Chapter 21: Holy Swords - 1
The night was quiet at the abandoned church, a stark contrast to the chaos that had once unfolded there.
Two figures moved silently, their steps deliberate as they searched the remnants of the old sanctuary. The air was thick with a sense of purpose, their mission clear: recover the holy swords stolen from the church.
As they moved through the ruins, the moonlight revealed glimpses of their features beneath their hoods.
One had striking blue hair, the other, a vibrant orange. They were Xenovia Quarta and Irina Shidou—warriors sent on a sacred mission. Irina, glancing around cautiously, spoke in a hushed tone. "This is where the fallen angels were defeated. The swords must be here."
Xenovia nodded, her expression firm. "We need to find them before anyone else does."
---
The morning sun bathed the city in a gentle warmth as Raizel made his way towards the academy. The usual bustling energy of the city was muted in the early hours, providing a rare moment of peace.
As he walked, his thoughts were light, a small smile playing on his lips. He was looking forward to meeting Akeno which was quite reare given his personality, their moments together a welcome respite from the recent chaos.
---
Akeno was waiting for him near the academy gates, her serene smile lighting up as she saw him approach. Her presence was always calming, and Raizel felt a sense of ease wash over him.
As they greeted each other, their conversation flowed naturally, filled with light teasing and shared laughter.
"You're early today," Akeno remarked, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Raizel nodded, his voice soft teasing yet confident. "I thought it would be nice to enjoy the morning walk with you."
Akeno chuckled, a light blush tinting her cheeks. "You do know how to make a girl feel special, Raizel."
Their steps fell in sync as they continued their leisurely walk towards the academy. The quiet streets and the gentle rustling of leaves provided the perfect backdrop for their conversation.
They talked about everything and nothing, their bond evident in the ease with which they communicated.
---
As they walked, Raizel's keen senses picked up on something unusual. At the edge of the street, two hooded figures stood silently, their presence almost blending into the surroundings.
Raizel's eyes flicked towards them briefly, noting their stillness and the subtle tension in the air.
However, he chose to ignore them for the moment, unwilling to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere between him and Akeno. He knew he could deal with any potential threat later. For now, he wanted to focus on the time he had with her.
"Akeno," he began, his tone light, "have you ever thought about taking a break from all the chaos and just... enjoying life?"
Akeno's smile softened. "With you, Raizel, every moment feels like a break from chaos."
---
Their conversation shifted to more personal topics, with Raizel teasing Akeno about her preferences and habits, earning playful swats on his arm and melodious laughter. The connection between them grew stronger with each shared word, each exchanged glance.
"You know," Akeno said, her tone teasing, "you have a way of making even the simplest walk feel special."
Raizel smirked slightly. "Perhaps it's not the walk, but the company."
Akeno's cheeks flushed again, but she didn't look away. "You're quite the charmer, Raizel."
They continued their walk, the world around them fading into the background. The mysterious figures they had noticed earlier were forgotten in the warmth of their interaction, their presence insignificant compared to the bond between Raizel and Akeno.
---
As they neared the academy gates, the usual bustle of students began to pick up. Raizel and Akeno reluctantly ended their private conversation, but the warmth of their exchange lingered.
"Shall we continue this later?" Akeno asked, her eyes holding a promise of more moments to come.
Raizel nodded, slightly. "I'd like that."
They parted ways at the entrance, each heading to their respective classes. Despite the mundane nature of the day ahead, the morning had set a positive tone. Raizel felt a renewed sense of purpose and calm, the time spent with Akeno grounding him amidst the complexities of their lives.
---
Unbeknownst to them, the two hooded figures remained at the edge of the street, their eyes following the pair as they disappeared into the academy. Their mission remained unclear, but their presence hinted at events yet to unfold.
For now, however, the serenity of the morning was preserved, and Raizel and Akeno were content in their own world.
....
The atmosphere in the Occult Research Club was unusually serious as Rias sat in her usual seat, addressing Issei, Asia, and Koneko. Her crimson hair framed her face as she spoke in a calm tone.
"Holy swords are no ordinary weapons," Rias explained, her gaze focused. "They have the power to kill devils with ease. These weapons are rare, and their existence always brings turmoil."
Issei leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "So, what's the big deal with these holy swords?"
Rias sighed softly. "The church has always been protective of these weapons. If they're on the move, it usually means trouble for us."
Asia, sitting quietly beside Issei, looked concerned. "Is it because of their power?"
Koneko, who had been listening silently, nodded. "Holy swords are dangerous. We need to be careful."
As the discussion continued, the door to the clubroom opened, drawing everyone's attention. Akeno entered gracefully, her presence commanding as always. Behind her followed Sona Sitri and Tsubaki Shinra, both of whom carried an air of urgency.
"Rias," Akeno began, her tone respectful yet firm, "Sona and Tsubaki have something important to discuss with you."
Sona stepped forward, her expression serious. "We need to speak with you privately. This isn't something that can be discussed in front of too many people."
Rias frowned slightly but nodded. "I understand. Let's move to a more private location."
Issei, Asia, and Koneko exchanged curious glances but remained silent. They could sense the gravity of the situation but knew better than to press for details.
Akeno smiled reassuringly at the group before turning to follow Rias, Sona, and Tsubaki out of the room. "We'll be back shortly."
---