Ch 10: Realizations
Julian
I've never had the dubious honor of waking up from a combination of exhaustion and injury before and can I just say it's not anything particularly fun?
You feel like you're surrounded on all sides by tightly woven cotton, moving feels a bit like someone wrapped barbed wire around your bones and muscles...never mind that movement feels like trying to lift a house with a single hand in the first place.
It's an experience I could do without in the future.
A groan that sounds a bit like a dog gargling broken glass slips out of me as I force myself to sit upright-
-and a pair of arms squeeze me tight enough that it feels a bit like my ribs cracked all over again.
"Erk! E-easy on the death grip there, Princess, still not at my best..."
My Queen sniffles adorably and glares at me, still not removing her arms in the slightest as a surprisingly deep rumble of annoyance comes from her throat.
"The next time you tell us to run so you can stay behind and get beaten to Hell...we're not even going to bother pretending to listen to you. Got it?"
Her tone brooks no argument-even an Outlier Piece can't force that level of will to submit-and I nod in agreement.
"Got it. Never mind that I didn't even really get to do anything remotely heroic. More like you three saved...me..."
My mind catches up with the events we just experienced and I frantically ask, "Yumi and the two others, are they ok?!"
Vallian scowls, warning me with, "Quit moving around so much, none of us are healers and we had to rely on that weird first-aid box thing you have running around the house alongside the silverware."
She must notice my expression because she sighs and averts her eyes.
"The girl you rescued who wasn't unconscious is...ok. As for the other two, well...they didn't make it. Gasper has them in a state of suspended animation-literally-but I'm pretty sure they were dead even before she did so...it might be too late to bring them back using an Outlier Piece."
My fist clenches before I relax, blowing out a calming breath.
"Dammit...alright, what about Valper?"
The disgusted look on my Queen's face warms my heart.
"What about that sick creep? I had to knock him out because he kept spewing this crap about how Isla and the other two were some kind of failed products and we shouldn't bother with saving them. Can I kill him already?"
I swing my legs over the side of the bed, wincing at the sharp sting in my chest before Vallian slings my arm over her shoulder, giving me a leg up, so to speak.
"Unfortunately, if I really fucked this whole plan up as badly as I think I did...that privilege might belong to someone else. Also who the heck is Isla? The dead girl?"
Vallian shoots me a confused look even as she helps me hobble out of the room.
"No, Isla is the one who you put your Outlier Piece into. I was actually going to ask who this Yumi person was."
...Huh? I mean, I know Isaiah was Kiba's original...name…
I resist the urge to slam my head against the wall.
Isla is a female variation of Isaiah...and Yuuto Kiba was the name Rias gave to him, not his actual name. Of course Vallian doesn't know who Yumi is!
This then begs the question of why the booklet had the name listed as Yumi Kiba...but so far practically nothing today has gone right, why would it start now?
"Julian, are you ok, does it hurt anywhere?"
I give Valerie a lopsided smile as she frets and worries, easing myself into the table's seat-chest still aches, ow-and reply, "Well it kinda hurts everywhere...but that's better than hurting really badly in one spot, now isn't it?"
Two scowls, one concerned and one annoyed, are my only reply as Vallian sits next to me.
"How's Gasper doing, Valerie?"
"She's asleep right now. Keeping time stopped around those two took a lot of energy and she was quite exhausted afterwards."
I slowly nod, murmuring, "She could probably do with a bit of blood later on...", before getting back to the matter at hand.
"And Isla?"
The Dhampire winces.
"She's...keeping watch over her companions bodies. She hasn't really moved in the eight hours you were asleep, not eating or drinking anything despite being offered..."
I keep a scowl locked behind my teeth and instead sigh in aggravation, frustrated that my plan went so far off the rails that I'm basically following canon events regardless, just in a roundabout fashion.
Ain't that a kick in the balls?
Regaining my feet I dourly say, "Alright, let's go see Isla and see if we can drag some sort of happy ending out of this disaster..."
Valerie hadn't been kidding when she said Isla hadn't really moved that much over the last few hours, the girl as mobile as a statue in her chair, spine ramrod straight and face slack as she stares at the two lightly glowing bodies in front of her, neither looking all that different from a corpse.
...Stellar.
With the frantic threat of imminent combat no longer hanging over us I can actually take a moment to properly take stock of Isla's appearance.
Hair maybe a shade darker than Gasper's-yet still noticeably blonde-that trails to the base of her spine. Steel-blue eyes that barely so much as blink while slightly sallow skin hints that not even her turning from the Outlier Piece was enough to fix the damage the gas caused.
...Shit, she hasn't even changed out of that strange hospital gown/robe thing…
I slowly approach her, momentarily unsure of how to approach the poor girl who...well I didn't necessarily ruin her life-seeing as how she was going to more or less die with or without my intervention-but the knowledge that I fucked up what could have potentially been a much happier ending leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
Taking a deep breath and putting my self-recrimination aside I crouch low next to the silent girl, gently putting a hand on her knee and quietly whisper, "Isla, correct? I...suppose I owe you an apology, after everything that's happened."
That seems to bring her out of her silent vigil, eye regaining a spark of life as she near inaudibly replies, "An...apology?"
Her voice is raspy yet accented with a slight middle eastern lilt, as if she hasn't drank anything in days.
I force down my nerves and continue onwards. I'm fairly certain this won't backfire...and honesty-even if it's a sightly twisted truth-is the best policy.
Besides, with Valper here I have a convenient scapegoat…
"Yes. You see, Vallian, Valerie, Gasper and myself here were attempting to rescue you and your companions from that institute...unfortunately, I made a mistake and assumed a few details incorrectly, which lead to the, well...gas being released and your fellows being killed before we could rescue you all. And for that...you have my sincerest apologies."
What happens next surprises me to no end. Instead of flying into a rage, or demanding answers as to what the Hell we were doing...she just looks bewildered, perhaps even a little lost.
"You...you were trying to rescue us? But why? And why would that place have gas..."
...I'm speechless. I can't even blame that lack of anger or distrust on the Outlier Piece's influence, it's only been a few hours since it was implanted.
Even with the likely death of everyone she ever cared and knew about, with the culprit outright admitting to her face that he's responsible while keeping her in an unknown location...she's still thinking clearly and rationally, weighing her own personal experiences and observations against what she thought was fact.
...No bullshit, I'm legitimately jealous of that level of critical thinking.
Gods only know I would have killed for that level of analytical skill in my past life.
Setting my own shock aside I reassuringly state, "Isla, you can do one of two things right now. Either you can ask the man who was responsible for the project you were a part of-Valper Galilei-why these measures were in place...or I can try and save your two friends here."
Her previously dull eyes blaze to life.
"Y-you can save them?!"
Inwardly wincing-I knew this would provide a measure of potentially false hope-I quickly reply, "Maybe. I won't lie, Isla...the odds of me being able to actually bring your friends back is...well, mostly nonexistent. There's a short time frame in which I can bring back those who've died...and even the time-alterations might not have been enough. I'm sorry...but I wouldn't get my hopes up."
Like a doused fire only a few embers of life remain at my words...but it's better this way.
Taking a deep breath I bring out the one free Knight Piece I currently don't have a recipient for, placing it over the chest of the girl as it glows a deep emerald...and I don't feel even the slightest reaction from it.
She's gone.
The process is repeated on the boy...with the same results.
Isla's heartbroken eyes do more to pain me than getting my chest blown open with a lightspear even came close to.
My right arm is suddenly wrapped in a soft pair of hands, Gasper evidently having woken up and joined us, thankfully sensing the mood and remaining silent as she wordlessly stares at me in concern.
A quick return squeeze reassures her as I turn my attention back to Isla, the poor girl shaking and obviously fighting back tears.
"C-can I have...can I have a moment with them? Just...just to say g-goodbye..."
I don't bother replying, instead motioning for everyone to leave the room, Gasper pausing only long enough to remove her time-dilation.
We'd spent a few silent minutes outside the room, lost in our own thoughts.
...I can't believe how badly I fucked up.
And it wasn't even in some sort of unforeseen, surprise twist that I couldn't have predicted.
It was a stupid mistake. That booklet the Goddesses gave me contains an incredible wealth of constantly changing information...and I'd only looked through a few key persons of interest.
I knew Kokabiel would later support Valper...but I hadn't expected it to be such an established relationship lasting for years and subsequently hadn't checked on Kokabiel's bio, missing out on the fact that he had sent representatives to the Holy Sword Institute.
...For someone who wanted such a booklet because he couldn't remember shit from canon, I seem to take what few things I do remember as gospel.
Fucking idiot.
...Well, at least this wasn't a total disaster. I achieved Balance Breaker and Isla is turning out to be a surprisingly level-headed person.
We'll call this a teachable moment and learn from it...and once a few more years pass, and our powers grow…
Well, I think it's only fair I blow Kokabiel's ribcage inside out, just so we're even.
We're startled out of our thoughts as Isla slowly walks out of the room we were previously occupying, her gaze icy and controlled...a far cry from what it was earlier.
"Father Galilei. Where is he?"
I motion with my head, neutrally replying, "Follow me."
"So, Valper...how's the leg?"
Sweat pouring down his brow the old fuck has the balls to scoff at me, imperiously replying, "You ignorant savages have no idea of the genius this world will be without if you kill me. What of the Holy Swords, what of Excalibur? You barbarians would see that divine blade lost to the world?!"
I let the silence after his spontaneous rant last for a few seconds-
-before bringing my foot down on where his leg got shot off with a wet squelch, the sloppily applied bandages rapidly moistening as the old fuck screams like a gutted pig.
Music to my ears, really.
"Just in case my words were garbled, what I asked was how your leg feels."
His wracking, pitiful sobs answer my question plenty, Vallian smirking at my actions while Gasper and Valerie seem to have decided merely to distance themselves from this 'interrogation'.
...I'd had Isla wait outside within earshot.
Regretfully retracting my foot the bastard whimpers in relief, my tone amicable as I ask, "So I have a few questions about this 'Holy Sword Institute' of yours. It'd be a shame if my foot slipped again, I tend to get antsy and jumpy when I don't get answers right away..."
The simultaneously hateful and fearful look sent my is answer enough.
"First of all, what was an institute designed to-I'm assuming-create artificial Holy Sword wielders doing packing nerve gas in it's bowels? Doesn't that seem like a rather peculiar risk, given the no doubt extensive effort put into these volunteers?"
Valper scoffs.
"Volunteers? Perhaps some of those failures were, but it was so much easier to just take ones that looked promising, especially in the early days when the Church was far more amicable to our requests. And the gas was for efficient disposal of the failures, obviously. None of them had the slightest indication of success, I deemed it acceptable to dispose of them...especially once you savages attacked."
I sagely nod, neutrally asking, "Why gas? In fact, why kill them at all? The oldest couldn't be any older than thirteen, why not just let them go? If they were all failures it's not like the Church would have had much interest in them..."
The waste of perfectly good air and skin snorts at my words.
"I already said so, didn't I? The gas was merely more efficient, we could have burned or mulched the bodies afterward. More to the point, I noticed you carrying the bodies of some of that trash during your 'rescue'. You were wasting your time, there was nothing special or worthwhile about those rejects."
All of us fall silent after that, my eyes roving around the room.
Gasper and Valerie seem to have lost their earlier queasiness, staring in outright horror and disgust at the man. Vallian is...well she's licking her lips and slowly flexing her fingers, obviously wishing for nothing more than the slightest reason to kill Valper on the spot.
Sorry, Princess...but this isn't our kill to make.
"Isla? You can come in now."
My first Knight slowly turns the corner, her expression...cold. Reptilian.
Valper noticeably pales. And not just from blood loss.
"T-thirteen? H-how are you-"
"Alive? No thanks to you, Father."
Damn. And I thought Vallian had a malevolent expression.
…
And seriously? Thirteen? The old shit didn't even have the decency to remember their names, eh?
Nice.
"Y-you must understand, Thirteen-"
"Isla. My name is Isla."
"I-Isla...surely you understand, right? All those tests, all those experiments, it was for the greater good! To bring back the one true Excalib-"
"The greater good? Is that why me-my family-suffered every day? Feeling our bodies burn up from the inside as we tried to survive your 'greater good'? Witnessing each other suffer from nightmares we couldn't understand, as memories that weren't ours flooded our minds? That 'greater good'?"
The young woman's breath hitches, her teeth bared and eyes volcanic as she glares at Valper, the man cowering beneath her glare.
"And according to you...it was all for nothing. My family is dead...they died in pain and terror for nothing."
A metallic rustle whispers throughout the room, the back of Isla's gown flowing to the side as odd looking wings rip themselves from her back.
The color of steel, with strange patagium the consistency of molten metal and making a noise like gently blowing wind chimes as they flex.
Their appearance coincides with a shower of sparks and light as a plain, completely unadorned Xiphos-looking sword appears in her hand, her Sacred Gear no doubt activating for the first time due to her fury.
"Consider yourself lucky, Father. At least you'll die for something."
The man gives a short cry of terror as Isla steps forward, sword cocked backwards as she no doubt prepares to behead him-
-and stops as I grab her wrist. For a split-second she displays nothing but thwarted anger...until I gently lower her hand so that the tip of the sword is pointed towards Valper's navel.
"Stab there. He'll die slower."
A stoic nod is her only reply as without further comment she rams the sword forward-
-and Valper gives a pained screech, Isla stepping back to observe the maniac's prolonged, painful death.
And good riddance.
Isla has been rather subdued after Valper had finally expired, my sentient appliances moving in afterwards to clean up the corpse and various fluids now decorating the floor.
...Well, we'd all been rather subdued, quite honestly. It's been a long day.
"I...you probably don't need me anymore, do you?"
I snap out my thoughts and turn to face Isla, the girl visibly worn to the bone.
"I mean, you heard that...that man. I'm a failure."
That last word is spoken with such a sense of bitterness that I can't help but wince, cursing myself one last time for my screw up in this daisy chain of fuckups.
"On the contrary, Miss Isla, I think you're very much the opposite of a failure. Besides, you shouldn't put much stock in the words of that wasting sack of flesh who's name used to be Valper. And I'm more than a little certain that was a Sacred Gear I saw back there."
She shifts uncomfortably at my words, hesitantly asking, "But...but what would I do? I don't have any skills, or any redeeming qualities...all I have-had-was my family and...and they're...they're..."
Her breath hitches, shortly followed by a pair of tears as her legs give out, the events of today finally catching up with her.
Quietly letting out a sigh I lean down next to her, quietly pulling my Knight into a-hopefully-comforting hug, the other three following suit and surrounding Isla in a net of support.
I'll spring the whole prophecy and 'save the world' spiel for tomorrow...for now, she deserves a rest.