Chương 109: Chapter 105- A Friendship Born

"You told us all of this because your goal is my son, correct?" The question was rhetorical.

"Give me one good reason I can trust you with him." The two met eyes, and Igor gave his oath, one that he meant from the depths of his heart.

"I will protect him with my life." … |DxD| - Chapter 105- A Friendship Born …... The day came to an end and a dirt trail welcomed the two people it saw off this morning. The sun glowed orange beyond the horizon, and shadows crept in from the east. Igor walked with steady steps. Akeno had fallen asleep on his back after a long day of playing with Issei. Her snores were soft and her little hands hung on his shoulders. Throughout the day, Igor had done what he could to explain the world to the Hyoudou couple.

Once they had time to calm down, they had asked many questions. He only answered what he believed they could handle. For anything else, he lied or twisted the truth. Perhaps it was—no, it was wrong. Maybe he should've honest. Maybe he shouldn't even have spoken about the supernatural world at all. But as his steps continued into the forest depths, Igor believed he did what he thought was right. Soon, behind them were rows of trees instead of vast plains. The path home became shorter and short.

Two feet became four, for another had joined Igor.

"You handled it well, Igor."

"Thanks, old man." The two men walked side by side. Gorou and Miki had their worlds turned upside down, but he believed they would adapt. They had to. Because Issei would need their support in the coming years. The life of a Dragon Emperor would never be easy.... … |DxD| …... 7/June/1998- Monday June 15, 1998, Pacific Ocean, Japan. The ocean was condemned to know no rest. A peaceful morning with gentle waves approached the afternoon with storming seas and booming explosions.

Deafening shockwaves and searing heat had doused this stretch of ocean in chaos. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Igor and Sairaorg were flashes of light. Each moment their figures appeared, they were fading pictures locked in combat. Sometimes, they appeared far beyond the horizon. Other times, they were in the skies. But once in a while, their fight took place deep below the surface.

Each fist, each kick, each clash sent towering geysers of water bursting upward. Then, one final clash was so powerful the waters parted to form a crater several metres deep. Right at the centre, Igor had his rising knee blocked by Sairaorg's hands. Both men grinned at each other, then vanished. Several kilometres away, they both appeared on a beach. Water dripped from their bodies onto the sandy shores.

"Whooooo! That was a good one, Igor!" Sairaorg stretched out his arms. A good battle always ironed out the creaks in his body.

"Likewise, Sairaorg." Igor went and found his shirt. He dusted it off of sand and put it on.

"Hey, Igor. When are you coming to the Underworld with me? My mother has been asking to meet you." Igor paused and raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"You told your mother about me?"

"Of course. I never hide anything from her. So, you coming?"

"Not today." Igor began tying his hair.

"I have to fetch my little sister from school."

"You have a little sister?" Sairaorg asked in wonder. Then continued.

"No wonder you always leave so early. I thought you had stamina issues."

"..." Vein Bul ge "I'm more than willing to rectify that misconception, Sairaorg."

"Woah! It was a joke, Igor. Hahahaha!" Sairaorg put on his shirt and went to sit on an old fallen tree. He waited for Igor to finish up, then patted the space next to him.

"Come sit with me before you leave. I won't take long." Igor obliged and walked over. He sat down and both men gazed at the waves advancing and retreating on the sandy shores. The after-effects of their battle were still present in the energetic waters. Sairaorg sighed for a moment, then took a deep breath.

"Thanks for telling me about your sister, Igor. I know our reputation isn't exactly the best."

"An understatement."

"Hehehehe. You're not wrong." It was, regretfully, not unheard of for devils to coerce a person into their peerage by holding their family member hostage until they agreed. For Igor to casually mention his sister, whether by mistake or deliberate intent, signified the trust he had in him.

"You know, I also have a little brother. Though our relationship is not good, I still hope we become close one day." Sairaorg placed his hand on Igor's thigh.

"Just like you and your sister."

"..."...... Igor's face turned 'ugly'.

"Get your hand off my leg before I crush it."

"... pfft…pfhahahahahahaha!" Sairaorg swung his arm around Igor and laughed into his shoulder. He kept slapping his thigh over and over again.

"Hahahahahahaha!" He laughed and laughed until his eyes teared. Igor was also affected and slipped a few chuckles too.

"Maaaan, Igor. Hahahaha! Whoooo~, I needed that! I needed that a lot." Sairaorg pulled away and wiped his face.

"But come on, man. I'm serious about this. I can tell from the look on your face that you really love your sister. And I'm envious of that. In fact, I envy humans. Your people can share such a deep bond with each other. It's the opposite with my kind, Igor. It's the opposite…" Igor did not respond with words. He only offered a supportive hand on Sairaorg's thigh.

"..."

"..." They met eyes, and both smiled at the same time.

"Pfft…hahahahahaha!"

"Hehehehehe!" The laugh was infectious. Both men laughed together until Sairaorg had enough composure to speak.

"Get your hand off me, damnit." He playfully shoved Igor away.

"I'm trying to be serious and you're ruining it."

"Do I look like a therapist to you, Sairaorg?" Igor mock scoffed and Sairaorg slapped his back.

"Nope. But you sure are better than one, Igor." Sairaorg got on his feet and reached out with his hand. Igor glanced at it then took it. He stood up and Sairaorg strengthened his hold. His expression was free and sincere.

"You know, Igor, I'm glad I made a friend like you. I don't know if you view me the same, so don't rush to reciprocate, but know I consider you a very good friend, Igor."

"..." Igor looked at Sairaorg, then looked down at their hands.

"How low I've fallen…" He muttered, then strengthened his grip.

"My very first friend is a person many years my senior."

"Hahahaha! That's practically months in devil time, Igor!" Sairaorg laughed loudly. He gripped Igor's hand tightly and grinned.

"Tomorrow then, friend?" A silence fell between them, and Igor returned a grin.

"Tomorrow…" Their eyes met. Maybe befriending a devil wouldn't be so bad.

"... friend."

END