Chapter 13 – The Search Begins – Clues to A Dear Friend

"Talking"

'Thinking'

("Oblethe")

('Oblethe Thinking')

It was a a couple weeks after the encounter between the Gremory peerage and Raynare with her allies. The fallen angels were vanquished, and Asia was saved and rescued from the brink of death as well as her Sacred Gear returned. Even Issei discovered something new about his Sacred Gear. The Boosted Gear. One of the 13 Longinus, and holder of the Welsh Dragon, Ddraig. The group spent most of the time recuperating after the difficult battle.

We find the group in the clubhouse after school where the whole situation was brought up into conversation.

"Man, I am still so tired." Issei said tiredly as the group trickled back into the clubhouse. Finally, glad we kicked Raynare to the curb."

"Indeed. You did well, Issei." Rias walked in as she gently pat Issei on the head. "Plus, we now know you have the Boosted Gear. I'd say that's great news."

"Who knew that the adorable little pervert would turn out to be something amazing." Akeno teased as she giggled walking past the group. Koneko was with Asia as Cassius walked in last.

While everyone was making light of the situation, Cassius had a tired, pained look on his face. He felt a sense of sorrow for although the battle was over, there was still something on his mind; Lucille.

She was still missing. Raynare said that the cult might have her so in his mind no doubt the dastardly Ciel and his cronies are going to use her to get to him somehow. It's been days perhaps week but he never payed attention because there was only one thought crossing his mind; Where is Lucille?" This angered him but he didn't want to show it to the others. He was still suspicious of the whole situation he is in. Lucille going from against the devils to letting him join the peerage to then joining the peerage herself. To him it doesn't make sense. There are many questions and no answers.

"You did well to, Cassius." Rias said gently noticing the pained look on his face. "I know we couldn't figure out where Lucille is. But- "

"I'm going to find her." Cassius said, his golden eyes piercing through the president as she felt a nerve struck.

"Look, I know you're worried, but you were recently injured. Plus, if you're to go back to the hornet's nest, you need more training. "Rias said softly but sternly. Hearing this made Cassius grit his teeth under his mask.

"I don't have time for rest and training! You may all be fine with sleeping the night away, but I refuse to sleep at all until I know for damn sure that Lucille is safe! I don't care who gets in my way!"

"You're being rash about this, we need to think of a plan to go forward accordingly." Rias suggested reaching out but Cassius backs away a step. Rias then retracted her hand letting out a deep sigh. All eyes were on the two as Rias softness slowly dissipated.

"I know you're worried but as far as I'm concerned, we need rest first and foremost. Everyone else is tired after the battle. We can start tomorrow to look for clues but please just go get some rest."

"Who said we're going together. I'm going by myself."

"Cassius, we don't even know what that cult is and what is capable of. "Issei spoke out and Cassius' eyes darted and stared down at Issei sitting on the couch.

"Oh. We don't know? We don't fucking know?" Cassius grew angry. "No let's be honest. You all don't fucking know anything!"

"Cassius, control yourself!" Rias commanded of Cassius trying to assert her authority.

"Why should I, because of some princess who wanted to spew about protection and family, but let's be honest here, you only gave a shit about me not because of me but because of The Hollow Dragon. You just like every other manner of being do not give a damn about the vessel just the dragon itself! You're just as worse as the cult that I lived my entire life in!"

"I'm not losing my prized servant over something like this!" Rias put her foot down. She grew angry over Cassius' outbursts as nerves were being struck. She wanted to approach Lucille's rescue accordingly for not knowing much about Ciel but with Cassius's outburst and dead set on him going to rescue her on his own, she grew frustrated and blurted out something she wouldn't mean at all but did not realize what would cause everything to change.

"Prized servant? That's it?" Cassius was furious even walking up to Rias getting in her face. Rias realized what she said and grew a bit nervous but Kiba and Issei were holding Cassius back. "I'm nothing more than a fucking trophy to you?! Is that it?! Your protection is nothing but a load of shit!" Cassius was ranting and raving his face growing red and his golden eyes tearing through Rias' stare. Akeno and Koneko stood with Rias as Asia grew nervous staring at the ground twirling her fingers together.

"Cassius you need to calm down!" Kiba shouted as he and Issei were pulling him back slowly making a reasonable distance away from Rias. "It doesn't need to be like this! We can all work together on this but we have no clues at all!"

"Yeah, man! We just need a lead! It's not like we can just waltz up to that Ciel creep whoever he is and ask about her!"

Cassius still trying to get through the two, but Issei's words hit him. He was so enraptured with trying to get to her again, he didn't realize that it was actually that easy.

All he had to do was get to Ciel, then he would find Lucille.

Cassius stopped struggling as he threw his hands up as Kiba and Issei slowly started to let go for they didn't know what was going to happen.

Cassius did not utter a single word about it any further. He just walked up into his room in the clubhouse and that was that for that conversation. Everyone in unison drew a breath of relief.

"That was something to behold." Kiba said scratching his head. It took time to process everything that has happened. Everyone grew silent for a moment. Everyone slowly looked at Rias as she had a sense of guilt creep over her. Her arms were crossed underneath her bosom as her eyes stayed to the ground.

Akeno saw this as she gently placed a hand on her shoulder. Without saying a word, she calmed Rias and removed her worries as she walked away. She headed to the stairs as she slowly walked up to the door in Cassius' room. She gently knocked on it before walking in. There was no light on. Only the light from the window illuminated the room slightly. She sees Cassius curled up in the ball in the corner. His face buried into his knees as the gauntlets were revealed. She had a small smile as she slowly walked up to him and sat next to him.

"Honestly though you would want me to leave." She giggled softly. Cassius remained keeping his face hidden. A pained smile remained on Akeno's face.

"You don't like the idea of being a servant, do you?" Akeno simply asked. She sees Cassius shaking his head.

"I was one for most of my life. Here I thought it was just protection from the cult. I…" he stopped for a moment before his hands clenched his arms tightly. He was doing everything he could to not break down into tears for in his mind he thought he was free, but to him, the cycle of servitude started anew.

"I feel like it's just starting all over again. I can't…I can't…" he bit his bottom lip. He struggling to grasp the situation he is in.

Akeno leaned into Cassius as he had a small shock throughout his body. Not from her lightning magic but just more of surprise. He grew silent as he felt no need to finish his sentence. Her gentle tenderness, like with Rias, quelled Cassius' worries as well. He remained silent.

"I know this isn't what you were thinking. I know you've probably been through a lot growing up and I won't ever know what you're going through. Especially with the Hollow Dragon and all."

"It's just…my entire life I never believed in such things, now all of a sudden I meet every manner of being only because I have something they have. No one cares about me…just Oblethe."

"Oblethe?"

"The Dragon's name."

"Well. I haven't heard much about it. Only when we first came across you, that Ciel mentioned you took something from them. Never would even think it would be some secret Longinus."

"Yeah. Well he was going to perform some ritual on me to steal the Sacred Gear…"

Akeno looked on as her eyes widened. "The same one that was done on Asia…"

Cassius had no words. He just nodded.

"I know Rias is a bit…how do you say…difficult…but I've been with her for a long time as her Queen in the peerage. Although yes you are her servant…that doesn't in literal terms you are to do everything at her beck and call. Like I said before, we are like a family." She paused as she gently placed her hand oh his feeling the cold steel of the Sacred Gear. "We're going to find Lucille and bring her back. I promise you, but let's get you some rest ok?"

Cassius finally raised his head. His somber gaze upon Akeno's soft smile. Her purple eyes on Cassius as well. Her left-hand drifting to wipe away the tears of his complexion. She slowly pulled down the mask, revealing the small scar on his left face. Her finger tracing the scar as she felt Cassius tense lightly.

"Maybe someday you can tell me your story. That way I can help you more and understand you better." She said somberly as she stood up and began walking away. She turned to him with a smile. "Besides…it hurts to know that a cutie like you is suffering." She teased with a wink which caused Cassius to blush profusely.

"A-Akeno please." He said shyly which gave Akeno glee. He looked on as she left the room. A small smile crept up as he looked off into space.

As he got up to sit down on his bed. He looked out at the window. Seeing the sky. He kept his gaze on the sky as he slowly drifted off into a deep sleep.

Akeno walked down the stairs as he walked back into the clubhouse room with Rias sitting behind her desk.

"How is he doing?" Rias asked quickly with a worried look on her face.

"He'll be okay, Rias. Just needs some sleep."

"I shouldn't have blurted that out." Rias said to herself as she relaxed into her chair. "I never realized that he must've been through a lot being captive in the cult. I feel terrible."

"It's okay Rias it's not like you even knew. I think he needs time to understand that all of this is not at face value." Akeno reassured the president as she noticed there was an envelope next to her left hand. "Oh? What's the letter?"

"I don't know. I just noticed it on my desk. It has a strange insignia on it too." Rias said showing the envelope as she debated on opening it. After a minute or so, she opened the letter revealing a paper with writing and with a picture falling out of the envelope. Akeno saw this and went to pick it up. Flipping it over to see and left with a look of shock and horror.

"Akeno? What is it?" Rias inquired.

"Rias, look!" she shoved the photo in Rias' vision. "It's Lucille!"

Rias also had a look of horror. Akeno had her hand covering her mouth trying to quell herself. The photo revealed Lucille tied to a chair surrounded by hooded figures. They looked back to the letter to read the message written.

We have your servant. We know this girl is important. You have something that belongs to The Masters. They request a sacrifice to appease the dragon of oblivion. Give us the bearer of Oblethe, or we shall offer her up in his stead. Your choice.

Hey everyone! It's been a long time but I'm back with what I call the second volume of this story. This volume will focus more on Cassius, Lucille, and the cult itself. I hope you enjoy and I'll do my best to get chapters out on a consistent basis. Stay safe and let me know what you think! What you like what you don't like. I'm hoping to hear from you guys. Have a good one! Till the next chapter!