In the New Kingdom Of Astimata, civilians were coming together to try and rebuild some of the property that was impacted by the sudden attack by Xyla who had what seemed to be an army of Abyss at her command. Even students of the Royal Knight Academy were helping out who were given the ok by their principle, except for one outstanding Drag-Knight who was named Celista Ralgris. Looking out from her window, she would often see different students heading out of the academy and towards the city and would often at times sigh as she couldn't do anything to help because of her leg.
'I wish I was able to do something instead of just laying here.' Celista thought to herself as she was sitting up in her bed but as she tried to move her right leg, she would feel a massive amount of pain shoot up through it. A few minutes after the pain had subsided in her leg, she had sighed slightly after taking a look at her sheathed sword device, Lindworm that was leaning against the wall. Before she could do anything else, she had heard a knock on her door. "Come in." She had then seen a woman with pink, medium length hair who appeared to be in her late twenty's enter her room before closing her door back.
"How is your leg doing?" Asked Relie as she slowly walked over towards her student.
"Better." Replied Celista "I just wish it would heal faster so I can go help the others."
"That is a no go!" Said Relie as she pouted. "You have to let your leg heal properly."
"But I…"
"What If you were to actually do go and mess your leg up worse than before?" Asked Relie, interrupting Celista. "What if you mess it up during a fight, and given how the Abyss were acting last time, do you think that Lux and the others would be in a position to not only help you but defend themselves?" When Relie finished speaking, Celista eyes had widen.
"Tch.." As Celista sucked her teeth, she realized that she would do anything for Lux and the others but couldn't imagine what she would do if she was the reason that they got hurt, or worse. When she did, her hands slowly started to form fists as they rested upon her lap.
"Look I know It must be frustrating, not being out there with the others to help." Said Relie as she slowly and carefully sat down on the side of Celista's bed. "I get that, but think of how much you are helping the others out by resting."
"But…"
"Also…" Whispered Relie as she interrupted Celista. "Just imagine how happy Lux would be if you returned feeling better." When Celista heard this, she couldn't hide the blush that quickly appeared on her cheeks as the image of Lux's warm smile was visible in her head.
"Well when you put it like that, then I suppose you are right." Replied Celista softly, causing Relie to chuckle softly.
"Right?" Said Relie as she slowly got up from the bed gently and slowly walked towards the door to exit the room. Before fully exiting, Relie had let her right hand rest on the doorknob. "I'll be back later to check up on you again. Just focus on resting."
"Yes, I'll do just that." Replied Celista after a few moments of silence which caused Relie to grin to herself before leaving her students room. After hearing and seeing the door shut with the principle on the other side of the door, the young Drag-Knight lowered her eyes down to observe her damaged leg and immersed herself into some deep thinking. She ultimately came to the conclusion that getting rest would be the better option instead of becoming a liability on the battlefield. Well that and so she could see Lux's smile if she did recover like Relie spoke.
-Kanzaki Residence-
"Hey Miya." Said Antonio as he walked into the laundry room and had saw Miya who had folded a large majority of towels that everyone uses that were stacked up in a basket next to her.
"Hello dear." Replied Miya who immediately had a smile emerge on her face when she had seen her husband enter into the laundry room. "Oh wait, you don't have too. I was going to take those and put them up myself." Said Miya she she slowly approached Antonio with her right arm extended slightly at the sight of Antonio picking up the basket of white and blue stripe bath towels.
"Hmph, don't be silly." Replied Antonio as he lifted up the basket. "I'll be glad to help whenever I can, besides you do a lot. More than other people I know…" It was at this immediate moment that Saki had covered her nose as she had let out a cute sneeze while watching TV in the living room. As Antonio kissed Miya on the cheek which caused her to close her eyes as her cheeks suddenly began to warm up, he slowly walked out the laundry room and up towards the bathroom. As Miya slowly opened her eyes once more and observed Antonio walking out of the laundry room.
"Ahhh, this feels so good nya." Said Kuroka softly as she slowly sat in the warm bathwater she made for herself after showering. "And it's pretty spacious as well, unlike the one at Vali's hideout." The Nekomata had allowed a small amount of warm water to gather in the palm of her right hand and let slip through the gap between her fingers and allowed it to slowly run down her chest and past her areolas and nipples. Moment's later, Antonio walked up the stairs while carrying the basket of clean and folded towels as he was walking down the hall. When he made it to the door that leads into the bath, he slowly opened the door and had seen the baskets that held the towels were empty.
'Well better get started.' Antonio thought to himself as he began to stare at the large majority of towels that Miya had folded up. As time passed Kuroka stood up from the bath and slowly stretched her arms upwards before stepping out and grabbing her dry towel nearby so that she could dry her body and wrap the towel around herself. Afterwards she had slowly walked towards the door to exit the bath but had stopped when she heard the sound of something softly rumbling. Seconds later she opened the sliding door. "Oh i'm sorry." Said Antonio after he had finished putting up another set of dry towels. "I should be done in a little…" he stopped talking as he slowly turned towards his left and has seen Kuroka just standing there with nothing but a towel with parts of her body still wet, especially around her chest area, especially are her chest. "Bi…"
"Oh It's you nya." Said Kuroka, which caused Antonio to sweat bullets rapidly. 'Maybe I'll play with him for a bit.' Kuroka thought to herself before a sinister smirk appeared on her face as she chuckled slightly to herself as she slowly undid her towel to reveal more of her. A few moments later, Antonio had seen Kuroka's cat eyes begin to slowly fill up with water.
"W-wait don't cry!" Said Antonio as he tried not to panic at the sight of Kuroka sniffling as she dropped to her knees while using her arms to dry the 'tears' that were trying to escape her eyes.
"N-Now I'll never get married, I've been completely shamed..." Said Kuroka.
"What are you sa…"
"Hooooh? Well isn't this an turn of events?" Antonio's whole body froze, almost in an instant at the voice of someone who used to act as MBI's 'Grim Reaper'. When he turned his head around, slowly, he had seen Karasuba standing in the entry way into the bath with her eyes closed and smiling which could halt anyone who took a gaze upon it.
"K-K-Karasuba.." Stuttered Antonio as he observed Karasuba closing in on him. "J-Just how long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough." Replied Karasuba as she inched closer to Antonio as he raised his hands up, trying to prove his innocence. "I think Miya would want to hear about this, wouldn't you agree~?" Asked Karasuba, but before Antonio could reply back to her, she grabbed Antonio's collar and headed towards where Miya was located while dragging her Ashikabi on the floor.
"Wait Karasuba I can explain!" Said Antonio.
"Hmmm? You can?" Said Karasuba as she continued to drag her Ashikabi. "."
"Yes! So you see, what had happened was th…"
"Hey Miya, guess what I just found out~!" Called out Karasuba, cutting off Antonio while Miya turned her head in the direction of the sound of her name being called as her head tilted in confusion.
*I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE MENTIONED ANIME NOR ITS CHARACTERS*
Speech: "Home is where the heart is."
Thoughts: 'Can i really go through with this?'
Whispering: "I will do anything and everything I can do to help."
Chapter 25: One's Decisions
"Thanks for helping me with my hair like always Uzume." Thanked Chiho as both her and Uzume walked out of her room. Uzume began to scratch the back of her head with a proud smile on her face as she began to chuckle slightly.
"Hey, It's not a problem Chiho. I've been helping with your hair for how many years?" Asked Uzume which made Chiho go down on a trip to memory lane.
"Yes, we have been knowing each other for a long time now haven't we?" Replied Chiho.
"Of course, which is the main reason why I consider you to be like my sister, even though you aren't a Sekirei." Said Uzume. "That doesn't matter though, I…"
"Hmmm, Uzume is something the matter?" Asked Chiho as she tilted her head in confusion when Uzume had stopped speaking.
"As a matter of fact…" Said Uzume as she looked down the hall, along with Chiho and had seen a faint visage of Miya's purplish aura, meaning something was happening or had already happened. "Come on, let's go."
"O-Okay." Replied Chiho as the two women walked from her room down to where the seemingly ominous vibe was emitting from.
-Living Room/Kitchen-
"You always seem to be getting into trouble love." Said Kazehana as she was sitting amongst Antonio's back, pinning him to the ground.
"I haven't done anything wrong though." Replied Antonio in his defense. "I honestly didn't realize that she would be in there and would come out when I was putting the towels away."
"But what was the 'shaming' thing Karasuba mentioned!" Said Benitsubasa as she was also sitting on Antonio's back.
"I told you guys I have no idea where that even came from!" Replied Antonio in his defense once again. "I never shamed anyone!" As Antonio was being interrogated by a few of his Sekirei, Uzume and Chiho had came down the stairs and entered into their living room/kitchen and had seen Kazehana and Benitsubasa pinning Antonio down to the ground while Miya, Karasuba and Kuroka were sitting on the couch.
"So what's this about 'shaming' someone?" Asked Uzume, causing Antonio's head to immediately jerk in her direction at the sound of her seemingly cold voice as her veils slowly began to levitate on her left, and Chiho's right side.
"I swear I didn't shame anyone!" Replied Antonio.
"By the way, I've been meaning to ask Karasuba…" Said Miya before turning her head to face Karasuba. "Where were you when all of this happened?"
"Me?" Replied Karasuba, causing Antonio to look at her with the face that wanted to see what her answer would truly be. "Well I was walking out of my room when I seen cat lady.."
"Kuroka." Said Miya after Karasuba fixed her hair.
"She asked If the bath was available so she could use it. After awhile, I seen laying on the floor here walking with a basket of towels and had guessed where he was going to go."
"So you knew but didn't say anything to him?" Asked Uzume, causing Karasuba to chuckle slightly.
"That's right." Responded Karasuba which made Antonio sweatdrop.
'Sometimes I think you enjoy seeing me getting in troublesome situations and suffering.' Antonio thought to himself as he watched Karasuba smile to herself with a sense of accomplishment. As Uzume sighed with a sense relief, she turned to see Chiho slightly giggle to herself
-Later-
"Here we are." Said Grayfia after her, and Rias's, along with her peerage finished coming through a magic teleportation gate.
"Is this his house, holy shit?!" Asked Issei curiously as he gazed upon in amazement at the well kept house.
"Ara, It's not that much different from the house we stay in though Issei." Said Akeno, causing Issei to sweatdrop slightly.
"T-That's right isn't it?" Replied Issei softly, causing Akeno to chuckle slightly and Rias to sigh slightly.
"Is it alright that we be here without Antonio knowing?" Asked Rias as she turned her attention back to her sister-in-law.
"I have already taken the liberty to call ahead and notify them of our arrival, along with Sirzechs." Responded Grayfia as she led Rias and her group of devils to the front door of Antonio's household. "It's also stated that in the underworld court documents, that the devil under probation is likely to be visited from officials from the court to see if any changes occur."
-Inside Kanzaki Household-
"Haha, I just wanted to tease you! I didn't think I would be laughing this much, I'm sorry nya." Said Kuroka as she wiped a tear of laughter from her right eye as she caused Antonio to sigh.
"Well you know what happens when you say something that can be taken as a misunderstanding." Replied Antonio softly as they sat on the couch together with some space between them. 'Especially around Karasuba.' Antonio turned his head towards the kitchen area and had seen Karasuba seemingly whistling a tune to herself after stirring up some trouble which left her in a satisfied mood, along with Miya who was preparing some tea.
"I'll keep that in mind next time nya!" Replied Kuroka as she used her right arm to dry her eyes. As Antonio sighed, everyone had heard someone knocking at the front door.
"Oh, that must be them already." Said Miya as she quickly grabbed a towel and dried her hands off. As Antonio got up and walked next to Miya to the front entrance, Kuroka just seemingly stared at Antonio's back.
"Hey you…" Said Karasuba with her back still turned to Kuroka which gained her attention and also caused the black Nekomata's ears to twitch slightly.
"What nya?" Replied Kuroka as she looked amongst Karasuba's back as she continued to wash some dishes that were left in the sink. A moment of silence ensued between the two for a couple of minutes.
"I think you'll fit in fine here." Said Karasuba which caught Kuroka completely off guard while making her eyes widen. "I mean this place is full of freaks, weirdos and slightly odd individuals already..."
-Yomi's Room-
"Aaachooo!" As Yomi sneezed, she went over to her dresser and grabbed some tissue before she proceeded to wipe her nose. 'Is someone talking about me?' Yomi asked herself before throwing the used piece of tissue away. 'Anyways, now back to what I was doing.' As Yomi approached her bed, she continued to sort out some of her bondage rope she wanted to 'test out' with Antonio late at night.
-Matsu And Kocho's Room-
"Bless you." Said Kocho as she had heard Matsu let out an adorable sneezing sound.
"Thank you." Replied Matsu before wiping her nose with some tissue, tossing it in a nearby trash barrel and continuing typing furiously away on her computer.
"You've been doing some serious typing and barely moved away from that monitor." Said Kocho with a slight, slight tone of concern in her voice before walking over and crouching down next to Matsu. "Just what in the world are you doing?"
"Just a bit more…" Said Matsu softly, causing Kocho to squint her eyes as she gazed upon Matsu's monitor and seen her typing what seemed to be pages and pages worth. "Oh Kocho, I didn't notice you there."
"Right…" Replied Kocho before a sweatdrop appeared on her forehead. "So anyways, what are you doing?"
"Oh this?" Replied Matsu ever so innocently. "I'm writing scenarios for an eroge I want Antonio to play for me. It's written out with passionate pleas of love, hot and steamy romance, and plenty of choices to choose from…" As Matsu went on and on, Kocho could only sweatdrop.
-Basement Dojo-
As Haihane had yawned while holding a decent size boxing pad from boredom, Benitsubasa had kept repeatedly hitting the held up pad with punches and kicks while wearing her training attire which consisted of a simple black and pink sports bra, her signature pinkish combat gloves, and shorts with athletic tape around her feet.
"Achoo!" As Benitsubasa let out a adorable sneeze, she sniffled before rubbing her nose. 'Was someone talking about me just now?' Benitsubasa asked herself.
"Can you hurry up please." Said Haihane who was still holding onto the boxing pad. "Can't believe you dragged me out of my room while I was watching anime for this."
"Oh get over yourself! Watching to much anime is bad for you." Replied Benitsubasa, causing Haihane to scoff.
"Like how you used to stuff your bra with toilet paper just to show Antonio how much your boobs have so called 'grown'?" Said Haihane, causing Benitsubasa to have her cheeks become flushed with embarrassment as she clenched her right fist together.
"J-Just shut the hell up Haihane!" Replied Benitsubasa.
-Living Room/Kitchen-
"So what's the harm of having 'one' more stay here." Said Karasuba. Kuroka admits that besides Miya, Yume and Kuu, none of the other Sekirei had really spoken to her much and it's a surprise that Karasuba is even speaking to her now. "Oh and one more thing."
"Which is what nya?" Asked Kuroka. She had then seen Karasuba facing her while having her eyes closed and grinning slightly.
"Hehe, keep getting Antonio in trouble like that, I feel that me and you will get along just fine." Replied Karasuba to her seemingly new partner in trying to get Antonio into trouble.
-?-
As Xros sat amongst his chair with Xyla by his side, across from him kneeled nine beings wearing cloaks as black as the night sky with gold trimmings as Xros looked down upon them.
"Every single one of you. I ask of you all, state the reason it is you serve me." Demanded Xros.
"Because your power is absolute. I would follow you until the end of my life."
"Because you are a beautiful soul."
"Because I trust that you will truly bring this miserable, backwater earth to it's original beauty."
"Because you show examples of what a true leader should be like."
"You are compassionate."
"Because of your beliefs."
"Because, you give us hope that all the anger, hate, despair that plagued the earth will be cleansed under your rule." Xros has then heard Xyla step away from his left side then kneel down infront of him a couple steps away.
"I serve you because you are what this world needs. Anything you may ask of me, It shall be done, no questions asked." As Xros heard the words of his remaining pillars, he let the room be filled with silence for a few moments as he pondered upon his next choice of words.
"Let the failures of those pillars before you, Salazar, Kaōri and the twins be a reminder to you. I won't accept anything less than success." Xros had then extended his right arm outwards with his palm facing up. "If you do fail…" Xros had then slowly formed a fist with his right hand. "I'll kill you all myself." As Xros finished speaking, the coldness in his voice was enough to freeze the room if possible.
"Yes Master Xros!" Said all of the remaining pillars at once. Xros had then once again placed his right hand against his cheek.
"Good, now let's get serious and back to work."
First off I would like to apologize for the delay. I've been busy trying to juggle adult life and trying to find time to write. I'm not quitting, not at all, I just have to find the right time to get a good amount of words written.
I appreciate the support you all give me, more than you guys know. It makes me happy that you guys take time out of your day to give my story a read and that means a lot.
As for the Fate story I plan to do, It shall be called Fate/Crucible. I don't want to spoil much, but it has to do with a Demi-Servant but which class it will be, I'll keep it a secret until it's published.
Also, I had planned some time ago to do a another movie one shot that tied in with the first one I did for Wings Of Fate. Wings Of Fate: The Celestial Decree Movie Oneshot will be my next upload so please look forward to that.
Next Chapter: The Thing That Drives Him
