Chapter 23: Chapter 23
A/N: Chapters in advance in Patreòn
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Chapter 23
Title: A Lover...
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What Athena saw after the illusion is broken is Haruto, except unlike his previous appearance of a young healthy man, now he is thinner, his muscles degraded and he has strange red veins running through his body. The veins were so red it seemed like they were made of lava.
Athena's face pales at this. "Sh*t… you are gonna die soon…"
"Don't worry about it." Says Haruto calmly. "Just put some divine seals in me and I will be okay."
"No, you won't!!" Yells Athena, a worried look on her face is very apparent. "Divine Seals will only stop your body from breaking down, sooner or later you will die. It doesn't matter what we do now, we just need to take that thing out of your body."
"No!" Says Haruto resolutely. "Don't worry, trust me, Athena, I can do this."
"Then let me transform you into a minor god at least then you would be able to handle the thing that is devouring you from the inside out." Says Athena, her eyes shining in an angry light as she looks at Haruto. "You think I haven't noticed now?"
"Hm?" Haruto is confused by what she means by that. He isn't necessarily hiding anything from her, not even the affairs. Well, he does hide his rebirth, but he won't be telling that to anyone ever so it doesn't matter.
"Your mana reserves are getting weaker. You are suffering from permanent mana loss, and no matter how good of a mage you are, without mana, you will be useless." Argues Athena, not wanting him to continue down that path. "Your reserves can barely qualify as Ultimate Rank now, soon you won't even be able to use your Sacred Gears."
*sigh* Haruto only sighs as he hears that. He can see where she is coming from, and even he himself is walking down a new road of magic. Something that hasn't been done before.
"I am fine." Says Haruto. "The worst that can happen is that you will revive me."
"Dumbass, don't keep your hopes so high on that!" Critiques Athena. "You would lose your memories, I wouldn't even bother reincarnating you without your memories!"
Haruto can only smile at this, though his body is in pain, he has gotten used to it by now. He can't help it, this woman in front of him is something else. She doesn't even believe in reincarnating him, she doesn't want him without his memories, because it will no longer be 'him'. Some would say that is true love, not caring about his soul or power.
Still, Haruto drives her mad sometimes, he knows that he does.
"Sometimes I wonder…" Says Haruto. "If maybe I make you worried instinctively because I want to see your face with so many different emotions. I love you all the same, even when sad, happy, angry and so."
"Shut up!" Says Athena, an annoyed look on her face. "Don't say such stupid things."
Though she says that, a blush is very apparent on her face. She can't help it, to her Haruto is someone that isn't replaceable, something squishy that she must defend. She knows how strong he is… and currently, he isn't that strong in her eyes. He might have been a challenge at his peak, but now, he is getting weaker and weaker by the day. His body will start rotting soon as it will die any day now, but his soul would still be attached to his body.
Athena shakes her head as she thinks of those things, she doesn't want that to happen to him. 'I must figure something out soon.' Mused Athena, knowing that if he wasn't so stubborn he would be a God by now. She could steal the so-called Golden Apple to make him one. It would incite the Gods' fury. But why would that matter in her eyes? She wouldn't think twice if it involved her lover's life.
Slowly she runs her finger across Haruto's body, the dark red lines start closing. Seemingly with dark ink, Athena can't help herself as he touches his stomach. Where there used to be bulging abs, now is barely any muscle. She can feel her heart twist and turn.
'The damage he is taking is both physical and spiritual.' Analyses Athena as seals appears along Haruto's body. "This should keep you in check for a while."
Haruto winces at that, feeling his magic reserves plummet from Ultimate Class to High Class. The seal, even though it has Athena's energy and divine power.
"This sucks, I am weak now. Athena hug me~ it gives me Athena Energy which makes me stronger." Childishly whines Haruto.
"There is no such thing as Athena Energy." Says the Goddess of Wisdom, though she is amused a little by him so she decides to comply and hug him. Though she will never admit it out loud, she does love his playful side.
As they hug, Haruto puts his illusion back on himself. Hiding the sealing pattern and buffing himself up slightly. This used to be his natural looks before his little experiment started taking a toll on his body.
Athena tries to get up but Haruto has a steel-like grip on her. "We should have some fun shouldn't we?"
Athena gazes at his eyes and cheekily says. "I am afraid that I might break your spine now."
"Kinky~" Says Haruto, not denying the possibility. "But if you are into it, then so am I."
Athena is about to deny something, but she suddenly smiles. "You won't trick me this time."
Haruto smiles back. "So you finally caught on."
Athena's smile becomes a little smug at that. Haruto has an exceptional talent for making people get into an argument over useless situations that he himself creates but makes it seem like she started the argument. He is simply just the worst to argue against.
Still, Haruto has a smile as he kisses Athena on the lips.
….
While that was happening, Rias awaits in her office. She has all her peerage with her (except Gasper) too as a show of power… and protection if the meeting goes south.
*creak* The door opens and three women in white cloaks come inside.
"Welcome to Kuoh." Says Rias with a polite smile on her face as she interlocks her fingers.
"Yo! Hello there, miss devil." Says one of them, pulling down her hood, showing blonde hair and blue eyes. "I am Jeanne."
Issei immediately blushes as he sees the beautiful blonde woman in the room.
Jeanne then pulls down the white hoods from her partner's heads. "These two are Irina and Xenovia-"
But the young woman can't speak anymore as Xenovia covers her mouth with her hand. "You are speaking too much."
Irina smiles at this uncomfortably and looks at Rias. "Yo~ my name is Irina and we are here for a certain reason."
"And that is?" Asks Rias, the curious glint in her eyes is very apparent.
"Some Excalibur Fragments were stolen from the church, so we have some plans on how to deal with it." Explains Jeanne as she pulls off Xenovia's hand. "Also we are here to meet Abyss Auction Boss. We heard that he was here."
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