Shadow Redeemed 2 - or 'The Journey of a Broken Man in a world of Gods' (Post-Castlevania LoS x Pre-Genshin Impact)

In times of tribulation and potential issues, God mandated His Brotherhood to pray for guidance and for blessings.

That was a rule Gabriel had learned so many times, with so many preachers drilling this concept to his very soul. Up to a month ago, that would have been something he would have gone through for the sake of a safe journey to Inazuma City.

Yet, no matter how instinctively right it felt to pursue prayers, Gabriel's decision still pierced against any worry. He was no weak man, and he had already faced enough monsters to know how to 'push' any weak threat away. It worked wonderfully…

If not for the fact his path was followed by numerous eyes. Some he could spot from afar, some hiding even beyond his own sight and, none dared to disrupt his peaceful trip to the southern section of Narukami Island, the main island where the country's own 'castle' was located.

Inazuma City stood over a cliff. The tall height symbolizes power, not an architectural detail that Gabriel was unfamiliar with as he had seen this too with Carmilla's Castle. The highest of buildings atop the world, meant to judge and control… yet now that castle lingered without a leader.

How odd that he… felt something 'alive' within the walls that had almost murmured at him. A change of guard-

That he refused to personally claim.

The Castle was tied to vampires, to monsters. He may have rejected God, but he refused to waste what little shred of humanity he had left in his soul. This second chance at life would help him with that- to restore his own life… as a lonely entity.

A small grain of sand on a golden-colored beach. Beautiful in its entirety but irrelevant on an individual level.

Two days went as the carriage finally reached its destination. After showing the proper papers to the guards at the entrance, Gabriel was allowed to park his carriage near the entrance and thus start making his way into the heart of the country.

Despite having ditched his armor, some things couldn't be removed to stop people's eyes from finding him fascinating. He looked different from them all, so he was exotic, unique- like a troll being shown to a group of God-worshiping villagers in a small hamlet.

Luckily for him, no one came to annoy him at this point, but he sought to still have this matter solved at once. Less time spent there, less chances for trouble to happen to him.

"I see, I see. Good ol' Kenji-san didn't get spared from that mess. Well, my men and I will load the carriage while you wait."

"I can help-" Gabriel tried to argue, but the old owner of the shop scowled.

"None of that, boy. Kenji-san here said it himself- let that oaf of Gabriel take a break. Are you Gabriel, kiddo?"

"...I am."

"Then please, take a seat by one of the benches and I will tell you when the job is done," The senile idiot remarked much to Gabriel's growing chagrin.

Rather than wage a war he didn't need to endure, the former warrior complied with what he was told to do and sat down to rest while also looking around.

Inazuma was no different than any big cities he once visited in the past in terms of size and beauty, but the way it was built in 'ascending order' left him wondering why this country had a predilection in building vertically rather than horizontally. And as he was busy with this thought, his attention was suddenly snapped away from the world around him and back to the bench or- to the pink-furred fox that had snuck on him.

[spoiler][/spoiler]

The fluffy thing had its teeth sunk carefully by Vampire Killer's hilt and, before Gabriel could have said or done anything about it, the fox bolted with the weapon.

Shock filled the man's face, but he didn't waste any further time in chasing after the furred thief. The entire thing lasted some intense minutes, Gabriel mind trying and failing to muster a reason on how a small thing like that was able to carry that heavy tool with ease and by its teeth alone.

Still, the chase found its closure when the Fox had successfully dragged Gabriel out of Inazuma and by the beach under the city through a staircase on the left side of the city, dropping the weapon… right before the sight of quite some trouble.

One job. I had one job.

The fox didn't pause for a moment, rushing up to what Gabriel deduced being its owner. A young woman wearing a white Kimono and… being quite a sight to behold. He had long forsaken the need to look at other ladies in a way that could make him feel awkward, but even in his objective sight he couldn't help but be floored by her beauty. Her purple hair and her eyes filtering with affection and care… in a way, reminding him of how Marie looked at people and things and animals when she was around.

[spoiler][/spoiler]

Then there was the softness her overall appearance carried, embodying the strong woman she was within a state of fragility one had to protect out of genuine commitment to good-will.

However, this was not a pleasant circumstance as the lady was being cornered by four individuals. While at first he thought those were corrupted human beings, the stench of rotting flesh changed that perspective rapidly. Those were actual zombies.

Reaching for Vampire Killer, Gabriel struck twice and gave a command once.

"Duck!"

The girl looked surprised, but crouched fast as the reinforced whip rushed forth, the first hit being a piercing blow that cut through two heads at once, while a quick shift to the side turned it into a blade that swiftly decapitated the other undeads.

No hesitation, no mercy, only resolution.

As Vampire Killer retracted to its cross form, Gabriel started to approach the woman, his gaze directed at the tiny mocking fox that was now snuggling on her left shoulder.

"I didn't expect that someone would have-" The woman's voice was cut short as she realized who was staring at who. "Yae, what did you do?"

No response from the fox beyond a turn of head similar to how a child would just pout over behaving good to a parent. Instead of pressing the topic, the woman turned and looked genuinely apologetic.

"I am so sorry. Yae is a troublemaker and I-"

"Why were you wandering alone in this area?" Gabriel cut her sharply. "Why didn't you run when the monsters showed up?"

The girl blinked and then frowned. "Well, I was trying to enjoy the beach since it's been quite a long time since I wandered this place and I did try to run, but it's difficult with a Kimono."

Instead of appearing mortified, Gabriel merely nodded as he was glad this civilian hadn't purposely wandered into a dangerous area. In fact, it was quite odd that these creatures would find their way here of all places. Right underneath a big settlement- it was odd for zombies to spawn without being noticed beforehand.

Still, Gabriel nodded and decided it was time to leave.

"I am glad to see you are well, then. I will take my leave no-"

Before he could actually go through with that plan, he felt his hands instantly squeezed by a pair of palms.

"Wait, before you leave, I have to thank you and… ask your name," The lady remarked, sounding extremely determined now. "My name is Makoto."

"...Gabriel. And I don't need any thanks. I just helped, that's all."

He managed to pull his arm out of her surprisingly strong hold and leave her at loss for a while. But as he departed to resume his own business, Makoto stared at him leaving, and her shocked look turned into a curious expression.

"He does remind me of Ei."

"They look so similar, him and Ei-chan." The Kitsune spoke up, her childish voice showing in a somewhat disembodied state.

Makoto frowned at lil' Yae. "You still will be punished for bringing a poor man into something I could have handled myself."

"You were losing," Yae rebuked, sounding less playful this time around. "Be humble and take with grace the fact you are not as action-centered as your sister, Makoto-sama."

The woman held back a response to this, knowing this was a lost war from the very beginning but… she was now looking back to where Gabriel left off. Her smile was back, a hint of interest now manifesting as this sight gave her an idea.

"We could let them meet."

"Ei-chan would not see the amusement in this joke."

Yae didn't appreciate the silence. "It is a joke, right… Makoto-sama?"

The smile she got in return was immensely telling of what the Raiden Shogun was actually planning to do.

There was only to hope that this didn't backfire horribly somehow.


AN

If lil' rascal Yae is not certain of some plot ending well for someone, there might be a reason but… boy, this is just going to be the can of worms that will open the other can of worms all over Inazuma.