GREETINGS, FOLKSMEN.
Ti's i, danzy, presenting yet another chapter written in an unexpected amount of time because i am fucking laughing at this story
Btw i retconned Shadow borrowing Kiba's sword with a rebar. Thanks to yohoohoo's review
I've also edited the ending of the last chapter a bit. Several paragraphs, nothing major. I think its' better that you reread it a bit. Or not. The ending's pretty much the same but with added dramatic flair between Rias and her Servants as she proposed to be Kuroka's distraction
ANYWAY.
Enjoy shadowbros
〖 Chapter 5 〗
⦕ I Am… A Shepherd? Huh? Wait what? ⦖
Shadow's magically-filtered and distorted voice had an unexpected effect on Kuroka. The Stray Devil, once unyielding, now seemed to hesitate, cautious. She did not take light of him as she did her previous combatants. A flicker of uncertainty danced in her amber eyes, her wrath momentarily dissipating in the face of the unforeseen power before her.
Rias, Koneko, and Issei observed the exchange with bated breath, their amazement mingling with the tension in the air that Rias had completely forgotten she was supposed to run. The teleportation pentagram was finished — and yet, something inside her had whispered to her that this was not a moment she'd want to miss. Shadow, cryptic as he was, was perhaps a miracle sent by whoever gods happened to be watching over her. As a Gremory, she must express her gratitude properly.
Especially when he might be the answer to many of her current problems. This idea had yet to occur to her, but it would soon.
"...Well…? What's your answer?" Shadow demanded, his rebar engulfed in wispy violet flames still trained at Kuroka.
Kuroka clicked her tongue yet again for the umpteenth time this hour. She wasn't having a good day. But the ire in her was relit and blazed by a simple sight; Shadow grinned.
And of course, unbeknownst to all but Shadow himself, the wry grin on his lips was not a grin to belittle this cat-person. Cid was simply reveling in the absurdity of the situation. Here he was indulging in grandiose fantasies, suddenly at the center of an otherworldly showdown. And what's more, it seemed like his performance was having the intended effect.
"...You're not going to leave me be, huh…" she snarled, her teaseful voice had long since shifted into a contralto of danger. "Are you a bounty hunter just being cryptic, or someone that really wants to be on my wrong side? Ah, are you that red Satan's lackeys?"
"I walk my own path," he proclaimed, his words carrying a weight that resonated with his (somewhat made up but still applicable) core beliefs. "I am unaffected by the currents that shape others nor the paths that others chose for themselves."
Kuroka scowled. All these backward riddles were starting to grate on her patience. "I'm going to put you through hell."
"You're not the first to try and break me," Shadow's voice held an unyielding confidence as the violet flames in front of his eyes flared intensely. "And you won't be the last."
Issei's eyes widened, a mix of awe and excitement flickering across his face. Inside, his thoughts echoed with admiration. 'Oh my god, he's so freaking cool.'
"...Rrrghh…" Kuroka started to reconsider her situation. She hated to admit it; but his statement sent shivers down her spine. It made her tails bristle. They never bristle unless things were really, really bad.
Amidst the tense atmosphere, Issei found himself subtly nodding in agreement with Shadow's words, even though the newcomer wasn't aware of his fanboy moment. The strength of character exuded by Shadow was nothing short of captivating, and Issei couldn't help but feel a surge of respect for the enigmatic figure who had joined their midst.
For Issei, watching Shadow face off against Kuroka was more than just witnessing a confrontation—it was an inspiration. Seeing someone stand tall in the face of danger, unflinching and resolute had ignited a bonfire within Issei that would stay forever. A desire to be just as unyielding, just as courageous.
"Get her, Shadow-guy-man!" Issei cheered, his fist and gauntlet pumping the air. "Kick her ass!" but then he noticed Koneko's half-confused stare that looked like a glare, as if she wasn't certain either if she was mad or not. "…But maybe hold back a little because she is Koneko-chan's sister, and I know this is a tall order, but I don't think Koneko-chan wants to see her own sister getting hurt too much either… But other than that, kick her ass! You can do it, Shadow!"
Well, well, well, looks like I've got myself a supporter. Thank you, Issei. Your hypemanning will not go unnoticed nor will it go unrewarded; I'll be making sure I occasionally show up when you're around, because having a hypeman feels gooood.
And it seems like this guy's group often gets into main character-y scenarios, if you know what I mean. Like, all of them are clearly Named Characters. The redhead Devil, the giant ribbon thunder girl, that blondie with flashy swords, this… strong midget with a brittle heart I guess… and even the guy, Hyoudou Issei, might fit the bill if given the time.
I made the right call exposing myself to them.
That didn't sound right, let me rephrase it— I made the right to announce Shadow's presence before them. I get to leech off their misadventures!
Therefore, I am happy to announce that everything is going according to plan… even if it doesn't.
I'm not gonna lie, I was hoping the miss catlady there would turn tail and run instead of glaring daggers at me. She had all the telltale signs of First Arc Villains. Y'know, like a teaser of their existence in the story. They'd arrive at the story's outset, sowing chaos that leaves everyone scratching their heads, ridiculously overpowers the current hero party, but just as tensions rise for a climactic confrontation — they up and bounce. Whatever reason it may be; they just leave. Maybe they don't consider the heroes worthy enough, or they long for an epic battle and know only the hero's party can grant them such glory, or they're just too stupid. Any reason that can extend the story instead of the heroes getting wiped out at like chapter four out of a hundred.
I mean, she's sweating. Those are sweat on her face and chest and arms and legs — and those ain't made of magic. Just purely clear, salty liquid produced by glands in our skin. I'm producing those as well. This might be night time but goddammit if this getup isn't cooking me alive. Lucky me, I don't sweat that much and deodorants agree with me.
Why am I mentioning sweat? Well, because it hints that she's tired. Either tired or stupefied, and I was hoping the combination of those two emotions would drive this cat-lady off my scene, and thereby enhancing my coolness factor by ten.
C'mon. I just showed up and the main bad guy scrammed. How dope would that be?
Sadly though, it looks like I'm gonna have my first proper fight.
And… maybe this is just me, but I'm actually pretty excited… Not only do I get to test my powers and skills against a high ranking opponent of this world, I also have a live audience (MOST IMPORTANT PART), and there are three of them! Three! THREE! Not less! Could be more but this girl looks like she's out cold, but I can't be nitpicky with what I get.
Everything is going swimmingly — I just have to make sure I don't fuck up my battle.
"Doesn't matter!" Kuroka growled, her inner beastly instincts starting to unveil as she grew more angrier. "I'll shut you up first, and then you all will follow suit!"
Oh, she's summoning her flames again. It's gonna start now. It's happening. Calm down Cid, it's happening! Your first major combat!
I'm about to bash a living and breathing catgirl with a rebar and that idea excites me!
Is that messed up? I dunno, don't care. She's trying to kill me, and I sure as hell won't let that happen.
I have a lot of stuff I wanna do in this world, miss catwoman.
Going ham on someone is one of them.
But first! A one-liner.
"Very well then…" Shadow muttered as Cid did his best to sound disappointed, as if dejected by her choice to stand and fight instead of taking Shadow's generous offer to not be his enemy. "Shall we begin?"
Having enough of his bullshit, Kuroka blitzed forward, leaving a black and purple blur in her wake. Her hands were clad in mystical white flames — the incorporation of her Ki.
Despite this, Shadow smiled and took a single step forward.
And vanished before his boot could hit the ground.
The sudden disappearance left everyone—including Kuroka—momentarily stunned as she completely halted her steps, before glancing around the place, trying to detect his presence to no avail.
Rias, Koneko, and Issei exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes searching for any sign of Shadow's whereabouts. Kuroka's surprise was evident, her momentum halted as she scanned the surroundings, her expression a mixture of confusion and annoyance.
But somewhere in the dark corner of the ruined warehouse, Cid was reveling in the astonishment he had caused. A grin tugged at the corners of his lips as he watched their reactions unfold like a carefully scripted drama. His heart raced with a mixture of exhilaration and amusement, savoring the thrill of the unexpected twist he had introduced, patting himself in the back for a scene executed so flawlessly.
And then, with a flourish that would do any master illusionist proud, Shadow reappeared behind Kuroka. His rebar, wreathed in its wispy violet flames, rested against his shoulder, angled diagonally across his hooded head.
When his voice finally broke the silence, held a playful edge. "Last chance to change your mind."
Kuroka's eyes widened. He hadn't gone invisible, he had completely vanished in thin air, and this fact worried her greatly. With an imperceptible twitch of her fingers, she lashed out purple flames across his body as she whirled around in retaliation, her eyes broadening in response to his taunt. The surprise that had briefly clouded her features was replaced with renewed anger, only to be completely swept away again by sheer shock as he was no longer there.
Of course, he was standing behind her again. "...So be it…"
With a swing, Shadow brandished his blunt weapon, and it Kuroka's swift reflex was the only reason the rebar hit her forearm instead of finding her cheek.
She backed away, gaining distance from him whereas Shadow simply stood on the same spot, watching her with a relaxed posture. Her Youjutsu surged once again, casting a veil of illusions around them, copies of herself that she sent towards him.
But Shadow's experiences within the Shadow Dimension granted him an advantage that defied her attempts at trickery. Shifting in for just a several seconds that he appeared to have 'glitched' in the real world, Cid had perceived the subtle shifts in magical essence that gave the illusions away. The genuine Kuroka, her aura a blazing purple hue, was unmistakable amidst the deceptive images with their paltry pinkish radiance.
As her illusions danced around them, Shadow's lips curled into a knowing smile. He took a step forward, his rebar poised for action. Then, with an almost theatrical flair, he disappeared once more, vanishing into the hidden realm of his Shadow Dimension.
Rias, Koneko, and Issei watched with bated breath, anticipation hanging in the air like a charged current. Their astonishment mingled with a newfound respect for the enigmatic figure who had inserted himself into their lives.
Their reactions were Just as he had desired.
Confirming he got the satisfactory reactions, just as quickly as he had vanished, Shadow reappeared. This time, he stood just beside Kuroka, his voice a cool whisper. "You can't hide from someone who knows the shadows."
Kuroka's eyes widened in realization, her illusions unraveling as she turned to face him once more. Gritting her teeth, Kuroka dissipated her purple flames and focused all her energy into her hands, causing her Ki to blaze radiantly. With a beastly growl, she struck with blinding speed, her movements a deadly dance that had lost her earlier elegance, just pure raw rage converted into slashes and attempts at ripping his mask and face off.
She expected for him to go wherever he'd gone earlier like the coward he was, yet Shadow met her onslaught with a mixture of calculated grace and swift reflexes, and with a smirk that frustrated her to no end. Their forms weaved through the air, Kuroka's attacks crackling with power, and Shadow's defense a fluid response to her every move, ducking and weaving and smirking, blocking with his makeshift weapon only when it was necessary, so he could smirk at her again before she lashed out.
Oddly enough, Cid felt a sense of deja vu. But would he ever let a random familiar feeling ruin his dance?
No of course not.
"How does it feel to be on the receiving end?"
"RrrraaaAAAAAH!" Kuroka tore the air, her pupils tapering thinner to a slit as she once again had missed her mark since he had vanished yet again. "SHADOW!"
With a roar, she had finally completely lost herself in her rage and frustration — unaware of her sister's terrified look, as though Koneko was reliving a nightmare.
So anyway, before I explain why I'm so excited and so damn good at close quarter combat and why I have read, watched, practiced dozens of martial arts, let me tell you something about this world. This world where Devils and catgirls exist.
It's unbelievably peaceful.
Vastly more peaceful.
There have been no major wars for nearly a thousand years.
Hitler has become a famous painter instead.
Japan has never been nuked.
Chernobyl never happened.
Crimea is Ukraine's.
Children in Africa don't starve.
Girls in Afghanistan aren't lynched just for not wearing a hijab.
China isn't blaming Japan for anything that they didn't do, and there is no North Korea or South Korea, just Korea.
There's only several countries in this world that have a military, and they're all classified as Defense Forces. Defense. No one's spreading their ideology or religion around through force.
Why am I telling you all this? Ah, I see you still don't get it.
The lack of violence means this world doesn't prepare for it much. It's like a country with ridiculously low rain precipitation that has never had a storm blowing their faces off— their 'preparation' consists of several umbrellas, some rubber boots, and maybe, maybe, if they wanna overprep; a rain jacket.
Maybe it's because the supernatural forces are working in secret to control their respective humans. The humans are docile. I happened to snuck around the Kendo Club's practice and their technique, albeit similar, is… how do I put it here without sounding cocky… less refined…?
Plenty of wasted movements. It's almost as if they do kendo to look cool instead of hoping to hold an actual sword and how to use it.
Now, moving on to my proficiency with martial arts— it's because my world is a dangerous place. People get mugged on a daily basis, man. I don't wanna get mugged. And at first it started out slow; I was only going to learn one specific martial art until I realized; what if my mugger can do the same? So I added more. Then it became a cycle of over-worrying and over-preparing.
Wing Chun, Jiu Jitsu, Aikido, Judo, Krav Maga, MMA, Kickboxing— I learned that shit. I attended classes without ever mentioning to my real life friends, which is pretty easy because I don't have a lot of them as a Mob. Ever since coming here, I've practiced them all in secrecy, in front of no audience, fighting my own shadow, smacking a poor innocent tree in the park. I did it all in moderation to not blow up my Mob status—it's crucial that no one can ever see me practicing, because a Mob must not have any unique interest.
A Mob's hobby is limited to watching paint dry and/or eating crayons or smashing rocks. Or watching youtube videos all day.
But that problem was gone when I found out about this whole other dimension.
And finally… Finally! At long last! I can finally show them off to a real live audience!
Be honored, Kuroko! For you shall be my sandbag.
Now to peel off this layer of Mana off her… This might take a moment… Sorta like picking cotton candy and clump it up.
Shadow had reappeared on the other side but Kuroka was prepared. Her claw intended to land with devastating force, met only empty air as Shadow effortlessly evaded, not disappearing as she'd expected. He moved with the speed of a phantom, each movement calculated to avoid her blows, his faint smirk never once leaving his masked face. And then, with a calculated twist of his body, he reappeared behind her.
Before Kuroka could react, Shadow's rebar struck with stunning accuracy at the spot where her protective barrier had suddenly disappeared, much to her shock as she felt unimaginable pain surging from her wrist. Then before she could register how she was suddenly left armorless, a series of precise blows shook her, and the alley resounded with the impact of his strikes, and Kuroka found herself driven back with each hit, the force of the blows battering against her like a relentless storm.
"Kgh—!" Each time she held her arm to parry, he would vanish and reappear at her blind spot and struck her undefended body. "Why you—!"
A rebar to her face sent her facing another way as she felt her legs nearly give way from the hit. With a final, powerful strike, Shadow delivered a resounding blow that sent Kuroka crashing to the ground. Her Ki flickered with exhaustion and defeat. The battle, once a clash of power and technique, had transformed into a one-sided exchange that left her battered and breathless.
She gasped hard. Her confidence wavered as she struggled to regain her footing. Shadow's calculated maneuvers had turned the tide dramatically, reducing her formidable skills to little more than a futile struggle against an opponent who actually knew how to fight, and was thirsty for it.
.
In three minutes, her once-confident stance had been completely replaced with a posture that spoke of exhaustion and pain. A series of bruised and reddened patches marked where Shadow's strikes had landed with precision and strength. Blood marred her appearance, staining her torn clothing in dark, ominous hues. Crimson streaks painted a subtle contrast against the black fabric, evidence of the strikes that had landed with brutal force. Her skin, once flawless, now bore the marks of her battle—a canvas of bruises and abrasions.
One hand clutched at her side, where a deep gash oozed blood, staining her fingers as she pressed against the wound in an attempt to staunch the flow. The fabric around the injury was soaked through, the scarlet hue a jarring reminder of her resilience and the futility of it. Her black hair had loosened, now reaching the small of her back instead of held up in ringlets.
Her chest rose and fell in uneven breaths, each inhale a struggle against the pain that coursed through her body. More red trickled from a cut on her brow, matting her hair and obscuring her vision. Her once-clear eyes were now clouded with fatigue and pain, even the anger within them had faded, leaving her with a tired, strained look.
If those Devils could keep getting up for her then so must she, Kuroka had told herself.
And that she did. Despite the toll on her body, Kuroka's gaze remained unyielding, her determination still burning brightly within her eyes. The battle might have taken its toll, but her spirit remained unbroken. With every labored breath, she fought to regain her strength, her willpower a testament to her indomitable nature even in the face of defeat.
"...That…all you got…?"
She dared, but everyone knew the battle was over and this was the aftermath of the battle unfolding in the moonlit warehouse.
Shadow didn't move. Cid firmly believed in dramatic standoff just as much as he valued dramatic entrances. The rest perceived his inaction as a measured stance; as if Shadow didn't let Kuroka's state to make him assume he had won.
Upon seeing her battered sister, Koneko's emotions spilled forth in a silent plea.
"Please... stop," she implored, her voice trembling. Tears welled in Koneko's eyes, tracing a path down her cheeks. Her voice, barely more than a whisper, carried the weight of her emotions as she reached out to her sister and their unexpected hero in a plea for the violence to end.
It was a plea born of love and concern, and Rias realized it. She turned her gaze towards Koneko, and her heart bled for the young Devil. She had seen those eyes before; back when they first met, back to a time when Sirzechs brought with him a scared young Nekomata. In that moment, the weight of her shared history with Kuroka and sisterly bond hung heavy in the air, a reminder that even amidst the chaos and the betrayal, they were still sisters.
"S…Shadow… Sir…?" Rias reached out, careful as to not offend him. "I think… this is enough…"
"..." She made a mistake if she thought Shadow could hear her yards away. Cid wanted to ask what the hell she was mumbling about but couldn't for reasons obvious; he couldn't just turn around and say 'HUH? WAT?!'
And of course Rias mistook his lack of response as something deeper than it really was.
Thus Shadow stood there, unmoving, but his crimson eyes never left Kuroka's.
"Hah… ha… why… did you… have to… get in my way…"
"You've lost yourself," he simply pointed out, spitballing a little. She really did lose herself back there, and, if he was to be honest, he was hoping for a bit more. It felt like he was fighting against a catwoman-sized bear rather than an agile huntress of the night.
"The fuck are you on…" Kuroka seethed, staggering forward. If she could put her claws inside his eyes— "You weirdo…"
"The path you're on, the choices you've made—they're leading you down a dark road," Shadow surmised, never moving as she lurched towards him. "A road that threatens to consume the very essence of who you once were."
Kuroka's eyes flashed with a mixture of anger and skepticism. "You think… you know me?"
"I don't know you." Shadow's gaze held a hint of sadness as he responded, "But I know enough to recognize when someone has lost sight of their true self. I've seen it before, in others. And in myself."
Kuroka's defenses wavered, a hint of vulnerability flickering within her eyes. She had always been a fighter, driven by her own goals and desires. But in that moment, faced with Shadow's unflinching assessment, she couldn't deny the turmoil that had clouded her path. She knew that she hadn't always been like this. Knew that there was once a time where Shirone looked up to her with admiration instead of fear and disgust.
She only wanted it back. Was that too much to ask?
"Why does it matter to you?" she questioned, her voice softer now, tinged with a touch of uncertainty. "Urgh… dammit… why am I even talking to you… you wear a mask."
"Don't we all?"
Kuroka scowled. Yet again. "Alright whatever Mr. Poignant."
'Yikes,' Cid thought whilst Shadow maintained his cool. 'She's snappy.'
"...Well what're you gonna do…?" Kuroka finally dared, her entire body visibly shaking, desperately clutching at its last strength. "I know I can't outrun you. Tired of running anyway… Honestly just tired of… everything…"
With the adrenaline gone, her exhaustion finally caught up with her. Her body, battered and bruised from the battle, could no longer support itself despite her persistence and stubborn pride. With a sudden and unexpected falter, her strength gave way, and Kuroka crumbled.
'Shit, did I hit her too much? Sorry lady. I kinda went overboard too.'
His arms, unexpectedly strong and robust, encircled her before she met the ground, catching her and preventing her descent. His movements were swift and sure, his demeanor shifting from enigmatic to protective in an instant. He held her gently yet securely, his grip a silent reassurance amidst the chaos that surrounded them.
Kuroka sighed as the reality of the moment sank in. Her body sagged against him, her form weakened by the toll of the battle. She looked up at Shadow, a tired surprise and contempt in her gaze.
"Piss off, jackass… Let me go," she growled, her voice laced with defiance. "I don't need your pity."
"This isn't pity," he countered calmly, his grip firm yet not constricting. "Rather, an offer for you to reconsider your path."
Kuroka's features contorted with a mixture of disbelief and resentment. "Reconsider? You're gonna make me puke… You think you can just swoop in and save me from myself?"
Her voice dripped with sarcasm, her pride refusing to let her admit her own vulnerability. But his response was measured, his tone quiet but unwavering. "I'm not here to save you."
"Put me in jail again then huh…?" Kuroka sighed, grunted in pain, and then finally limped herself to just splay on him like a ragdoll cat. "Just end me here. I'm fed up with being chased and caged."
"That's not what I'm here for either."
"...Then what do you want? Just show up and ruin everything I had planned?"
'Har har, payback's a bitch isn't it? Next time, don't steal my spotlight… Although because you stole it, now I got a bigger one.' Cid reconsidered for a moment as he glanced over to his 'audiences'. He noted that they were consoling the tiny one, all looking at him with a palpable anxiousness.
'Alright, show's over.' Cid had decided. 'Time for closure.' "As I've said, I'm here to guide those who have lost their way."
"So you do want to play hero and save me. How romantic."
'Sheesh— you're pretty sassy for someone so bloodied, aren't you missy?' Cid might have gotten annoyed with her, but Shadow remained unperturbed. "The only one that can save you is yourself."
"...I fucking hate you…" Her voice was laced with bitterness as she asked the question that had been gnawing at her. "Why…? Why bother with me?"
Shadow's crimson eyes held a depth of understanding that caught her off guard. "Your sister still believes in you."
Kuroka's expression wavered, a flicker of something close to vulnerability crossed her features. Yet her pride remained steadfast, and she clenched her teeth and fists in frustration. "And what if I don't want to save myself? You've no idea what I've done. I've gone too far, done too much, I tell ya… There's no point in all this… she doesn't need me anymore."
"Now who's pitying who?"
"...Ergh… shut up…" Kuroka's eyes flared with a mixture of frustration and defiance. "You think you know everything about me?"
"I don't claim to know everything," Shadow responded calmly, his voice devoid of judgment. "But I know that there's always a chance to find your way back."
"You don't get it. You've no idea what it's like to be separated from the one person who matters most."
"I'm not of this world," Shadow simply said. "I have been separated from everyone that mattered to me. Most or the least."
Kuroka quieted almost immediately. Suddenly it made sense for her. Despite that, she still didn't want to show her weakness and instead said to him, "...Sucks to be you, I guess…"
'Girl I will DROP you.' Cid swore in his heart.
"...Well… where will you take me now, o savior of mine…?"
'What.' "Come again?"
"You said you're gonna 'find those who have lost their way'" she repeated in a mocking tone of his voice, regretting it immediately as pain wracked her chest, forcing her to cough. "Urk… ugh… Well I'm pretty lost nya~ you got me… Guide me then… Or was it all just talk to sound mysteriously cool?"
It took everything in Cid not to scream because his expensive outfit had catgirl blood on it.
"...Well…whatever…" Kuroka started to wheeze, her vision rapidly draining away. Her eyes locked onto Koneko's, before looking away as she felt the tears starting to creep up. And then, in a voice that trembled with both surrender and defiance, she made a demand that caught him off guard. "...I don't give a damn anymore…just…leave me here…I guess…"
Then darkness finally claimed her as she went limp in his arms.
The scene played out as if scripted—Kuroka's fainting, her plea for guidance, and Shadow's unwavering support. It was a moment of unexpected camaraderie. It was a scene that had left the onlookers in awe, completely unaware of the unexpected twist of fate that had turned a battle of wills into a partnership that neither had anticipated.
Shadow remained composed, his expression a mask of calm even as a bolt of panic shot through Cid.
Neither he had anticipated this turn of events, and while his initial words of 'finding the Lost' had led to this moment, he found himself stunlocked. The Devils who had been observing the exchange stood in awe, unaware of the turmoil that had taken root, which Cid expressed flawlessly in just two words;
'Oh fuck.'
Oh, great. Just fantastic. Panic mode.
My mind is spinning faster than a hamster wheel on caffeine. Guide her? Seriously? Did I accidentally slip into some hero role from a cheesy fantasy novel? I'm supposed to be the eminence in the shadows, dammit! Not a hero! As far as I'm concerned, those Devils are the heroes! They're the main characters— you're their first boss or something!
Screw this girl. How and why does she keep ruining my plan? She's not even conscious!
And found her? Found her how?! How am I supposed to guide her? WHERE EVEN DO I TAKE HER?
Catwoman is practically leaning on me, and not in any romantic sense, mind you. More like a 'I've-been-beaten-to-a-pulp-and-I-can't-stand-on-my-own' sense. And here I am, trying to figure out how to not let my inexperience show. Because, let's be honest, I have zero idea what I'm doing.
I sneak a quick glance at the group of wide-eyed onlookers — reveling in my glory for a bit before yet again I am brought back to reality. To them, this must look like some profound moment of bonding or whatever. Little do they know, I'm a guy whose experience in guiding someone pretty much boils down to giving directions to lost tourists.
But shit, I have to commit. Can't just drop her like a sack of potatoes. So, I straighten up, trying to channel my inner guide, whatever that's supposed to be. I'm practically making mental lists of what a guide does. Give moral support? Check. Don't let her fall? Double-check.
What else are guides supposed to say? "You're doing great"? Nah, too cliché. "Lean on me"? That sounds like a song lyric, not actual advice. And don't even get me started on motivational speeches. I'm supposed to be a mastermind, not a politician or some chump who gives TEDtalks.
Oh right! The Devils!
And just at the right time! Here she comes— that's right, redhead, come and take her away, thank you very much.
In the dimly lit expanse of the abandoned warehouse, the tension in the air was palpable as Rias approached Shadow. The surroundings seemed to mirror the inner turmoil that churned within her, casting long shadows over the scene as she arrived at her destination.
Before him stood Rias Gremory. Behind her were the rest of her wounded and uninjured Servants, staying still on the drawn pentagram, looking with uncertainty
Cid spotted that most of her wounds had stopped bleeding and started to heal. He made a mental note of this; Devils had higher natural healing compared to humans— but that seemed to be on track.
Her presence commanded attention despite the lingering signs of her recent loss. Her form was slightly hunched, a visible reminder of the injuries she had sustained at the hands of Kuroka. Her gaze, sharp and assessing, bore a weight that matched the gravity of the situation.
Shadow's composure remained unwavering, a façade of determination masking the storm of emotions that raged within him. He had embarked on this course of action with a sense of purpose, yet the unexpected turn of events had thrown him into uncharted territory.
"Shadow," Rias addressed him, her voice a mixture of calm and understanding, "...I…do not know yet who you are… but I owe you for rescuing us…" then she spared a glance at Kuroka and her state. "...and her, I supposed…"
Cid played it cool. He gave her a disinterested, nonchalant nod along with a small hum.
"...I can take her away, but in doing so I must hand her over to the authorities… The crimes she'd committed are too grave to simply be forgiven. But…" Rias sighed, holding her arm. Worry and concern were stark on her face. "...I don't think Koneko would've wanted that outcome. And yet I am also well aware of how dangerous Kuroka is as she'd shown earlier…"
"And yet… you were able to not only make her lose sense of herself… yet made her realize as well. You said you find those who are lost, is this what you mean?"
'Uhhh… sure…? I think I'll just stand here… yeah. Uh huh. Not even gonna nod. I'll just leave it up in the air.'
"As this town's Overseer, I am also obliged to report any Lost Person to the higher ups, but I don't think it's wise to trouble you even more," she said with sincerity this time, smiling wryly. "Not after what you did."
'...Overseer? What? Ah well. I'll just nod and act like I get it. …Why am I getting a bad feeling from all this… You're gonna take her off me, aren't you? C'mon, be responsible. She's a criminal—'
"As gratitude… and… a request, I admit… Me nor my Servants won't tell a soul of what has happened here."
'Wait… No, no, no, no, no, no, no!'
"We'll keep your identity a secret,"
'Wait, wait, wait, wait, hey! WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT—!'
"I trust that if there is anyone, you will be the one that's able to take care of her, that you can lead her back to the path she's left."
'NNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!'
The smoldering stare of his crimson eyes had intimidated Rias that she started to question her authority and decision. Meanwhile, Shadow's inner turmoil intensified. He had hoped for Rias' support, not this. Her trust placed an additional unwanted weight on his shoulders. The responsibility he had taken on now felt even more daunting, his internal panic was threatening to bubble over.
Shadow nodded, his response a silent vow to honor the trust that had been placed in him— much to Cid's agony. 'FUCK FUCK FUCK. FUCK.'
"Thank you," she replied, keeping her voice measured and composed despite her rising fear, betraying none of the chaos within him. "...We'll take our leave now. I bid you well on your… quest, I suppose. I hope we meet again."
Shadow nodded.
'FUCK YOU. YOU BITCH.' Cid screamed. 'THIS IS THE LAST TIME I PLAY THE GODDAMN HERO.'
As the Devils gathered, carrying their wounded comrades, two particular Devils expressed their thoughts about him—
First was Issei with both his thumbs raised. "Yo! Shadow! You rock dude! Badass!"
Cid felt good.
Second was Koneko with her very quiet "...Thank you…" as she looked at her sister, and prayed that the next time they met, she wouldn't be afraid of her.
Cid didn't hear shit.
And then as crimson light bathed them whole, they disappeared, leaving Shadow with the unconscious Nekoshou in his hands and a feeling of ridiculousness.
In the wake of their departure, the abandoned warehouse seemed to exhale a breath it had been holding. The scene had left an indelible mark within its walls—a mark of shifting allegiances, the potential for redemption, and the unexpected ways in which paths can intersect.
And as the shadows danced in the empty space, the journey that lay ahead for Kuroka and Shadow remained a story yet to be written, full of challenges, choices, and the relentless pursuit of a chance at a better future.
'RELENTLESS PURSUIT MY ASS. YEAH RIGHT— AS IF! WHAT THE HELL AM I GONNA DO WITH HER?'
To be continued…
It's Shadow's showdown. In that he shows how down he is in beating someone up to look cool
But in the end— I get the last laugh. Get rekt Cid. You, solely, are responsible for this.
Sincerely, me, the Cock. cue Kings from Project Wingman
I demand reviews. I wrote this chapter under a week. That's gotta worth something more than temporarily raising you guys' serotonin levels as you read this, right? RIGHT? GIVE ME MY DOSAGE OF SEROTONINS. IT'S A FAIR TRADE. REEEEE