could you give me your Sacred Gear?"
He whispered in her ear.
"Yes. Everything I have is yours, Tenra-san."
Still blushing, Asia lifted her hands. Two rings shimmered onto her middle fingers—her Sacred Gear: Twilight Healing.
A flash of excitement lit Tenra's eyes.
He'd never been able to awaken the Phoenix bloodline—immortality was out of reach. But with Twilight Healing, even the worst wounds could be mended in an instant.
He activated his Sacred Gear Plunder. Slowly, he slipped the rings from Asia's fingers. The moment she lost them, Asia went pale, the connection to her Sacred Gear severed.
Tenra quickly fused with the artifact, then used his sharing ability to return the rings to her hands.
Color rushed back to her cheeks. The familiar warmth of her Sacred Gear returned. She looked at Tenra, puzzled.
"Tenra-san, what was that?"
He smiled. "It's a special ability I possess…"
He explained his powers, and as he spoke, Asia's eyes sparkled with wonder. Her faith only deepened.
To be granted such a powerful Sacred Gear by the Lord—wasn't that proof enough? Tenra-san was the chosen one, the rightful successor.
Tenra had no idea what was running through her mind. But seeing her gaze—so reverent, so adoring—he felt his heart stir. He leaned down and kissed her again.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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