Chapter 13 - 12 - Dragon Slayer, Ascalon

* * * * *

"Azazel, do I have to attend tomorrow's conference as well?"

"Of course, Vali. Since you're the Hakuryuukou."

"Hey Azazel, do you think the Sekiryuutei will be there?"

"That's really like the Hakuryuukou. You just seek battle. You sure got attached to an ideal dragon. But I'm afraid this time, you will face a harsh battle against the Sekiryuutei."

"That's fine. I only wish to defeat strong guys."

"And, after defeating all the strong guys, what will you do?"

"... ...I'll die. I don't have any interest in such a boring world. Right now, I'm only looking forward to my battle with Uchiha Sasuke."

- - - - -

"I am Michael, Chief of the Angels."

This person is the Chief of the Angels huh.

"What do you want with me?" Although the guy in front of him was supposed to be a big-shot in this world, Sasuke was not in the least intimidated.

"Let's talk inside."

Saying that, Akeno, Michael and Sasuke headed towards the main shrine.

From the center, Sasuke a felt a tingling sensation on his skin.

"Uchiha Sasuke. The truth is, I thought of awarding you with this."

A sword suddenly appeared while oozing out a holy aura in the center of the shrine.

"This is a Dragon Slayer, also known as the holy sword that kills dragons, Ascalon."

Michael continued.

"Dragon slayers are a group of people who made slaying Dragons their job or the name of the weapon used for the job."

"I was actually thinking of giving you this."

"Why give it to me?"

Michael answered Sasuke's question while smiling.

"During this time's meeting, I think there's a huge opportunity to cooperate between the Three Great Powers. This is a chance to get ride of the useless battles. If small-scale battles continue like this intermittently, then the Three Great Powers will be destroyed. In past wars, there was only one time everyone joined forces--"

"It was when the Red and White disturbed the battlefield."

"Wishing that we hold hands together like that time, I am placing my hopes in you, in the Sekiryuutei, Uchiha Sasuke. I believe that you will be the one capable of facing the threats that will descend upon us in the future. This is my gift to you."

Sasuke pondered for a while.

"Thanks for the gift but I already have a sword. I don't need another one."

Akeno then says from the side.

"Sasuke-kun, you can ȧssimilate Ascalon into your Boosted Gear for the time being. In case you need it, you can draw it out anytime when you summon the Boosted Gear."

[ Yeah, that is possible, Partner. With your strength, it should be easy. ]

Michael also nodded at Akeno's words.

The holy aura flowed into the Sacred Gear.

After a red flash--a gauntlet with a blade growing out could be seen..

[ That was easier than I expected. ]

Sasuke started to feel the Holy Sword Aura mixing with his own.

"...It seriously combined."

Michael clapped his hands and after confirming it--

"It's time to visit the conference hall so I will be heading off first. It was nice meeting you, Sasuke-kun."

Michael's whole body was wrapped in light and after a momentary flash of light, he disappeared from the place.

- - - -

"Here's some tea."

"Thanks."

Sasuke and Akeno were left in the shrine after Michael left and they were having tea in a room that looked like a tea ceremony room.

There was an awkward silence between them before Akeno finally broke it.

"Sasuke-kun, do you hate fallen-angels?"

Sasuke sent a fleeting glance over towards Akeno.

"I sense a power similar to Kokabiel inside you. Are you--"

Before Sasuke could complete his question, Akeno's expression had already change to a slightly cloudy one.

"...That's right. I was born between one of the leaders of the Fallen Angels, Barakiel and a human."

Akeno started revealing her life story to Sasuke, about her mother and how her father had failed to save her. She told Sasuke how she witnessed her mother get killed in front of her eyes and ever since then, she could not forgive her father for failing to save her mother.

Akeno stood up and expanded her wings from her back. --

Different from the usual two wings of Devils, one wing was that of a Devil while the other was the black wing of a Fallen Angel.

"They're dirty wings... The wing of a Devil and the wing of a Fallen Angel, I possess both of them."

As if despising the black feather of Fallen Angels, she grabbed them with her hand.

"While hating these feathers, I met Rias and became a Devil. ...But what was born were the wings of a Fallen Angel and Devil, a mere disgusting creature who possessed both. Fufufu, this certainly suits me, who has dirtied blood flowing in her veins."

Akeno was in self-derision.

"...How do you feel after hearing that, Sasuke-kun? You hate Fallen Angels, right? They tried to kill you and Asia-chan once and tried to destroy this city. There's no way you can hold good thoughts about them."

Sasuke finally spoke.

"I am not really bothered by that fact."

Hearing Sasuke's reply, Akeno had a surprised expression.

"That's not the case. I have the blood of a Fallen Angel in me, you know? Can you forgive me? I am the worst kind of woman..."

Sasuke also stood up as he faced his back towards Akeno.

Upon seeing that, Akeno's expression started to become sad. However--

"Your past is similar to mine. But compared to it--"

Akeno stared at Sasuke's back.

"One day, when I returned home, I saw my older brother standing over the bodies of my parents. Horrified by what he had done, I tried to plead for an explanation but my brother replied that it was to test his own power. Before leaving, he told me to hate him, to dėsɨrė revenge and to gain power from that--"

Akeno listened intently to Sasuke.

"And I did. I tried to use every means possible to become strong. I betrayed my friends, their trust, in order to seek revenge on my brother. But, after I finally killed him, I learned that the hateful brother that he seemed to be was merely a facade; in truth, what he did was to protect me. I was further driven into despair but fortunately, I had a friend who saved me from that same despair."

Sasuke then turned back towards Akeno.

"I know you blame your father for what happened. But at the very least, you still have a father."

Upon hearing Sasuke's words, Akeno started crying.

"...You said some killing words. ...After hearing that...how can I possibly not..."

As Sasuke prepared to leave, he suddenly felt a soft sensation on his back.

Akeno had clung on Sasuke's back as she cried out.

Tears started to stain Sasuke's clothes.

- - - - -

"I have decided. Arigato, Sasuke-kun. Really, thank you."