Chapter 19.
The Indestructible Divine Bond! Gabriel's Descent!
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A gentle breeze rustled the dry leaves scattered across the ground as Ryuma slowly descended, his pitch-black wings carrying him to a soft landing. His eyes burned crimson, like pools of blood, fixed on the house standing before him.
The recent encounter had drained his energy. For some reason, he felt far weaker than he used to be. Was it because he had been sealed for so long? The loss of most of his wings had left him vulnerable; even a lowly Fallen Angel he had previously fought had managed to give him such trouble. With a long sigh, he slowly raised her right hand, gazing at it as it gradually became enveloped in a dense black mist that swirled around his palm.
He had never seen such power before, let alone possessed it. Even as a fallen angel, he couldn't wield his light-based abilities; for some reason, all his former powers had vanished from his memory. Ryuma knew he had to adapt to this mysterious new power if he wanted to survive in this world.
Then, a fierce wind began to howl, sending everything around him—leaves, dust, and even nearby objects—flying into the air. Just as Ryuma tilted his head upward, he saw a golden light, so blindingly bright that it pierced his eyes with its majestic radiance, forcing him to shield them with his hands.
"Azrallik-san! I've come for you."
Ryuma's eyes widened instantly as he heard the familiar voice—soft, beautiful, and emanating from the direction of the golden light. There was no mistaking it: this was the arrival of someone deeply familiar, someone close to his heart, someone he had never forgotten.
"Ga-Gabriel?!"
That was the only name Ryuma could utter as a girl of extraordinary beauty, surpassing even the goddesses, stood before him.
Clad in a pristine white gown and golden armor emblazoned with a cross, she was no ordinary maiden.
She was Gabriel, one of Heaven's great Seraphs, who had inexplicably descended to this world.
Gabriel was the most beautiful angel in Heaven, sister to Michael, the current leader of the angels, and Ryuma's own sister, right before his fall.
The beautiful-faced angel was one of the great Seraphim who had been closest to him, for Ryuma had once been the eldest and first-created angel, followed by Michael.
"By The Great Heavenly Father... Why are you here, my holy sister?" Ryuma stammered, slowly approaching Gabriel. He couldn't believe she had truly descended to the human world. He knew that Heaven forbade any of its angels, even Michael himself, from entering the mortal realm, a consequence of the great war that had raged millennia ago.
"For the glory of our Father, I stand here for you, Azrallik-san." With her innocent and gentle voice, Gabriel wrapped her arms around Ryuma's waist, slowly pulling him closer and embracing him tightly, pouring out all the longing she felt for her brother, who had suffered for so long and been so far away.
Gabriel's warm embrace moved Ryuma deeply. It was the first time he had ever experienced genuine love and affection, something completely absent during his years of imprisonment. He felt immensely grateful to have a sister like Gabriel. Not only was the Seraph breathtakingly beautiful, but she also possessed a heart of extraordinary tenderness, innocence, and boundless compassion.
Ryuma could feel Gabriel's body and curves with such vivid clarity. Her full breasts, warm breath, and delicate, soft touch made him slowly wrap his arms around her slender waist. The beautiful girl gasped, her face flushing crimson, but she didn't resist. Instead, Gabriel tightened her embrace around Ryuma.
"Didn't Michael forbid angels from descending from Heaven? How are you here?" Ryuma gently cupped Gabriel's chin, making her look directly at him. Her beautiful face flushed crimson, the blush spreading across both cheeks.
"That won't stop me from being with you, Azrallik-san. I'll never let you be alone again. Michael-san has already given me permission to leave and accompany you here, hoping that you might return to the Father's path."
Gabriel's voice, so gentle and innocent, made Ryuma nod slowly. As one of the great Seraphim, Gabriel could certainly make exceptions to the rules of Heaven, especially now that Michael, the de facto leader of Angels and Heaven after God's death, held such immense power. Nothing seemed impossible for him.
"We can't reveal our true identities here, Gabriel. I hope you understand, this isn't the Heaven you've always known. This is a place where Devils and Fallen Angels roaming free, and we mustn't provoke them." Recalling the great war of ages past, Ryuma warned Gabriel against carelessly displaying her true nature in this world. He was acutely aware of the escalating conflicts between Fallen Angels and Devils, and he knew that if Angels of Heaven were drawn into the fray, the long-dormant war could reignite.
"I'm not a child, you know!" Gabriel pouted her crimson lips and puffed out her cheeks after hearing Ryuma's warning, slowly releasing her embrace. She crossed her arms just below her chest, looking utterly adorable like a child sulking over a perceived slight.
"I know... But you look so much like a cute little girl, Gabriel. That's one of the reasons so many Angels fell for you," Ryuma chuckled softly, gently stroking Gabriel's head. Her long, flowing blonde hair swayed in the cool night breeze, her beauty truly breathtaking, reminding him of something from Heaven long ago.
What Ryuma said was a truth known throughout Heaven, from the first realm to the sixth. Countless Angels had fallen in love with Gabriel, but Heaven's laws strictly forbade love and lust. Many Angels had fallen to the underworld because of these forbidden desires—the yearning for love and the lust for her radiant beauty. However, since God's death, these rules had been changed to stem the growing number of Angels falling from grace.
"But you, Azrallik-san... You didn't fall because of that. You fell because of something you had to do. Everything you did before won't make you an unholy creature. You are part of me and Heaven, the Angel of Life and Death."
"That's not true... But I wish it were, Gabriel."
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A new morning finally arrived, and Ryuma had one thing he needed to do. Armed with his memories and former identity, he was neither Azrallik nor an Angel of Heaven in this world. He was Yatomichi Ryuma, and he would fulfill his proper role. Standing before a large mirror, he gazed at his new appearance. His jet-black hair framed his handsome face, and his dark eyes held an air of mystery. Dressed in the Kuoh Academy uniform, he looked like an ordinary human—exactly as he wished.
But then, the door to her room swung wide open, startling Ryuma slightly. He turned his head, his eyes widening and mouth dropping open as he beheld something he had never imagined before. There stood Gabriel, dressed in the Kuoh Academy girls' uniform. Her long, blonde hair cascaded down her back, and the uniform clung perfectly to her curves, making her look utterly stunning.
"How do I look today? Michael-san has prepared everything for me, including going to Kuoh Academy with you!" Gabriel immediately hugged Ryuma from behind, her voice bubbling with childlike glee.
"Hey, hey, calm down! Okay, fine, we'll go together."
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"She's so beautiful! Damn Ryuma, stealing another gorgeous girl again!"
"Damn you, Ryuma! Why are you so lucky?!"
"Just wait, Ryuma! I'll skin you alive later! I'll never forget this!"
The raucous shouts of Kuoh Academy's male students erupted across the academy the moment they saw Ryuma walking with Gabriel, her arm looped around his right arm, pressing her curves against his body for all to see.
Naturally, all the male students would be jealous, envious, and cursing Ryuma for this. In their eyes, Ryuma was an obstacle to them getting girlfriends—how could they possibly find partners when every girl in the academy was head over heels for him?!
"Aww... My heart is broken..."
"Why did you choose him, my handsome prince?! You should have chosen me..."
"Damn it, I've been completely outdone by that girl. I give up."
It wasn't just the male students who were jealous and envious; countless female students also felt the same way toward Gabriel, for being able to walk hand-in-hand with Ryuma like a romantic couple. However, neither Ryuma nor Gabriel paid any attention to the whispers. Gabriel focused on accompanying Ryuma in this world, while Ryuma himself remained preoccupied with a single, troubling thought.
Suddenly, Gabriel tightened her grip on Ryuma's right arm, alerting him that something was amiss. Sure enough, in the distance, he spotted Rias and Akeno walking together. As an Angel, Gabriel was acutely aware of the aura of Devils, and she remained highly vigilant, knowing Devils were her natural enemies.
"Azrallik-san... That's Rias Gremory of the Gremory family, a noble Devil from the Underworld. Have you ever heard of her?" Gabriel whispered, glancing cautiously at Rias Gremory with her beautiful eyes. She remained vigilant, knowing that even the smallest conflict could have far-reaching consequences.
"I know, she's Rias Gremory. But—"
Just as Ryuma was about to finish speaking, Rias suddenly locked eyes with him. Her eyes widened instantly, and without hesitation, the beautiful crimson-haired girl sprinted toward him and embraced him tightly, followed closely by Akeno. All eyes in Kuoh Academy immediately turned to focus on the four of them: Ryuma, Rias, Akeno, and Gabriel.
"Ryuma, where have you been? Don't you know how long I've been searching for you? How hard it's been to find you?!"
Ryuma was completely paralyzed, unable to move or even utter a single word. Rias held him in a tight embrace, and Akeno slowly wrapped her arms around him from behind. This felt utterly foreign to him, yet he couldn't bring himself to reject it. When he glanced sideways, he saw Gabriel smiling gently at him, her expression so tender and innocent.
"You must have so many things to do, Ryuma-san. I'll leave now and wait for you to return from the Academy." Gently, Gabriel slowly released her grip on Ryuma's right hand and walked away, leaving him with Rias and Akeno. She was truly innocent, but thankfully she hadn't called him by his Angel name. If she had, it would have caused serious trouble.
"Where did you go, Ryuma? It's like you vanished from me and everyone else! Issei said you suddenly disappeared while trying to save Asia. Every day I've been searching for you, but I can't find you." Rias slowly lifted her head, revealing her stunningly beautiful face, now streaked with tears from her lovely eyes.
Though Ryuma and Rias had only known each other for a few days, Rias already considered him part of her family. After all he had done for her entire peerage, she saw him as more than just an acquaintance or even a stranger.
It wasn't just Rias. Akeno slowly leaned in, her warm breath tickling the back of Ryuma's neck, sending shivers down his spine. She pressed her body tightly against his back, her curves and ample chest clearly palpable against him.
"Ara-ara... But Ryuma is back now, Club President... There's no need to search for him anymore, because he won't leave you again." Akeno's voice was utterly seductive, especially as she whispered these words right next to his ear, leaving Ryuma stunned and speechless.
"Listen, Rias, Akeno... I'll explain everything, but not here."
Slowly, Ryuma released his embrace of Rias and Akeno, causing the two beautiful girls to gaze directly into his eyes. He glanced subtly to his right and left, as if signaling that he couldn't reveal the truth with so many people around. Understanding his unspoken message, Rias took his right hand and led him toward a secluded place where the truth would soon be revealed.
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"Damn it, man! I really owe you one for that day. Thank you so much for helping me back then, Ryuma. Thank you for helping me save Asia."
Ryuma finally arrived at the ORC building, the headquarters of Rias and her peerage, disguised as the Occult Research Club of Kuoh Academy. Before him stood Issei, bowing deeply and expressing his gratitude for Ryuma's past deeds. Ryuma knew that day he had played a crucial role in saving Asia from the Fallen Angels who sought to seize her Sacred Gear, Twilight Healing.
"U-um... I've heard so much about you from Issei-san and the others. Thank you so much, Ryuma-san!"
Speaking of Asia, Ryuma now noticed a beautiful blonde-haired girl standing right beside Issei, clasping her hands before her chest and bowing her head in gratitude as well. One thing was certain: Ryuma realized that Asia possessed a unique quality not shared by any other Devil besides herself. Within her, he could sense a sacred aura—a holy presence that could only be found in devout followers of God.
"There's no need for such formality. I simply helped where I could." With a warm smile, Ryuma reassured Issei and Asia not to dwell on the day's events. "The most important thing is that Asia is safe now. And Asia, there's no need to be afraid or worried anymore. Issei and your friends will always protect you."
Ryuma knew it was true. He could sense the demonic aura emanating from Asia's body, confirming she was no longer human but a Devil. Yet, this demonic presence couldn't completely conceal the sacred aura still buried deep within her, despite its attempts to smother it entirely. Rias then instructed everyone to sit down, as there was something important to discuss.
"Very well, I, Rias Gremory, am overjoyed at your return, Ryuma. I am deeply grateful for what you have done for my family. But there remains one question that I'm sure everyone here is eager to know..." Rias said, her voice both melodious and commanding, as she slowly glanced at each of her pieces. Akeno, Koneko, and Kiba nodded in response, clearly sharing her desire to understand what had truly happened. "Therefore, I ask you to tell us exactly what happened to you that day."
"Yatomichi-kun, after the pitch-black mist suddenly erupted from your body, splitting into countless tendrils that simultaneously felled every Exorcist, you vanished without a trace. What exactly happened?" Kiba asked, his gaze fixed intently on Ryuma, his eyes burning with curiosity and concern. He had witnessed the entire event with his own eyes.
"The Ryuma you knew before was a different person from me. The truth is long and complicated, and I don't know if you'll accept it... But..." Ryuma sighed deeply, his eyes sharpening as he fixed his gaze directly on Rias. "There's danger lurking around you, Rias. Not just you, but all your pieces."
"Wait... What do you mean the Ryuma we knew before wasn't you? And what danger are you referring to?" Rias asked, her confusion deepening as she slowly leaned closer to Ryuma. Her mind struggled to grasp what he was trying to explain.
"I am a Fallen Angel. Neither Devil nor Angel of Heaven. For ages, I have been imprisoned in a place beyond your imagination or reach. Someone—or rather, some being—has assumed my identity in this world, blending in with humans and even among you." Ryuma paused, letting out another long sigh as the memory of a woman he had encountered in the Cosmic Abyss resurfaced—the woman who had stolen his identity, the same woman who kept returning to him. "But I'm certain she harbors no ill intentions."
"Do you remember the creature you encountered before the Archangel came to banish it?" Ryuma continued, his gaze shifting between Rias and her entire group of servants.
"Yeah... It's truly incredibly strong. I've never seen anything like it before," Rias replied, glancing at Akeno. But then she froze, realizing how Ryuma could know this when he wasn't even there. "Wait a minute... How do you know...? You weren't even there... Could it be...?"
Everyone held their breath immediately after hearing Rias's words. Akeno, Kiba, and Asia widened their eyes, realizing the implications of what she had said. Meanwhile, Issei remained silent, completely clueless about what was happening. He even had time to sneak lecherous glances at Rias and Akeno's ample chests.
With a long sigh, Ryuma could only nod slowly, confirming what Rias, Akeno, Kiba, Koneko, and Asia already suspected: that he was the one who had saved them all. He stood up, closed his eyes, and in an instant, Rias's eyes widened as she saw two wings suddenly sprout from Ryuma's back.
These were no ordinary wings—not those of a Devil, Fallen Angel, or Angel of Heaven. His left wing was pitch-black, shedding dark feathers like those of a Fallen Angel, while his right wing was pure white with golden highlights, shedding luminous white feathers that shimmered with ethereal beauty.
"How... How could you be a Seraph?" Akeno asked, her eyes widening as she snapped her mouth shut and unconsciously took a few steps back.
"You're a hybrid of a Fallen Angel and a Angel of Heaven? How is that even possible?" Rias asked, her voice filled with astonishment as she stared at Ryuma's wings with intense curiosity.
"No. I am an Angel of Heaven who once resided there. I fell long before the Third Faction War, far before that. By now, I should be a sinner, a fallen angel. But..." Ryuma paused again, then plucked a radiant white feather from his wing, its purity and beauty striking. "I haven't fallen completely. There's something far greater than the sins I committed long ago. And that is the reason I did what I did."
"An Angel of Heaven?" Asia whispered, her gaze fixed intently on Ryuma, her eyes filled with awe and a hint of fear.
"You're a nun, aren't you?" Ryuma realized Asia's gaze and slowly began to approach her. But Kiba immediately positioned himself protectively in front of Asia, as if shielding her from him.
At that, Ryuma immediately stopped walking and turned to face Kiba. Kiba looked slightly wary of him, as did Rias, Akeno, Koneko, and Issei. The atmosphere grew tense after hearing the truth from him. Ryuma was aware of this; they had witnessed the truth he had been hiding all along. He was a Seraph, a mysterious Fallen Angel whose true intentions for being here remained unknown to them.
"I understand your caution toward me. That's fine. But I'll remind you again, Rias," Ryuma said softly, turning back to face her. "That Fallen Angel with Devil blood is still lurking nearby. He's trying to harm you because he knows you're the younger sister of Sirzechs Lucifer and your family is one of the 72 Pillars of the Underworld. And it's not just you—your friends are also in danger. I know you're not the only high-class Devil from the 72 Pillars in this city."
The mention of a Fallen Angel with demonic blood by Ryuma immediately put Rias on warning. Her demonic power leaked slightly, filling the room and making it feel oppressively heavy and uncomfortable. Yet Ryuma remained completely unfazed, meeting Rias's gaze without a trace of fear. He had to warn them all; otherwise, they risked falling into grave danger.
"I don't doubt your strength or your family, Rias," Ryuma continued firmly, trying to make her understand the gravity of the situation. "But this figure is not someone you can underestimate. He's a hybrid of fallen angel and devil, and he's bound to wield the element of light, which would be extremely dangerous for you."
"Do you understand? I'll never doubt you or your power. But this... this is different."
The room was utterly silent. Everyone exchanged glances, unsure of what to do next. Their fate rested entirely on Rias's decision. Akeno slowly approached Rias and whispered something softly into her ear.
"If what Ryuma said is true, then telling Sirzechs-sama about this is the best course of action, Club President. We witnessed his power that day. If not for Ryuma, we don't know what would have happened to us." Akeno whispered softly into Rias's ear, her voice firm yet hushed.
"No."
Ryuma's eyes widened slightly at Rias's blunt refusal, as did everyone else's. Akeno was also surprised that Rias hadn't hesitated for even a moment before saying no. The power of destruction within her began to leak out again, now stronger than before, causing a blood-red light to envelop her entire body.
"Thank you so much for saving me and all my family that day, and for everything you've done before. But this is my business, and I don't want anyone else, especially creatures other than Devils, interfering." Rias replied, her voice now cold and slightly threatening as she stared directly into Ryuma's eyes with a sharp gaze.
"Club President..." Kiba murmured softly, regretting his inability to stop Rias.
So tense... I can barely breathe. Issei thought to himself, sweat beading on his forehead as he witnessed the tension between Rias and Ryuma, especially with Rias's Power of Destruction still saturating the room.
Sensing the tension emanating from Rias, Ryuma could only sigh deeply. The aura of Destruction leaking from her was no longer a mere threat, but a clear warning. If he continued to escalate the tension, conflict would be inevitable, and that was the last thing he wanted.
"If that's what you truly desire, Rias, then I can only hope it's the best decision you've made," Ryuma replied, nodding slightly without adding another word.
"Very well," Rias said curtly. In an instant, all traces of her destructive power vanished, restoring the room to its usual calm.
"I suppose this is all I can tell you, Rias. Thank you for listening," Ryuma said with a faint smile, nodding slightly to Rias before leaving the ORC room.
After Ryuma's departure, the room fell silent once more. Not a word was spoken as everyone held their breath, anticipating what Rias would say next.
"I want all of you to be extra cautious from now on. Even though Ryuma has saved us several times in the past, he's still a Fallen Angel, and strangely, still considered part of the Angels of Heaven. His light-based powers will be extremely dangerous to us, so remain vigilant around him. He's not a friend we can trust yet." Rias commanded firmly, her sharp gaze sweeping across all her pieces, especially settling on Issei and Asia, who were still new to being Devils and naturally unaccustomed to dealing with such immense danger.
"Understood, Club President," Issei replied, giving a slight nod.
"Yes, Club President. I'll do as you command," Asia murmured, nodding her head like Issei.
"I understand, Club President," Kiba said, nodding in agreement.
"Hmmmn," Koneko replied briefly. Though her expression remained as impassive as ever, she also nodded, indicating her understanding.
"That's enough for today. Thank you for your hard work, everyone. And Issei, I expect great things from you in the future." Rias said, glancing at Issei. A warm smile spread across her beautiful face, easing the tense atmosphere.
"I won't let you down, Club President! Sooner or later, I'll build my harem!" Issei declared passionately, raising both arms in the air with unwavering determination.
Afterward, Kiba, Koneko, Asia, and Issei left the room, leaving only Rias and Akeno behind. Rias stood by the window, gazing out at the deserted Academy grounds. In the distance, she could see her family walking together, laughing and joking. The silence was broken by Akeno's voice.
"This isn't like you, Club President." Akeno said softly, her firm gaze fixed on Rias. "You would never normally take such a risk that endangers us all."
"I understand, Akeno. I understand the risks I'm taking. This will endanger all of you. All of us. But... I want you to trust me, Akeno. Because trust is the foundation of our bond. You're my second-in-command, the closest to me, Akeno. You were my first." Rias replied softly, slowly turning to face Akeno with a resolute gaze. Yet Akeno detected a flicker of doubt in Rias's eyes, as if she were concealing something.
"Of course I'll always trust you, Club President. You know that." Akeno replied with unwavering certainty, a faint smile now gracing her lips.
"I never imagined Ryuma was a Seraph... But I suppose anything is possible in this world, right? Just like how everyone at the Academy would never believe us if we told them we were Devils, because they have no idea about the truth. It's the same with Ryuma. We couldn't believe it when we saw him like that, because we didn't know the truth yet," Rias said with a long sigh, placing one hand on her hip and chuckling softly. "But I think... I'll try to uncover the whole truth."
"Ara... Ara... You're planning to keep him all to yourself, Club President? That's not fair." Akeno replied, her voice now dripping with sensual allure as she licked her lips with her tongue.
"No. At least, not for now." Rias said with a wide smile, turning back to gaze out the window with a look of unwavering determination—and something else she couldn't quite explain.
Meanwhile, Ryuma was still near the Academy, walking home alone. His mind was in turmoil over what had just happened. For the first time, he felt genuine concern. Rias's decision had completely blindsided him. He had hoped she would at least entrust this matter to someone capable of handling it, but instead, she had resolved to confront the danger herself, along with her peerage.
Ryuma acknowledged Rias's impressive strength, but the Fallen Angel with Devil blood was no ordinary foe. This being undoubtedly possessed mastery over the element of light, a grave threat to her kinds. Moreover, Ryuma sensed that the Fallen Angel was plotting something.
Later, Ryuma encountered a beautiful girl with short black hair. She calmly wore the same Kuoh Academy female uniform as all the other female students. The girl also wore red-rimmed glasses, and as Ryuma passed her, he realized something: she possessed an incredibly powerful demonic aura, far beyond that of a low-ranking devil like a pawn. She was at least on par with Rias in terms of power.
"Be careful... from now on," Ryuma murmured, glancing directly at the beautiful girl before resuming his steps and leaving the scene.
Meanwhile, the beautiful girl could only stand in silence, turning to gaze at Ryuma's figure as he walked further away into the distance. His words had left her utterly bewildered, but one thing was certain: she knew Ryuma wasn't some lecherous man who had merely been teasing her.
Moreover, she sensed an extraordinary aura emanating from him, setting him apart from ordinary humans. Though filled with questions, she took Ryuma's warning to be careful to heart, vowing to remember it when she tried to unravel the meaning behind his words.
Without a word, the beautiful girl turned and walked away, moving in the opposite direction from Ryuma's departure. Fate seemed to have led Ryuma to danger, and to two high-ranking devils who were being hunted by that danger, intent on plunging the world into chaos once more.
Destiny would decide whether Ryuma would once again become a savior Angel, a symbolic figure of salvation who would save the world from destruction. Or, fate might instead decree that Ryuma become the Angel of Destruction, pushing the world closer to its doom. Sooner or later, it would all come to pass, and no one could prevent it.
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