Chương 14: Volume I - Chapter 14
"Yes, it was," she agreed, her face lighting up with a gentle smile. Asia always seemed to be that person who made friends easily. "Are you here for work or leisure?"
I forced a casual smile, though I was analyzing everything around me. "I'm here for... business, if you catch my drift. And you? Do you work here?"
Asia hesitated a bit before replying. "Yes, I... I live and work here. I assist with church activities and do my best to help others."
You could tell she had more to say, just like me. But for now, we both seemed content to let things be.
"You seem quite young to be working here," I observed, trying to sound relaxed. "It seems like a big responsibility."
She sized me up and let out a giggle, quickly covering her mouth in embarrassment. "But you also look pretty young and you're here on your own!"
I was taken aback, as if caught off guard. "Touché."
She smiled, now more relaxed, as if we had established a bond with that brief dialogue.
Asia turned her gaze to the church, enchanted by its majestic architecture. "Sometimes, I wonder if this is really where I belong. I feel so... out of place."
There was sincerity in her voice, and it made me watch her more closely. "Why do you say that?"
She sighed, "The faith of the people here is so strong. They believe and follow without questioning. I just... want to understand the world around me, understand my purpose."
I reflected on what she said. It was something I could relate to. "I think we all search for a purpose, Asia. And sometimes, the path to finding it is more complex than we think."
She seemed touched by the depth of my words but soon smiled gratefully. "You're different, Kuroto. In a good way. I'm glad our paths crossed today."
Playfully, I replied: "Crossed, in the literal sense."
Asia laughed; her laughter was infectious and lit up the surroundings. "If you're not swamped with your 'business,' maybe we can spend more time together? Can I show you the best of the Vatican?"
I pondered for a moment and nodded positively. "Sure, I'd love to have such an enthusiastic guide."
She waved excitedly, her eyes shining. "There are so many amazing places I want to show you."
We started exploring together, with Asia introducing me to the Vatican's secrets. As we navigated narrow streets and historic landmarks, she passionately shared the history and meaning of each place. It was clear how much she valued and respected her culture.
At one point, we found a garden hidden behind a church. It was a peaceful refuge, filled with vibrant flowers and benches for resting. The murmur of a fountain sounded in the background.
"This is my sanctuary," confessed Asia, her gaze lost in the beauty of the place. "It's so calm here. I always come when I need some alone time."
I sat down and watched her, "Do you find your peace here?"
She nodded. "In a way, yes. Even with all my doubts, this garden always brings me serenity."
I admired the place. "I can see why. It's truly enchanting."
Asia sat beside me, fixing her eyes on the fountain. "You know, Kuroto, everyone has a place that brings them peace, whether it's a garden, a city, or even a person."
I reflected on what she said, thinking of Lisa and Tosca. "Yeah, I'd love to find a place like that."
She looked deeply into my eyes. "Maybe you already have, but just haven't realized it yet."
I teased, trying to change the tone of the conversation, "Maybe that place is here, on a bench next to a beautiful, enthusiastic blonde nun?"
Asia blushed and let out a shy laugh. "If that's the case, I'm honored to be part of your space."
We sat there, enjoying the tranquility of the garden and each other's company. Our conversation flowed naturally, and I began to see how special Asia was.
With the sunset coloring the sky, Asia stood up, extending her hand. "Let's go. The Vatican at night is even more magical, and I'd love to show you."
I accepted her hand and got up. "I can't wait."
Guided by her, I walked through the Vatican's streets, now illuminated by old lampposts and soft lamps, giving the place a mystical atmosphere. The sound of our steps on the stones created a soft, enveloping melody.
She showed me various points of interest, narrating the history and meaning behind each one. She talked about the popes who ruled, the decisions made, and how all of this shaped the Vatican and the Church. Her passion and knowledge were evident.
We stopped in a square with an illuminated fountain, its reflection shimmering in the water. With a twinkle in her eye, she remarked, "They say if you throw a coin in here and make a wish, it will come true."
I took a coin from my pocket and offered it, encouraging her to give it a try.
Holding the coin and after a brief moment with her eyes closed, she tossed it into the water. Looking at me, she asked, "And you? Aren't you going to make a wish?"
Nonchalantly, I replied, "I'm not much for believing in those things."
She gave me a sweet smile and said, "Sometimes, believing is what keeps us hopeful."
Considering, I took another coin from my pocket and murmured, "Alright, just this once." And I tossed it into the fountain.
She looked at me with curiosity. "Will you tell me what you wished for?"
Teasingly, I responded, "If I tell, it won't come true, right?"
She laughed, and her laughter harmoniously echoed throughout the square. "You really are full of surprises."
"It's my youthful charm," I joked, striking a cool pose.
With an amused look, she said, "You always have a comeback, don't you?"
Laughing on the side, I remarked, "It's part of my repertoire. A guy's got to have some talent, right?"
She let out another laugh. "I'm starting to think your talent is making me smile."
"Comedy is an art, right? But mine leans toward the darker side," I teased, flashing a somewhat dark smile.
She watched me, her eyes trying to decipher mine. "I feel there's so much more to you than you show. Like you hide a lot behind this playful demeanor."
Avoiding her gaze, I replied, "Life shapes us. Some become transparent, others, a mystery. And others... well, they hide behind masks."
She came closer, gently touching my arm. "Showing who you truly are can be freeing, you know?"
I took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of her hand. "Maybe one day. Maybe."
There was a brief silence, broken only by the sound of the fountain's water.
Brightening up, she said, "Let's go, there's more to see."
As we moved on, I felt a connection with her, something deep and indescribable.
The night flew by, and soon we were back at the church. She looked up at the starry sky and thanked, "Thank you for tonight. It was special."
Jokingly, I took a bow. "The pleasure was all mine. And if you ever need a guide in the future, I hope I can show you a place next time."
She walked away laughing, promising to remember the offer.
"Looks like you've been having fun, kid." That clearly irritated female voice came from behind me.
I slowly turned my face and saw her. The reaper was there with an angry look, but with a smile on her face, which made her even more menacing. She just moved her arm slightly to my head, grabbing it tightly and squeezing hard.
"I expect a good explanation, brat. You had me chasing you all over the Vatican."
"Captain... I was just... exploring," I tried to explain, feeling the pressure of her hand on my head.
"Exploring? Oh, sure. And don't forget, you're still in exorcist training, kid. You think you can just wander around the Vatican as you please?" She said those words with a clearly sarcastic tone.
I let out a nervous laugh, "You know, it's a funny story. I kind of got lost and... met this nun named Asia." She raised an eyebrow, clearly interested.
"Asia? As in Asia Argento from the church? The Sacred Gear bearer?"
"Argento? What a strange name. Wait, bearer? She has a gear?" I asked, genuinely surprised. So she's another Sacred Gear bearer.
"You're really telling me the first thing that surprised you was her name?" The reaper said with a look of disbelief. "You really don't know anything, do you? Yes, she's one of the most well-known Sacred Gear bearers in the Church, the Holy Maiden. Don't tell me you spent all that time with her and didn't know?"
"To be honest, we didn't talk about it," I admitted, rubbing the back of my head, where her hand had squeezed earlier. "She was showing me around the Vatican, telling stories about places and artifacts. We... we connected. Wasn't thinking about Sacred Gears or exorcism."
Scarlet rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed by the abrupt change in topic, but decided to go along with it. "The 'old geezers,' as you so delicately call them, have information about a possible infiltration of 'heretics' in the Vatican. They're concerned about it, especially considering the number of holy artifacts and valuable information stored here."
"Heretics? In the Vatican?" I asked, trying to process the information. "Those fallen fools?"
I huffed, crossing my arms. "And why would I be the perfect target? I'm not a defenseless child, Captain."
Scarlet looked at me with a piercing look. "Because you're impulsive, you get emotionally involved too quickly, and most importantly, you have information and skills they might want. You're a valuable asset, whether you admit it or not."
"Not impulsive, I'm explosive, and it's different," I quickly retorted with a mischievous smile. "Also, since when do I get emotionally involved?"
She gave an exasperated sigh, running her hands through her hair. "Always, kid. Just because you try to hide it doesn't mean it's not there. You bond too quickly with people. Lisa, Asia... and I bet there are many others I haven't even mentioned."
"Scarlet, I respect you for what you've done for me," I said, my tone completely changing to a more serious one, not a trace of playfulness, which wasn't like me. "But don't get things twisted. The relationships I make are none of your business. Asia was just a one-off. I don't need 'vital points' in my life for you guys to use against me. Don't think I forgot even for a split second that you guys are using Lisa as a bargaining chip for my obedience."
Scarlet stared at me, her eyes narrowing slightly. She took a deep breath, the atmosphere between us thick with tension.
"And if I didn't care about you, do you really think I would have taken you in? Do you think I would have gone this far to protect you?", her voice was firm, but there was a hint of emotion that was rarely shown. I looked away, avoiding her intense gaze.
"That doesn't justify what you're doing to Lisa," I murmured, my tone lower than before. Scarlet sighed again, closing her eyes for a moment.
"I know," she finally admitted, "I know how hard it's been for you. But you need to understand that the situation is much more complicated than it seems. And as much as I want to help Lisa, there are bigger things at play."
I bit my lower lip, my gray eyes darkening with emotion. "I just want my life back. I want Lisa back. I don't want to be a pawn in this damn game."
Scarlet looked at me, a soft expression appearing on her face. She reached out, gently touching my face. "I know, kid. I know."
We were silent for a moment, the tension between us now replaced by a painful understanding.
"Captain..." I began, my words catching in my throat, "I... Just want things to be clear between us. I don't want to feel like I'm being manipulated. If you truly care about me, help me understand all of this. Help me bring Lisa back."
Scarlet looked down, pondering her words carefully. "Kuroto, I would do anything to keep you safe. Your well-being has always been my top priority. But you need to understand that the Church has its own intentions and agenda. And even if I don't agree with everything they do, I'm bound to my duty."
She took a step towards me, holding my shoulders. "I promise you that I'll do everything in my power to help you with Lisa. But you need to trust me. I can't do this alone."
I nodded slowly, a mix of hope and uncertainty in my eyes. "I'll try, Captain. I'll try."
The rest of the night was uneventful. We returned to the hotel and slept, getting ready for the meeting we would have the next day. The next day, without delay, we got ready and had breakfast before heading out.
The streets of Rome were bustling, with the characteristic noise of tourists exploring historical sites, street vendors, and the murmuring of the crowd. The ancient stones beneath my feet and those of Scarlet seemed to echo the secrets of the centuries as we walked side by side, each lost in our own thoughts.
The morning sun cast a golden light over the buildings, making the city seem to shimmer with a special glow. The aroma of freshly roasted coffee mixed with the scent of nearby bakeries and pizzerias, tempting passersby with their delicious offerings.
When we reached Piazza Navona, we both stopped to admire the Fountain of the Four Rivers, a masterpiece by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, which portrayed the Danube, Ganges, de la Plata, and Nile rivers.
"Every time I come here, it feels like I discover something new," I commented, my tone slightly lighter than the night before. "Rome has that quality... it's like a book you never finish reading."
Scarlet nodded, her eyes sweeping the square. "It's a city of history, of power, of faith. And also of secrets," she said, an enigmatic tone in her voice.
I looked at her. "Secrets that the Church holds?" I inquired.
Scarlet hesitated for a moment before answering. "Not all secrets are bad, Kuroto. Some are just... protected."
We continued our journey, passing by the Pantheon and heading towards the Vatican. Upon reaching St. Peter's Square, we stopped to admire the imposing St. Peter's Basilica and the splendid dome designed by Michelangelo.
"Welcome," he said in Italian, extending his hand in greeting. "I am Father Giovanni. I was expecting you."
"Thank you, Father," Scarlet replied, giving a slight bow. "We hope this meeting will provide some answers."
Father Giovanni agreed, leading us inside the massive structure. "There is much more at stake than it seems," he murmured. "But I hope we can find a solution together."
As I followed Father Giovanni through the long corridors of the Vatican, I couldn't help but feel small. The grandeur of the place, the walls covered with priceless works of art, and the solemn atmosphere made every step resonate with historical weight.
"The Vatican is not just a place of faith," Father Giovanni began, "but also of power. And with power comes responsibility... and secrets."
Scarlet gave him a sharp look, as if trying to decipher something more in his words. "What do you mean by that, Father?"
He stopped in front of a large, ornate door. "What I'm about to show you is something few have seen. But I believe it is crucial for understanding the current situation."
Upon opening the door, a room lit by candles was revealed. In the center stood a sword exuding a majestic and divine aura. Its intricate and detailed design made it look more like a work of art than a mere weapon. The golden blade was slender and strong, culminating in a hilt richly decorated with gems that resembled deep blue precious stones, possibly turquoise or sapphire. At the top, a shimmering cross adorned with the same blue stone sparkled, giving the impression that the sword was an instrument of sacred power.
However, what stood out most was the way the sword was presented. It was suspended in mid-air, surrounded by robust chains extending in all directions, holding it in the center of the large room. The chains were so thick and strong that they seemed capable of restraining a giant. It was as if the sword, despite its beauty and sacred aura, possessed such great power that it needed to be contained.
"This is one of the Sacred Swords," he said, his voice full of reverence. "And it is believed to have the power to alter the balance between good and evil."
I approached, feeling a strange pull towards the object. "Collbrande?" The name came out as if naturally, without even thinking.
Father Giovanni looked up, surprised. "Yes, it is indeed Collbrande. But how...?" He paused, looking at me with renewed intensity. "You recognize it?"
Scarlet, equally surprised, gave me a questioning look. I faced them both, feeling uncomfortable with how they were staring, trying to find the right words. "I... I don't know, okay! I just looked at it, and the name came to mind, like I'd seen it somewhere before."
Father Giovanni frowned, clearly intrigued. "Interesting. Few outside the Church's inner circle know of Collbrande's existence, let alone can identify it at first sight."
"I truly don't know where it came from," I admitted, looking at the sword with a mix of fascination and apprehension. "It was like déjà vu hit me, but now when I try to focus, it gets blurry."
Scarlet studied the sword up close and then turned to Father Giovanni. "Why did you show us this? What does it have to do with me?"
Father Giovanni took a deep breath, stepping back and letting the weight of the moment settle in the room.
"These Sacred Swords are more than just weapons. They are vessels of divine power, legacies from the time of angels and Nephilim. Each of these swords has a unique connection to a certain lineage, a bond that goes beyond human understanding."
I raised an eyebrow, my heart racing. "I don't like beating around the bush, old man. If you have something to say, say it clearly and straightforward, okay?"
Father Giovanni sighed, his eyes meeting mine, full of gravity. "Kuroto, it is believed that each Sacred Sword chooses its bearer, someone who shares an ancestral connection with it. The way you immediately recognized Collbrande, even without prior knowledge of her, suggests you might be the next destined bearer."
I looked at him, my face utterly stoic and indifferent, blurting out, "No thanks! I don't need any more problems, and I don't want to carry a target with me, old man."
Father Giovanni sighed, a momentary expression of disappointment crossing his face. "I understand your reluctance, Kuroto. However, you must understand that Sacred Swords are not just weapons. They have a will of their own. If Collbrande believes you're the intended bearer, refusing her might not be that simple."
"Actually, it's pretty simple. Watch." I turned, heading out of the room. "Later!"
Scarlet quickly approached, grabbing my arm and making me stop. "Kuroto, wait. Don't be rash."
I rolled my eyes, pulling my arm away. "Rash? Seriously, Scarlet? They're trying to shove more crap on me, as if everything they've already thrown at me isn't enough. And they still have Lisa..."
Scarlet sighed, her eyes heavy with concern. "I get your frustration, Kuroto. I truly do..."
I cut her off immediately. "NO, DAMN IT, YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING! STOP ACTING LIKE YOU GET HOW I FEEL!"
Scarlet looked at me, her eyes filled with tears as she saw how much I was suffering, but she kept her composure. "Kuroto, I've taken care of you ever since you joined the squad. I took you in as one of our own! I saw you grow, saw you fight, suffer, resist, and become the strong young man you are today. And, whether you want to admit it or not, I deeply care about you. To me, you're like a son."
Her eyes shone with a mix of determination and emotion. She stepped forward and placed her hands on my shoulders, looking straight into my eyes. "I know you're angry, feeling like the world is against you. But I'm on your side. And I will do everything in my power to help you bring Lisa back and ensure you have a normal life."
I pulled her hand off my shoulder and walked towards the room without looking into her eyes, removing any hint of emotion from my face, showing a blank expression. "Never promise what you won't deliver."
I walked through the room, ignoring the surprised look from Father Giovanni. I didn't want to hear any more about destinies or magic swords. I was tired of being a pawn in games bigger than me, especially when Lisa was at stake.
"Kuroto, please listen to me," Father Giovanni pleaded, running after me. "I understand your frustration and fear, but believe me, there are reasons for all this."
I abruptly stopped and turned to face him. "Reasons? You want to talk about reasons? I'm ten years old, TEN! And ever since I was born, I was used by foolish doctors treating me like a lab rat. My life has been an endless series of fights, training, missions, and secrets. You tore me away from a normal life, and now, when I finally find someone who makes me feel a bit normal, you use her against me."
"I didn't choose this life, Father," I continued, feeling the anger boiling within me. "And now you want to involve me in yet another mission, another secret, another power play? Until when? Until I die on some mission?"
Father Giovanni sighed, looking at me sadly. "Kuroto, I deeply regret everything you've been through. The Church, in its quest for power and protection, sometimes makes difficult decisions. But you must understand that we aren't trying to use you. We're trying to protect the world from forces you can't even begin to understand."
I shook my head, laughing bitterly. "Protect the world? Or protect your own interests?"
Scarlet intervened, positioning herself between us. "Kuroto, I understand how you feel. But now isn't the time for this. We need to focus on what's important. Acting this way puts Lisa in danger, and the only way to help her is by working together."
I looked at her, my anger mixed with pain. "Do you really think I can trust you after everything?"
She held my face, forcing me to look into her eyes. "I would never lie to you, Kuroto. No matter how the circumstances might put us on opposing sides at times, my love and loyalty to you have never wavered."
"You want me to get that sword, right?" I said, pulling my face away from her hands and creating a cursed energy spear in my hand, invisible to their eyes. I threw the spear at the chains, breaking them with a loud crash.
The chains swayed, crashing into the wall and making the place tremble. The sword, now free, fell towards the pedestal in the center, and I went to it, holding it. With my touch, the sword seemed to corrode, the blade darkened until it became completely black and rusty.
The silence in the room was deafening. Everyone was in shock. The sword, which once displayed a golden glow, now had a gloomy appearance.
Father Giovanni took a step back, his expression a mix of horror and surprise. "What... what have you done?"
Scarlet, despite her training, looked as surprised as him. She looked at the sword and then at me, trying to understand.
The sword felt dead in my hand; I felt nothing holding it. I looked at the sword and then at them with a neutral expression. "Happy?"
Father Giovanni approached cautiously. "I've never seen anything like this before. Collbrande is a holy sword, its nature is light and purity. The transformation that occurred... it's as if it was corrupted upon contact with you."
Scarlet looked at me worriedly. "Kuroto, how do you feel holding it?"
"I feel nothing. It's like holding a rusty rod," I replied.
Father Giovanni murmured a prayer. "This is very concerning. The sword's reaction to you suggests a deep connection between you two."
Tired of this, I dropped the sword to the ground. "I just want Lisa back and stay away from all this crap."
Upon touching the sword to the ground, a bright and pulsating light, similar to the phenomenon I knew as "black flash", burst from the metal. A powerful vibration ran through my body, and within seconds, darkness overtook my senses. The last shred of consciousness I retained was Scarlet's anguished scream as she pronounced my name.
Gradually, a peculiar and unsettling feeling took over. It was as if I had been sucked into a violent vortex and then spat out into another dimension. My vision was blurry and disoriented, but as the seconds passed, I began to discern where I was: lying in a bed with white sheets, in a room completely unfamiliar to me.
Echoes of laughter and distant conversations began to sound, bringing me back to reality. My limbs felt heavy, and a throbbing pain pounded in my head. When I tried to get up, a delicate yet firm hand pressed me to stay lying down.
"Easy, easy," a soft, comforting female voice told me. "You shouldn't move so quickly."
I focused, trying to adjust my vision, and could see the woman who was taking care of me. Her face was vaguely familiar to me, but at that moment, I couldn't identify where I knew her from. She watched me with eyes brimming with concern, and her expression reflected maternal affection.
"Where am I?" I asked, my voice sounding hoarse and weak.
"I don't understand what you're saying, child," she replied, and I realized I had spoken in Italian, probably due to the time I spent in Europe. When I realized she had answered me in Portuguese, I reformulated the question in my native language, although my Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo accents were still mixed.
"Where am I?" I repeated, feeling a slight discomfort speaking Portuguese after so long.
"You are at the Parish of Santa Maria," she informed, gently smoothing the sheet beside me.
The name "Santa Maria" made flashes of my childhood return to my mind. It was the place where Lisa and I grew up. An avalanche of emotions hit me. But why was I there? How did I get here?
"How did I end up here?" I inquired, trying to prop myself up on the pillows.
She assisted me, settling me in better. "I found you passed out at the church entrance. You were alone and looked extremely weak."
I tried to recover my memories. The image of the sword, the pulsing light, and Scarlet's scream were still vivid in my mind. And suddenly, I was back at the starting point of everything.
Suddenly, the bedroom door opened and an unmistakable figure entered the room: Lisa. She looked older, more mature, but her deep and characteristic eyes hadn't changed. She stared at me, first with confusion, and then genuine surprise took over her expression.
"Kuroto?" she murmured, cautiously approaching.
I smiled, feeling tears starting to form in my eyes. "Lisa..."
She paused, looking at me with disbelief. "You can't be... you... you've grown so much..."
I nodded, feeling the weight of the adversities I faced over the years. "A lot has happened, Lisa. A lot indeed."
She came closer, softly touching my face. "I thought I'd never see you again. That we'd never meet again."
"I thought the same," I confessed, gripping her hand firmly. "But I'm here now. And I'm staying."
There was a brief silence between us, and then Lisa wrapped me in a tight, emotion-charged hug. "I've missed you so much, little one," she murmured, her voice choked up.
The contact with her, the familiar and comforting feeling of her embrace, made my emotions spill over. Tears streamed down as I hugged her even tighter, getting carried away by the wave of feelings. "Lisa, I've missed... you... so much!"
She caressed me, trying to calm me down. "I know, Kuroto. I know." Her tone was soft and comforting.
We spent some time like that, just reconnecting. When we finally separated, Lisa still held my face, studying me carefully. "You look different," she commented. "You seem more... weary."
I took a deep breath, feeling every scar and every pain I carried with me. "Exhausted is the word, Lisa. And the journey wasn't easy at all."
She nodded, understanding the weight of my words. "You need to rest, to recover. You're safe here."
I looked around, childhood memories flooding my mind, and felt a strange sense of belonging and nostalgia.
The woman who had cared for me returned, touching my shoulder gently. "I'll prepare something for you to eat. You must be starving."
I thanked her with a gesture, and she left the room, leaving me and Lisa alone to talk and reconnect.
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Kuroto_Tennouji
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Hello everyone, so I kind of disappeared because I was trying to find a way to continue the story. There are events that need to happen, and I was unsure about how to proceed. But now that I've found a way, it should flow more smoothly.
I'm also facing personal financial problems, so I'm trying to resolve them to focus on the story, but it's a bit challenging. I would love everyone's feedback on the work, whether it's comments or even reviews. We need them to get a good score, so I appreciate anyone who can help in this way.
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