I don't own anything. All characters and all rights belong to Ichiei Ishibumi*
M for mature topics. No children allowed. *
The Broken Boosted Gear
By Try Another Time
The head priest of a certain church slowly walked through a cemetery while holding a basket with several flowers. His face looked tired, but the reason behind his restless eyes wasn't connected to the tasks in his church or the orphans they cared for.
No, his restlessness was mainly driven by the absence of a special orphan he had not seen since that fateful day.
God blessed the girl with the power to heal, while the story behind her birth was tragic, to say the least.
She was a child he had hoped to protect by pushing her into a path of purity and sanctity, but instead, it had pushed her away once she learned the truth.
"Are you doing alright out there, child? As the world is shaken by the sudden changes new hidden truths bring, are you safe? Father, if you can hear me, please protect that child as I couldn't. Asia…. She deserves to be happy. She-" The head priest stopped himself as his eyes saw two figures in the distance kneeling before a particular grave.
Her hair was shorter when compared to the day she left; she had grown a bit taller, and her clothes didn't resemble her old nun attire, but even with all that, he could recognize her and the figure next to her.
"Asia?" The head priest called out to her. He was controlling his hopes as his mind could play with his emotions.
But this was no illusion as the girl opened her eyes and turned her face toward his direction. Her expression was calm, but, to his surprise, it also denoted maturity.
Was this the same girl who left the orphanage almost three years ago?
He had many questions, and luckily, she seemed to greet him.
"Head priest, it has been quite some time. Come closer." Asia said while remaining serene and friendly. The girl wore a white/red Alliance uniform. Her body was adorned with long pants, a jacket, boots, and a beret.
Next to her was an older male around his early 20s, fully dressed in a black suit with white flowers. Although he looked older, the priest recognized his face as he was no fool.
The older man approached the duo, trying not to meet the girl's eyes. As he reached them, he saw the unnamed tombstone and was surprised as he didn't expect Asia to find it. The tombstone was covered in white flowers. "How did you find it?"
"... She asked me to find it two years ago. We had visited on several occasions." Ddraig admits. "I was a bit surprised to know that her family left the tomb unnamed."
"... They… couldn't deal with the pain. Clarissa…. She was their pride, and when she took her life…. They just wanted to move away from all of it. They even left the town." The priest explains.
"... I understand; I'm not blaming them. We all choose how to cope with the pain. Some face it head-on, while others choose other methods. We're all allowed to make our own choices regardless of the opinions of others. That's what makes us human, after all." Asia looks at the priest, who keeps evading her eyes. "I'm not here to judge you, so please have the courtesy to face me head-on."
"But-"
"You made a choice, and I made mine. You sought to bind me to a life that would likely keep me safe, but I wanted the ability to choose my path." Asia looks at the palm of her hands. "A path that I'm still carving with these hands."
The priest felt as if he didn't know this girl anymore. It was as if the young Asia he watched grow was nowhere to be found. "Asia, are you sure about this? Knowing the dangers of working with them doesn't take a genius. You're just a child."
Asia smiles. "A child I am but not a human like you or the rest, head priest. Regardless of how scary it turns and how many dangerous situations I could face, I won't stop. I will continue to fight alongside the Alliance."
"Asia…" The head priest couldn't shake his fears as his eyes still saw the child from the past, not the present Asia. He felt she needed to be protected and not the other way around.
Ddraig sees this and sees no other way out than intervening. "You two need to speak, and my presence might get in the way. Asia, I'll come back once you're done."
"But-" Asia stops herself as she sees his expression.
He smiles at her before he holds her hand. "It is best to speak your mind now and not later. He will understand you. Don't lose hope."
"... Alright," Asia replies with some visible tension.
Ddraig starts to walk away but stops next to the priest. "She can choose by herself, so don't try to undermine her. She's not a fool."
The priest remained silent.
A few seconds go by until Ddraig is no longer around. The priest and Asia look at each other without saying a word until Asia can't take it any longer.
"You came to deliver flowers to her tomb, didn't you?"
The priest nods.
Asia nods. "Let me help you with that."
The girl and priest kneeled before the tomb and placed the flowers around it.
"... You search for her?... Are you alright after seeing her tomb?" The priest asks with visible difficulty.
Asia takes a moment to think before she answers. "It hurt to know that she was dead and her tomb was always so close by, but it doesn't hurt that much. I learned to accept it and not let it get to me. She might be gone, but I'm not alone. In… the end, I never needed parents. I just needed him and "Our" unusual family of misfits."
The priest felt relieved as he saw her so calm and joyful as she mentioned her new family, but deep inside, another fear of his came back to the surface. "... You found your way to this tomb… does that mean you also met that man?"
Asia stopped moving as her mind replayed that event. The pain felt fresh as his words cut deep into her, but she had changed since then. She had learned a lesson she had not forgotten to this day. "... I did. Curiosity got the best of me. I asked for help finding that man, and in the end, my dreams were crushed as he was no father, and he would never be one. To him, I was another one of the several unwanted children, and that doesn't seem to be changing."
"Asia, my child." The priest tried to hug her, but Asia stopped him.
"I don't need your hugs. That experience taught me everything I needed to know about the man who planted the seed necessary for birth. I'm not his daughter, and he's not my father; I never needed a father and will not need it anytime soon." Her voice didn't hide her pain, yet it also showed that as a child of the Chaos household, she was not like any normal child her age. "I have all that I need with them and even more."
"They? As in the Welsh Dragon and his family? Have you truly been accepted within their group?"
Asia nods as she continues to arrange the flowers around the tomb. "I created many memories alongside them and continue to do so. I'll admit that our lives are far from the human expectation, but this life alongside them is the one that I seek to follow regardless of the danger. I might not share even a hint of blood with them, but that doesn't stop us from being connected. I can cry, laugh, sleep, eat, study, play, train, and do everything I seek to do, knowing that they will support me. I don't need a life alongside normal humans; I'm fine with the supernatural family I already have."
Asia pulls out a small golden pendant hidden under her jacket. As she opens the pendant, a small photo of the Welsh Dragon standing next to each other remains on one side of the pendant, while on the other side is a different photo that contains most members of the ever growing household.
The priest looks at both photos. "You… seem happy to be with him…. What is the Welsh Dragon to you? Is he just a savior figure, or maybe something deeper?"
Asia shakes her head in disappointment. "The answer is not that simple, as I'm still defining what place he holds in my life, but I know one thing. Regardless of what the answer is, he and I will remain family. He is important to me, and that's all you need to know."
The priest could see the determination behind her emerald eyes. The same determination that drove her actions back when she left remained unbroken. The old man couldn't say anything to make Asia turn back, and he knew it. "... You have changed so much in such a short time. I don't know if anything I say can even reach you."
Asia doesn't say anything for a moment as she continues examining her precious pendant. "... You raised me since I can remember to be a nun, a helping hand that was there to aid and heal, yet you never gave me a chance to want something more. I might be young, but my desires and dreams have been supported by him and all of those within our family. You wanted to protect me by keeping me chained to a fate you chose for me, yet "He" has done the opposite by offering his hand to me and letting me decide what I want. I wanted the freedom to choose and to seek my own path; now that I have it, I won't let it escape my hands. I want to become an exorcist that is trusted and respected within the Alliance. I can heal a million souls, but these hands can do much more. It might be dangerous, but this is my path. This young human girl will fight alongside other races from every corner of the World Tree to protect the future. Please, don't try to fight it anymore." Her eyes turn towards the tombstone. "I know if she is watching me from the afterlife, she might be scared like you are right now, but this daughter of hers will not stop. Anyone with the will to fight has to pull their weight for the sake of the future."
The priest felt even worse as he listened to her. Here he was, an adult incapable of even protecting this young girl. He felt useless as his one goal was impossible to achieve.
Asia noticed the sadness in his eyes as he remained silent. She disliked that he was obsessed with protecting her to the point he had kept secrets from her, but it didn't mean she didn't understand why he did it. "... Regardless of what happened, I thank you for caring for me when I was younger. I.. don't hate you, but we have our paths. My future lies with the Alliance and the Welsh Dragon, while yours lies with this town's orphans and people. It will take time, but I want you to accept this; I can walk alone without you looking after me. But know this: I'm not alone; many will cover my back."
Asia stands up and points her finger at the sky. "While you look up at the sky, remember that I'm out there, fighting to protect you and the orphans alongside Gabriel-sama and many others."
The priest saw her smile, and although it was hard to let go, he felt a bit proud of the girl who stood before him. Regardless of what she became, a nun or an exorcist, Asia remained on the path of grace without forgetting the teachings he taught her, which gave him some peace.
It would take time, but he would accept this new Asia one day.
Sometime after.
"Ready to go?" Ddraig asks as he returns to the cemetery.
Asia nods before she turns to the priest. "I will come by to visit the orphans at another date."
The head priest nods. "We'll patiently wait for you. Can I ask what are your plans after this?"
"We're going to meet another exorcist that you might know of. She's currently training a special agent that might join us later on." Asia explains.
"A future ally, I do hope that special agent is one you can trust." The priest then turns to Ddraig. He examines his body and notices the difference from his previous visit, yet decides not to worry too much. "Please, keep protecting her…. I won't be able to forgive you if Asia ever falls because you couldn't keep her safe."
"Head priest…" Asia glares at him, but Ddraig stops her.
He smiles and places a hand on her shoulder. "I wouldn't be able to forgive myself either if that were to happen. I will watch over her until the day she departs to heaven. I won't allow her to die; you can trust me with that."
Asia crosses her arms. "I should be the one protecting you now."
The two males laugh as they see the expression on her face.
Their meeting then ends as each side says goodbyes. The head priest contains his tears as he sees Ddraig flying away with Asia in his arms.
Like a father, once their children leave the nest, the priest holds his chest as a painful sensation takes hold.
"This old heart of mine might not last for too long, but I pray for your safety until the very end, Asia."
Meanwhile, Asia's POV.
"... He seemed older and much more drained than before. Do you think that his time is coming?" Asia asks.
"One can't know the exact date when their lives end, but I tell you this: that man is not afraid of what's coming. He doesn't fear death; he fears leaving things unfinished, and today, you took a weight off his back. Humans should live on without regrets because their lives are short, but with the right mentality, each second could be filled with wonderful memories. Live on without regrets, Asia; that is my one piece of advice to all humans. Especially you, live by following your dreams, and I shall watch over you until the very end." Ddraig says as he continues to fly.
Asia feels a sense of peace as she listens to his voice. The girl can't help but smile as she touches his face. "... Don't die. I still need you around. There's still a lot that I have yet to see and experience."
"... I'll do my best," Ddraig replies, although deep inside, he knew that his time might be coming soon.
Another 10 minutes. Location: Sacred City of Purify Ash.
What once was the center of the Vatican was now a completely different site of pilgrimage and sanctity.
The old buildings, which the previous church had called a home, had been burned to ash; in their place, new ones had been built from sacred wood.
But something remained even after so many buildings had disappeared; the ash remained as a sign of purification and judgment.
Along the streets, the ash created by the crimson flames that consumed the old institution didn't disappear, nor could it be cleaned even if they tried.
Some called it the vestige of a corrupted institution clearance by divine judgment, while others called it the everlasting mark of the new era in which humanity was reached out by the heavens once more.
Regardless of the symbolism, the ash was now part of the renamed city, and the Welsh Dragon didn't know what to feel when seeing humans accepting the results of his actions with open arms.
"Did they need to rename the city to this?" Ddraig asked as he landed atop one of the many wooden houses.
"It is for the best. We eliminated what came before to reform the church and guide humanity. Sacrifices were made, but now, this city is closer to the true vision of our religion. Not one that is driven by greed or power but by real faith and not just fake promises. This is a real holy city, and everyone knows it. Now, come along. Griselda-san must be waiting for us." Asia looks around until she sees a path towards their target. She then raises her hand and points at a tall building isolated from most of the city. "There. That has to be the main base of the exorcists."
"Alright." Ddraig flaps his wings and takes off.
Several humans around the town point their fingers at him as they see his figure, but neither Ddraig nor Asia seems to care as they cross the city.
After a short flight, the pair finally reached the training grounds which surrounded the building.
Several guards observed them as they descended, but no one moved a finger to stop them as their arrival was expected.
"This place is far bigger than I imagined. They really put a lot of effort into making it into a true base for those that want to remain in the human world." Asia said as she hopped out of his arms.
Ddraig noticed that the building was more akin to a heavily fortified fortress on the outside, but on the inside, he knew that it was far from an ancient fortress on the inside.
Before the dragon could say another word, the front gates of the building were open. Two figures appeared, but one of them rushed forward to meet the pair.
"Oh, my god! Is it really you?" A young girl said as she stopped a few meters away from Ddraig. Her stature was a bit higher than that of Asia, but he could tell by her appearance that she was around the same age as Asia. Her blue and green hair was arranged into a ponytail while a large wooden sword rested on her back. A dark blue trainee suit covered every inch of her body.
It was far too big for her stature, but she seemed unfazed as she ran with it.
Yet the most surprising details about this girl were her eyes and the small blue horns on the top of her head. Her eyes weren't like those of a normal human; instead, they resembled those of a soul he had met not too long ago.
Eyes that seemed to challenge the very gods.
"Enkidu?" Ddraig said as he saw the girl's appearance.
"Enkidu? Wait, you know my ancestor?" The girl asked with a grinning expression.
Asia turned to Ddraig with a confused look.
"Xenovia, this is not how you should welcome our allies." An older woman said. A white uniform that resembled Asia's covered her body, the only difference being that the red color was replaced by light silver. A gruesome, visible scar rested across her face as if something had tried to separate the upper half of her face from her lower half—an auburn braid swayed from one side to the other while her blue eyes remained focused on the pair. Her body was like a fruit of temptation that nobody should dare to touch unless they had the will to fight her to death. "Welcome, Sir Enfoncer and Miss Colombo. I apologize for my daughter's actions. She's an admirer of yours."
As she got closer, the duo noticed a blade wrapped in bandages resting on her back.
Ddraig shakes his head. "The pleasure is ours, Ms. Quarta."
"We feel no offense to the actions of this young girl." Asia followed as she tried to act as mature as possible.
Xenovia crossed her arms as she continued to smirk. "You must be the famous exorcist who is training under Gabriel-sama. I've been dreaming about meeting you. I want to test your strength."
Griselda shook her head as she approached the group before delivering a swift karate chop on Xenovia. "How often must I tell you to be more respectful when speaking to others? You're going to make hair gray out before my time."
Xenovia grabbed her head as she glared at her guardian. "Granny, why must you be so violent with me?"
Griselda raised her hand once more before dropping another chop on the child. "I'm not that old, you disrespectful brat."
"You are. You're-" Xenovia didn't get to finish her sentence as Griselda grabbed her face and buried it in the ground without a drop of mercy.
The other exorcists around the area shook their heads in shame as they saw an all-too-familiar sight.
Ddraig and Asia gulp as they witness this.
"Griselda Quarta, one of the strongest humans of this generation. Truly a ruthless human." Ddraig told himself.
After this, Griselda released the head of the child before Xenovia pulled her head as if nothing happened from the ground.
Asia was amazed as Xenovia didn't seem to have a single scratch. "Are you even human?"
Xenovia turned to Asia as she heard the question. "Not a pure human."
"Our family tree has connections to the one called the Man of Clay, better known as Enkidu. She shares more similarities than me with our most famous ancestor, but we're not fully human." Griselda explains. "This child is my adoptive daughter, but in reality, she's a distant relative whom I raised since she was a baby."
"As if an old lady like you could ever find s-" Xenovia buried her face in the ground again.
"I apologize for her disrespectful attitude. She's still just a child." Griselda said with a creepy smile. "You will ignore her comments, won't you?"
Ddraig and Asia rapidly nodded as they felt the deadly aura emanating from the woman.
"Very well. Now, Asia, I wanted to meet you, but before that, would you be so kind as to spar with this brat? I'd like to see if my young daughter matches the famous student of Gabriel-sama."
"... I guess that's why I came here for." Asia turns to Ddraig.
"Do your best, but be careful. Don't go too hard on her." Ddraig advices the girl.
Xenovia returns her head to the surface before pointing her finger at Asia. "I will show Sir Welsh that I'm better than you."
Asia glares as she cracks her knuckles. "I won't fall to you."
Their auras arose as they challenged each other like lifetime rivals.
A few moments afterward.
Griselda and Ddraig sat on the sidelines of the training grounds, and Asia and Xenovia stood in the middle of the arena.
Asia held a wooden staff while Xenovia wielded her large wooden sword. Asia had taken removed her uniform only to replace it with her suit, but the jewels in the suit didn't look active, as if the suit was turned off.
"Are you two ready?" Griselda asks.
"Yes." Both girls reply.
"Alright, show us your best. Fight." Griselda shouts.
The two girls clash as they show the best that they have to offer. Xenovia's strength is far from that of a normal human as she wielded the sword easily and forced Asia to evade the attacks instead of trying to block them. Still, Asia's speed and ability to adapt allowed her to use any opening to deliver precise attacks, which pushed the grinning Xenovia back.
Ddraig examines each movement that Xenovia makes while reflecting on the main reason why he has come here.
"What do you think? Is she the right candidate?" Griselda asks.
"... She's too young to say, but her talent is admirable at such a young age. Talent won't be enough to inherit Excalibur. We must give the sword to someone who understands the responsibility of wielding such a weapon. Someone who won't betray our expectations. I can't agree so easily with lending her even one at this age. I would need to see her in the field and test her will, ideals, and determination through many challenges. I don't want to sell you fake dreams."
Griselda shakes her head. "I know. I proposed her as a candidate, not as the final choice. I know she's too immature for such a responsibility, but I hope that she can grow up into a fine lady capable of facing the future challenges of the Alliance. We plan to give her a replica of Durandal until she's ready to wield a true holy sword."
Ddraig looks at the sword which is resting on her back. "You don't see her as the inheritor of Durandal?"
"Not unless I die. I will continue to wield this blade until my final breath. Xenovia can inherit any other blade until then. I might be in my early 50s, but I still have the will to fight and see a new era….. I traveled as a wandering exorcist for years because I couldn't easily follow the will of the pope and the other heads. They distrusted me and saw me as an element they had to eliminate on many occasions, just like with Vasco, so they tended to give me the worst missions they could. They even gave me the order to eliminate Xenovia when they heard that a child with horns was born in Siberia. How funny it was when I reached the region and realized that the child was a distant relative of mine. They had the guts of asking me to eliminate my own family."
"Would you have eliminated her if she wasn't your relative?" Ddraig asks.
Griselda points a finger to the scar on her face. "This thing in my face was thanks to their black ops unit; they sent a group to eliminate me when I chose to help a young devil to return to the Underworld. I don't follow orders I can't believe in. I believe in our religion, but I can question the choices made by the upper echelons if they conflict with my personal beliefs. I'm not a blind follower."
Griselda then points at many exorcists witnessing the fight from the sidelines. "None of those in here are blind followers. We follow the angels because we believe in them and what they seek to achieve. They had never lied to us; they even revealed things few humans know, which secured my allegiance to them."
"You know?" Ddraig asks.
"All of us except for Xenovia know. We wanted no secrets, and we got the answers we sought. It is funny that many outside these walls don't know how broken heaven is after that war, but at least Michael-sama and the rest haven't given up. I ask only this from you, Sir Enforcer; don't betray our expectations. If you're truly going to lead us to an era in which Xenovia is not seen as a monster, I will follow you until the end. She knows about your legends and past, yet she sees the present "You" as a symbol and figure she seeks to follow. Don't destroy her dreams and show her a future as bright as the sun above. Show all of us that things can change and that regardless of the past, we can understand each other."
"... I'll do my best," Ddraig answered as his eyes followed the fight between the two girls.
Griselda's words felt like a pair of weights that he couldn't let go of. The expectations kept arising each day, yet he could only hope for one thing.
"Can you match these expectations when I'm gone, Issei?"
As his eyes met those of Asia, he felt a sharp pain in his chest as he couldn't help but worry about the future in which he couldn't see her anymore, but he did his best to keep them hidden as his hope for the sleeping Budha keep him at peace.
The countdown continues.
Countdown:... 7
Author's notes:
Xenovia Quarta: Distant descendant of Enkidu. Orphan due to family circumstances. Although her parents are alive, her features drove them to let go of her. She understands the reasons, yet she doesn't forgive them for not even reaching out to her. She sees Griselda as her mother, and although she jokes a lot, she cares for her and sees her as the only family member she has. Her bratty attitude can get her in trouble, but she has a pure disposition to protect those weaker than her while also seeking to match those stronger. She likes strong beings. She admires the Welsh Dragon and loves that he openly shows his horns without fear—the only current candidate to inherit Excalibur.
Griselda Quarta: Distant descendant of Enkidu and one of the strongest humans of this age. She lacks many of her ancestor's features yet retains his strength, endurance, and longevity. She cares for humanity yet remains mostly isolated from the public due to having seen the worst it can offer. She has no strong bonds with her family outside Xenovia. She cares deeply for Xenovia and sees her as her daughter; she claims she will fight anyone who seeks to date her as a kind of test. She has made a vow of purity to the heavens and has no romantic relations, but some rumors cast doubt on this, as it has been said that she and Vasco Strada are (Redacted due to interference by the subject). She deeply respects the angels, and even though she knows about the death of the Bible God, she hasn't lost hope. She dislikes being told she's old, although she ages far slower than pure humans—current wielder of Durandal.