Chương 106: Chapter 102- A Sentence Can Melt A Mountain Of Snow

"Rock, paper…what is that?"

"???" Sairaorg was greatly shocked. This game was thousands of years old. How could Igor not know it?

"You know what? I won't even ask. I'll just teach you. In return, you'll tell me how you trained."

"Only if you tell me as well. So I can win next time."

"Deal." … |DxD| - Chapter 102- A Sentence Can Melt A Mountain Of Snow …... 04/March/1998- Sunday June 7 th, 1998, Kuoh Town, Japan. Immortal herbs, magic artifacts, springs of life, resurrection fruits, and sacred gears. There were so many forms and methods to ferry a soul from the afterlife and bring the body back to the land of the living. These methods were in reach, yet none could be used. Two palms enveloped a smaller hand. Strands of golden hair touched each other over the duvet.

The fresh scent of jasmine and incense lingered in the air. Igor was seated beside his mother on a chair. He dared not sit on the bed for that space was for his father. Ariyans had their own afterlife, an ancestral land of eternal paradise where they all resided. He didn't know how to reach that realm. It wasn't as simple as Heaven for there was no one he could ask.

"I'm sorry, mother. I still lack the strength." Their home had already been invaded and destroyed. If their afterlife was found because of him, he would not be able to bear that sin. Igor sat quietly with his mother. She was his hope to restoring the lineage of Ariya. Once he could resurrect her, he would learn where their afterlife was. Through that, he could slowly bring back his father as well. It was as wishful as it was lofty, but all of that could become real with absolute strength… which he did not yet have.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Sigh…" Valerie Tepes was her name. To this day, he still could not understand why Baraquiel told him that name. It had lingered in his mind for the past three weeks, for she possessed the Sephiroth Graal. There was knowing and feeling. He knew what he had to do, but feelings tormented him. Perhaps that was why Baraquiel didn't tell him where Valerie was. Because with his turbulent feelings, Igor did not know what he might do once he saw her. The desperation was a claw gouging his stomach.

Seeing his mother open her eyes was his deepest desire. In the many mornings and the evenings he visited her, it had never changed.

"Some day I will, mother. Some day." Igor came to his feet. Her body was warm from the vitality he infused into her. It was to give her that faint trace of life, no matter how illusory it might be. He leaned over and pressed his forehead against her lips. He lingered, then stood up again.

"I'll be back again tonight, mother." He walked to the door and opened it. He held it open for a moment, then stepped through and closed it. Those who received their mother's nagging were fortunate, for he would kill to hear her tell him not to get in trouble, to not stay out late, to clean his room before leaving, and so much more. But some day, even if his hair had turned white, he was determined to hear them.... … |DxD| …... Winter had fallen to spring in the ceaseless cycle of seasons.

It had rained heavily the night before, leaving the morning with the heavy scent of wet soil and decay. Igor stepped beyond the barrier into the untamed forest. A stray ray of sunlight formed a stripe across his face. His form flickered and he vanished into the forest depths without disturbing a grain of dirt. For every step he climbed, he always remembered to look down. Seeing how far he had to go could leave him solemn, yet seeing how far he'd come would bring relief and satisfaction.

He'd come far from the boy he was, and even further from his teenage self. His foot fell inside a yard. The pleasant smell of wet grass entered his nose. His arrival alarmed little Akeno who was seated on the porch steps. She glanced up and beamed with a smile.

"Apuuuuu~!" She closed the distance between them in one bound and bumped into his thigh. She raised her arms and commanded sweetly.

"Up~." Her little teeth were bright and her eyes were so innocent. Igor had neither the will nor the heart to refuse. He picked her up and tucked her into his embrace.

"No greeting anymore, Akeno?"

"Ah?" Akeno jolted in surprise, then quickly wrapped her arms around his neck in a hug.

"Morning, Apu~!"

"Morning, Akeno. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes! Because there's no school tomorrow!" She cheered jubilantly with pumped fists.

"Oh? No wonder you woke up so early. I thought I'd have to drag you out of bed again."

"Mm Mm!" Akeno shook her head.

"I'm a grown girl now. I can wake up on my own."

"But you can't walk on your own."

"I can!" Akeno pouted as she lay on his shoulder.

"But you're warm, Apu…"

"..." Igor couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from rising. There was a sense of pride, sweetness, and accomplishment. Just these simple words made his entire day.

"Thank you, little chick. Now let's go and see Issei."

"Yayyy! Let's go~!"

END