The words were meant to calm himself, but they didn't fully sink in. The shock was still too strong. Perhaps he'd calm in a few days, but his worldview would never recover. What top ten? Great Red and Ophis were in a realm of their own.
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|DxD|- Chapter 85- A Simple Welcome
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02/Feb/1998- February 14, 1998, Saturday, Kuoh Town, Japan
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A place of rest, eternal, yet sanctified for the grace of one man. Seraphine was beautiful, her clear skin and neat hair preserved perfectly. In her slumber, powerful magic kept her body not a day older than thirty. The incense and jasmine were not a mask, but an enhancer of her flowery fragrance. It was hard to believe that nearly half-a-century had gone by since her passing, for it seemed she could awaken at any moment.
Her hands cradled over her stomach, her body adorned with a sundress. Her palms once held a small hourglass, but it was no longer in her grasp.
A looming man, taller than great swords, humbly got down on his knee next to her bedside. His palm enveloped her pale hand, and his voice revealed the maturity of a man.
"Mother. Your son has returned."
A curtain of rough golden hair hid his face. Ten minutes—that was how long he stood before finally having the strength to utter those words. And once he did, all his strength seemed to fade once more.
Fifteen years. Fifteen long years without seeing even a fringe of her golden hair. It was not a gradual feeling, but a hammer that struck fast and deeply. The moment he saw her, an overwhelming weakness had choked him, still choked him.
He did not cry, for he returned in triumph. His hand could crush stone and metal with ease, yet was incomparably gentle when holding her hand.
"I've reached High-Class, mother. I haven't failed."
High-Class was not world-shaking, but it was a foundation. It gave him capital, and elevated him from insignificance.
So many words he wished to say remained in his chest. He could not get them out, for the feeling of seeing her face drowned all else. Only those few managed to surface, but that path was gone.
In the blink of an eye, an hour passed. Igor had not moved, content to only hold her hand and take in her beauty. His mother was not killed, but had willingly sacrificed her life to keep him hidden. Her watch had ended when he turned one, but she had left him five years of beautiful memories in a world where their family was perfect.
The love he felt for her was beyond everything, beyond his desire for vengeance, for power. To see her eyes open again, he was willing to give it all up, to live that peaceful life she dreamed of.
"I'll find a way…"
The words, a reveal behind his strong desire, were but a whisper. As a High-Class, he'd have the ears of many who wanted his favour. In this supernatural world, a universe where entities as reality-defying as the dragon gods reigned, there was nothing that was impossible.
Be it a sacred gear, an artifact, an elixir, or a spell, he was determined to resurrect his mother…through any means necessary.
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|DxD|
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Leaves and snow crunched beneath sandalled feet, and the sun shone on a head of blonde. The biting cold of the previous night still lingered beneath the rising sun. Igor unhurriedly walked between the trees, his mind awash with countless thoughts and feelings.
He'd stayed the whole night with his mother and only left in the wee hours of this morning before the sun had risen. He'd walked for almost three hours and the time would soon be seven.
He, a man at his prime age of 31, wondered what his family would think once they saw him. A small smile couldn't help but spread at the thought. There was nothing more relieving than knowing he had a home to return to.
Shuri could have easily, and well within her rights, kicked him out the moment he learned his heritage. Not only did she keep him, she nurtured him and raised him as her own. Igor had nothing but gratitude for the woman who did what his mother no longer had the power to do.
He steadily walked until he reached a clearing, the field where Baraquiel trained him. The spruce tree was still there, majestic as ever even in the chilling winter. Its stiff needle-like leaves were a triumphant green, no different from when he left. It was important to him for many memories over the years made beneath its shade.
He continued walking through the snow and walked out of the field. The fence was just a few dozen metres away, but a black shadow was already darting towards him.
"Heh~."
Igor smiled and spread out his arms, and the shadow smashed into his chest like stone. Black wings fluttered messily, but a pair of arms and legs swiftly locked tight around his neck and back. Igor had his nose covered by a head of black hair, and even without seeing her, her scent was more than enough.
"Little chick…"
He tenderly wrapped his arms around her. Her wings slowly disappeared, but she showed no intention of speaking or getting down. She glued herself to him completely, and Igor didn't mind. She said nothing and he didn't rush her.
In silence, he walked with her to the gate. He pushed it open, and right on the porch, Shuri and Baraquiel were seated. Igor could not restrain his smile. He walked the paving towards them and climbed the stairs. He looked at them with bright eyes and greeted.
"Old man. Aunty."
"You're late for breakfast."
Baraquiel chided, more focused on having his tea. Shuri shot him a glare before standing up. She spread her arms and carefully hugged Igor around Akeno.
"I'm happy you're back, Igor."
"Mn…"
That one acknowledgement, simple as it was, was enough to set his heart aflutter. How could he not be happy. He was so happy his cheeks were burning. This was his family. It was small, but it was his. And he loved them with every fibre of his being.
"...I'm back."
Chapter 85
END