Mairimashita! Iruma-kun: Shadows of the Past, part 47
On the fourth level of the sub basement, Persephone braced herself against the wall as the entire floor shuddered. Just what was Opera doing up there? Her radio had also blown along the others earlier, so she had no idea that Iruma had caused the blast. If she had, she'd be much more concerned.
Pressing on, she found yet another room that Victoria had set aside for her grotesque experiments. Most had been abandoned or contained some grizzly remains, but this one seemed to be occupied by a living being.
A form in the gloom was strapped tightly to a stiff chair. Blood, shorn locks of hair, and other detritus decorated the floor around the hapless victim. As the light from the hall filtered into the room, Persephone recognized the two toned hair on the floor. She had just found Valiant.
Springing into action, she turned on the lights and hurried to free him. Her assessment didn't take long. The situation was grim.
Deep scratches were gouged into the arms of the wooden chair, clear proof of the agony he had been through. His nails were thoroughly split and the ends of his fingers were worn bloody as further evidence of the horrors he had miraculously survived. He'd desperately clawed at his confines in response to Ai's endless torture, likely trying anything to keep himself from giving her the pleasure of hearing him scream.
Several diabolical implements pierced his flesh just like what Suzie had been subjected to. Victoria was truly a very sick woman. Persephone knew Ai would try to turn him to her side by any means necessary. Yet clearly Valiant had turned down her offer for employment. Now his battered body paid the price for his defiance.
Coming closer, Persephone grimaced at the device she saw latched onto his bruised face. It was an old torture tool designed to keep someone's jaw open at an unnatural angle. Ai had broken and pulled several of his teeth, likely slowly and painfully, and obviously without a sedative. To add insult to injury, she had hacked off his beautiful hair at odd angles just like she did to Pandora.
Taking a deep breath, she undid the fastenings, afraid to rouse him from his slumber. She knew blacking out was his only reprieve from the pain, but one golden eye slowly peered at her, barely open. The poor soul was awake. He weakly twitched his fingers in recognition as if trying to reach out to her. Finally, help had arrived.
She tried to smile for him, knowing he was glad to see a friendly face, but her tears were already winning. Seeing her friend so badly abused was hard enough and it only worsened her expectations for Kalego's inevitable condition.
"Focus", she thought, "One patient at a time." Both demons were dear to her in different ways and, right now, the man in front of her desperately needed her attention. As a dedicated medic, she couldn't ignore that.
Cutting the strap that bound his head against the chair, she ventured, "Valiant, I'm going to get this horrible thing off of you...It's going to hurt, but bear with me. I promise I'll heal you once you're free, okay?".
He tried to nod, but he was weak and his jaw was thoroughly swollen into place. Forcing it wider to remove the instrument would undoubtedly be agonizing, but she had no choice; It had to come off.
She gave him a faint grin as he rhythmically tapped his index finger, yet it was no random noise. Even in his current state, he remembered his training and was trying to communicate. Those taps were a coded message. Listening carefully, she made out, "Thank you".
"Take a deep breath...Ready?" His eyes quivered with resolve as their gazes locked. She tried to be careful, but the damned thing was wedged in tightly. Valiant tried to contain his pained cries for her sake, but it was an awful sensation. The sounds that escaped him as Persephone finally removed the wretched implement were heart rending.
Once freed from the horrid device, his head hung limply against his chest. Everything ached so badly. He tried to talk, but it was no use. His mouth was dry and his throat was swollen, so he looked up at her with grateful tears instead.
"I'm so sorry", she uttered sincerely, gently cradling his face close in apology. There was no telling what else Ai had done to him. Cutting the straps that bound him to the rigid chair, she supported his weight and helped him to the floor. All he could do was cling onto her with the one arm he had still in its socket. The other would have to be painfully put back into place. His beloved healer certainly had her work cut out for her.
Time passed slowly. It was miserable work, but the last of the torture tools had finally been removed from Valiant's body and Persephone was now trying to twist his right arm back into socket. It wouldn't be so bad if he at least had something to bite on to help bear the pain, but his teeth were already damaged beyond repair.
A sickening 'pop' sounded as his shoulder finally gave way. Seeing him shudder wasn't easy nor was watching him vomit from the sheer pain and exhaustion he'd built up over the last few days. Dragging him away from the debris and gore, Persephone let him rest against her as she sat beside him, supporting his weight.
Focusing her mana, she started the healing process. She had so many questions, but they would have to wait. Whatever he had been through was already a massive burden. He didn't need to relive such darkness again so soon. Still, Lulu's file had not been missed by her keen eyes.
Gratefully relaxing into her shoulder, Valiant grinned ever so faintly despite his wretched condition. Being held like this was the closest he'd ever really gotten to cuddling with her and the powerful mana coursing through his ravaged body felt so warm. He wondered if that was what it felt like to receive her love. Kalego was a lucky man in his mind. He only wished he could help her find him.
She focused on the worst of his wounds first. Thankfully his internal organs were relatively unharmed. The most severe injuries by far were visited upon the poor demon's face. His fingers would heal on their own as his nails grew back, but Victoria had a vile streak in her, causing so much trauma. Undoubtedly she had enjoyed every minute of it. It made Persephone's stomach turn thinking of Ai's sadistic smile.
The healer did what she could for her friend. Realizing how long it would take to get him properly mobile, she made a choice. A small vial had been hidden on her person before leaving Sullivan's estate. Her secret trump card - Iruma's blood. The boy had come to her in private, insisting she draw it in case their captured allies were in need. It took several minutes to fully convince her, but he was right; Her magic simply wasn't going to be enough with the time they had. She was glad she listened to him now.
Valiant languidly glanced over in curiosity as she reached into her cleavage. What was that she had in her hand? His vision was still so blurry. "Drink this", she said, shaking up the contents and holding it to his lips.
He didn't know what it was, but he trusted her completely. She had saved his life once before and now she was doing it again, asking nothing in return. In his eyes, she was benevolence incarnate, a true goddess of mercy.
She helped him tilt his head back while he drained the vial. It had such an unusual flavor. Valiant couldn't place what it was, but it was the best tasting medicine he'd ever imbibed. Once the contents were gone, Persephone stashed the empty vial and watched him closely for any changes.
She remembered how violently Kalego and Nene had reacted to Iruma's blood while treating their poisoning, but the unknown element in that conundrum was the angel blood. Three powers had struggled for dominance inside of already weakened bodies. Ultimately, the angel blood had tried to purify Victoria's curses, but it also attacked their demon hosts.
Human blood could heal a demon, but the angel's was likely somehow trying to protect it instead of letting it help the demonic cells it was intended for. Humans, angels, demons - an ancient power struggle and trifecta of balance. Utilizing any of the research to further medicine would be invaluable, but it would have to wait.
Persephone stared at Valiant, observing him closely. His wounds started sealing over on their own and even his complexion improved. It wouldn't be enough to fully invigorate him, but it might let him walk with assistance. His entire body relaxed as if submerged in a warm, comforting bath. She smiled to herself in gratitude. She would have to properly thank Iruma later.
Then she remembered something. When she had first met Valiant on the front lines, she treated his grievous injuries. When he finally woke up back then, a primal need he usually suppressed had awakened. The Vincente's were a branch of the Victoria clan. They were all vampiric by nature.
Normally, Valiant kept his thirst in check with time proven methods handed down along his line. Yet when so badly injured in the past, his body reacted by healing itself the best way it knew how. He'd tried to fight it, but in his sleep that first night, he'd bitten deeply into Persephone's arm while she tended to him, completely overcome at the time. It was an awkward conversation the following morning, but she understood and had even let him drink of her veins. That small sacrifice only further tied her to his heart after he'd returned to his senses and learned the truth.
Now she had given him a taste of human blood. Most demons would salivate. It was undoubtedly going to affect him in multiple ways. Would he demand more? Either way, she was prepared for the recoil.
"Valiant, talk to me. Are you okay?", she ventured. He managed to sit up on his own, but he wasn't answering her, simply staring off into space. Carefully grasping his shoulder, she waited for a response. A dark glance back at her showed a near feral instinct lit up in his golden eyes. His cat-like pupils narrowed as if gauging how to best approach his prey.
Then a pain expression crossed his face and he held his head in turmoil. "Not again. Fight it!", he thought. He didn't want to hurt Persephone; He loved her. He'd rather die first. Suddenly his mind cleared and he took a deep breath to calm his racing heart. He reminded himself that he was both a noble and a gentleman. He would not sink so low as to let his instincts control him like some kind of animal. Besides, he couldn't exactly bite someone right then even if he wanted to. His fangs had been decimated.
She watched in silence as he took another calming breath. Iruma's blood and her magic had worked wonders, but he still had a long recovery ahead of him. "I'm okay", he managed. It still hurt to talk.
He turned to offer an apologetic grin and froze as she hugged him. It was a grateful embrace, like someone greeting an old friend. "Welcome back", she uttered. Giving in to his swirling emotions, he eagerly returned the gesture. It felt so good to hold her just this once. He knew he'd have to let her go in several ways once Kalego was rescued, but for a second, it almost felt like she was his.
Letting go, she gave him a smile of genuine relief. "I knew you'd make it back", she said. Her words held so many meanings. She had counted on him to survive his ordeal and she had faith he could fend off his bloodlust once reawakened. Still, the softness in her eye said she was ready to make that sacrifice again if needed.
Getting to her feet, she instructed him to stay put and rest while she further investigated the area. Several minutes later, she returned with a sullen look on her face. Clearly she had found no trace of her lover. Valiant didn't know where Victoria was keeping Kalego, exactly, but if he did, he would have taken Persephone there himself; Anything to stop the emotional pain she was surely feeling.
During their shared time together training the misfits, he'd come to terms with her choice. Kalego was the one her heart desired. It stung, but if it meant her happiness, Valiant would gladly support them. He simply had to help her find him.
Glancing around for a way to painlessly communicate, he started scrawling his thoughts into the coagulated blood upon the floor as Persephone settled in behind him for another healing session. Once the magic faded from her palms, she glanced over his shoulder in question. He'd drawn a rough map from memory. He truly was a gifted spy.
In his pseudo sketch, he drew x's throughout the floor he pointed to. Kalego was no longer on the same level. Ai must have taken him deeper. Fighting his pain and fatigue, he drew a downward arrow, showing Persephone she would have to go deeper underground. Then he grinned as he scratched out, "Good luck."
Getting to her feet, she offered her hand. "Can you stand?", she asked skeptically. He didn't look too sure, but had little choice. Nodding, he held on tightly as she hoisted him up. Letting him lean onto her as he regained his balance, he smiled softly in apology. He knew he was a mess and was only slowing her down.
As if reading his thoughts, she said, "Don't be an idiot. I came for you, too, stupid." Her jeer lit up his bruised face, but he couldn't laugh yet. It would hurt too much, so he just grinned like the fool she knew he was.
Refocusing their efforts, Persephone glanced upward in question. If she could just get Valiant to Opera…
Feeling his grip increase on her, she anxiously looked over. Was he going to pass out? The look in his eyes said he had a plan and she knew exactly what it was. He really was an idiot.
"There's no way your mana is stable enough to maintain a valid portal. You'll end up sending your limbs somewhere random and I am not going to go looking for them", she chided. Caught, he grinned sheepishly. It was worth a shot.
Meanwhile, on the floor below them, Iruma slowly opened his eyes. Everything hurt. He hadn't exactly landed gracefully as the floor collapsed, but he seemed not to have any major injuries. Realizing he had left his medical pouch with Clara, he grinned, thankful for his natural danger avoidance. He'd only gotten a few bumps and bruises. Looking at all of the debris piled around him, it could have been a lot worse.
Images of memories then flashed through his mind. Lied's look of shock when he was stabbed and the sight of his blood on Kiriwo's fingers, the arrow sticking through Soi's back and the look of determination on Clara's face to save him, then the fear in her face as he fell away with a proud smile. We're they all really okay? Aware of the mutual concern, he had to get back to them. There was no doubt that they were worried about him, too.
Coughing the dust from his lungs as he got up, he peered through the flickering lights. Calming his nerves, he put his faith in Clara. Purson would be fine and he knew Lied wouldn't let the team fall apart, but where was Kiriwo?
The sound of movement nearby caught his attention. Making his way through the rubble, Iruma spotted what looked like a trail of blood leading away from the scene. A crunch underfoot prompted a closer inspection. "Senpai's glasses..." It seemed Kiriwo was hurt, but mobile. Iruma hoped that meant it wasn't serious. He still wanted to save his senpai deep down, even if he couldn't forgive his actions yet.
The trail slowly looped back around. Where was Kiriwo going? An annoyed voice answered his thoughts. "Why do you always have to ruin everything?", said Kiriwo, holding his bleeding shoulder. The wing on that side had also been damaged. Despite the animosity staring him down, Iruma held a relieved grin.
"Senpai, let me help you", he ventured. Kiriwo narrowed his eyes in irritation. "And then what? Turn myself in?", he retorted. "Yes", replied Iruma, becoming completely serious. The boy really was too much. How could he still be worried about the demon that just tried to kill him?
Kiriwo relaxed faintly. He knew Iruma's blood was a vital source of everything his body needed to fully recover. Blood started spilling from his lips as his fragile health was compounded by the fall. "You still want to heal me?", he asked carefully.
Iruma had lost his usual smile, but he didn't look spiteful, either. He was calm, yet resolute. "I can't forgive you for what you did to my friends, but every life is precious, even yours... Balam-sensei taught me that. I want to help you and not just with your physical wounds. I want to help heal your mind, too, but I can't do that if we don't try to understand each other. So, please, let's call a truce."
He offered his hand in earnest and the gesture seemed to shake his senpai's resolve. He stared in silence for a moment. "All life?...Even Victoria's?...Do you want to know what she's done to your beloved sensei?" The deranged look in his eyes had returned. He smiled with an evil blush as he recalled it all.
Iruma's hand slowly lowered. He was clearly worried about Kalego. Then he almost looked angry. Striding forward, his eyes seemed to harden. Kiriwo grinned, awaiting the next round of their fight, yet what came wasn't a blow at all; It was a hug.
"I know you're still in there, senpai. Come back with me. I know Grandpa can get you the help you need... Please just trust me. Everything's going to be okay", uttered Iruma, his emotions reflected in his words. He could feel Kiriwo shudder in his arms. Maybe he had actually gotten through to him?
Beside his face, Kiriwo glared with disgust. He truly felt ill at such a foolish notion. "You want us to understand each other?...What is there to understand? I'm a demon and you're just a human... I will eat you, Iruma-kun. It's destiny", he uttered.
Iruma held on tight. He didn't want to believe that was how his senpai really felt. His kindness would inevitably be his downfall.
He froze solid as Kiriwo's fangs sank into his shoulder. This wasn't an attempt to simply drink his blood, either. The pain as his flesh started to rend was agonizing, but he couldn't cry out. He knew it would only encourage his deranged attacker.
"Senpai...Stop...", he managed, fighting his tears as he grasped Kiriwo's shoulders defensively. Feeling his muscles starting to separate was the wake up call he needed. There was no saving his senpai and further attempts would only lead to his death.
He tried to pull away, but Kiriwo had already bitten in deeply and his claws punctured Iruma's skin as he pinned him to the fallen rubble. Kiriwo was seriously taking a bite out of him. A primal sense of fear started to take hold as his senpai began to rend his muscle with his teeth.
It took everything Iruma had, but he mustered up a powerful punch to his foe's jaw. It was stronger than Kiriwo had expected. He smiled with delighted surprise as he released his victim. Eating him was one thing, but he also had a deep desire to see his face distorted in desperation.
A dark shadow seemed to cover Iruma's right hand, still curled tightly into a fist. It almost looked like some sort of shadow armor, emanating from his ring. "What is that?", pondered Kiriwo. This human was freely using magic. It didn't make any sense and that only further irritated him.
Voices nearby drifted in. Victoria's men were investigating the scene. It was no surprise that the massive explosion and resulting collapse would draw attention.
Kiriwo smirked, knowing Iruma had nowhere to run now. Turning briefly, he yelled to call them closer. As his smug smile settled over his foe, his face fell flat as he gaped. Where had his prized target vanished to?
His annoyance was palpable as the lackies caught up. He ordered them to search the area thoroughly and forbade them from tasting his prey. Iruma was wounded now. His shoulder would be badly bleeding. He wouldn't get far.
In a nearby corridor, Iruma was hurrying away from his hunters. A patch of dark magic was trying to seal his wound, but it wouldn't hold for long. "Thanks, Ali-san", panted Iruma, fighting his growing pain with each step.
The demon of his ring maintained his more familiar tiny form upon his good shoulder, staring at him in concern. "Are you sure you're alright, Iru-boy?", he ventured. His partner looked very determined as he passed on.
"I'll be fine. Once we get back to the others, Clara will patch me up", assured Iruma. Ali-san wasn't quite as faithful. He still thought the strange girl was an odd choice for a medic, but he had seen her take care of Lied. Still, the facts that Iruma was alone and injured without his med kit were concerning.
Footsteps and taunting jeers were getting closer. They needed somewhere to hide. A nearby door was framed with piled boxes. It looked like storage. "Over there!", pointed Ali-san. "Right", said Iruma.
Ali-san transformed his hand into a key and quickly picked the lock, returning inside the ring as the lad slipped inside. Leaning his back against the door, Iruma hoped he'd closed the door quietly enough. Holding his breath, he listened carefully for his pursuers to pass.
Elsewhere, at the local netherworld prison.
Dali glanced up from his confines with hollow eyes as he heard the outer door open and close. Someone was approaching his cell. Did Henri's agents have more questions or was it an update about the Victoria raid? He hadn't heard anything yet and was deeply concerned for Sage, Kalego, and the others. His guilt was eating him alive, but if he got just a single word that his little girl was safe, it would all be worth it.
A woman in a dark prison uniform silently came forward. Her hair was pulled up tightly and tucked into her hat as the brim shadowed her face. Dali grasped the bars almost desperately as she grew near. "Please give me some good news", he uttered.
She turned toward him in stoic silence. Thick rimmed glasses seemed to blur her features, but why would a guard need detection warding? She seemed to be staring at him. What did she want? Had she come simply to play mind games? Maybe she just wanted to see what the traitor looked like.
She was standing so close to the bars as she observed him that he could easily reach out and touch her. Grasping her sleeve, he stared desolately at the floor. "Please", he repeated, near total despair. He was so worried and there was nothing he could do.
The woman finally smiled as he slowly looked back into her face. "If you insist", she grinned. Removing her glasses, she smiled pleasantly. He recognized her instantly. Taking off her hat as well, her long, bubblegum pink hair cascaded down her back. She carefully reached through the bars and gently touched his face. The irises of her bright eyes faded from pink at the top to violet on the bottom and they were just as enchanting as he remembered.
"Oh, Dali-kun...What have you done?", she asked sadly. His eyes quivered as they misted over with emotion. "Parisa", he managed, his voice a mix of pain and relief. "What are you doing here? If you're found out, you can never go home again. You know that", he said in a strained whisper.
It was an ancient treaty that had written that law. If her people learned of her transgression, she would be banished to the human realm without her powers. Such a threat was meant to keep angels and demons forever separated, but the occasional odd situation still arose every few hundred years. In their case, the circumstance of Dali and Parisa ever even meeting was a strange twist of fate created by a very curious human, but those memories weren't important right now.
"I know I'm breaking the law simply by coming here...but our little girl is in danger and I couldn't get in touch with you. Of course I came... Dali, where is Sage?", she asked, her eyes brimming with deep concern. If their daughter's existence got out, it could potentially start a war.
Dali hung his head, unable to face her in his moment of failure. He was supposed to protect Sage yet he'd let Victoria snatch her away, and worse, use her as a weapon. He'd betrayed his friends and lost everything.
"Dali, please", pleaded Parisa, cupping his face in her hands to stare soulfully into his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he took her hands into her own and told her what had transpired.
A few weeks ago, Sage was excited to finally come to visit. She was sincerely looking forward to seeing her father in person again after almost a year with mere phone calls. She was meant to come over the school break, but it can be difficult to balance a schedule over three realms. Still, they tried to make it work.
Parisa and Sage had gone to 'vacation' in the human world. Only the highest angel authorities knew the truth. Parisa was forbidden from entering the demon realm, but her child was a halfbreed and given a few leniencies for her youth. After all, she was innocent in her creation. However, when she got old enough, she would be forced to pick a side or remain in limbo, alone with the humans, forever.
That's when she disappeared, just before descending to the demon world. Victoria Ai had been listening, watching, and waiting for her chance to topple Babylus and claim her prized Kalego. The child was the perfect leverage. Sage still came to another realm, but not with her father. An unknown agent scooped her up in the name of "Auntie Ai". The poor, naive girl was so excited to find another demon that supposedly loved her. It was a cruel trick.
Parisa shivered as she closed her eyes, picturing it all. Tears fell from her lovely face and landed upon their intertwined hands, burning Dali's skin, but he didn't let go. The stinging hiss of a little holy water was nothing in the face of the heart breaking right in front of him.
He glanced up with wide, panicked eyes as the outer door opened once more. A man stepped in and told him to pipe down before leaving. He hadn't seen Parisa at all. She glanced sadly over her shoulder as he left. Her mastery of light magic had made her appear invisible for the moment; Refraction had been turned into invisibility.
Dali grinned softly, glad she was safe. Even in heartbreak, she knew how prudent it was to remain undetected. He only wished he'd had the same foresight when all of this started. Maybe then his little girl would be home safe with her mother, far away from Victoria's reach.
After a moment of reflecting in silence, each took the blame. Parisa felt at fault for losing Sage in the first place and Dali was weighed down with the guilt of inaction. Had he reached out to Sullivan, this all could have been avoided. Now his students and friends were in danger if they were even still alive. He had no way of knowing, only hope.
"Parisa, you have to leave. You can't be here; It isn't safe", he chided. She offered a broken smile. She already knew that, but she hadn't come to break him out. She'd already committed too many taboos and broken her laws. Anything more was just asking to 'fall'.
He gave her the details of Ai's plans and the counterattack currently under way. He had complete faith that Balam and the others would bring Sage back safely. Yet he looked so sullen when he'd finished speaking. He knew he'd likely never see their little girl again.
"Dali...thank you for everything you've given me...but once Sage us safe - ...", she trailed. He grinned faintly in self deprecation. "I know...Just promise me you'll keep her safe. As long as that happens, I can accept my fate", he said.
His tone was so sad, it brought on more angelic tears. Knowing they would only burn his skin, she stepped back to wipe her eyes. "I can't promise anything, but if they'll allow you to see her before we ascend, I'll gladly bring her myself", she stated.
Gathering up her hair and replacing her hat and glasses, she sent him one last pained smile. "I know you only sinned to protect her. I'm grateful her father loves her that much….Take care, Dali." Then, she was gone and he was alone again with his guilt.
to be continued...