Glowing

"You'll spend your whole life atoning for it, Hotsuma Renjou."

This was Ashley last thought as she plummets towards the earth. Time seems to stop eternally as the similar squared glass windows of the highest skyscraper flashes past her. The air was rushing against her falling momentum. She thought she had heard someone screaming her name at a distance. Suddenly, all her breath was knocked out from her lungs. It feels as though she was being run over by a truck. She felt herself soaring through the sky before she landed gently on the ground, just like a fallen leaf.

Luka Crosszeria stepped aside immediately after putting Ashley safely back on earth so as to avoid colliding into a hysteric zweilt guardian.

Ashley finally opened her eyes only to see Hotsuma's face in her field of vision. "You should have stayed back, there's nothing you can do." She croaked before a single tear fell from her eye. She was exhausted, both physically and mentally, till the point she couldn't even cry.

Hotsuma Renjou found himself hugging that broken girl that was in his arms right now. He was mortified after Shusei told him the truth. He had actually caused someone to fall into the grasp of darkness. "Almost", Shusei reminded him.

"I'm sorry. I really don't want to hurt anyone else. I understand why you will never forgive me, and I know I do not deserve it, but please live, because there is someone who will be hurt if anything happens to you" Hotsuma whispered into Ashley's ears, "That person is me."

Ashley's eyes widen as she heard Hotsuma. She felt a warmth which somewhat quenches her pain creeping into her heart. It has been a long time since she felt that way, that someone is truly concern for her. This warmth feels gentle and welcoming. She gave a weak smile before she whispered to Hotsuma.

"Thank you."

For the first time in a long while, Hotsuma felt guiltless and lifted. Just those two words alone allow him to beam with joy.

Suddenly there was a red glow around Ashley's head before she fell limp on Hotsuma's arms. "Ashley" Hotsuma cries as Luka spin around in alarm, just in time to Kanata Wakamiya disappears in a mist.

"Why do you simply erase her memories and bother to spare her life", Cadenza teased," Or is it because you couldn't bring yourself to finish her. After all, she lost her younger brother at a young age, just like you lose Sakurai Yuki"

Cadenza felt the hairs at the back of his neck stand as he nearly missed that deadly spell casted at his direction.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Touché", Cadenza smirked, "looks like our Lord still has a long way to go."

The End