But he was honest when he said he respected Igor and didn't wish for him to die. Bravery like that was rare even in men centuries his senior. It would be hard, but as long as he could get Igor to at least High Class, it would be enough for him to survive.
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|DxD|- Chapter 18- Hope
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The sunrise crept over the trees and into the yard. A back slicked with sweat glimmered under the rays. The calls of birds seeped through the curtain of messy hair into his ears.
Igor was down on the ground doing pushups. Dirt and dew lined his palms and fingers. No grunts escaped his lips. Only the soft sounds of blonde hair dragging over blades of grass whispered his presence. Muscle memory kept his form, for without it, he would've long since lost his posture.
His mind was a mess from last night. His legs had never felt that heavy since he first had to leave the time chamber. A boot of guilt pressed down his neck. He'd truly believed that with his death, this little family would no longer be in danger.
'Why did you do that, Igor!? Don't do it again!'
He didn't have the confidence to try again. He could still feel Akeno's warmth in his aching arms, the way her little fingers pinched his skin in her sleep. It would tear him apart if anything happened to her…especially because of him.
So what could he do? He'd thought about it all night. If he could not erase his existence, then he'd become so strong the world would be too afraid to attack this family.
[I can't be weak.]
This morning was powered by this simple sentence. He'd trained for so long mist and sweat collected on his head and weighed down his scalp. His chest thud against the soft earth whileblades of grass licked his cheeks with each push-up.
Igor had long lost count of how long he'd been doing this. Maybe an hour had passed, yet he felt no different than when he started.
"You will starve to death before you see any improvement from standard exercises."
Igor flinched slightly and turned his head. Baraquiel was seated by the table on the porch. No smell. No footsteps. Not even a hint of his presence. It was unnerving.
He paused mid-push-up and stood. His body was wet as if he was fresh from the shower. The dizziness and fatigue he'd come to associate with this exercise did not arrive. Baraquiel was right. He'd faint from hunger before he saw any results.
"What do you mean, sir?"
Igor wiped the sweat creeping along his forehead. He regarded the man before him with seriousness…one that Baraquiel quietly approved of.
"Vital energy flows within your blood and has reinforced your body beyond human limits. If you want to see improvement, you will need different methods. But before that, there are a few questions I need to ask you."
Baraquiel gestured for Igor to sit opposite him. This would be a long conversation after all.
Igor pulled back the chair and sat down. The mesh wire of the frame was comfortable against his back.
"We will keep it simple, Igor. To begin, what is your full name and surname?"
"Igor von Dimori, sir."
A curt answer. Baraquiel liked that. He did not recognise the surname. The reclusiveness of Ariyans was beyond comprehension. The only surname he was aware of were the Drachenburgs, a known royalty of the Ariyans.
"What do you know of your past?"
"..."
'Hold my words dear, boy. The moment you are understood is the moment you are owned. Remember that always.'
There was silence, one that stretched as Igor weighed his next words. His brows showed his struggles, each crease telling of his internal battle. There was much to consider, but Igor chose to trust.
He began slowly, careful to narrate the events. He quietly spoke of how he was pulled in by his grandfather and another elderly man, how he was told to train for a beast he did not know of for the next five years. After the years passed, he appeared in the forest where he fought that monster and managed to kill it.
Baraquiel listened quietly. It was obvious the boy was hiding something. It was good tact on his part to withhold some information.
Regardless, he managed to piece together one important thing from Igor's words.
"This grey world…it's the time chamber, isn't it."
"..."
There was a brief moment of silence, then followed by a nod.
"Yes…"
"I thought so."
Igor's confirmation now somewhat explained the age gap. By all means, Igor should be over forty years of age, yet he was only ten. The Ariyan Time Chamber was rumoured to hasten time the inside faster than the world. It would not be far-fetched if the opposite could be done. Ten years in the time chamber could equal forty years in the real world.
"Let me clarify one thing for you, Igor. Whether you had the time chamber or not, your life would not be safe simply because of what you are and who you represent. The time chamber in this current moment, is your biggest gift in this world."
The time chamber, to think the artifact the entire world wanted was right next to him. This situation was so ludicrous he wanted to laugh out loud.
Baraquiel shifted his chair so he could watch the rising sun. Dangerous thoughts were forming in his head. The time chamber wasn't just a powerful time compressor. It was also a true god-killing weapon. That kind of power was an absolute must-have.
"Can you tell me more about the time chamber? Can you use it?"
"I can."
Igor's response was like ripping off a band-aid. He could not read people, but he at least trusted this family that took him in.
He explained to Baraquiel how the time chamber was like a limb he could flex.
"For the past few days, I'd feel something like a call. I know if I answer it, I'll be taken. I don't understand everything yet, but I can…feel certain things. It's like I just know how some parts…work."
The time chamber could absorb lifeforce and energy to power itself. When he killed that monster, the time chamber absorbed the energy and instinctively, he knew if he left, he'd get a year and three months of training. In the real world, a year will have passed.
"I'd only be getting a few extra months so it's why I haven't left…yet."
It was a lie. Igor could be a hundred years older and he still wouldn't be able to lie to him. Baraquiel knew and understood why. The boy didn't want to leave.
Sometimes, it could be very easy to forget Igor's age. Still, if his next words held true, then Igor had to go back. But first…
"If I kill someone for you, will you be able to absorb their energy?"
There was silence, then Igor shook his head. Baraquiel sensed some hesitation in his action.
"I…don't know how to explain it, but it can only be me who…ends it."
"..."
Ah…that made sense. Not many have their first kill at his age, certainly not in a life or death battle. He doubted the boy could stomach taking another life—sentient or beast. He'd hold off on other questions regarding the artifact for now.
"Listen to me, Igor. You mentioned those two men promised you answers after you defeated those stray devils. I believe the answers you need including knowledge of your parents might be inside the time chamber."
The world had been very thorough in eradicating the Ariyans, spreading so much propaganda even those who were hidden would be betrayed. Perhaps the only way to survive would be inside the time chamber, outside of the realm of detection even from gods.
"Did you hear me Igor?"
"..."
Silence. Igor had his head lowered. Beneath the curtain of hair, he was fighting to restrain his tears. Suspicion was nice. It meant there was room for doubt. It meant that maybe, just maybe, there's a chance…hope, that everything might be wrong.
He could ignore it before…
'Your parents…your parents are waiting for you, Igor. If you can survive, you will see them. But you have to survive, okay? Promise grandpa you will survive.'
…but not anymore. Those evasive words from Marcei and Tallus, the way they hid the truth was for one reason—to get him to fight. His teeth were gritted so tightly his jaw hurt. So…even if he went back into that world, his parents wouldn't be…
"Hik…"
A sob escaped. He didn't want to cry. His fists clenched until the bone rattled. He mustn't cry. He mustn't.
*Pat*
"..."
A heavy hand fell on his back. He could feel every callous and ridge. It rested there and no words were spoken. Igor didn't want to speak. The moment he opened his mouth, he knew he would lose himsel—
"Let it out, boy."
Baraquiel advised gently. It was not healthy to restrain grief, especially for a child. Holding back corrodes you slowly like a poison. He did not wish to see that happen to Igor, not after he fought tooth and nail to survive.
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AN: Alright. I revoke my earlier statement. Baraquiel doesn't need to step into a landmine anymore.
Chapter 19 is available to read for free on my p@treon. Just look for HolyGambler. Thanks for reading.
Chapter 18
END