Limitless

Reaching Absolute Zero

Amano woke up within the next 30 minutes. Normally, that would he basically impossible after the injuries he sustained, but after calling upon Asia and many more Bishops from under the House of Gremory, he was healed within the hour.

Amano felt as normal as ever, but seeing her didn't recall being victorious, he knew the Rating Game ended in their defeat.

Before he could take in his surroundings, Amano felt the warm embrace of his club members as they saw he roused.

Asia was bawling her eyes out after the loss, and seeing Amano nearly lose himself and his life. Kiba was saddened by the lose and held Amano close after seeing how hard he fought. Akeno was the least expressive, and was just giving the air as if she was comforting her juniors. Koneko felt sympathy for Amano, since she too wanted to give her all, only for defeat to greet her.

Amano stared into space in shock, finally realizing just what happened.

They lost.

After all that training, sacrifice, and effort, they lost.

"She bet everything on you... and you still failed." Grayfia interrupted. "Seven Pawn pieces... all wasted for some final attack."

Amano gasped after hearing what gave him that final boost.

"S-Seven..." Amano muttered.

"Lady Rias' Peerage can no longer hold anymore Pawns." Grayfia informed.

Amano grit his teeth hearing that he had wasted such a gambit. She gave her all for him, and he blew it. He was so close, but he couldn't finish.

Amano began to tear up, but not because he lost...

As someone who used to defy her simply because he didn't like the idea of being a slave, he was shocked, yet willing to accept that he cried for letting her down.

Amano whimpered, wrapping his arms around everyone else as Grayfia watched in silence, beginning to think that she went overboard on her delivery.

"It's not your fault, Pawn. She simply saw that your life was not worth the battle you fought. This will ultimately be better for all Devilkind. She is abiding by the decision of the Gremory Household—"

"THEN FUCK HER HOUSEHOLD!" Amano yelled with pain.

His club members slowly released him an backed away as he slammed his hands down on the bed of the infirmary.

"This selfish bastards... taking away freedom in any right is unacceptable! If they'd strip their own daughter and sister of the freedom to choose their love— to hell with your three pillars— I'LL KILL THEM MYSELF!" Amano screamed, tears falling onto his sheets.

"TAKE ME TO HIM! I CAN'T LET HIM WIN!" Amano shouted in rage, using all of his strength to get out of bed and stumbled toward Grayfia.

"GIVE HER BACK GODDAMNIT!" He yelled one last time, grabbing her collar with a defeated expression. "Please... she finally gave me a purpose..." he cried, falling to his knees and revealing why he fought so hard.

"I had nothing before I became a Devil... she gave me a second chance. EVEN WHEN I HAD NOTHING SHE STILL TOOK ME IN!" Amano shouted in desperation.

"Please... I just want her back... I need to know why she... why she gave me this chance..." Amano plead, crying on Grayfia's boots.

A small chuckle came from Grayfia.

"I see. It's no wonder she placed all that faith in you. You're the key to her freedom it seems." Grayfia smiled. Amano slowly looked and saw she was extending a hand to him.