Short Notice: Long chap ✏
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"That damned Ouroboros. She did something unnecessary."
Loki's voice echoed in the confinements of his prison. He was chained through his feet and his cold gaze lingered in the darkness
"However, there are still things that can be done." His eyes held an evil glint. "Feel this down to your very bones.. Blue Dragon Empress. Ruin Princess, you as well."
The said Empress was still unconscious on her bed. 5 days already passed but she was still in a coma-like state. Fortunately, Issei already recovered with the help of Asia's enhanced healing powers. The ORC decided to spend the days on the Gremory Estate instead of bringing the girl to the Vermillion Household. This was under the suggestion of Azazel and the group just followed what the man said.
*(Door opens)*
" Hmm. Erin-chi, you're still not up?" Azazel mumbled as he visited the Goddess' room. The latter was unmoving and her Sacred Gear manifested on her neck. The gem on the glear glowed faintly and the Fallen took notice of this.
" Can I ask you some questions?" The Fallen leaned on the wall. "Not Erin-chi.. I'm talking to you, Midnight Dragon."
The gem glowed brighter and Voltaire's voice was soon heard.
"{ Hmm. What does the Governor-General of the Fallen Angels wanted to ask?}"
" I wanted to ask about the power Erin released at that time."
"{ I'm sure you already have some idea about this. But yes. My host invoked the Juggernaut Drive sealed inside of her.}"
"Yes, I do have an idea." Azazel nodded. "Juggernaut Drive is a forbidden skill that forcefully releases all the power sealed within a sacred treasure."
"{ If invoked, the user will temporarily have power that even surpasses the Gods.}" Voltaire continued.
"{ But in exchange, they lose their life or shorten their lifespan drastically.}"
"I see. That would be bad for both Issei and Erin." pondered Azazel.
"{ I consider my host a special case. Since she has a Goddess side, that would denote that her power would further be amplified when activating the Juggernaut Drive. She has tremendous light attribute as well so it would be used as a substitute instead of wasting away her life force as a reincarnated devil.}"
Azazel waited for the dragon to continue, sensing that he was conflicted about something.
"{ What I'm wondering.. Is how something that dangerous could be invoked. I understand that my host's despair and past trauma contributed for the power to be activated. However...}"
" However, what?"
"{I didn't fathom that the negative energy would be so high that it would render my host unconscious.}"
" What do you mean?" Azazel was intrigued.
"{ Something was controlling my host's feelings at that time. Though I am not sure what exactly. I have my doubts that it might be the negative feelings which materialized into a certain form but I'm baffled as to how it gained that much power.}"
" That is indeed a mystery." Azazel remarked with slight seriousness. "I guess that is also the reason why Erin has slower recovery compared to the Red Emperor. The damage she suffered must be deeper and more fatal."
"{We can say that.}" Voltaire sighed.
"{ I'm afraid that if my host isn't healed within the next few days, the damage will worsen.}"
"I understand." Azazel nodded. " I'll bring the Twilight Healer to try and reduce the extent of the damage. If it isn't effective, I guess we have to disclose her condition to her household."
"{When that happens... you know that she will be deported, right? There's a possibility that she won't be able to join you back.}"
" And that's what we are trying to avoid." smirked Azazel as he turned to leave the room " As much as possible, we're keeping Erin-chi with us."
The Fallen exited and met up with the ORC who were gathered in the living room. Grayfia was also present same as Sirzechs who communicated with the group via hologram.
"I see.. Erin is still.."
" Yes. She's still in a coma." replied Azazel to the Maou which dampened the group's mood.
" Her body and demonic power is recovering at a good speed but... it seems that her injuries are pretty bad deep inside."
" Within her?" Sirzechs asked.
" A lot has happened to her." Kiba spoke. " I guess we just have to wait it out."
" T-That means her condition is worse than Issei-senpai?" Gasper asked in worry.
Asia looked down hearing this as guilt crept up to her.
"Erin-san and Issei-san went through many hardships to save me."
Xenovia placed a hand on Asia's shoulder as she assured the girl.
"Asia, it's not your fault."
" That's right. The Khaos Brigade is to blame." Issei said with a raised fist.
" Besides, Erin won't like it if you blame yourself so we should direct our anger to those stupid enemies."
"I apologize, minna. But if Lady Erin's condition doesn't get better over the next few days, we will be forced to report this to the Vermillion Household."
The group slightly flinched at the words and Issei shot up in his seat.
" Oy, Azusa. Don't be like that. We believe that Erin's condition would get better!"
" It better be." Tsubaki sighed. " If not, I'm afraid she will be taken to Olympus for her treatment and you guys know what's going to happen next."
" Erin is staying with us." Rias declared with confidence and the others nodded. " That's why, we will do our best to help in her recovery."
Azazel smiled proudly and decided to voice out his suggestion.
"That reminds me. Asia, you haven't tried it yet, right?"
" Eh?"
" I'm talking about the results of your training. I know that your healing powers strengthened because you successfully healed Issei but you haven't tried it out on Erin-chi yet."
Asia nodded at this and the Fallen continued.
" Due to her incomplete transformation and sever damages she suffered, the dragon inside Erin is malfunctioning. I observed that her gear activated on its own even when Erin is unconscious."
" So you suggest that Asia use her powers on Erin? Or rather, try a different approach when healing her?" Sirzechs said.
" Yes. That's exactly my point." smirked Azazel. "Asia's Sacred Gear might be able to solve the problem."
" Might?" Rias uttered in surprise. " So there's a possibility that Asia will be in danger?"
" That, we don't know." sighed the Fallen. " After all, Erin-chi's case is different from Issei. If we want to heal her, the treatment should focus on the depth and not the distance."
Azazel gave Asia a firm stare.
"You've been training to heal people even at a distance. However, Erin's case focuses on the degree of damage she suffered so you need to focus on the depth of your magic."
"Even so... Why does the possibility of Asia being in danger have to take part." Issei frowned.
"Well, you guys have to make your choice." Azazel looked back and forth at Asia and Rias. " If not, we can just resort to our last option. That is, to give up Erin-chi and hand her over to Olympus."
" Please let me try." Asia interjected with determination. "I want to try healing Erin-san."
" Asia..." Rias mumbled.
"Erin-san said that she'd always protect me and save me. She never breaks a promise she makes so that's why.. I want to save Erin-san too. Please let me heal her, Rias onee-sama."
Rias had a staring contest with the blonde until the red head acquiesced to her request.
" Very well. Please save Erin, Asia." Rias said with hope.
" Hai. I'll do my best."
Azazel guided the girl to Erin's room and he gave some final reminders.
" You need to heal the injury deep inside Erin's heart. Remember to focus on the depth of the magic."
" Hai."
*(Door Closes)*
" Is it okay to leave Asia-senpai alone?" Gasper said once Azazel joined them back.
"If she focuses all her energy, it will become a powerful force." spoke the Fallen. "What we don't know, is how it will affect the area around her."
" I hope Erin and Asia will be okay." Issei said with hope.
Back to Erin's room, Asia summoned her power and she hovered her hands above the former's neck. A green light enveloped Asia and it extended to Erin's body.
" Erin-san.. you are one of my treasured people. You have always stood beside me, ready to help me in any way you can."
*(Flash!)*
The light intensified and Asia closed her eyes as she deeply focused.
" Erin-san, This might be a chance which God gave me. A way to finally do something for you."
*(Boogsh!)*
Her magic spread out to the whole room and it blasted the ceiling. Nevertheless, Asia maintained her focus even if her upper clothes also got damaged.
*(Ching!)*
" Please.. Please open your eyes, Erin-san!"
A flash of green light erupted for the last time and Asia passed out beside the Goddess. Her healing magic was a success as the Goddess slowly regained her consciousness.
" Hmm.. the ceiling.. why is there a hole in the ceiling.."
Erin glanced to her side and was surprised to see Asia with her tattered clothes. She connected the dots and realized that the girl must have healed her.
" Asia... Thank you.." Erin softly said as she stroked the blonde's hair. Asia woke up after a minute and her eyes widened upon seeing the Goddess.
" Erin-san..." Asia said with teary eyes and rushed to hug the Goddess.
" Thank Goodness. I'm so glad." the blonde mumbled as she snuggled closer, making Erin slightly embarrassed.
After they separated, the Goddess gave her some spare upper clothes and the blonde accepted it.
" How are you feeling, Erin-san?"
"I'm fine, for the most part." answered Erin with a smile. "The only thing left is the problem with my gear. It still has slight malfunctions so the excess energy needed to be removed again."
" Eto. Just like Issei-san's..." Asia mused. " I can help you with that, Erin-san."
" Eh?" Erin quickly flailed her hands as she imagined the scenario with Asia.
"Ah-That's fine. I can just ask the others. Besides, I'm sure you're tired from the healing you did today."
Asia shook her head and gently insisted.
" It's okay, Erin-san. I just have to directly remove the energy from the source. I wanted to help you as well."
"How do I explain this.. haha 😅" Erin thought awkwardly.
" Ano.. Asia.. If you have to remove it from the source, that means you have to remove it from my neck." Erin sheepishly said then laughed to cover up the awkwardness.
Asia pondered for a moment until she realized the situation. A blush appeared on her cheeks and the Goddess just chuckled at this.
" Ah-Eh.. Ano... That's.."
" It's okay, Asia. That's why I told you that you don't have to do it." Erin smiled. " Besides, I have a feeling that you'll rather do it with Issei."
"E-Eh?"
" Haha, I'm just teasing you." chuckled Erin and the blonde pouted.
" Mou, Erin-san. Stop being mean."
" Gomen, gomen." Erin said as she hugged the girl. " Ah~ I miss hugging you, Asia."
Asia hummed in reply and buried her face on the Goddess' neck.
" You smell really good, Erin-san."
" Don't you mean I smell like estate beds?"
" Mou!" Asia pouted and the Goddess only hugged her closer.
" My, what a cute relationship we have here."
The two separated and were surprised to see the ORC outside the door.
"Well of course. Asia is cute soo.." The Goddess hugged the girl from behind as she laid her head on the blonde's shoulder.
"Erin-san, your breath tickles." Asia giggled and the Goddess snuggled closer.
" Looks like we've lost to Asia today." Rias said and Akeno agreed with a chuckle.
" You're right, fufu."
" How are you feeling, Erin?" Rias asked and the Goddess stepped away from Asia.
" I'm healed and the only problem is my gear. The excess energy needs to be removed."
" Ara, does this mean we'll be spending time tonight?" Akeno winked.
" Please don't put any weird meanings on that, Akeno." sighed Erin.
Rias suddenly felt a pang of despair at the interaction of the two.
" Is it okay, Rias? " Akeno asked the red head who seemed to be in a trance. "I have to join Erin for tonight. We'll catch up with you guys later."
The red head gazed at Erin who was now chatting with Asia. She placed a hand to her chest in pain.
" Rias?" Akeno asked in slight worry after noticing the red head's wistful expression. "What's wrong?"
"Ah-Eh. Nothing." Rias quickly replied. She faced back the group and announced cheerily.
" Everyone, now that Erin has gotten better, let's eat downstairs."
" Hai! Buchou."
Akeno waved to the group as she stayed behind to attend to the Goddess.
The red head glanced back at the closed door and the feeling of gloom resurfaced as she clutched her chest in pain.
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" It seems the Old Satan Faction of the Khaos Brigade has fallen apart."
" Vali didn't think of them as comrades to begin with." Azazel smirked.
" And about the matter of Great Red."
" Ophis wants to kick him out of the Dimensional Gap."
" So their interests lined up." Sirzechs concluded. " Right now, the lines between the worlds are stable because Great Red rules the Dimensional Gap. If something like that were to happen..."
"Right. Who knows what would happen to the entire world." Azazel said with a glint in his eye. " We have to stop that from happening at all costs."
"Great Red probably appeared because of Loki's failed attempt to destroy time and space. It created a small fissure between the worlds. That is what Ajuka believes."
" Loki, huh? He's troublesome to the very end."
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The red head spent the night lost in her thoughts. Akeno and Erin didn't come down to join them and it was enough to send her in a turmoil.
She proceeded to visit the Goddess' room only to find out that the 2 weren't there.
" Erin...." Rias mumbled with a conflicted expression. She left the room and roamed the hallways. When she was about to head back, she found the Goddess and the raven head who looked like they went out to other places.
"I don't understand why we have to go out just to eat."
" Ara, I just want to spend time with you, fufu." chuckled Akeno as she clung to Erin's arm.
Rias observed them with a pained expression and she secretly followed the 2. They ended up outside Akeno's room and Rias leaned discreetly behind the wall.
"Thank you for helping me, Akeno."
" No problem. I'm also happy because we were able to hang out and I discovered what your favorite foods are."
" Why, you're gonna cook for me now?" chuckled Erin and the raven head just hugged her close.
"Something like that."
" Why..." Rias gasped as she felt the pain once again. "Why am I feeling so hurt about this?"
Erin bid goodbye to the raven head and Rias quickly disappeared from her position to avoid getting caught.
- End of Chapter -