Bare This Curse

Chapter 17: Recovery

"Fever's gone down. Her less immediate wounds are healing pretty well from the healing magic."
Issei nodded as he looked down at Rias, who was sleeping in my bed.

"I can't believe she's suffered like you have this entire time."
"It's a lot to take in, bro... but it's good to know that danger is gone. No more repeats unless it's necessary."
He nodded, then looked up at the clock.
"You sure you wanna take care of her by yourself?"
"I have to take responsibility for my misguided judgement. Besides, I want a fresh start with the real Rias, and what better way than to take care of her as she recovers. You and the others go on ahead. Sona's getting Val, Anba, Xenovia, and Kuroka enrolled in Kuoh, right?"
He nodded.

"She was reluctant about Kuroka, but with your convincing, she's agreed to let her stay."
"Good. Last thing we need right now is another conflict."
"D*** straight. I'll see you later, Neito, and take good care of her. Ophis is downstairs."
"I will. See ya later, Issei. Tell everyone I said hi."
He smiled as he walked out and I turned my computer chair that I was sitting on back to Rias. I stared at her for a few moments before sighing.

"Geez..."

I stood up and walked over to her, bringing the blankets up a bit more over her before leaving my room. I walked downstairs and saw that everyone had already left. I sat down on the couch, looking at the turned off TV in thought. Ophis poked her head out from the kitchen, then walked over to me.

"Neito...?"
"Heya, Ophis?"
"What, is wrong?"
"Nothing. Just... still drinking in the fact that Rias wasn't really Rias. It was all an act that I should'a saw before."
"None, of us would have guessed her to be a doppelganger. It, is not your fault."
"I'm not blaming myself for that. I'm blaming myself for giving her judgement when I never even met her..."

"... Please, do not think of that anymore. Move, from the past. It's, over now. Kokabeil, and Doppelys are no more."
I nodded, rubbing my head.
"I just wish there was something else that I could've done..."
"You, are doing it now by helping her recover."
"... Yeah... I guess you're right."
She grinned, then poked my forehead.
"I, have someone who wants to meet you."
"Really? Who?"
*SHINE*
A Fallen Angel portal appeared and a man in a robe walked out of it.

"Ah, I see he's here."
"Well, this is his home."
The man grinned.
"I guess it is."
"Ophis? Who's this guy?"
*FWOOSH*
I nearly jumped when 12 wings, all Fallen, burst from his back.

"I'm Azazel. I'm the head of the Fallen Angels."
I froze, then narrowed my eyes.

{Eternal Judgement: Overdrive!}
My Nephilim wings sprouted and flared out as I stood up. My power was immediately shut down when Ophis flicked my forehead.
"Calm, down. He, is my friend."
"Friend? Why didn't ya say so earlier, kid?"
She blinked and stared at me for a moment, then we turned back to Azazel.

"Sorry about that, pal. I got a bit antsy."
"Understandable. I got wind of Kokabeil's schemes and infiltrated this town to speak with you. I hear you were able to combine the good elements of Cursed Time to the Eyes of Judgement. That interests me quite a bit as a Sacred Gear researcher."

"You'd be right. Whatever bird told you that wasn't lying. I kinda just got fed up with dying and going back, so Tetra and I did something... rather reckless to remedy the Cursed Gear."
"And that got you on Kruonis' good side, eh?"
"Good enough to be adopted by her."
"Indeed. It looks like she's found herself a fine young morsel to bring under her wing. You two are a lot alike."
"You've met?"
"Only once, and we like to send letters."
'Wow, the Lithuanian Goddess of Time is pen pals with the Governor-General of the Fallen Angels... I have no remark about that.'

"Thanks for calling down your friends during the battle, by the way. I couldn't get directly involved, so I was planning on sending someone like those bunch of kids to take care of that mess with you. Seems Vali followed directions pretty well this time, despite letting Kokabeil die, but to be fair, he deserved nothing but the death you gave him."
"I'm glad you realize this."
"With all that's happened, though, the leaders of the Three Factions have decided to hold a summit."