Winds of Change (DxD)

Volume 7 - Chapter 21 - Zenoiria & Qurastale Nexus*

Word count: 101k

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Third Person Point of View

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In the presence of Unagor, the looming figure that feigned divinity, Aaron Toole, Natsume Minagawa, and Kuisha Abaddon stood firm. Yet, the truth of the situation soon unveiled itself—Unagor was not a deity but a towering, cryptic entity. Its sleek ebony form, elongated limbs and digits, peculiar alabaster head adorned with a dotted "mouth," and long, slender legs that resembled raised heels created an otherworldly spectacle.

Aaron broke the tension with a brief interruption. "It's not a god," he declared, causing Kuisha and Natsume to exchange puzzled glances. "I'll clarify later, but for now, can you two manage it? I'll handle the statues and 'glitches' now that I've deciphered the mystery behind them."

"Understood, we're on it," Natsume announced, her resolve unwavering. Together, the pair charged towards Unagor, prepared to confront the entity and uncover the secrets concealed beneath its deceptive guise.

Aaron neared the site where the statue stood, enveloped by the otherworldly silhouettes of children's ghosts, their eyes cast downward. With a reassuring expression, he extended his hand to stroke their heads, offering them a comforting smile as he vowed, "I'll help you move on, don't worry."

Puzzled yet hopeful, the children watched as Aaron conjured a tiny, silvery-white sphere in his left hand and a jet-black one in his right. The obsidian orb lunged toward the "glitches" scattered across the clearing, seemingly consuming them within its dark grasp.

While this transpired, the silvery-white sphere transformed into a minuscule ethereal being, playfully engaging with the children. It morphed into a small orb, initiating a game of catch to divert and entertain the young spirits, providing them with a brief respite from the sinister forces that loomed nearby.

"Now then, let's take care of you lot," Aaron murmured, his body stretching as he prepared for the next step. With a deliberate motion, he directed the jet-black ball into the sky, its size rapidly expanding to envelop the entire planet. The planet, slightly smaller than Earth, facilitated a quicker and more efficient process.

As the expansive black sphere encompassed the entire celestial body, it honed in on the scattered "glitches," swiftly targeting and consuming them. A few hundred of these glitches met their end in the insatiable darkness. The planet responded with seismic tremors, shaking in response to the eradication process. The ground quivered repeatedly until a distant, ominous roar echoed through the air.

Turning his attention towards the source, Aaron couldn't help but smile. "So now the true 'god' emerges, huh? Took you long enough," he whispered, his gaze fixed on the approaching entity as anticipation filled the air.

A titanic, white apparition, named "Renatus," hurtled towards Aaron with astonishing velocity, materializing before him in the blink of an eye. Its pristine white form stood in stark contrast against the dark crimson protrusions of flesh, a helmet-like head adorned with two glowing yellow "eyes," and a waist draped in black cloth. In its mighty hands, it brandished two enormous swords, upholding a rigid color palette.

Drawing upon his [Observe] skill, Aaron discerned the name "Renatus," a term harboring a peculiar significance—"Rebirth" in Latin. This irony was not lost on Aaron, who mulled aloud, "A deity of rebirth or reincarnation? Quite ironic, given these children are unable to escape the confines of the living... unless Elanor meddled with you, your powers, the planet, or perhaps all three."

As these contemplations occupied his thoughts, Renatus lunged forward, spurring Aaron to adopt his [Boosted Gear] [Queen] form and summon [Ascalon]. With cool-headed precision, he parried the ferocious strike of both blades, confronting the colossal entity's attack head-on.