Igor's energy rippled with turbulence. Shuri pulled him into her hold and let his tears seep into her shoulder. He was quiet, but a great burden was finally easing off his shoulder. Perhaps this time, he can truly grieve and come to accept that while he was the last, he was not alone.
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|DxD|- Chapter 42- Changes Of Time
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August 14, 1994, Kuoh Town, Japan
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Rustling leaves amongst whistling winds, distant calls from birds and macaws—the forest of Kuoh was as large as it was peaceful. The gentle sunlight peered through the gaps in the canopy, lighting up the world below in a serene orange glow.
Crusted orange leaves and dry twigs cracked and shifted beneath sandaled feet. A coarse hand fell upon the rough bark of a steady tree. Wild blonde hair was caught in the breeze, strands whipping around the form of a young teenager.
In the past two years, Igor had grown. His skin tinged and rippled with vitality, a compressed spring that could explode at any moment. He stood before his mother's tomb with calm, a powerful barrier separating anything and anyone from coming too close to her final resting place.
Not a day passed without him visiting it. Every morning, he greeted her; and every evening, he said his farewells. It was difficult at first, but he got used to it, especially when he had something to strive towards.
His hand raised and stretched outward. Slowly, it inched forward until his palm fell upon a transparent barrier that rippled upon his touch. Beyond his palm, a single memorial stone stood in the middle of four surrounding trees.
'Here lies a mother and a wife, who will be missed.'
Her name was not written, but it was enough for him. Igor lowered his hand and smiled. There was always a sense of peace he felt when he came here. It was one of the few moments when he felt his mother was nearby, watching over him.
"Morning, mother."
He began steadily, his voice revealing his maturity over the years.
"Hope you slept well. I'm still going strong, mother. My efforts are paying off. Today, the old man will take me to face real threats. I'm a bit nervous, but also excited? I can't explain it clearly. It's a mix, you know?"
He chuckled.
"I'll be careful though, mother. No amount of training can compensate for a careless mind. So I'll watch myself. You watch me too; you and father. Maybe you can pull in grandpa too. We'll call it the 'Dimori Special Episode'. Teacher Marcei is uninvited. Dimoris only. No Drachenburgs."
His tone softened.
"That's all for today, mother. I'll come back in the evening to tell you how it went. I promise I'll make you proud."
His words faded into the breeze. Igor touched the barrier one last time. The mana flow was strong, not something he could disrupt with his current strength. But as long as he reached Mid-Class, he could see his mother whenever. That was the promise Baraquiel made to him.
"Goodbye, mother."
Igor turned around and walked away. The crunching of his feet gradually faded until they sounded no more. Strength was everything in this world. If he was strong, he could erect tombs and cenotaphs for all his family without fear. One day, that privilege would come, a privilege bought by his fist. A long life, a time chamber, and determination were all he needed to become a walking Longinus. With everyone's support, that day would be far, but it would come.
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|DxD|
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Igor appeared outside the house that had become his home for the past few years. The grass was wet with dew that clung to the tips of his toes. He walked along the grass and picked up his jacket. He'd left it there in the wee hours of morning before the sun came out.
'I don't care that you're strong. It's cold in the morning. So you better wear this jacket or I swear I will…—you better wear it, Igor.'
Igor swung it over his shoulder and walked over to the porch. The jacket was next to useless since his body naturally ran hot. But it was the thought that counted.
He smiled. The smell of a good breakfast roused his stomach from its dormant state. Spoiled by daily dosages of meat, it only became more rebellious as time passed. It certainly wasn't like this when he had to eat nutrient bars.
Igor opened the door and at the same moment, he heard a chair screeching from the kitchen.
"Akeno!"
Shuri's reprimand was drowned by the pitter-patter of feet thudding their way towards him. A mess of black hair parted to reveal bright violet eyes that sparkled upon seeing him.
"Apu~!!!"
Akeno screamed to the heavens and came rushing forward like an unstoppable wave. The hallway wasn't long, but if she could, she'd make it even shorter. She leaped off the ground with surprising strength and jumped into his waiting embrace.
Her body relaxed when she collided into his warmth, confident he'll hold her up. Igor was comfortably warm, like diving into a nice hot bath that sent tingles across her body.
She hummed in relaxation and went limp. Igor flicked her on the forehead, but only got a muffled grunt from her.
"This is becoming too much of a habit, Akeno."
He mock-complained.
"I'll have to let you down at some point."
Her hands and legs suddenly wrapped around him. She shook her head against his chest in adamant refusal.
"Mn mn!"
Igor chuckled and pinched her on the back of her neck. She reflexively tilted her head up and he took the opportunity to kiss her on the forehead.
"Morning to you too, Akeno."
"Oh! Morning, Apu~."
She spilled over his chest again, content to listen to his heartbeat. Igor walked the hallway with her in his arms. The kitchen was just ahead to his left. Halfway there, Akeno raised her head and asked question.
"By the way, Apu, where do you go every morning?"
He didn't break stride. Her question was innocent.
"I'll tell you once you grow up."
"Mou~. I'm grown up now. I'm…"
She started counting on her fingers.
"...one, two, three, FOUR! I'm FOUR now."
"Really? Then spell 'four' for me."
"Um…"
Akeno went nervous and tried to recall her learning.
"Um…'A'…"
Igor chuckled and she immediately caught on.
"Apu! Stop bullishing me~!"
"I'll do that once you grow up."
"Mou~!"
Akeno slumped over him once more. She definitely wouldn't get off him for the whole of today, even if he tickled her to death!
Igor walked into the kitchen. Breakfast was ready and laid out for everyone. Baraquiel read the morning paper with reading glasses which Igor still found odd to this day. Shuri sat opposite him and was salting her food. She looked up with a smile and greeted him.
"Morning, Igor."
"Morning, aunty. Morning, old man."
"Hn."
Baraquiel grunted his reply, too buried in the newspaper. Shuri flung a gust of wind that rippled the papers.
"Your food will get cold, husband. The news won't run away."
"Hmmm…"
Baraquiel lowered the paper. His eyes peered through the golden rims of his glasses right at Shuri.
"Who do you think will win the championship: the Sanfrecce Hiroshima or the Verdy Kawasaki?"
Shuri raised her hand to reply, then paused. Her hand progressively lowered with each stage of thought until she was genuinely contemplating. The switch was surprising.
"I'm not sure."
She slowly began.
"The Shimizu S-Pulse and Kashima Antlers are also tying in. So it's still up in the air."
Igor took in the sight before him. This family were big soccer fans. It was surprising when he first found out. It wasn't much of his thing, but he found fulfillment in just…watching them.
"Aunty."
"Hm?"
"Your food will get cold too."
"..."
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AN: There we have it. Igor is now fourteen years old. He could be nearing fifteen depending on his birthday plus the extra months in the time chamber. Either way, I'm liking my boy's style.
Shameless advertisement for my p@treon. Here's the link to the forbidden website: [email protected]/HolyGambler
Replace the '@' with 'a' or just search for 'HolyGambler' on the platform. No other name exists other than yours truly.
Chapter 42
END