World So Cold

After their eventful morning, Issei and Rias ventured out into the small town that the resort was situated in. Issei had worn a simple pair of black jeans, a black jacket, and tan boots. Rias was way more fashionable for said outing. She wore a crimson parka that matched her hair. Her long pink leggings ended in her matching pink boots. She also wore a crimson ushanka that they bought when they arrived. (A ushanka is a Russian hat.)

The two strolled arm in arm through the snowy mountain town. Their devil powers were able to translate what the others around him were saying, it also allowed them to speak any language, so understanding wasn't and issue. Most young women were either gawking at Issei or admiring the adorable couple. The guys were all jealous of Issei and the fact he was with a gorgeous girl like Rias.

It was the elderly couples that Rias liked to listen to the most. They had entered a small café to eat breakfast. They invited the owner and his wife to sit with them a while after they had gotten their food.

"Oh, I remember when we were that young." The wife said. Her name was Elise.

The man laughed. "Yes, that was such a long time ago. Now we just run this little shop together." His name was Roland.

"Oh, please. I see the way you are around each other. You two are the epitome of a sweet elderly couple." Rias smiled as she sipped her cocoa.

"Wait, Roland look." Elise, looked closer at Rias. "She has the glow."

"Yes, it appears she does."

"What glow?" Rias asked them.

"Why, the glow of pregnancy of course. I didn't notice it at first. Might I assume that you are the father?" Elise glanced over to Issei, who had stayed quiet.

"Yes ma'am. That would be correct." He reached across and held Rias' hand. "And I couldn't be happier."

"Congratulations, son." Roland smiled cheerily.

"Thank you, sir."

"Well then, let this meal be on us." Elise smiled.

"Oh no, we couldn't. My brother would never let us. He's already said that he would pay for everything." Rias was grateful, but Sirzechs would be a little cross.

"What does your brother do?"

They couldn't out right say that he was a demon lord. "He's in real estate, and an exotic car dealer." Issei answered.

"Wow, that sounds like a lot of work. Where are you two from? Pardon my curiosity, but you don't look like anyone around her, yet you speak our language perfect." Roland asked the couple.

"We are from Japan."

"Wow. And you came all this way to see out little old village?" Elise was amazed.

"Yes, I heard that this place was beautiful, and that it snowed all the time." Rias smiled. She had in fact done some research into the mountains of Sweden. This town seemed perfect. It was rumored that it snowed here during the summer as well. Indeed, it was true.

"Yes, it does tend to snow a lot. There are times where you can see the grass, and everything is truly beautiful." Elise looked out the window to the snowy outside.

"This place reminds me of a Hallmark movie."

"A lot of those old classics were based off of this sleepy little town." The older man chuckled.

"Thank you so much for the delicious breakfast and the company." Issei stood and paid the sum of the meal.

"You're very welcome dear. You two don't be strangers okay?" Elise waved as they walked out the door.

"We won't." Rias waved back and they left.

The newlyweds continued their stroll through the snowy town and found many other little shops and businesses to explore. Rias found a cute little teddy bear with devil horns and a little trident. The shop keep thought that it was strange that she would purchase such item but didn't question it. The young woman seemed so happy, that nothing could bring her down. Her husband just laughed at her. This was the life she wanted, and now she had it.

They finished up the outing with a walk through the local park. A large church sent both of the devil's senses into overdrive. However, there was something familiar about this church. Something felt off. Issei approached the front doors.

"Issei, what are you doing. We can't be on holy grounds." Rias warned him.

"I think I know this place." He entered the church only to find a few nuns near the front. They instantly spotted him and knew what he was.

"Be gone, demon." The oldest nun spoke. The other two were cowering by the altar.

"Please sister, I only have a question." Issei pleaded.

"What could a demon possibly want?"

"Is this the church that was home to Asia Argento in her youth?" This shocked the nun. Asia's name was not to be mentioned in this church, but she had treated the young girl like a daughter.

She sighed. "Yes. She was raised here until she used her powers to heal a devil like yourself."

"I can explain that power."

"How?"

Issei activated his sacred gear. The younger nuns still were afraid to approach him. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you. This a sacred gear. Humans are entrusted with this power from God. Asia is one such person. She was entrusted with Twilight Healing, this allows her to heal anyone who needs her help."

"That doesn't explain why you are asking about her. We haven't seen her in over a year." She frowned a bit. Asia was once like a daughter to her.

"Because she lives with me in Japan. She was sent to the church in my town and was help captive by fallen angels. We busted her out of captivity, but not before she died from her injuries."

"I am confused. You say that she passed, yet she lives with you?"

"My master and now wife Rias Gremory, brought Asia's spirit back as a devil. She now serves her." Rias heard her name mentioned and decided to investigate.

"Did you call me?" Rias asked.

"So, you are Rias Gremory?"

"Yes, ma'am. I am Rias Hyoudou-Gremory."

"You are also the one who enslaved Aisa Argento." She almost growled.

Rias stood tall and got authoritative. "That is where you are wrong. She maybe labeled as a servant and demon, but Asia is like the little sister I never had. She is kind and warmhearted. Arch Angel Michael even allowed her to pray without pain, since she tried to and it hurt her."

"She still tried to pray? Even after being turned to a demon." The sister was amazed.

Issei decided that it was time to speak up. "She never stopped trying. When I met her, she was still a nun in the service of the church. She would always talk about the bible and God. When she was reincarnated, she still tried to read the bible and pray. If you asked her today if she would ever go back, she would say no. She would say that her life is amazing now, being surrounded by family and love."

"She was loved here."

"She was abandoned here!" Issei shot back.

Silence filled the room for a few minutes. The snow outside began to fall harder and making everything white. The only sound in the church was crackling candles and snow hitting the roof.

"Come on Rias, let's go. They abandoned her and aren't sorry for it." Issei took her hand and led her out.

"Wait." One of the younger nuns called out. "I remember Asia like a little sister too. She only wanted to help others and now, she's become a devil." She seemed to just be summing up the conversation. "Is-Is she happy?"

Rias turned and looked back at the younger sister. "She is very happy with us." Rias and Issei moved out the door and started along the trail. "Did you know that this was Asia's church Issei?"

"I had no idea. It just felt familiar. I could still sense her presence here, if that makes sense."

"I think it does."

The two made their way into the resort and back upstairs. Soon they were on the bed and getting ready to go to sleep.

"This world really is cold."

"Well, yea. Its up north so it's gonna be cold." Issei chuckled. He knew what she meant but tried to lighten the mood.

"You know what I meant." Rias looked down to his chest. "Poor Asia. It looked like a nice home. It's still hard to believe they just kicked her out."

"It's like Michael said, anything that threatens the system's integrity needs to be removed." He rubbed her back gently and she pulled herself closer. "Let's not worry about this now. Let's focus on this." He took his free hand, laced it in hers and set it on her little baby bump. She was close to 4 months pregnant and she had grown a bump in her stomach. Not to the point where others would dare call her fat, but enough to tell she was pregnant. Only 5 more months and they would have their own child.