Alright, I will now invoke all of my power and skills to make you cry. I kind of wrote this chapter alongside the others but I decided that this chapter needed to be on its own. It just felt that important to me, rather than to be a 3rd part to Chapter 25. After all, Chapter 25 and Chapter 26 will have the largest impact on the next many chapters of the story.
And like I said before, this is the final chapter of Arc 2, so we're going to try and wrap this up nicely but not drag it out. I've been doing too much of that nowadays.
Chapter 26: To Be Strong and Weak
It had been one week since Issei's transformation and the defeat of the Khaos Brigade. After much time, it was clear that the Khaos Brigade was done. The leaders were all dead, with Rintilr and Ileana under captivity and the Hero Faction having served as double agents.
However, the problems were far from done. Issei was in a coma, having showed no signs of waking. Azazel and others had examined him, determining that he would be out of harm's way, physically and spiritually. Thanks to his regeneration ability, Issei only had to wake up. However, the stress brought on by this transformation was a different story. There was no knowing how long it would take for him to recover.
Adding to that, there was a new event now.
At the moment, everyone was gathered in their living room of the Lucifer Mansion to hear the sentence of Rintilr and Ileana.
"And so, after a massive fine, Rintilr and Ileana Lucifer will be forbidden from leaving the supervision of Rizevim and Ezagyra and those associated with them. Their powers will be sealed. Their fines will be set at a later time. Also, if they are caught performing any actions that would be considered dangerous by the Alliance, they will be punished in accordance to the severity of their crimes including the death sentence. However, it may not come to that since the sentence has only been reduced to this much, thanks to Sun Wukong's investigations, help from some deities, like Odin, and the testimony of Issei Hyoudou's words before his comatose state."
Normally, this would've been a devil matter, but thanks to Rintilr and Ileana being part of the Khaos Brigade, the gods who were allied with Rizevim and Ezagyra on a more personal level were able to pull strings. For now, the two were safe from death and possibly, a wrongful execution.
"What is the Council saying about him?" Rizevim asked.
"Right now, people are hailing him as an exceptional talent and on his way to being a hero. Tales of how he defeated the Avitur of Earth have spread, starting from the Jade Palace. The fact that he killed Shalba Beelzebub has also put another medal on him."
"I see. And are we sure that everything is okay?" Rizevim asked, glancing at his son and daughter-in-law.
"Yes. There is no taint left on them. Only time will tell how this will play out." Ajuka confirmed.
"Very well. Until next time." Rizevim said.
With that, Sirzechs and Ajuka disappeared through a magic circle.
"Was it really a good idea to keep Issei, Vali, and those two in the same house?" Ezagyra scolded her husband.
"It's our responsibility as their parents and guardians to watch over them. I don't trust them yet nor do I trust others with Rintilr and Ileana. Besides, their powers have been reduced to nearly nothing at all." Rizevim explained.
"What about Issei? How do we know he won't try to exact revenge? What if this makes him worse when he wakes up?"
"I'll handle that." Rizevim snapped.
"Oh, very smart. Build a bomb in your house and just hope it doesn't explode." Ezagyra snarled.
Everyone was so nervous right now. Rizevim and Ezagyra were normally so loving and affectionate. Now, they were at each other's throats.
"Enough!" Vali's voice boomed.
"We have enough problems right now. The government's trying to sort itself out. Rintilr and Ileana are still question marks right now. Issei's parents are dead and Issei, himself, is in a coma! We don't need this arguing!" She bellowed.
Everyone went silent. Very rarely did Vali ever raise her voice. This was when everyone knew how serious Vali was.
"Look, no good is going to come out of arguing about this. We'll do as we said and watch Rintilr and Ileana. If they act up, then it's the responsibility of us, Lucifers, to stop them. Most of all, we don't know how we'll explain this to Issei, who might blow up a second time. We need to just move on because this isn't something a plan can settle in one go." Vali said.
Rizevim and Ezagyra sighed, nodding.
"Okay."
It was true. They could do as they said they would. It was their duty as family to watch over Rintilr and Ileana. Rizevim, Ezagyra, and Vali were exceptionally strong and could subdue Rintilr and Ileana if necessary.
Said couple were sitting on the couch. They had stayed silent out of shame. They could only listen as their mere presence caused chaos. It hurt. It truly hurt to know that they'd caused so much pain. Of course, on their accounts, they had no voluntary choice in it all. By some forgotten power, they were brainwashed and made to do things they'd never even dreamed of doing. Even worse, no one would listen to them. They were the guilty party, of course nobody would want to listen.
They couldn't look Vali, Rizevim, or Ezagyra in the eye at all. They'd done so much wrong and hurt so many people. Even more nightmarish was that they were vaguely aware of their actions at certain times. They'd been fighting on the inside for so long, and though they kept themselves from directly killing people, they still caused deaths regardless.
Ileana withheld her tears as she knew it would look like she was faking, when she really wasn't. When she saw her in-laws and her own daughter glare at her suspiciously, she knew that it might as well be over for them.
Rizevim turned to his son and daughter-in-law.
"You will be allowed to live here like you used to. However, you will be under constant surveillance. If by the smallest move you make proves hostile, you can count on the fact that I will kill you for sure this time." Rizevim coldly declared.
Rintilr and Ileana nodded quietly.
"You can go to where your old room was." Rizevim said as he turned around with his wife and granddaughter.
They entered his Study to talk, still reeling from the cascade of events that had just happened.
(Disturbed – Sound of Silence. Play Song.)
"I can't believe I said all that in front of them." Ezagyra broke down, her face in her palm, her strong front shattering.
Rizevim was silent. He also regretted it. Even Vali felt horrible. Them and their damned bleeding hearts. They knew better than to give the benefit-of-the-doubt but damn it all…they couldn't help but still feel a semblance of care…of forgiveness. They had said all those things, out of fear that Rintilr and Ileana really were faking, not wanting to give them satisfaction in a second betrayal if this was all a ruse.
Yet, if this wasn't a ruse and Rintilr and Ileana were victims, then the guilt was just harrowing.
"I-I know they did horrible things but…I just can't help but feel so wrong for what I said to them. I want to forgive them even though I'm still hurt. Just…even after so many years of this kind of thing…it's still so hard. What if we're antagonizing them for no reason?" Ezagyra cried.
"I know. I don't want to give myself false hope too, but…remembering how they were…They were so kind, so loving, and so generous. I just don't know what's the truth or a lie anymore." Rizevim rubbed his temples in frustration and sadness.
"We've won a victory but why do I feel like it's so short of one?" Ezagyra shook.
"Look, we just…need time. If things prove right…then we can drop things and try and move on. We can only wait." Rizevim took a deep breath.
He was fighting himself. He wanted to go up to his son and either hug him or attack him. He was glad that his child was alive. Even if Rintilr had done terrible things, he was still Rizevim's son and had truly been a loving father and husband to his family and a wonderful son. Ileana was so soothing and comforting, always doing her best for her in-laws and nurturing her husband and daughter. Yet, it didn't change the fact that Rintilr and Ileana were the leaders of the Khaos Brigade and started another war from the shadows. Oh, if only there were a way to get the truth.
Ileana and Rintilr were in a bare room, with only a large bed, a table, a caged window, and a dresser. If they were to go to the bathroom, someone had to be there, no matter what. If they were to go to any rooms, someone had to keep their eyes on them. No matter what, their freedom was gone.
They sat down on the bed, nostalgia and sorrow hitting them at the same time.
"So, we're home, and yet…we're not." Rintilr mulled on that.
"How do we tell them? How do we convince them of the truth?" Ileana asked.
"I'm just thankful that we're free and we're alive. I guess…we just wait. There's not any evidence left to clear us. We've done too much to be trusted too. We can only move on with what we've got. I just…" Rintilr took a shaky breath.
"I just hope that they'll forgive us so that we can forgive ourselves." He kissed his wife's forehead.
"I want to hold her again. I want to hear about what she's been up to. I want to hear about the good and be proud of her. I want to comfort her about the sad things. I want to cook for her and get to know her. I want to meet her friends. I want to be the mother that I was supposed to be." Ileana sobbed.
"I'm the same. I want to be the father that I wanted to be. I wanted to teach her things, take her places, and be a proud father. I wanted to chase away all the boys who didn't deserve her. I wanted to be the father she could've been proud of. But…because of me…everything's ruined." Rintilr choked up.
The two could only grieve and reflect.
Things were so bleak right now. Issei was still comatose. The Lucifer Clan was completely lost in emotion and confusion, unsure of what to do or say.
"We've won, right?" Bikou asked.
Unlike his usual self, he wasn't smiling or joking. He was as grim as a statue, leaning against a wall.
"Doesn't feel like it." Kuroka mumbled.
"Not all victories are real." Arthur said.
(Disturbed – Sound of Silence. End Song.)
Even after a month and a half, Issei hadn't awoken, his body still unfinished in repairing itself. In that time, everyone had watched him, waiting for him to awaken. They took to rotating shifts, with not one person wanting to absent if something happened.
"Still no improvements?" Arthur asked as he entered Issei's room.
Vali sat by his bedside, piles of dark chocolate wrappers in the trash can.
"None at all. Azazel said he'll wake up on his own after he's recovered enough. We just need to wait."
"Then you should go and get some rest, dear. We'll watch him." Ezagyra said.
Vali nodded. At any moment, she knew that she'd fall asleep right on the floor with a painful bump.
As she got up, everyone heard a deep breath. It was so quiet but it was so loud at the same time. It made everyone look in the same direction as the sound gave them their conclusion.
(Doctor Who OST – Snow Over Trenzalore - Song for Four. Play Song.)
Issei had awoken.
"Issei?" Vali turned around.
Issei's heavy eyes opened. Blinking the grogginess away, he awoke to find himself sleeping in his bed, with Vali, Arthur, Ezagyra, and Lefay by his side.
"Issei!" The others ran over in relief.
Soon enough, everyone else heard the ruckus and came in to check.
Issei, smiled, though moved slowly as he sat up.
"So, what happened while I was unconscious?" Issei asked.
Rizevim decided that lying and pulling punches wasn't the way. Issei needed the truth.
"After you lost consciousness, we brought you to the Sitri Medical Center. Your vitals are normal and your regeneration has taken care of the problems and nothing seemed wrong after Sun Wukong looked over your soul."
"What about Shalba and Vali's parents?" Issei moved on.
"Shalba was killed and Vali's parents…they're under strict watch. Both have claimed that the past several years weren't done freely by them. Vali told the Satans and the Alliance about your hypothesis and observations. Many people remember the Aviturs and are willing to reduce charges after adequate results and compensations that they are to produce. Sun Wukong is leading an investigation and so far, many of the deaths that were caused, were by the hands and plans of the Heirs from the Old Satan Faction, who are now all dead. Sirzechs killed Creusery in the last battle, Katarea was killed at the Peace Conference, and Bahamut destroyed Shalba. The battle's over." Rizevim said.
"And my parents…did you at least find their bodies?" Issei asked.
At that moment, a massive stone dropped into the room. It was like being lightning-struck. They were shocked, speechless, unable to move coherently. Nobody was sure how to handle Issei except bluntly.
Ezagyra tried to muster up the strength but failed. She knew what he was probably feeling right now but knew that him freshly talking about it was hurting more than words could convey.
"W…" Rizevim swallowed the lump in his throat.
No matter how many times he did this, it never got easier.
"We did find the bodies. We'll leave it up to you with what happens to them." He finished.
Issei nodded gratefully.
"Thank you." He took a deep breath.
Slowly, some of his old positivity was coming back.
"Issei, we're here for you. You don't have to hold it in or hide anything." Vali walked over, placing her hands on his shoulders.
"Thank you, Vali. I will, trust me." Issei nodded, holding her hand tightly as he smiled.
(Doctor Who OST – Snow Over Trenzalore - Song for Four. End Song.)
Issei left to be alone, having asked everyone to let him change clothes.
In his silence, Issei stared out the window of his room. It was slamming him like a truck right now. He bit his lip as the memory replayed over and over in his mind. The sight of his dead parents, the only family he had left.
Issei wanted to emote outwardly but…it wasn't happening. It felt so cold and hollow in his chest. He knew this death was affecting him but he couldn't do a thing. He tried to rile himself up, thinking back to sad moments, replaying the memory in his head but still…nothing. Just what was happening to him.
Issei eventually gave up, trying to figure out what was going on with him. He decided that he had to be strong instead. The battle was over and he needed to move on. There was no use moping around, getting edgy, or lashing out.
Soon, he got dressed and went downstairs.
When Rintilr and Ileana saw him, they flinched. A bystander would've thought it was from fear but actually, they flinched from guilt. Issei merely regarded them silently with a nod before sitting down to eat.
"Here, make sure to eat lots." Ezagyra softly said as she set down a plate for him.
"Thank you." Issei smiled.
There was such an awkward silence. It didn't feel right to be joking around like before after Issei had just awoken from a short coma. Not only that, but the people indirectly responsible for the death of his parents were eating with them. Sure, everyone was giving them the cold shoulder, but that was to be expected. Eventually, Issei spoke.
"So, what're we doing now? Are we going back to our normal days?" Issei asked.
"Yeah. The Khaos Brigade is gone, so that's how it's going to be." Rizevim nodded.
"I've made my decision. I want to take my parents bodies and bury them in the Human Realm. Can you handle the rest?" Issei asked.
Rizevim nodded.
The air was so tense that it was like concrete. No one wanted to trigger Issei or bother him, so they kept quiet until he was ready or until he became self-destructive. Vali watched intently as he ate. She couldn't tell if he was hurting right now or not. Almost as soon as he woke up, she became unable to read him as well as before. It was like watching a new person for the first time.
"Issei…you don't have to hide it." Vali said.
Issei's utensils stopped moving. He wasn't going to beat around the bush.
"It'll do me no good to grieve more than I already do. I just want to finish this and move on. I'm not going to kick up a storm and throw a tantrum or swear vengeance. Their killer is already dead. Besides…I know better than to jump into that pit."
The memories were still fresh in his mind. Issei recalled the dark and cold pit of vengeful rage that were Bahamut's lingering thoughts. He knew…if he jumped in there, he was not going to come back out.
He recalled all the life lessons that his parents had conferred to him.
"Just in case." Issei mumbled, remembering his mother saying that.
It was so poetic yet tragic. His parents had tried to pass on as much wisdom as they could just in case something came and took them away from him. And what happened next? They died before they could say a thing to him again.
'Remember, Issei, getting revenge is never a solution. If you want to bring someone to justice, then that's fine. Vengeance is a completely different story. Vengeance is payback meant to satisfy that hate, rage, and sorrow within. In the end, it only locks you into a loop that you'll never escape as you turn into the same scum that you hate. That's why, you shouldn't act out of revenge. It'll only end in tragedy.' Mrs. Hyoudou had said to him.
Issei quietly exhaled.
"So, that's why I forgive you two." He said aloud out of the blue.
Everyone looked confused. That didn't make sense. Issei looked at Rintilr and Ileana. He knew they felt guilty. It was so obvious that he could even smell their remorse.
"I forgive you two. It wasn't your fault with what happened to you. You all were said to be kind, loving, and gentle before that fateful mission. Back then, before I defeated you, you were so full of malice. Yet now, I don't sense a thing from you. Bahamut's senses don't lie. I don't detect any darkness in your hearts or minds."
"You're going to trust a gut instinct?" Bikou asked skeptically.
"I've done so many things till now with my gut instincts. It hasn't failed me once. Not only that, but what good will carrying a grudge do? Life is short, as we all know. Vengeance will twist people, like how the Satan Heirs became twisted by it. I don't want to become like that, nor do I want anyone to be like that. Resentment is poison and it spreads easily. I think we've all become victims at some point." Issei looked around.
"I think it's best that we move on. Unless you're the most sick bastard to exist, then you can always be forgiven as long as you mean what you say and do your best. Guys…I'm the host of the creature that won't let anything go. Even now…I can still feel his dying thirst for revenge…it's miserable." Issei said.
Everyone went silent, reflecting on that.
"That's why we've gotta move on and grow from this or…we're going to become the problem too." Issei said.
"I…" Ileana's voice quivered.
She tried to talk but silenced herself as Issei decided to take his leave.
Going to the Gardens, Issei sat at a bench, looking at the ground. His mind was mulling over the memories of his dead parents, trying to come to terms with everything.
"E-Excuse me…"
Issei turned around to see Ileana and Rintilr. He patted the spots next to him, wanting them to sit down.
"How can you forgive us so easily?" Rintilr asked.
(Doctor Who Specials OST – Altering Lives. Play Song.)
"Well…I know what it's like to have fate shove itself down your gullet. Vali's no liar. If she said that you were genuinely loving back then, then I believe it. If you had the slightest evil in your hearts, combined with what I felt for you before…I'd still have the urge to obliterate the both of you. Yet now, my heart is calm. I have no intention of tormenting you or treating like monsters. You were victims of an enemy that's so obscure that nobody knows a thing. That's probably just how they want it." Issei noted.
"You're the only one who believes us." Ileana said.
"It's because I've also seen those eyes. When I was first among the gods and elders of the world, I felt their gazes. Some of them wanted to kill me on the spot. Others were terrified. Others…others didn't even look at me like I had feelings. I can only imagine just how much worse it is for the two of you." Issei softly said.
Ileana cleared her throat, trying to control her emotions.
"Thank you." She calmly nodded in gratitude.
"Sometimes, someone or something passes on a legacy to you and you can't do a thing about it. It's just how life is. We've just gotta move on and try and live life to the fullest. No point in wasting time on grudges and resentment. It's fine to go through those emotions but you've gotta come to terms with it before life passes you by. Isn't that right, Vali?" Issei spoke aloud.
Ileana and Rintilr turned around to see Vali standing a fair distance away. Thanks to their weakened states, they had failed to sense her.
"I'll leave you all alone. This is a family matter for you." Issei said as he walked away.
"Issei." Vali reached out to her but he just passed her by, not responding or looking at her.
Vali took a deep breath as she went to face her parents.
"So…tell me…what do you remember now? Can you tell me more than before?" Vali asked.
"No. It's all just a big mess. It's like what I said a few weeks ago. I went on a mission to destroy a monster threatening the populace. Then, I got swarmed by shadows and then…it's all bits and pieces. I remember some of the things I did while I was brainwashed but just barely. Then, it was like having my mind cleared after that boy, Issei, hit us with his beams. Even before that, we felt our minds clear up every time he hit us with his abyssal powers." Rintilr said.
"The last thing I remember…was the night you ran away. The night I was alone with your father, he…used some kind of purple magic circle and cast a spell on me. After that, it's just like what your father said. It's all bits and pieces." Ileana added.
Vali didn't want to say what was coming next. She was so scared of having hope only to have it taken away from her.
"I'll…I'll believe Issei. I'll forgive you two. He's right. Time is short when you don't know when you'll die. It, I just, I can't guarantee it'll be easy or fast." Vali said.
"I know I've been harsh for the past month, but, I just…"
That was when the floodgates came loose. Tears trickled out of Vali's eyes as she sniffled.
"I'm just so scared of believing you only for what happened all those years ago to happen again." She choked out.
Ileana dove toward her daughter, hugging her tightly as Rintilr brought them into an embrace.
"I wanted to forgive you two, but I'm just so scared. I don't want to hate anyone, but I can't help it. I don't want to go through that again." Vali cried.
"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, honey. If I was stronger…you would've gotten the childhood you deserved." Rintilr said, tears coming from him as well.
"A part of me is so happy that everyone's back together but I don't want things to advance if it's all just going to fall apart." Vali hunched over as she poured out her feelings.
"I swear, dear, it's real. It's as real as we are. I promise, we'll make it up to you. I don't know how but we will. Just...thank you for believing in your heart." Ileana said.
Issei stood by the sidelines, listening.
"Misery just loves company, doesn't it?" Rexis said.
"They'll move on. Vali's a forgiving girl. She'll come around soon." Issei replied.
"I don't sense a single lick of Avitur influence from them anymore. They're clear, Issei."
"I know. We just need to give everyone time." Issei said.
"What about you? You're not okay."
"Yes but I'll move on. My parents did all they could for me and fate rolled the dice. Now, it's my turn to honor them and adhere to what they taught me. After all…they always expected this."
(Doctor Who Specials OST – Altering Lives. End Song.)
After several days, Issei had finished talking with Rizevim about the funeral arrangements.
He had fabricated a story how his parents died from overwork, an infamous cause of death in Japan. As much as he hated lying, he knew the Mortal World just wasn't ready for supernatural explanations. He invited all their friends and coworkers and to his shock, so many people came, all of them genuinely grieving.
It shook him. It rocked him to his grieving core. So many people shed genuine tears as the people that his parents had touched, were sharing in his pain. Now, he understood just how grand his parents were. All of the advice that they had given to him, were enacted by his parents toward these people. Issei swallowed the lump in his throat as he stood up to speak.
"I want to thank you all for coming today. Today, we've all come to remember Ichiro Hyoudou and his wife Aki Hyoudou. As you all were told, my parents were killed by Karoshi (overwork). Knowing how they died and how they lived, I'm proud to say that I'll never live up to them."
People gave him quizzical looks but immediately took them back when he continued. Despite his trembling hands, he forced himself to remain calm and spoke.
"The reason why I say that is because my parents were hardworking, wise, gentle nurturing, and generous people. They were the greatest people I've ever known. They taught me lessons that will stay with me forever in this life and the next. One thing my father would say is that 'All lives come to an end, that's why you've gotta make sure yours counts because you don't know if it'll be a few minutes, a few years, or a few decades.' As for my mother, she'd say 'Bad things happen all the time. It's just up to us to decide how we deal with it and move on. We can grow stronger and help others grow stronger or we can poison ourselves with negativity and crumble our lives away into waste.'"
Issei cleared his throat.
"When I look around, I now understand just how powerful those words are and just how virtuous and believing they were in their own words. That is why I know that even though I'm the last of my line, and I may never have offspring or spouse, the legacy of my parents will live forever eternally through their wisdom and all the lives they touched. They always dropped pearls of wisdom when it really mattered. So, please, remember them always and spread that wisdom when it really matters because…that's what my parents would do." Issei finished.
Before long, it was time to cremate his parents. As Issei watched their corpses burn into smoldering ash, he knew that even though their bodies decayed into particles, their words would live on. At first, he was nervous about how he would proceed. He lived a dangerous life. He could die from some magical means or battle and that'd be the end of his line. And then what? However, he now confided in the fact that his family's legacy would be immortalized by the actions of his parents and their powerful hearts. It was so fickle yet profound. With one sight, everything changed for him.
True, his parents had barely been there when he was old enough to care for himself, but he always loved them for they wanted him to live on. From this moment, he would adhere to the words that they'd left him. He owed them that much, at least.
After the burial of his parent's ashes at the Hyoudou family graveyard, Issei decided he needed a walk. The past long while had just been too much for him. He was tired of being around a lot of people. He just wanted to be left alone, even if just for a bit.
"I'll come back later. You all go on ahead." Issei smiled reassuringly at the others.
(Code Geass R2 OST – The Ruins As They Were. Play Song.)
In addition to his family friends and his coworkers, Vali and her peerage had joined. They knew that even though he was smiling, he wasn't okay at all. They swore to stand by him as his new family to extend the one that he'd lost.
Vali decided to follow him, tracking his steps as he went up to a hill that overlooked Kuoh. It was rather plain, but it was still significant for its height. That, and it was in a grassy plain-like area with some trees around the area. At the top of the hill, there was a patch of dirt, but nothing else.
"I guess you're just as disobedient as I am." Issei chuckled.
He'd already known she was tailing him.
"I didn't want you to be alone." Vali said.
"I'm okay, Vali. You don't have to worry." Issei laughed lightly.
"Issei…stop hiding."
Issei sighed.
"I know you're hurting. Don't hide it. We're all here for you." Vali softly said.
Issei gulped.
"You know…this was my parent's favorite spot?" Issei said.
"Why is that?" Vali asked.
She had a feeling he was inching toward something. It didn't matter. No matter what he said or did, she'd go with it
"This was where they were when they were homeless. They told me that this is where their lives changed. My dad met his future boss here and it was on this very spot, while he was making things from scraps to sell on street corners. It was also where I was born because they couldn't get to a hospital in time. The shack's gone but…their memories and the power that they had are still here. Who knew something so small and distant could be so big and strong."
Issei kneeled and touched the now bare ground, which had no traces of his parents ever living here. All that was there, was just a patch of dirt.
"It shakes you to your core, doesn't it?" Issei asked.
Vali felt her heart quaking in sympathy.
"Yes, it does."
"It makes me wonder…" Issei sniffled.
Vali walked closer, concerned.
"If it's okay to be weak now…" Issei's voice cracked as he looked at the sky. He just couldn't hold it in anymore.
He hunched over and began shaking violently. Tears burned his eyes as he tried to keep himself quiet. His chest tightened and his throat grew sore but he couldn't stop. It just hurt so much despite all his attempts so far.
Vali dropped to her knees and wrapped him in a hug from behind.
"You've been strong for too long. It's okay to be weak, Issei. If you're weak, then we'll be your strength. I'll be your strength. That's why, you can stop holding back now. Just let it all out. Sometimes that's all we need to do. Tears help us cast off our sorrow so we can renew ourselves. Tears don't mean weakness." Vali gently smoothed her hand over his chest as he hunched over.
"Guh…Hrgh! Kuh…" Issei groaned and heaved as he trembled and sobbed loudly.
Vali couldn't help but feel her heart tremble from this terrible scene. To see the optimistic and strong Issei finally break down…it was too much.
Issei had never asked for this. He never wanted to be dragged into war and chaos. He never wanted his parents to come into harm's way. He didn't deserve this nor his parents. Vali knew that from this moment onward, she would do everything she could to help fill the hole left by this tragedy.
(Code Geass R2 OST – The Ruins As They Were. End Song.)
Arc 2: The Scattered Pieces. End.
Next Arc – Arc 3: A Time of Change
And that's a wrap. It was a short chapter, but a straight-forward one, as was intended. I honestly didn't see a reason to extend this chapter past its current size because it just felt unnecessary. I'm sure that things felt rushed, but for me, this just felt right.
At the very least, it's way longer than how it was in the original version. That one was just about half or even a third of a chapter. Yikes.
Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, or maybe even the opposite. I don't know whether to say enjoy or not, given the tone of this chapter. Regardless, I hope it was a strong chapter and I will see you next time.
