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The following is a fan-based

FICTION

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Chapter 16: Our Happy Places

Sunday was a good day to be spending some time away from the possible, terrible ordeals that happened during weekdays.

Baraqiel had returned early in the morning and was still sleeping back in his room as I decided to pass time before lunch to actually study the box I had been offered by Shemhazai and Azazel.

Issei and Asia had left the house mere minutes ago, still blushing a little at the fact I now knew what stage their relationship was now, but happy enough that there was no excessive teasing nor any opposition to this development.

With just Kunou joining me with this experiment of mine, we were both sitting by the table and staring down this mysterious container.

It looked a very expensive but normal box, nothing particularly weird about it except for the strange seal glued on top of it.

My first attempt to try and 'unseal' the box was to push some of my own energy in the seal, getting only some glowing from the kanji and nothing else. I tried to forcefully open it by prying it open with my hands and avoiding touching the seal and, unsurprisingly enough, it didn't open.

I stared once more at it and then tilted my head forward to study more the seal. I had yet to study proper Japanese spell-craft, but I was fairly sure I had seen this symbol somewhere in Kyoto.

Kunou's golden eyes widened a little, realization striking the moment I voiced out this little thought of mine and the kitsune gave it a better look.

"This is a blood seal." She stated confidently, then looked at me with a some worry. "It is generally used to deter people from obtaining what is inside their containers."

"You think it's dangerous?"

She nodded quickly and I hummed, contemplating what I should do about it. "Ku-chan, get to the couch. If it's dangerous then-"

"I-I don't want you to get hurt-"

"Shemhazai-san said that it wasn't, but if it is I wish for you to take cover. Whatever it is, I will handle it, trust me."

The girl looked hesitant, unwilling to leave me in possible harm's way, but nodded begrudgingly and slowly went for the couch.

My full attention was now directed at the box and, creating a sharpened Silver Line, I proceeded to make a small cut on my finger and let some blood drops to fall on the paper.

The effect was instantaneous, the paper glowing brightly once more, this time its intensity way more than before and…

Click

It clicked?

I blinked as the upper side of the box softly sprung up and nothing happened.

I blinked again, this time waiting a little more and… yep, nothing happened. I finally stood up from my chair to stare at what was inside the box and I frowned at the black-themed small object I was currently staring at.

Partly camouflaged by the shade of dark similar to the one of the box, I had to slowly and tentatively pick up the small thing to get a better look over it.

It was a… finger-less glove?

It looked just like the ones the special units of a Police Force used but… only one of them?

Continuing with my careful study of what seemed to be a glove with some low-tier seals I couldn't actually get any idea how they work, I thought this was some-sort of a prank.

I looked at Kunou, the girl blinking confused at my shrug directed at her. "Is it safe?"

"I think so? I can't feel anything even remotely dangerous from it but I've yet to wear it, I guess."

She tensed again as I slowly put the glove on my right hand, the process was uneventful, yet the sudden foreboding feeling that something was going to happen felt stronger for some reason.

Finally I completed the minor task and… I felt weird. My eyes narrowed over the simple thing as I tried to understand why I felt like it was trying to pull something.

It was the same sensation one had when trying fish, pulling the fishing pole to catch a particularly big prey. It felt like it, only… deeper.

Difficult to explain but still I wasn't feeling particularly endangered by this situation. I waited few more moments, the feeling not diminishing not even a single moment and I was quick to say that… this could have been like an… extra magical battery?

Maybe the thing it was trying to 'yank away' was energy and the reason why it felt this much 'deep' was because giving energy to the Core generally left a similar emotion.

I turned again to stare at Kunou and shrugged. The girl seemed to relax, sighing in relief that nothing was happening and she moved out of the couch.

Just as I was about to call this experiment as it really was, a disappointment, the window behind me crashed loudly.

Reacting quickly, I spun around and stared at the possible aggressor and my eyes went wide open as I stared at a large light-gray orb mere moments from slamming into me. I brought my arms up, ready to tank the hit and-

"Niichan!"

An unholy light blinded all around me and I felt my knees weakening at the sudden pressure hitting my arms, the glove burning for some reason as I gritted my teeth at the duress I was experiencing.

I gasped a little as the burning glove started to seriously hurt, my hand cooking.

Finally the light vanished, instantly and unexpectedly, and I finally dropped to one knee while holding my hurting hand close to my chest as I waited for the searing pain to subside.

Kunou rushed quickly, crouching to see the extent of the damage and she blinked. "N-Niichan, the glove-" She paused, looking a little bit scared at what was on my hand.

Gone was the previously modern military glove, now a medieval onyx-shaded armored gauntlet replaced it still steaming from the previous bout of heat.

There was a small gray rhomboidal crystal embed in it and… it was glowing.

"That was… quite unpleasant."

I blinked at the strong voice and I saw the girl's fox ears twitch nervously at it.

"Uh… hello?"

There was a brief pause and, for a moment, I thought it had been just my imagination playing tricks-

"Hello, young human."

I frowned. "May I inquire about your name… sir?"

A sigh left the crystal and then the voice spoke once more. "I suppose from your shocked expression, you are not responsible for this annoying contraption." He said while ignoring my question.

"I was given this construct by my superiors. I don't know what it is nor what it actually did." I admitted honestly.

A hum, then another sigh. "This gauntlet contains a powerful quarantine seal. It is regulating the regeneration of my energy from my current soul and… I suppose it partly brought me back to life."

I stopped a moment to think whom I was dealing with. A creature that was once dead and was now contained within the Gauntlet.

"Sir, are you a Dragon?"

There was a pause, no reaction from the crystal but then I received a response.

"Indeed, I am a Dragon, young human. A powerful being that once fought against Gods and paid for my arrogance. I am weak now, dull. I am just a shadow of my former self."

"That sounds terrible, sir." I commented. "By the way, I am Hoitsu Sakakibara."

"Hoitsu? This is the first time I hear of such name, different from those that I have heard during my lifetime..."

The cryptic tone was starting to get annoying now and I sighed.

"I know that I shouldn't be pushy, sir, but I need to know your name to properly address you."

Another pause, this time a little more longer. I glanced at Kunou, the girl looking confused but also terrified by the Gauntlet for some reason. It wasn't because she knew what kind of danger she was looking at, but because her instincts recognized that something was wrong with it.

Then the crystal broke the silence.

"I was the Nemesis of Ra, I was known as the Primal Eclipse Dragon and a God of Chaos."

I paled as he continued to list his former titles, each of them reinforcing only a single name in my mind and then he finally answered the now scary question.

"I am Apophis, Hoitsu Sakakibara, and I think we have a lot to speak about."

Few moments later I was lying on the couch and staring at the ceiling, having accepted the request of the Evil Dragon of answering his questions the best way possible.

Kunou had slowly accepted napping above me, her head carefully turned on my chest as her eyes continued to stare cautiously at the gauntlet currently placed away from her as my free hand continued to caress the top of her head.

"New mythologies? I knew that the world was bigger than many thought, but to have more than three grand religions wasn't certainly something I was prepared to."

"It gets even more difficult if you consider that all of them have been detached from Earth's societies since a few centuries ago." I continued with my explanation.

Apophis' knowledge of the world was limited to before the end of the Egyptian dominance in the Western side of the world, thus learning that the world was now inhabited by so many different religious group was a shocker for the Dragon.

Yet I think the worst thing to learn about was that the Egyptian mythology was mostly extinct after so many centuries of being replaced by Islam and Coptic.

"Tragic, you mean. But yes, it's quite difficult to understand why they all decided to part ways with other humans."

"I think it was… because of the Christian religion, if I remember correctly."

"You mean the ones that follow the only God and shattered in three factions?"

"That is correct, yes."

"Could you elaborate on that? I think there is some context that could be important to know about."

I sighed but nodded. "There was a massive War several millennia ago, the entire world was turned in a battlefield and the results was a major loss for everyone."

"No one won?" There was some surprise in his tone and I nodded again.

"The God of the Bible was killed, Grigori lost several powerful officers and Hell had to deal with a brutal civil war."

"A war without victors? That sounds like a terrible waste of time."

"I mean, yeah… but it did bring some stability. Now with a pacifist leadership in Hell, Heaven lacking the power to enforce its precepts fully and Grigori sitting by the fence and doing nothing bad, peace talks might as well happen quite soon."

There was a moment of pause, then the topic shifted.

"I can feel that you have two different kind of energies in your body."

"Normal and Light-type, yes." I hummed quietly. "The latter is the result of a slow integration of the energy of the last spell of a dying Fallen Angel."

"It doesn't hurt for some reason to be near it. Maybe it is the Gauntlet itself preventing any of it from harming me."

"That could be a possibility, yes." I agreed. "But I wanted to ask. Do you know why Shadow-type spells are generally too weak?"

"Excuse me, what? I'm quite adept with Shadows and I can assure you that the power behind those is worth enough to keep up with the Light." He seemed particularly miffed by it.

"I mean, the spells are deadly useful in hiding or boost speed and help with stealth, but I have yet to find anything that deals some serious damage to any opponent."

"You seem to forget that you don't have any Demonic, nor Dark Magic that can help you unlock the stronger segments of Shadow-craft. You are but limited by your current state as a human."

I sighed. "Then I guess I will give up on that regard-"

"What do you mean, Hoitsu? You don't wish to ascend? To become better and-"

"I prefer to be human." I replied softly, the little crescendo from Apophis dying the very moment I spoke.

There was some silence, silence to think for the Dragon and silence for me to get some pleasant rest in that couch.

"You would give up the chance of becoming one of the most fearsome beings this world could produce… because you 'prefer to remain human'?"

"That is correct." There was a sigh at my clear answer and the Dragon decided to ask some more.

"But why not? What would it cost to you?"

"Possibly any chance to have a normal life when I will want one." I answered a little annoyed at this pestering. "Power attracts power and… I'm already having trouble trying to keep my identity hidden from the big ones in the large chessboard."

"While I understand the logic, I do consider it weird that someone as young as you are would ignore the benefits that would come with the decision of becoming 'more'."

"It's not that I 'ignore the benefits'. I just think about the price of said decision, how much would it impact on my life and then, maybe, I will consider the benefits." I sighed tiredly.

"Confusing and strange, but I guess that this is how you view things and people around you."

I opened my mouth to explain that he mistook my capacity to decide with my overall way to live my life when the doorbell rung quick and once. I glanced at the entrance, Kunou looking curious at the same direction I was looking at.

"I don't think it's Ko-senpai or Akeno-neechan." The blonde stated quietly.

"Stay there." I told her as I moved out of the couch. She nodded while trying to get a spot to see whom would appear by the doorstep.

I was by the entrance when Apophis spoke once more, this time in my mind. 'The one on the other side is way stronger to you. Don't try to anger them."

I nodded slowly as I opened the door and… saw Ophis waiting outside. Arms crossed near her chest, a visible pout and irked expression, I frowned at the surprisingly annoyed Infinity Dragon.

"What are you- Gah!"

I jumped away as something incredibly sturdy hit my leg ruthlessly, almost falling on the ground as the girl retracted her shorter limb and huffed, entering the house unceremoniously and walked towards the living room.

Kunou blinked in surprise at my pained face and narrowed her eyes at the young girl stomping inside the house.

Ophis stopped just a moment to glare at the blonde, being matched in intensity by the kitsune in terms of anger and… she slowly walked and took a seat in the couch, confusing Kunou.

Groaning, I made my way back to the living room and I was greeted with a strangely restrained dark-haired girl facing some quick-paced lecturing from the little blonde.

"You shouldn't hit Niichan." The kitsune reprimanded.

"I'm angry at him-" Ophis tried to explain.

"Did he hurt you to cause you to hurt him?"

"No, but-"

"Then you are in the wrong." Kunou interrupted once more, uncaring of 'who' she was interrupting. "If you are angry, you say that to them. You don't hurt them."

Ophis lowered her head and nodded. "I didn't mean to-"

"Apologize to Niichan now." The kitsune demanded from the apologetic Dragon.

The goth girl blinked few times and then looked at me. I frowned at her and she blinked once more.

"I… sorry." She said with her usual monotone voice, causing Kunou to huff.

"Mean it!"

"Ku-chan-" The blonde glanced at me with a serious look.

"Niichan, she kicked you." My eyes went wide at what was going on and merely settled with a dumb nod her way. The girl smiled appreciatively and then returned to Ophis.

"Apologize meaningfully."

The Infinity Dragon actually flinched and stared at the floor. "I'm sorry..."

I think my brain just died for a moment, did I just hear her apologize with some emotion?

'I- does your little sister have some sort of mind-control power or-'

Nothing of that sort, no. But this… this is unbelievable.

"I-I accept your apology, but why are you angry at me?"

Ophis blinked and stared up, straight at my face. "Vali said no to my offer."

"And that is my fault? That he refused?" I found myself confused, but the girl sighed at my words.

"He asked if I had asked you this and if you accepted it, since I did mention that I found both you and him interesting. I told him the truth and he refused completely, even when I offered him the power to challenge God."

I admit I was shocked by this development, knowing that Vali and I had yet to truly get to a point of mutual trust, but I think his reasoning depended on my capacity to pick the best decision. If I, someone clearly weaker than him refused the offer from Khaos Brigade, something had to have forced me to refuse adamantly at any attempt.

'This Vali has to at least respect you to value your opinion on the matter.'

He is a broody thing, but he is still good… maybe.

"But then why didn't you lie to him?"

"I had no particular reason to lie." She replied quickly. "Why would I've needed to lie about it if he seemed to not consider you much."

I flinched at the truthful words and nodded. "So he decided to base his refusal from mine?"

"Yes and… that is annoying." She huffed, slouching on the crouch. "What is your 'silence', Hoitsu?"

I blinked and stared up to the ceiling. "You mean what I told you yesterday?"

She nodded. "What is your 'silence'? you said the word as if you knew about mine well enough to compare it to yours."

"It's my current peace." I replied without hesitation. "The opportunity to never be disturbed by those I don't want to be disturbed by, the chance of being content without any worry of losing what I have."

I waited and prayed. While I had some idea about what Ophis meant with 'silence', it was never fully explained in the Canon.

My theory came from the fact that Great Red's arrival caused her 'silence' to be disrupted and knowing that the Dimensional Gap was lifeless except for her until the intrusion of the Apocalypse Dragon, I knew that she meant the supreme control over her birthplace.

She didn't answer at first, looking still and distracted by what I just said. Few moments passed, then her body tensed and she looked once more to the floor. "So that's your 'silence'?"

I nodded and Ophis hummed. "That sounds… pretty."

I smiled. "It is."

She nodded and stood up from the couch. "I guess I should be going. I have some errands to do and-"

"If you want you could join us for lunch." Kunou asked out-of-the-blue, glancing my way for permission and getting a nod in return. "Niichan is good at cooking."

The Infinity Dragon paused and seemed to think about it. "Maybe another day." She looked at me. "If I can join you?"

I shrugged. "I don't mind, just remember to give some notice first."

A quick nod later, she turned back to walk towards the entrance door and I followed her by the doorstep.

"Before you go, can I ask you something, Ophis?"

The Dragon stopped and turned, quietly waiting for my question.

"Did you tell… anyone about the fact I am Hekishoku?"

The goth girl blinked and shook her head. "I don't have a reason to tell them about that."

I frowned and felt some relief at the fact I will not have to make some proper preparation for some assault from anyone from the KR.

"Okay. See you later, Ophis." I saluted and she paused again, glancing back before nodding and returned to walk out of the entrance.

"Yes, later." She muttered and then vanished, leaving me to stare at the spot she once occupied.

I closed the door, falling on my knees and letting out some breathing at the fact I had survived Ophis.

While I have been able to keep a calm composure through the whole ordeal, the idea of being in the proximity of someone her caliber had been nagging my mind for the entire situation.

One small mistake and I would have been dead. There wouldn't have been a fight, the sheer difference between her and me was far too vast to offer me a chance to survive that kind of predicament.

I sighed and saw Kunou approaching. "Niichan? What's wrong?"

She crouched again to check on me and I slowly pulled in an embrace. She tensed at the sudden hug, but she melted few moments later and completed it.

"Ku-chan. Next time you are near Ophis, you have to promise me that you will be careful around her."

She shifted a little. "What do you mean, Niichan?"

"Ophis might look like a girl your age and appear quite reserved and naive… but she is a being much stronger than me, you and… even your mom."

She tensed again. "What?"

"Just promise me that you will not engage in any discussion that might result in her getting angry, okay?"

She slowly relaxed back. "I… I will be careful, Niichan."

"Thank you." I repeated, accepting her meaningful words.

As the two continued in their embrace, Ophis stared through the door with a blank expression what was happening and… she sighed. Looking at her hands and reminding herself that there wasn't anyone there that could truly understand her, she turned around and truly vanished.

It was time to see how Rivezim's work was doing and… maybe catch some sleep. Yet, although she tried to ignore the scene she had just seen, part of her was now curious about something.

How does a hug work?

AN

I think Ophis will be an interesting complex thing to unfold, mostly because her personality and full self was never given a complete explanation. There might be some instances of some of her quirks and how she react to some characters, but it is rare to see glimpses of her mind.

I bet someone wasn't considering to see this kind of 'boost' to pop-up this early on, Apophis being quite unknown to some of the fans as he has yet to be shown in the Manga and the Anime.

Although he is regarded as an Evil Dragon, his personality in the series is quite the opposite from what many would expect from the Nemesis of Ra, being a Dragon that place logic before battle-lust and… he hardly makes anything terrible in his presence in the show. The only reason he is considered 'Evil' is because he was back during the Egyptian dominance in Western Civilization. Yet he is an Eastern Dragon with a serpentine body… mhhh…

Also before anyone burst a vein at the sudden power-up, the Gauntlet is not a Sacred Gear and Apophis doesn't have his power unlocked (yet). A better explanation will be provided next chapter by Baraqiel but I can already say that it will not give the MC any major advantages until much later in the story.

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REVIEW Q&A!

Vongolaseiza012: It will be hilarious!

The Last Kenpachi: He will end up forming his little Clique, yes; There are plans for some minor X-overing and that means only some elements/characters from a series might come around. But nothing too much illogical so… Idk about her.

Ascandas: I don't think there is something like 'Hell' in Hellsing, I think Alucard's wine contains blood so… no?

User may be a smug prick: Bromance is planned, also 'sibling rivalry' with another character and Kuroka will be interesting.

Twitch: That would have ended pretty badly for Hoitsu, me thinks.

Kuranodesu: It's more of neutrality-kind of peace, the same Ophis had back when she was in the Dimensional Gap pre-Great Red.