"Talking"

'Thinking'

("Oblethe")

('Oblethe Thinking')

Chapter 6 - Tension Rising! - What's Wrong With Cassius?!

Cassius was drifting in a seemingly endless void. His body appearing to be lifeless.

'Where am I?' his thoughts echoing throughout this empty chamber. "It feels like I'm underwater... but...there's nothing." his eyes slowly open as he slowly arises from his prone state. He looks around seeing absolutely nothing. "What is this?"

"You are drifting in what is known as the void." a voice echoed throughout the abyss." A place where the Dragon's power was sealed and suppressed. Cursed into being forgotten and all who possess it. " the figure revealed itself in front of Cassius. A man in gray hair dressed in a robe twisted with white and black colors. Golden eyes stared right at Cassius's same eyes.

"Judging from the way you say that, I assume you are a wielder of the past as well."

The man has a small smirk. "You learn quick, Cassius Ainsley. Yes. Indeed I am one of the Hollow Dragon Emperors of the past. One of the strongest even."

("His name is Chikara.") that familiar voice of Cassius. ('Indeed he is one of the strongest of the Hollow Dragon emperors of his time. One of the first my child.") he said his voice echoing as a gigantic being slowly approached the veil of the void. He slowly emerged partly through the veil revealing his head and his arms. Like the Sacred Gear, grey and loss of color. Purple gems donning his forehead and arms.

"Oblethe. It has been some time. You seem well." the man now known as Chikara bowed before the great beast as Oblethe returned in kind.

("Given the circumstances everything seems alright. Although the struggle with the suppression the great kings and leaders of old is a bit of a pain.")

"Yes. It is quite...unfortunate." he then turned to Cassius. "I assume you are aware of the situation you are in now. Aren't you?"

"More or less yeah. I'm the next Hollow Dragon Emperor. " Cassius said as both Chikara and Oblethe nodded. "Although I need to ask something. What do you mean by doomed to be forgotten?"

"Ah yes."Chikara nodded before waving his hand to reveal a a small sphere looking device. "You'll be needing this." He tossed the sphere to Cassius.

"What is this?"

"Due to the suppression seal placed upon Oblethe and his power, there is a curse placed upon the dragon's existence. You don't have to worry about it now. But if you wish to combat, you need to find this device. It combats the curse Oblethe has. When you find it, I shall return to you once more with tales of this curse." he finishes as a small light appears behind Cassius.

("Return to your friend, my child. Lucille worries for you.") Oblethe nods his head towards the light.

Cassius nods as he begins to drift towards the light.

"Dragon emperor...a question..." Chikara said. Cassius turned to Chikara as he slowly disappears into the void.

"When you look into the void...what do you see?"

Not a trace left of Chikara as the light becomes blinding and envelops Cassius.

"So what is his condition?" Rias asked Akeno.

"Oh the poor boy is just sleeping. He just needs his rest for a while. Lucille is staying with him."

"Oh. I see." Rias said turning her head away with a small pout.

"Oh? The boy interests you that much huh?" Akeno teased Rias who developed a small blush on her face.

"It's just if the rumors are true he would make a good edition to our peerage. " Rias scoffed crossing her arms underneath her bosom.

"True but not if I get to him first." Akeno said giggling, taking Rias aback.

"Wait what? Akeno you don't even know him!"

"Heheh. What can I say I like mysterious guys." she said with a playful wink. Rias' blush grew more red.

Lucille looked down as Cassius letting his head lay on her lap as she gently petted his head. A soft smile on her face as she looked down.

Her look turned into surprise as she felt Cassius stirring. His eyes slowly drifting open. Lucille being the first person he sees.

"H-hey. Sorry if I made you worry." Cassius said tiredly.

"It's alright, Cassius. Can you sit up?"

"Yeah." he said as he sat himself up properly laying back on the couch. He looked to see Rias and Akeno as looked to see him awake.

"Glad to see you're awake." Rias said with a smile on her face. Cassius grew into a more serious expression.

"Calm down. We're all friends here." Rias waving her hand as Cassius appeared more calmly. "I'm sure you must have a lot of questions."

"Indeed I do, Gremory. What did you do to the kid? Did you kill him amd resurrect him as a servant?"

"Although it's true I did resurrect him as a devil into my peerage I had nothing to do with the initial killing in the first place. I had a sense I was being called upon and I showed up to see a dying boy. He didn't want to die so I did what I need to do."

"Then who?"

"I don't have enough information to know who specifically did but if I have to guess, a fallen angel. They been around in secrecy. Even you came across one did you not?"

"I assume they have black wings?" Cassius inquired.

"Indeed." Lucille entered the conversation. "Fallen angels are angels who pretty much more or less banished from heaven for committing sins."

"So I guess yes I did then."

"So there causing problems in my territory." Rias muttered to herself. "This will be tedious." she said sighing in disappointment.

"Anyway I think we can all work together on this matter as a collective unit. I think the best course of action would be for you to join my peerage." Rias returned their gaze to the two. "You two seem very valuable pieces and I think you two by yourselves can only go so far. Granted in Lucille's case she most likely be banished from the church but for the boy, you know pretty much every manner of being is out to hunt you correct? Not only the cult, but other devils, angels and fallen angels. All because of what you wield...that Sacred Gear you possess."

Cassius looked down on the ground. To join her peerage? That sounds like a crazy idea. He looked to Lucille who looked at him with a pained look on her face.

"With this you'll be protected by us from others. I know, given what life you lived until this point with how the cult treated you, but with us here you'll never have to worry about them again. I also ask Lucille for it looks to me that you two are inseparable. You seem to be the anchor for him if that makes sense. I know this is a lot to take in and you may take as long as you wish before you make your decision. You are welcome here anytime as well. I consider us as allies and I hope we can work together going forward."

"Lucille...what do you think?"

"I...I think you should go through with this." she said hiding her face from him.

This took Cassius by surprise. Surely he never knew the answer but to hear this from her when earlier she said she would never let him turn into devil no matter what was weird. What caused this to change?

"As much as I don't want you to. She is right. Everyone is out to hunt you. From the cult to angels, fallen angels and other devils. Who know what could happen to you? We can't run forever. We need to stand up and fight against them."

"But Lucille... what about you?"

"No matter what I'll always be your friend you know that you goof. But I can't abandon my beliefs as easy as others can. I still follow and believe in God. It's what gives me the fuel to fight and survive and protect others and if this gives you the protection you need... I done my job." she smiled genuinely at her longtime friend as she went into a hug wrapping her arms around him. He returned this squeezing tightly.

"I'll always be with you, Cassius." she said as she gave a quick peck on Cassius's cheek. This took him by surprise as he blushed heavily while the others giggled. Rias was a little jealous of this. She pouted once more.

"You know where to find me if you need me Cassius." she said.

"I know." Cassius smiled and nodded before looking back at Rias.

He walked up to her as he extended out his hand. Hesitant at first but left it out for Rias to grasp it and they gave a good shake.

"Let's get to work. Oh and uh. Cassius. Cassius Ainsley. I did say you would get my name when my questions were answered." he had a smirk on his face.

Rias chuckled softly. "That you did." she said with a warm smile. "I hope we all can work together on this and future dilemmas. "And you Lucille I take it you decline?"

Lucille nodded. "My belief in God is strong. I can't abandon that."

"I see. Well in that case I hope we can still work together."

"Of course. I have to make sure you're all treating Cassius well."

The group chuckled together as the door opened once more revealing Kiba and the boy from earlier. He had brown hair and brown eyes with two locks behind his head. He wore the same uniform as Kiba did so it seems they all go to school together. Koneko arrived as well as she sat down next to Cassius. They both exchanged looks before Koneko looked back at her sweets offering one to Cassius without saying a word.

"Uh sure thank you." he responded before taking it and eating it.

"Perfect." Rias exclaimed. "Now everyone is here now we can begin."

Hey everyone sorry it took a couple days been dealing with life issues but the next chapter is here so hooray! I don't really have much to say but if anyone is curious about characters or questions I'll answer them at the end of the next chapter.

Until then! See ya!