Chapter 311 - Murderous Intent

"Ali's here…"

"Ara is here?" Both Rin and Midori exchanged looks. "How did you know?"

"I felt her energy," Ivan answered simply as he stood up.

He had tensed earlier as he thought an enemy was lurker nearby. He had sensed a bit of dark energy, but as it came nearer, Alinea's familiar presence was there as well. He then realized that the other ominous energy was from her as well since Stribog's message clearly indicated the unification of the Alencica's broken soul.

He crossed the room with a fond smile. Although he never loved Alinea as a woman, he totally adored her like a little sister and pampered her too much like one. It was because Alistair couldn't do the same in his fear that the dark one would realize who he was and join Alinea's body in time for the Immortal War and become the harbinger of catastrophe. The Flame Emperor did the spoiling out in the open for the brother or father who couldn't.

He had reached the door and was about to push it open when someone pulled it open from the other side. Jade green eyes met a pair of silver-grey ones, and they stared at each other for what seemed to be an eternity until the girls joined them.

"Er… I don't think you can continue to block the door like that," Midori said as she pushed Ivan out the door.

Ara stepped on the side as the three went out and followed them when the girls continued to push Ivan towards the back alley where it was deserted around this time of the day.

"Ali!" Ivan roared in exhilaration as he opened his arms.

Ara who had been controlling herself since she saw Ivan let herself loose and immediately ran into his open arms and jumped. Ivan caught her as easily as he had always done and spun her around amidst laughter.

"Ivan! I never thought I'd see you again," Ara blurted as she cried like a little child. "You left after we got engaged and I died, so I was not able to say goodbye."

She never knew how much she missed home until she saw Ivan. She sobbed as she clung onto him. Due to his height which was a foot taller than her, he continued to lift her up against him with her arms wrapped around his neck as she cried.

Rin and Midori grinned at them but their eyes too were moist as they watched their heartwarming reunion. All the time that they were with Ara, it's the first time they'd seen her cry like this.

"I missed you too, lass," Ivan murmured, his handsome face soft and gentle as his voice. His huge hand supported her back, as the other caressed her hair.

He totally looked like an indulgent big brother, and the girls were so happy that their relationship seemed totally platonic. There wouldn't be any conflict since Ara was not married to the Koutaishidenka of the Homura House. They didn't know about demigods and gods so much, but they knew that Ivan must be strong. If he and Ara's husband clashed, it would be scary.

"How did you come here?"Ara asked, still clinging tightly on Ivan. "How did you know I'm here?"

The Flame Emperor chuckled as he tried to pry Ara off him, but she wouldn't budge. "Ali, I'll reply to your questions but the explanations are long. We need to go somewhere we can talk properly, okay? Big brother will answer all your questions then," he promised just as a murderous aura flashed, directed at him and he turned around fast with Ara still in his arms.  

As soon as he turned, another wave of murderous intent directed at him flashed as the atmosphere around them thickened that it was getting hard to breathe.

"What's going on?"Rin and Midori asked as the place started to warp.

"We're inside someone's barrier," Ara answered as she removed herself from Ivan and studied the surroundings.

The back alley melted into a window of color, and in no time, they all found themselves in a tunnel-like dimension that was familiar to both Ara and Ivan.

"This…"

"…is Stribog's portal," Ivan continued just as the murderous aura erupted again in his direction. However, this time, it remained.

"Ara, it's getting hard to breathe," Rin choked the words out, but as soon as she did, the air surround both Rin and Midori changed, and the atmosphere in the tunnel didn't affect them anymore.

By now, Ara was sure who was attacking them. She turned around with her eyes flashing angrily at the far end where two tall figures were approaching.

"What's the meaning of this?" she demanded as soon as the two got near.

Both a masked Stribog and Kresnik stood several feet away, with the latter's face grim. However, Ara noticed a flicker of pain in Ryuu's eyes when he looked at her before they vanished, and his face became a cold, emotionless mask, and she shivered.

She missed him so much as well, but she didn't want to see him like this. She tried to take his attention to ask what was wrong, but his icy blue eyes only looked at Ivan now, and the murderous aura increased.

Iva who had no idea what was going on went into the defensive. He immediately stepped in front of the girls, blocking them from the two strangers who had been exuding malice towards him.

They were somewhat transported into a different dimension, so it was safe to use his powers here. Whatever happened inside wouldn't affect the world outside. Without taking his eyes off the men, Ivan, waved his hand to cast elemental protection towards the girls before calling forth his vermilion birds.

"Rashel, Bebe," he uttered, and two great firebirds appeared. They flanked each side of Ivan, ready for battle.

On the other hand, Ryuu's body burst into blue flames, while the masked Gin remained watching.

Finally understanding what was going on, Ara immediately stepped in between them. "Stop! Don't fight!"

"Ali, stay back. How dare these people throw murderous intent at my fiancée and her friends," Ivan growled, but it only made the murderous intent stronger.

"That's right, my love. You have to step back so I can pummel this bastard who's claiming to be engaged to my wife," Ryuu equally growled.

Ara palmed her face before shaking her head. "NO!" she yelled.

"Ali, step back," Ivan said again as he advanced, but Ara pushed him back, annoying Ryuu further.

"You can't fight with him! It's just a misunderstanding!" Ara insisted, and when Ivan frowned, she explained. "That's my husband, Kresnik and Uncle Stribog."

Ivan blinked several times as he absorbed the information. On the other hand, upon hearing Ara refer to him as her husband, the murderous intent from the Koutaishidenka lessened.

"Oh? Why didn't you say so," Ivan chuckled as he waved his hand and the vermilion birds disappeared.

"You should have told me earlier Ali. I was being disrespectful," Ivan continued as he turned to Ryuu and Stribog and approached with long strides, his arms open for a hug.

Everyone watched in confusion as the giant Ivan suddenly pulled Ryuu into an embrace, lifting him up a bit since he's seven inches taller than him. "GRANDPA!"