A Deathless' Return (Male Reader x DXD)

Chapter 19: Earning Redemption

Fighting...

That's all that was ever familiar to Y/n, even in his past lives.

It didn't make him flinch, never made him hesitate.

But when he stood in front of Katerea, he couldn't even move, only speak. Those two words hung between them, both spoken in unison.

What was going to happen? What were they going to do? They could only stare and think.

Until a blast of magic was thrown at Y/n, and his left arm immediately moved to block it, coming from a magician. He didn't hesitate then. His blade was drawn, and plunged through the stomach of the magician who dared to try and harm him. Blood poured from the human's mouth, and they fell limp as the Infinity Blade continued to glow blue, yet dimmed immediately as it was withdrawn from the body.

Y/n could see the memories of the years following Lilith's death. The days he caused Katerea neglect, yet listened to every word she ever spoke to him. It was his mourning and rage that caused him to never once show any infatuation with her after he chose her to be his wife after Lilith.

More magicians started to appear, and yet all around him, his guard was either protecting Yasaka, who provided support from the room where the meeting had taken place, or fighting alongside his Inner Circle. Sona, Tsubaki, and Rias' Peerage, now free from Gasper's Sacred Gear, were all involved in the fighting alongside Irina.

As the battle waged around them, Y/n looked back at Katarea, and could only bow his head in shame, knowing the damage he had caused her, and she had come purely for revenge and a claim that he knew she wanted nothing to do with.

"Is that all you really have to say, Ausar?"

Y/n looked up at her, seeing her face in pain, but not physical pain. She shook her head, "You only have apologies? Why? You could have not chosen. You could have just refused and still fought for the Devils in the Great War, but you still chose me."

"You're right, I did, and I could have," Y/n took a step closer to her, yet even as he did, she casted her own magic, hitting him in the shoulder. He didn't make a move to block or defend it, only because he knew he deserved it for choosing her when he was in a high position of power that could have refused.

"I could have continued my war without you, I could have chosen to stay alone in grief, I could have done so much more than what I made you suffer," Y/n listed off, still slowly approaching, before finally stopping directly in front of him, "But the leaders of the Old Satan Faction that pressured me... they knew exactly what to say... That's why when I heard your voice tell me that you'd serve and stay by my side through all the pain I felt... I chose you."

With his left hand, he both protected Katerea, and cupped her cheek, before removing his helmet, and letting her see the younger version of the man she once knew in her memories.

"I only understand now that it would have been far better for the both of us had I not chosen," Y/n spoke softly.

All around them the battle was won, yet the only thing that seemed to remain was Y/n talking with Katerea. But just as Y/n was about to pull away, his instincts kicked into high gear within an instant. He spun around, his helmet appearing on his head, and shield raised, blocking a blast of magic from someone that he didn't expect, but already didn't like.

Vali.

"Bad Vali," Azazel smiled, his back smoking and apparently having been attacked himself.

"Sorry Azazel, things looked more interesting on this side," Vali said, having been the culprit of both attacks, "Although, unlike Ausar, you're losing your edge."