I slowly awakened, my eyes met by an intense light that momentarily blinded me. Blinking, I adjusted to my surroundings. I was lying on the floor, snug beneath a thin blanket. Surprisingly, I felt well-rested and invigorated. When I peered in front of me, there she was in all her grace. The gentle fox lady.
"Hi there, I see you're all rested up; that's good," she greeted me, her voice soft and soothing.
I couldn't help but wonder who she was and where on earth I had ended up.
Ahmad Al Jallad P.O.V
As I managed to sit up, I could now take a good look at her. Despite her otherworldly nature, she was undeniably captivating. Those tails, though they unnerved me, were an integral part of her unique charm. I had acquired strange artifacts the day before, and my initial instinct was to keep my guard up and maintain a safe distance from her. But her warm, welcoming smile and the lack of hostility in her demeanor began to ease my apprehensions.
"Salaam," I greeted cautiously. She responded with a friendly wave and a tilted head, her smile undisturbed.
"Hi, may I know what your name is?" She asked politely.
"I'm Ahmad, Ahmad Al Jallad. It's nice to meet you," I finally introduced myself, feeling compelled to reciprocate her openness.
"Nice to meet you, Ahmad. I'm Yasaka, leader of the West Youkai Faction," she replied, her voice holding an air of authority mixed with friendliness.
Yasaka P.O.V
Ahmad was indeed a peculiar human, unlike anyone I had ever encountered. His features held a unique blend of delicacy and distinctiveness. His face is almost reminiscent of how the people of the bible are depicted by man. His dark, curly hair framed a face with dark eyes, olive-toned skin, and a few days' worth of beard. In his own way, he possessed an unconventional handsomeness, yet he remained deeply mistrustful, which made me cautious not to get too close.
Looking angry, the man got up and tried to leave but immediately shut the door as fast as he opened it. I guess he is still frightened by the presence of Youkai. He returned to his seat, whispering something under his breath in a harsh, throaty dialect. Although I couldn't discern his words, his frustration was evident. We exchanged glances, and an awkward silence enveloped us.
"يا إلهي, ليش هالحظ"
The man stated in a strange language, as he covered his face with his hands, and began crying.
"Where did I go wrong? What did I do to deserve this? Why am I here?"
His questions tumbled out, and I listened in silence, letting him release his pent-up stress and sorrow. Slowly, I moved closer to him, enfolding him in my embrace and cradling him in my lap. No words were needed; I simply provided comfort and solace.
"You know," he began after a while, his voice now less burdened with sorrow, "I spent my entire life dedicated to the study of archaeology. I earned my Ph.D. and dedicated countless days and nights to deciphering dead languages and deciphering ancient Arabian inscriptions. It was grueling work, but it felt worthwhile—the toil, the sweat, the tears, the places I traveled, the cultures I immersed myself in, and the generous funding that allowed me to live a life of luxury. My existence was akin to that of a living Indiana Jones."
As he spoke, the melancholy in his voice began to wane, gradually giving way to a sense of reflection.
"But for some inexplicable reason, fate decided to wrench me from my comfortable life, thrusting me into this... bizarre world I never asked for. Devils, spirits, gods, Youkai—none of this was ever my choice. My life was splendid in its arrogance, back when I was Ahmad Al Jallad, the gifted scholar unraveling the secrets of Arabia. Now, I'm Ahmad Al Jallad, the man deemed insane, conversing with mythical creatures. It's a pitiful transformation, especially considering I have a presentation to give today."
While his words stung, I couldn't entirely blame him. He was clearly overwhelmed, frightened, and grappling with a reality he never sought.
"You know. I could never live this place."
I told him as he got up and sat upright.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I can't leave Kyoto, I'm connected to the leylines in which all the spritual power in Kyoto flows through. As such, I can't go out of here for, not for too long at least. And if I die as a ressult, that could cause the entire city to destabilize."
I explained to him.
"So as much as I want to see the world. I can't really go anywhere."
As I revealed this, Ahmad seemed to grasp the gravity of my situation.
"Oh... I see," he responded, his tone now tinged with sympathy and comprehension.
End Of P.O.V
Once again, Ahmad grappled with the notion that his concerns might come off as selfish and unfeeling. While he had every right to be angry and disoriented, he couldn't simply disregard the struggles of those around him. Just like him, they were facing their own challenges, and some of them might be even more daunting than his own.
"I'm sorry about that," Ahmad offered, a note of contrition in his voice. Yasaka responded with a gentle chuckle.
"Actually, I don't mind it as much."
Yasaka rose from her seated position and extended her hand toward the doctor. Although hesitant at first, Ahmad eventually reached out and clasped her hand. Together, they stepped out of the house, their joined hands drawing curious gazes from the other Youkai in the vicinity.
Yasaka took Ahmad on a tour of various parts of UraKyoto, the pocket dimension of Youkai within Kyoto, showcasing the city's breathtaking wonders. They explored temples, statues, traditional cultural monuments, and reveled in the rural charm and aesthetics of the place. It was a tranquil experience, and Ahmad had the chance to interact with some of the Youkai residents. While his humanity initially set him apart, Yasaka's presence smoothed his interactions, allowing him to connect with the locals.
During his time in UraKyoto, Ahmad learned about different types of Youkai: Nekomata, Oni, Nue, Kappa, Kerasu-Tengu. As a non-Japanese speaker, their names felt like tongue-twisters to him, eliciting laughter from the locals and even Yasaka herself.
In the end, Ahmad understood why she had taken him on this brief 30-minute tour.
"I see..."
"That's right," Yasaka affirmed. "I may not be able to venture out like you do, and I carry the weight of leadership responsibilities. However, I find plenty of adventure right here at home."
She concluded her words with a warm smile, and Ahmad couldn't help but smile in return. It reminded him of Asia Argento, who, like Yasaka, hadn't chosen her circumstances yet managed to make the most of them, leading a fulfilling life despite the challenges.
"Thank you," Ahmad expressed sincerely. "You've shown me something valuable today. And I believe I owe someone an apology."
He was referring to Asia, realizing that he might have upset her by leaving without a word. While he still hadn't forgiven the kidnappers, he felt compelled to act more considerately for Asia's sake.
"Hey, could you also help me with something else?" Ahmad asked, scratching his head.
He proceeded to recount his incredible journey, detailing how he ended up in this mysterious place. He spoke of his escape from Sona's grasp and the discovery of his newfound powers, invoking ancient Arabian gods. Yasaka, drawing upon her knowledge of humans and their supernatural abilities, recognized this as a sacred gear. Yet, what puzzled her was the fact that he possessed three of them, a phenomenon she had never encountered before. This anomaly hinted at an unknown lineage, shrouded in mystery.
Eventually, the two found themselves in an empty grassy field, standing face to face. Ahmad followed Yasaka's guidance, closing his eyes and extending both hands, focusing his thoughts. A surge of intense power coursed through his chest, enveloping him in a vivid purple glow. Just as in the alley, a ring and a staff materialized on his right hand, the ring snugly fitting onto his middle finger, and a balance scale appearing on his left.
Yasaka inched closer to the doctor to examine this enigmatic power.
"So, can you share what you've already learned about your power?" Yasaka inquired, her curiosity piqued.
Ahmad, his voice tinged with uncertainty, replied, "Well, the ring is the one that teleported me here, and the staff was able to emit... I don't know, divine, holy energy."
His confusion was evident in his tone. Yasaka offered some insight, mindful of her Youkai nature.
"I see. Well, given my own nature as a Youkai, I'd advise caution when using that staff."
Ahmad recalled that Youkai, like devils, were susceptible to attacks powered by light. This fact seemed to make him wary. However, Yasaka noticed something intriguing about the staff. It emitted spiritual energy, akin to Senjutsu, a revelation that fascinated her. Curiosity piqued, she decided to experiment.
Conjuring spiritual energy in her hand, Yasaka touched the staff. In response, the staff reacted, and a dark miasma began to bubble from the orb above it. Ahmad instinctively pointed the staff upward, causing a burst of demonic energy to shoot forth, surprising them both.
"I've never seen anything like this before—a sacred gear with both holy and demonic energy," Yasaka remarked.
Ahmad, his expression a blend of curiosity and concern, pressed for more information.
"Why? Is that a bad thing?"
Yasaka considered her response carefully.
"No, it's not taboo," she explained. "It's just... unprecedented. Based on what I've observed, you might be some sort of sorcerer or have descended from a lineage of sorcerers. You mentioned invoking old gods, right?"
"Yes," Ahmad confirmed. "It was an ancient prayer based on Proto-Arabic inscriptions I translated. To be honest, I didn't think it would work."
Yasaka delved deeper into her knowledge as they walked together, her thoughts swirling. Ahmad observed her transition from her earlier cheerful demeanor to a more serious and contemplative one. It was in its own way cute to him.
"Ahmad," Yasaka called out, her question redirecting his attention.
"Huh? What is it?" he responded, caught slightly off guard.
"Tell me, these gods you invoked—where are they from?"
Ahmad contemplated her question before answering, "Well, I called upon Allat and Dushara. They're Nebataean gods primarily worshipped in Jordan and Syria, with a stronger presence in Jordan."
Yasaka's curiosity deepened further, and she continued her line of questioning.
"And where are you from? What's your lineage?"
"Well, my mother is a Texan woman and my father is Jorda...huh? It can't be?"
Ahmad's realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. The direction of their conversation became clear, and he couldn't decide whether he was excited or fearful of what he had just learned.
"I... I'm a Nebataean?" he stammered, astonishment in his voice. "I can't believe it. All my life, I studied these people, thinking they were long gone. But I never imagined I was from their bloodline. It makes sense why these ancient gods, who hadn't been prayed to for over a thousand years, chose to respond to me. Am I... the last Nabataean?"
Ahmad and Yasaka shared a long, surprised gaze, mutually astonished by the revelation. Eventually, the awkwardness of their prolonged stare prompted them to look away from each other.
"Um... okay," Yasaka began, clearing her throat. "Let's see if we can delve into the basics of your Sacred Gears."
"Yep, sure," Ahmad concurred, both of them scratching their heads as a faint tint of red colored their cheeks.
Afterward, Ahmad and Yasaka engaged in some light training for approximately four hours. Through their training, they discovered several crucial aspects of Ahmad's newfound powers. First and foremost, being human, Ahmad experienced significant strain when using his sacred gears. Among the three artifacts, the staff was the most potent but also the most draining. However, they learned that he could recharge his energy using both spiritual and natural energy, and the abundance of the latter in UraKyoto was particularly advantageous.
They uncovered the ring's ability to manipulate matter, granting Ahmad the power to phase through objects and become intangible. This also elucidated the teleportation aspect. Unlike the staff, the ring didn't seem to drain much of Ahmad's energy. Although it emitted a weaker, pseudo-diverse form of energy compared to the staff, it had its unique strengths.
They attempted to explore the staff's potential for spellcasting, but Ahmad's initial efforts proved futile. It appeared that more exploration and understanding were needed in this regard.
As the late afternoon sun painted the sky with hues of amber and gold, Ahmad sensed it was time to depart, despite his desire to stay longer. He and Yasaka strolled for a while until Ahmad gathered the resolve to bid her farewell.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, stranger. I hope our paths cross again someday," Yasaka said with a warm smile.
Ahmad reciprocated the sentiment, feeling a sense of indebtedness. "I hope to see you soon as well. Thank you for your help. I feel I owe you a great deal."
Yasaka extended her hands in polite refusal, but Ahmad persisted. "No, it's fine. Just take care of yourself, okay?"
Ahmad regarded her for a moment, then turned his head slightly, causing Yasaka to wonder about his actions.
"No, Habibti, I'm a man. In my culture, a man pays his debts. How about this?" Ahmad suggested, placing his hand gently on her shoulder. "When I uncover the full extent of my power, I'll do everything in my capacity to help you leave UraKyoto whenever you wish. Then, just like that, it'll be my turn to show you the world. Consider it my pledge to you."
Yasaka, usually the flirtatious one, found herself at a loss for words in the face of Ahmad's sincerity. Her cheeks flushed crimson as she was overwhelmed by the unexpected kindness. It was a unique feeling, and one she hadn't experienced in quite some time.
Unable to articulate a response, Yasaka simply smiled and nodded, conveying her agreement. Ahmad smirked as he turned away, walking ahead of her. Raising his right arm, the ring in his hand emitted a vibrant purple glow.
"Salam 'alaikum!" Ahmad greeted her warmly.
Yasaka reciprocated the gesture with her hand, despite not fully comprehending its meaning. "Salam!" she replied, her palm resting on the same shoulder that Ahmad had touched.
With that, Ahmad vanished from the scene, leaving behind a bewildered and flustered Yasaka. She stood there, contemplating the encounter and the peculiar warmth it had ignited within her.
.
Meanwhile
After Ahmad managed to escape from Sona's peerage, they decided it was best to rendezvous at the school. It wasn't just about teaching Asia Sabaic anymore; they were now concerned about the man they had involuntarily brought from Japan, who was wandering the streets with three sacred gears. The circumstances were baffling; they couldn't fathom how it was even possible. What they did know was that this man was inexperienced, his exposure to the supernatural recent and unanticipated. If he lost control of his newfound powers and caused harm to someone, encountered rogue devils, fallen angels, or other supernatural beings, and was injured, the responsibility would fall squarely on their shoulders for having brought him here.
After they reconvened at the school, they decided to form a larger search party and scour all of Kuoh. Hours passed, and their efforts yielded no trace of Ahmad.
Meanwhile, Asia remained at home, a sense of guilt gnawing at her. She struggled not to blame herself, but her every attempt only reinforced her belief that she had acted selfishly. She had formed a bond with the linguist and considered him a friend to some extent. For the first time, she had met a well-informed religious person who possessed knowledge of biblical languages, the Bible itself, its secret teachings, and traditions. Unlike the individuals from the Catholic Church, who lacked the linguist's extensive knowledge and had judged and scorned her, this man had seen her for who she was on the inside—a kind-hearted girl who wanted to bring happiness to others. He saw her beyond her devil status.
While Asia was still grappling with her feelings about the linguist's disappearance, a knock echoed from the front door. She hurried downstairs, opened the door, and found herself in shock at the sight before her.
"Dd...dr?" she stammered, utterly surprised.
"Hi there," Ahmad greeted her with a friendly wave. He took a deep breath, prepared to offer an apology, but before he could utter a word, Asia lunged at him, enveloping the linguist in a tight and emotional hug.
"Dr. Ahmad, I'm so glad you're okay!!" Asia exclaimed, tears of joy streaming down her face, relieved that nothing had happened to him.
Ahmad, taken aback by the emotional outpouring, couldn't help but feel a warm sense of acceptance from Asia, despite his earlier escape.
"So, shall we continue where we left off?" Ahmad inquired, his voice filled with genuine interest.
Asia released him from the hug and wiped away her tears, nodding enthusiastically. "Of course!" she replied, her happiness palpable.
With Ahmad's arrival, Asia invited him into the house, and for the next three hours, they worked together on their lessons. When Rias and Issei returned home from their search, ready to deliver the disappointing news to Asia, they were taken aback to find her and the doctor sharing snacks and laughter.
Observing the heartwarming scene, Rias decided to call Sona and convey the news that the linguist had been found, effectively ending the search. As twilight descended, Ahmad had to bid farewell; he had an important presentation at Ohio State University that same day, concerning the rise of Arabic.
With smiles and gratitude, they parted ways for the time being, feeling a renewed sense of camaraderie and hope.
18:00 p.m
"Are you sure you'll be fine going on your own?" Asia asked, her concern evident in her voice.
"Don't worry, Miss. I'll be okay," Ahmad reassured her. He stood at the front entrance of the house, where no one was around, allowing him to use his Sacred Gear without fear of being discovered.
"Remember to practice, okay?" Asia reminded him.
"Right," she responded.
"Well, until next time, Salam!" Ahmad said, raising his right hand in the air and disappearing. He had to get to Ohio, and thanks to Rias, he was well-prepared with a suit for his presentation. The presentation as you could tell, went well, and without a hitch.
That Night
Ahmad's weekend had been challenging, to say the least. He had learned in the most inconvenient way that supernatural entities existed. Not only that, but he had also discovered that he might have a unique supernatural lineage.
"A Nabataean, huh?"
However, those thoughts weren't the only ones on his mind. He couldn't forget his encounter with Yasaka and was eager to see her again. After gathering his thoughts, Ahmad had time to contemplate everything when he returned to California, his place of residence. He prepped himself for the evening, taking a shower, having a light dinner, and putting on his pajamas before going to bed and drifting into a peaceful slumber.
That very night, Ahmad experienced another supernatural encounter. As he woke up, he was met with a radiant figure standing at the foot of his bed. This time, unlike before, Ahmad was prepared to defend himself. Before he could conjure his staff, the glowing aura surrounding the being dissipated, revealing its true form.
The figure appeared as a man with blonde hair and green eyes. Twelve golden wings adorned his back, and a warm smile graced his face, indicating his non-hostile nature. He was clad in a red robe with a gold cross on the front of his white alb. Golden shoulder plates adorned his attire, along with a white sash and a golden halo hovering above his head.
"W...Who are you?" Ahmad inquired cautiously.
"Fear not, child of Ishmael, for you have been blessed by the Most High," the angelic being replied. Ahmad, still in a seated position, listened attentively.
"What do you want?" Ahmad asked politely.
"I have been watching you for a while, Son of Balthazar. It seems that both you and the young girl you've taken as your student have unlocked gifts that we believed to be long lost," the angel explained. His voice resonated with a sense of authority.
"However, unlike her, you are a special case. You are more unique than you may realize, Ahmad. Now that this fact has revealed itself to you, you are no longer safe living here on Earth. Come with me, to heaven, and I will explain everything."
Michael extended his hand toward the linguist. Ahmad, sensing no malice from this celestial being, accepted the offer and took his hand. In an instant, Michael and Ahmad vanished, transported to heaven, where an adventure of unimaginable magnitude awaited the fortunate and pious scholar of Semitic languages.
To Be Continued.