Chasing Dreams (Discontinued)

Chapter 227: A Heart's Desire

"Welcome back, Ryota."

Ryota awakened to a world full of hate. He despised it when Homura summoned him without warning.

"This place..." He murmured. It wasn't his first time coming to the spiritual realm. Homura invited him a few times prior, although never to speak to him specifically.

"Well?" Ryota heard Rose hiss. "Aren't you going to apologize, Ryota?"

Ryota wandered before slowly coiling around Rose. Among his comrades, he disliked her the most. Rose had a knack for stirring up problems. She acted as Homura's main advisor alongside her twin brother, Malik. It was rare to see Homura and not find Rose slithering nearby.

"For?" Ryota scoffed.

"Your overly zealous actions. " Rose frowned."You've gone out of your way to attack the Neo-Heroes twice now without consulting the rest of us. It's because of you that society is slowly beginning to take notice of us. If more attention is placed on us then we'll end up being on the wrong side of Michael's blade!"

Raising her voice didn't get much of a reaction from Ryota. He watched her, amused by her growing anger. He could tell Rose was seconds from erupting like a steaming kettle.

In contrast, Homura's guise was as ambiguous as ever. It was always difficult for Ryota to figure out what she was thinking. Until she eventually smiled.

Homura reached out and held Rose's hand.

"It's alright Rose. There's no need to be concerned. I'm not particularly angry about what Ryota has done. In fact, he did exactly what my worse half instructed him to do." Homura explained.

"But, Lord Homura-"

"I take Ryota's actions to be an exaggerated display of loyalty." Homura let go of Rose's hand and folded her hands, leaning forward. Her liquid stare whipped Ryota, causing him to straighten his back instinctively. "Am I wrong, Ryota?"

"No..." Ryota whispered.

Rose's frown deepened like a diver exploring the bottom of the ocean. Snakes erupted from her wrists and bit into Ryota's clothes. Ryota defended by forming a sheet of diamond over his skin, shattering the snake's teeth before they could fully seep through.

"What're you doing, Rose? Weren't you listening to your lord?" Ryota glared.

"Lord Homura!" Rose shouted. "This fool is trying to play you. He isn't loyal to us, he's a selfserving prick. Please let me execute him!"

"Rose..."

"I'd like to see you try." Ryota interrupted. "Don't try to push your delusions onto me bitch. The only selfserving one here is you. You want to execute me because you're worried Homura's favortism for you may one day run out."

Ryota's grin grew like a dragon's vengeful flame. "You ought to get your act together. This isn't any way for an advisor to behave."

"Quite the contrary." Rose reeled in her snakes and pulled out duel circular blades. "I believe my role as an advisor is to detour any threats that may spoil our plans. Not only are you a threat to society but you are a threat to Judas Heart's ambitions."

"Oh come on." Ryota rolled his eyes and waltzed around. "Don't tell me you've forgotten what we are? Regardless of how just Homura's intentions are it doesn't change what society has already branded us as, criminals. Everyone in Judas Heart is either a criminal or a reject. Including you and that wimpy brother of yours."

"Even so everyone within Judas Heart respects Homura and understands our purpose by remaining in the shadows. You on the other hand haven't learned that valuable lesson."