Naru walked right next to her brother as the two made their way home. Rias had called Asia and Kiba to the clubroom again for another meeting. That left Naru to walk home with Haru.
"So, you're getting promoted huh, Haru?" Naru said, remembering what Asia had told them.
"I would cheer but everything hurts," Haru said as he tried not to fall from another one of the pain attacks.
"We really need to get those Pieces out of you," Naru commented. Her eyes traveled to some dark vein-like markings that were spreading across Haru's neck.
"When did those start?" she asked, gesturing to the veins on Haru's neck.
"This morning," Haru said.
"Do they hurt at all?" Naru asked.
"No, but looking at them makes me feel… like I'm going to die," Haru said.
"Haru…" she said. Naru looked down.
"What is it?" Haru asked, sensing his twin's distress.
"I got a call from Seekvaira-sama earlier today. I think it might have something to do with the tournament thing that Asia mentioned when she came back to check on you," Naru said.
"This is for training right?" Haru asked.
Naru nodded. She didn't want to leave. Not when Haru was like this.
"It's okay Naru. I don't think I can participate anyway because of my… condition," Haru said.
"Um. Haru, are you sure that you'll be—!"
"Don't worry about anything. Irina is coming home in a day and Kiba and Asia are here to look after me if things decide to go south," Haru said, waving off her worries.
Naru looked at him, unsure of what to do when she sighed.
"Okay. But remember to call me," she said.
"When are you leaving?" Haru asked.
"Tonight. After I make you dinner," she said.
"I can cook."
"Yeah but not in that condition."
"You're not Kaa-san."
"Yeah but sometimes I feel like it. Especially now."
Haru and Naru erupted in laughter as they reached the gates. Haru clutched his side in pain as they walked.
"It… hurts to laugh!" Haru said between groans of pain and laughter.
"Then don't," Naru said as she opened the door.
Haru sat down at the table while Naru microwaved some hot and ready foods for them to eat. The two ate dinner in comfortable silence with Haru bringing up his promotion and their training now and then.
"So when do you think I'll get my evil pieces?" Haru asked.
"Probably after whatever this is," Naru said.
"Come to think of it. Saji looked like someone beat the crap out of him when he walked to class," Haru said.
"Hmmm? Oh yeah, he did, didn't he?" Naru said.
"Must be a big tournament if Sona is training her peerage to death like that," Haru said as he swallowed his food.
A CC appeared in front of Naru with the Agares Clan Symbol on it. She sighed.
"Duty calls," she said.
"Call of Duty. But nevermind that. Be careful," Haru said.
"That's my line. Take care Haru. DON'T FORGET TO CALL!" Naru said as she was enveloped in a flash of green light.
[Are you going to call Irina?] Ddraig asked as Haru hobbled up the stairs to his room.
"Yeah. Just let me try and call Sensei or Ajuka one more time," Haru said. He formed a CC and selected Azazel's contact.
*Ring*
*Ring*
*Ring*
"You have reached Azazel, the sexiest Fallen Angel known to Creation and God to women everywhere."
As Haru was about to speak, his vision warped. Ddraig's screams were drowned out as Haru could only focus on the sight before him. In the middle of the room was the head of a girl mounted on a metal pike. She had long, chestnut hair that was styled in twin tails. Her eyes, which would have been bright and full of life, now resembled cloudy, misty, purple glass. Her mouth was open in mute horror while her dead eyes mocked Haru. Mocked him for his powerlessness. Blood dripped down the spike, staining the floor a dark crimson. Haru fell to his knees as tears streamed down his face.
"Irina?" Haru asked. His hands shakily reached out to touch the head.
[HARU SNAP OUT IT! THIS ISN'T REAL!] Ddraig yelled.
"They killed her…. They killed her!" Haru said as he sobbed.
"Hehehe… ha ha ha… AHAHAHAHA!" Haru laughed with clear insanity in his voice as he began to grip his head in sheer despair and agony. His eyes were wide as tears continued to pour from them.
"She's dead Ddraig!" Haru said as he laughed and cried at the same time.
Ddraig could only watch in horror as Haru continued to descend into despair.
"Haru."
Haru looked up as the head began to speak to him. The head smiled warmly as its lifeless eyes bore into his soul.
"Haru. It's lonely here. Please don't leave me alone," it said.
"I- Irina?" Haru asked in a quavering voice.
[Partner! Snap out of it!] Ddraig screamed.
"Ddraig! It's Irina. She wants me to join her! M- Maybe I should," Haru said.
He summoned the [Boosted Gear] .
[Blade]
Ascalon materialized in his hand and Haru brought it up to his throat.
"Haru NO!"
Haru dropped Ascalon as he felt himself get tackled to the ground. Haru fought against his attacker but his weakened state prevented him from overpowering whoever attacked him.
"K- Kiba?" Haru said as Kiba's face came into view.
"Dammnit! What the hell was that!? You were about to slit your own damn throat!" Kiba yelled.
"Irina, she—!" Haru looked to where the pike with his best friend's head was only to see… nothing.
"No, no, no. They're getting worse!" Haru said as he curled up into a ball.
Kiba looked at him sadly and saw an active CC next to Haru. He sighed as he ended the call and swiped the circle away.
"I'll be right back, Haru! Don't do anything!" Kiba said as he ran out. He thanked whatever higher power that the person he was looking for was just down the hall.
"Asia!"
Said girl turned around and looked at him curiously. She was carrying a tray of food, presumably to bring down to the basement. Rias and the others were there with the boys as she had decided to begin training to get as much progress before the games.
"Eh? Kiba-kun?" Asia said as she held the tray.
"Asia. Haru… * pant *... Haru!"
"Nii-san? What happened?" Asia asked as a pit began to form in her stomach.
"He just tried to slit his own damn throat!" Kiba said.
Asia dropped the tray in shock and immediately made a beeline for Haru's room with Kiba hot on her trail.
He formed his own CC and located Irina's contact. Kiba hit the call function immediately and waited patiently for her to answer.
*Ring*
*Ring*
*Rin-!*
" Hello? " Irina's chirpy voice could be heard from the circle.
"Irina. Thank Maou you answered!" Kiba said in relief as he entered Haru's room with Asia. Haru was still curled up in a ball on the floor as Asia whispered soothing words into his ear while hugging him tightly.
"Irina. You need to come home immediately!" Kiba said.
"Eh? What's wrong? What happened? " Irina asked.
"Haru. Something went wrong. His pieces. They're making him see things. I don't know what Haru just saw but he just tried to slit his throat!" Kiba said.
"WHAT!?" Irina screeched.
"You need to come home!" Kiba said.
"R- Right! We just finished up! I'll go and drop off my report and head there! Just give me twenty minutes! " Irina said.
"Right. We'll try to keep Haru stable until then," Kiba said as a warm liquid flowed from his hands. He clenched his fist tightly enough to draw blood.
Irina cut the link and Kiba knelt next to Haru.
Asia had fresh tears flowing from her face as Haru passed out on her lap.
"Do they know?" Kiba asked.
Asia shook her head.
"They didn't even ask where he was," she said.
"What's going on with them? First, they find new boyfriends and now… I mean you saw how they interact with Haru. It was like normal except that it's…," Kiba trailed off.
"I know," Asia said as she stroked Haru's hair softly. With her other hand, she formed a CC and dialed Naru.
"You're going to tell her?" Kiba asked.
"She's my sister. She needs to know what happened to our brother," Asia said as she heard Naru's voice.
"Nee-san?" Asia said nervously.
"Yes?" Naru said. Heavy breaths could be heard alongside an explosion in the background.
"You need to come home. Nii-san… he… he just tried to hurt himself," Asia said, eyeing Ascalon.
"Hurt himself? How?" Naru asked, her voice becoming slightly frantic. "In fact, can someone tell me what the hell happened? All I felt was hopelessness and despair just now from Haru! "
"Naru," Kiba spoke. "Haru just tried to kill himself."
A green flash appeared behind them as Naru, in her training clothes which consisted of blue track pants and a grey hoodie with a white shirt underneath, ran over to Haru and Asia.
"Haru!" Naru said.
"We called Irina already. She'll be here in…" Kiba looked at the clock in Haru's room.
"She'll be here in seven minutes," he said.
Naru nodded as she gripped Haru's hand.