{Family Bonds Arc}
Me, Mio, Shinji, Elliot and Karen were all seated at the table now. Elliot and Karen introduced themselves to Mio and Shinji before we proceeded with ironing out the final details, now that Ratatoskr has entered the picture.
"Wait! Aren't you the man that let us run away 18 years ago?" Shinji asked with surprise.
"Yes. My name is Elliot Baldwin Woodman, founder of Ratatoskr; the countering organisation to DEM." Elliot responded.
"And I am his assistant, Karen Mathers. It's nice to meet you, Shinji, Mio." Karen chimed.
"Now, let's get to business. Elliot, what is your goal?" I asked with curiosity.
"My goal for creating Ratatoskr, is to save spirits. I believe, that spirits are as authentic as human beings. I also believe, that they shouldn't be killed just because they cause Spacialquakes." Elliot explained wholeheartedly.
"So after you let us go, you turned against Westcott.. woah." Shinji said in surprise.
"I'm grateful for you allowing us to escape his grasp back then." Mio chimed in gratitude.
"Elliot. Theoretically if me, Shinji and Mio were to be taken in by Ratatoskr, what would happen?" I asked, intrigued.
"The three of you would live in an apartment complex which is owned by Ratatoskr. We usually buy properties along the outskirts of Tengu City just to be safe, though our reach extends beyond just the outskirts. Either that, or you 2 can work in our facility which would mean living near the centre of the city. Either way, you'll be safe and sound." Elliot explained with confidence in his voice.
"Scara, I've just had a thought. When Mio splits into 2 existances, her doppelganger can assume the identity of an analyst." Shinji mentioned.
"That's actually not a bad idea Shinji." I responded.
"Wait wait, Mio can split into 2?" Karen asked in surprise.
"I can. Though you must NOT tell a soul." Mio stated assertively.
"Of course. Anything related to any spirit is safe with me." Elliot replied.
"Now, DEM. Their return is confirmed for 2032. If you take Mio and Shinji under Ratatoskr's protection, make sure they're treated well and are taken care of. I mean it." I stated assertively.
"I won't allow DEM to lay a finger on these two, that I can assure you. When DEM is back in Japan, I'll put my forces on high alert. For the time being though, Shinji and Mio can live their lives as they are currently and we'll start getting everything into place during late 2031 as to make sure they're protected." Elliot responded calmly, showing that he was thinking steps ahead.
"It sounds like you got a plan to make sure Westcott doesn't lay a finger on Mio. That's reassuring. If everything else fails, I'll be her final line of defense. As a man, and as her beloved, it is my duty to make sure she's unharmed." Shinji stated with confidence, Mio giving him a warm smile.
"I was right to leave her in your hands all those years ago, Shinji. You've become quite the fine young man since then." Elliot said with a smile of his own.
As the others kept ironing out the details, I spaced out, deep in thought.
"So, Mio and Shinji will be under Ratatoskr's protection, which is great. Most of the plan remains the same though. Shido will be taken care of by Haruko and Tatsuo from when he's 8. I'd imagine Mio's doppelganger would start distributing the remaining Sephirah around, starting with Kurumi Tokisaki." I thought to myself.
...ra... Scara! A disoriented voice called out, making me snap back to my senses.
"Wha, what?" I asked frantically.
"Make sure you don't do anything reckless, you hear me?" Shinji said, a serious look dawning his face.
"I ain't dying now, not at least for another 20 years. Have a little more faith in me Shinji." I replied with confidence.
"Alright, so are we all in agreement that Mio and Shinji will come under Ratatoskr's protection against DEM?" Elliot questioned.
"I agree." I stated.
"I also agree." Shinji chimed.
"If Shin agrees, I do too." Mio followed.
"Okay. Then we'll make the preparations over the course of the next three years. I can promise you 3 that I will do everything in my power to ensure Westcott doesn't find you." Elliot said with a reassuring tone.
"Elliot, it's time we head out. We got work to do." Karen mentioned with a somewhat stoic look on her face.
"Okay. Well, this matter has been settled. It's time I took my leave. I'll be seeing you three again soon. Take care until then." Elliot said with a smile before departing from the residence with Karen pushing him along.
Once they were out of earshot, I turned to Mio and Shinji, reassuring them.
"You can trust him and Ratatoskr. They are the good guys and I know that. You don't have to worry you two." I said with a gentle yet sincere tone.
"If you trust them, we do also." Mio stated with a fire in her eyes.
After that, I departed from the residence to allow the couple to have their time alone with Shido once he woke up.
Hint: This section is best read while listening to the calmer varient of "Signal Recieved" by CDMusic.
Link: https/youtu.be/C4l4sYVEgKA?feature=shared
12 days later.
1st of August, 2028.
I was strolling along the hillside that overlooked Tengu City, getting a breath of fresh air. Admittedly, it felt nice getting away from everything, even if it's for a moment.
I walked to the highest point of the hill, where a telescope sits. I sat down next to said telescope, taking in the city view without the need for a zoom in. As I was doing so, I didn't know whether the hand of fate was at work or not, but someone familiar just so happened to be not far behind me.
"Hey! You look familiar!" A familiar voice called out.
I turned around, seeing a woman with silver hair, glasses, pretty eyes and a petite figure.
Yep, I knew her. Nia Honjo.
"Jesus, it's been years. How've you been Nia?" I responded, looking into her eyes as I talked.
"So it is you Scara! My goodness, it's been a long time, hasn't it?" Nia asked with a tone of nostalgia.
"Yeah. How's your manga drawing going? I see your works are selling." I said with a hint of surprise.
"Yeah! My works are flying off the shelves! Silver Bullet especially! Folks just simply love it!" Nia responded enthusiastically.
"Gotta love manga and light novels." I said with a hint of nostalgia, recalling back to when I was reading the Date A Live Light Novel as the "old me" back in my old reality.
"I know right? 2D is just the best!" Nia announced with pride.
"Anyways Nia, how comes you're up here?" I asked with curiosity.
"Oh you know, just having a moment to myself. But, now that I think about it, this is actually nice." Nia said with a gentle tone as she took a seat next to me.
"Rasiel still lending you the world's secrets?" I asked with interest.
"Yeah, may aswell call it the book of spoilers." Nia responded with a hint of a annoyance.
"Ahh right, you hate spoilers no matter what. If Rasiel is still optimal, you should know everything that's going to happen in the next 10 years." I mentioned with a serious tone.
"Rasiel doesn't necessarily work like that. I mean, I have this 1 ability called 'Future Entry' if that's what you're trying to get at." Nia said with a confused look on her face.
"Ahh, I see." I responded with a stoic tone.
"By the way, why are you so cold and distant all the time? You've been like that ever since we met back all those years ago." Nia asked with curiosity.
"Don't ask as if you don't know Nia. You literally looked into me with Rasiel when we were in that restaurant back then." I replied with a slight frown, the topic hitting home.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right about that. Listen, my situation in that regard is somewhat similar to yours, but in my case, maybe I don't have the natural aptitude to love another person." Nia said with a melancholic tone.
I then looked over at Nia, seeing the dampened expression on her face.
"Nia, that expression don't suit you, not at all. Maybe one day you'll come to fall in love with somebody. Sure, it may take time, but in the end, I think your time to be loved will come." I mentioned with a gentle tone, seeing her expression brighten slightly.
"Thank you Scara. You have no idea how much I needed to hear that. Until that day comes, I'll keep on devoting my whole heart to writing manga." Nia responded with a soft voice, as if I was in the presence of a delicate maiden (which I was).
"Listen Nia. In 2032, things are going to change, big time. All I'll ask is, is that you remain on your guard, like you always have been." I stated with a serious tone.
"I might just have to drop my guard after what you just said." Nia teased.
"Just be on your guard, for the love of christ." I responded assertively.
"Alright alright, I will." Nia said with a smile.
"Now then, I should get going. I gotta start preparing for when 2032 arrives." I mentioned as I stood up slowly.
"Okay then Scara. Just like you said to me, make sure you don't do anything reckless." Nia stated with a serious tone, giving a gentle smile shortly after.
"I promise." I replied with a smirk as I walked away from the scene.
As I walked away, my mind raced with thoughts on how to prepare for when DEM come back.
All that I knew was, was from 2032 onwards, it would be nothing but continuous chaos.
A/N: Now this, is shaping up to be great! I can't wait to imagine the next chapter.
There was a review with a very good analysis regarding which spirit would be best for Scara and I must say, I agree with it. I can also integrate appropriate relationships for the other characters (Shido x Tohka etc.)
Scara with the assistance of Ratatoskr has safely secured Shinji and Mio's future. He has also bonded with Nia over a common issue they share.
Next time: "Final Respite." Don't miss it!