Unexpected Bloom [OCs X Highschool DXD]

Chapter 13

Aebelle slowly woke up, disoriented and confused. The unfamiliar bedroom spun before her eyes, a jumble of soft colours and textures.

"Ngh... Why can't I move—" she mumbled, her voice raspy from disuse.

Then, with a jolt, she realised the reason for her immobility. She was being held, hugged tightly, by a naked Rias Gremory.

"AH!" Aebelle cried out, scrambling away from the unexpected embrace. The sudden movement sent her tumbling out of the bed, landing with a soft thud on the plush carpet. Rias, startled awake, sat up, her eyes blinking slowly in the morning light.

"Good morning, Aebelle," she greeted, a hint of amusement in her tone.

"W-where am I?" Aebelle stammered, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Just in the guest room within the Occult Research Club," Rias replied, her gaze lingering on Aebelle for a moment before she stood up, casually draping a sheet around her.

Aebelle's mind raced, memories flooding back. Asia... She had to know if Asia was alright.

"Asia! Where's Asia!?" Aebelle demanded, her voice laced with urgency.

"She's safe. For now," Rias replied, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "We have questions for her."

A strange unease settled within Aebelle. "Wait... you don't mean..."

"She is a servant of a fallen angel," Rias stated plainly, her voice cold and resolute. "Those are facts."

"Facts!?" Aebelle gasped, disbelief coloring her voice. "You cannot be THIS serious, Rias. Asia is just like everyone else!"

"'Everyone else,' you said. Do you hear yourself?" Rias countered, a flicker of irritation in her eyes.

She sighed, her frustration evident. "Okay... let's take things easy. Just go and ask her."

Exiting the guest room, Aebelle found Asia seated on the couch, surrounded by the other members of the Occult Research Club: Akeno, Koneko, Issei, and Kiba.

"It's good to see you doing well," Rias said, her voice softening.

"Y-yes..." Asia replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"If you don't mind, there are some questions we need to ask you," Rias continued, her expression serious.

"No... I don't mind..." Asia murmured.

"Asia, be honest, okay?" Issei interjected, his voice filled with concern.

"O-okay..." Asia nodded, her eyes downcast.

"How did you get in contact with the fallen angels?" Rias asked, her question direct and to the point.

Asia's voice trembled as she began her story. "My parents abandoned me right after I was born. I was told I had been found crying in front of a small European town's church. I grew up there. When I was eight, a wounded dog, close to death, wandered into the church. By myself, I prayed as hard as I could. That's when a miracle occurred."

"A... miracle?" Aebelle whispered, her eyes widening.

"I have the ability to heal," Asia explained, her voice gaining a hint of strength.

Rias remained silent, her expression unreadable.

Asia continued, "Soon afterward, I was taken to a big church where I was ordered to heal the illnesses and wounds of Christians from all over the world. I was so happy that my power could help people! Then, one day, I encountered a man who collapsed on the floor, heavily injured. But the man I came across was... a devil. I was branded a heretic because I had the power to even heal devils."