Questions Posed By Readers. DISCLAIMER: None contain spoilers or definite development. I also honestly don't know how the future pans out.
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Patriciawills (Fanfiction.net): Great chapter! Love how you've built up the tension and Bara quiel's disdain for the vampires. How different do you think Valerie will be after growing up in this harsher, war torn environment?
Answer: First off, she's completely different from canon. Because of the shenanigans of the Scramble, she was born earlier. Growing up during war and bled dry for resources, I wouldn't be surprised if she came to hate vampires. Maybe at best, she might become indifferent to them. If my math is mathing, she should be thirty one in 1991. That's significantly older than her canon counterpart. So as a more mature woman, it's harder to pin her reactions and evolution compared to a teenager. But since she states she wishes to be a mother, I personally see her self-secluding herself and choosing to leave the past as it is. Her twenties were rough on her. Hope that answers your question.
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Q/A End
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The table skid across the floor and banged against the counter. Shuri was speeding out the kitchen before the first squeal of metal legs against ceramic.
[Don't you dare, Baraquiel. Don't you dare!]
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|DxD|- Chapter 17- Descendant 2
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The moon was covered by dark clouds tonight. Stars littered the sky like little freckles, yet Igor never saw them for his head was lowered. He could feel magic around him. It was a barrier. He didn't feel when Baraquiel grabbed him or when they moved. Just one instant and they were in the backyard.
"You have heard everything."
Baraquiel's calm voice rang in an eery silence, yet Igor may as well have not heard him. His eyes were despondent for his world collapsed once again.
"What do you think should happen, boy?"
"..."
Igor had no words to respond with. He overheard the entire conversation Baraquiel had with Shuri. He was a descendant of Ariya. His clan was a group of powerful people who fought gods and were exterminated decades ago.
This revelation was like tiny hands pushing puzzle pieces into place. Marcei's words, Tallus's pleas, their deaths—it was slowly forming a picture. It was still blurry, but clear enough for him to realise one thing—he was a danger to this family.
'Once we leave and you are left alone, do not cry. Do not mourn. Do not question. Do not cower. Five years is too short for the threat you will face, but it is the most we can do for you. Use every second wisely. You do not need to understand. You only need to listen. The truth of everything will be revealed in due time. I promise you that.'
'Five years…most we can do…use every second.'
The words repeated in his mind and with them, a hollow feeling dug itself into his stomach. He had so, so many questions he wanted answers to, answers he would not get. But he knew one thing, one thing that destroyed him inside. The very thing the supernatural world wanted, the artifact they massacred his clan for, it was in him.
The grey world…was the time chamber.
"I…I am a curse."
His legs would've given out had his body not froze. His heart was pounding in his chest. It was getting harder to breathe. Dark spots were appearing in his vision like his eyes were closing on their own.
"You are not a curse, Igor."
"..."
Silence. Many emotions swirled in his mind. They were like a flood of water—impossible to grasp. He was descending into a spiral he saw no way to escape. What could he do? His entire existence…was it a mistake?
"You…asked what we should do…right?"
His voice was shaking, and so was his body. When Igor raised his head, his eyes had lost their light. Beyond the barrier, he saw Shuri with her hands covering her mouth. He tried to smile, but tears poured out instead.
He'd already come to a solution, one…one that was best for everyone. He was scared…terrified, but he was more afraid of being the curse that ended this family.
"I won't trouble you, sir. I..I don't want to trouble Akeno and Aunty."
Laboured breaths, tunnel vision, and a pounding heart so loud he could hear it. Igor tremblingly raised his arm. Every muscle fibre was screaming at him to lower it, a response to an instinctive desire to live.
Beautiful golden mists and tiny wisps of energy enveloped his hand. Just days ago, he almost bled to death from his injuries. He was meant to die in that forest.
'Please Igor! Please survive! Do you understand? Please survive!'
A small polished orb like molten metal appeared in his hand. It was controlled and hovered within the confines of his palm. He felt a drain on his body that was quickly filled up.
'YOU MUST SURVIVE!'
His arm stopped shaking. A sudden sense of peace enveloped him the moment he pointed it at his chest. Sounds faded. His heart no longer screamed in his ear.
'YOU MUST!!!'
He looked at Shuri one last time. She was slashing wildly with her sword. It glowed like a beautiful red flame.
She was screaming, screaming at him to stop. He couldn't hear her. He couldn't hear anything.
[Thank you…aunty.]
His vision blurred. Tears were pouring out, so he closed his eyes.
'Look at the sun. Even if it rains or is covered by clouds, it still shines. See? Be like the sun, my little Igor. Always shine brightly and always smile, for you are mommy's little sun.'
"..."
Igor flashed the brightest smile he could muster. The days were short, but he was very happy. He would never forget the kindness he experienced here.
[Thank you for everything.]
To protect their smiles, to protect their peace, and to protect their lives, he would do whatever it took, even if it meant he had to die.
[I…love you all.]
His muscles contracted and his arm swung towards his heart.
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"Your bravery and resolve have earned my heartfelt respect. It would be a shame if a brave warrior were to fall today at his own hand."
Coarse hands clamped onto his wrist like a vice. The energy in his hand was forcefully fizzled out. When Igor opened his eyes, they were filled with panic. He wanted to ask 'why' when the path was clear.
He barely opened his mouth when he was swiftly wrapped in a tight embrace.
"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! STUPID!"
His head was swamped by a silky nightdress and a pale white collarbone. Strands of her hair curtained his vision, but he could see Baraquiel giving a small smile.
"Why did you do that, Igor!? Don't do it again! You hear me?!"
"..."
He offered no words in reply.
"You have to admit, Shuri. You won't find a child with that much resolve—"
"AND YOU!"
She shrieked more than she screamed. Shuri was angry, so angry an aura of flames surrounded her. She could barely see her husband through the sea of tears.
"I hate you!"
She began hammering into his chest with her fists. They wouldn't faze him, but words could not describe how angry…how scared she was.
"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!"
Her fists thumped against his coat. Baraquiel's smile never faded. He enveloped Shuri in a hug and let her cry in his embrace.
"I hate you. I hate you, Baraquiel."
He didn't wish to do this to his wife, but this was the type of matter that could not be pushed to tomorrow. He needed to know if Igor was worth not only the risk, but if he deserved their trust. He expected the boy to say he'd leave, not choose the heaviest option outright.
"Sorry, Shuri. It won't happen again."
He kissed the top of her head and tightened his hold. He was just as surprised as she was. He held some doubt that Igor was playing for pity, but he was now sure the boy was genuine. If he was not stopped, he truly would've gone through with the act.
"Go back to bed, Igor. We'll talk tomorrow. I reckon with all the noise, Akeno must be awake."
It was stupid of Shuri to get attached to Igor. The boy was a plague of trouble. But then again, he was stupid enough to fall in love with a human in the first place. Maybe stupidity ran in this family. It certainly wasn't every day a child would choose the hardest choice.
Such bravery was rare even in men centuries older. Compared to the back-stabbing supernatural world, he would prefer to have someone he could entrust his family to. 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.
AN: I'm back with good 'ol chapter 17. Igor is…well, I don't have much to say there. Baraquiel though? Hope he steps in a landmine.
If you have questions, I'll answer them to the best of my abilities. I am honest when I say I do not know how things will develop, especially in terms of character development. I only know Point B. How we get there and what changes happen is up in the air. In short, I'm just as much of a reader as you.
Chapter 17
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