infinite stratos: devils rising

A man named: Mcgillis Fareed

A.N Yes the first few chapters are similar to infinite stratos iron blooded orphans

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Death, to Mcgillis Fareed, is surprisingly... peaceful. He wondered why it is so. He had failed, he had not accomplished any of his goals, he was killed before his time, so why does it feel so peaceful? Even the thought of going to hell or facing the wrath of Carta and those he had wrongly killed is not too farfetched.

"Perhaps... it's because it is Gaelio."

Mcgillis mused. To think that out of anyone that could kill him it would be the only man he would call his one and only friend. The one he attempted to kill and one who he had hurt the most. If there is any concept of divine retribution in the world, he certainly believed it now. He oddly felt most at peace at knowing that he died by Gaelio Bauduin's hands, at the hand of his best friend that he wronged.

There's nothing that he could do now. Everything he had done is useless. He had failed and he doesn't feel as disappointed as he thought he would, mostly because how he died and by whom. He fought to the best of his ability. He knew he could've done better but there's no use thinking about it now.

It took Mcgillis a while though to realize that he's not alone. He felt someone staring at his back. He turn around to see a certain black haired child soldier, the very same boy who had inspired him to go so far in the first place, the one who had helped him harden his resolve, the boy known as the Devil of Tekkadan, Mikazuki Augus.

"Chocolate man?"

"So you died as well."

Mcgillis assumed since it's the only logical explanation why Mikazuki is there with him. In the end even the greatest demon could fall. In the end might makes right, he is not wrong. But as with everything else, none of that matters in death. He might as well spend this time talking with the boy he had come to admire. If he were to be honest with himself, he is rather fond of Mikazuki. Even excluding all his plans and machinations, Mikazuki is someone he could come to like personally. Perhaps that's why he is most fascinated by him even among the exceptional children of Tekkadan.

"For what it's worth, I was honest when I say I expected a lot out of you."

"Hnn."

Mcgillis smiled at the boy's curt reply. The boy is unmovable. He possess strength but most of the time he doesn't care about using his strength and even when he did, he never used it for himself. The boy moved only to protect his family in Tekkadan or when pointed by Orga Itsuka. Both of them had harsh childhood but they can't be more different than each other. Mcgillis had wished to be like Mikazuki but he can never fight for anyone other than himself. Mikazuki does not really desire power like he does but he has it yet he never use it for himself.

If Mcgillis had to put it in words, they are two sides of a mirror. Mcgilllis wondered if he would've turned out differently if he had instead be child soldier like those in Tekkadan. That is certainly an interesting thought. Perhaps things would've turned out differently. But it's nothing more than idle thought.

"Mikazuki, are you satisfied with your life?"

Mikazuki tilted his head at the question. He thought for a while. It's amusing to see his simple and childish gestures but it suits the child soldier well. It took Mikazuki a while until he finally answered.

"No."

He simply answered. Mcgillis expect as much.

"Because I never got to be a farmer and see my child."

"Wait, child?"

Mcgillis is a little taken aback by what the boy had said. He, a young boy, has a child? Was it with Kudelia Aina Bernstein? Either way, it is a rather shocking revelation even to someone like him. Mcgillis prided himself in maintaining his cool in any situation but even this is beyond his imagination. Then again, he's the one engaged to an eleven years old.

Ahh yes, Almiria, sweet little Almiria. He genuinely likes her despite everything said and done. Another one he wronged in the course of his life. He idly wondered what life would've been if he had survived. Almiria's father certainly won't be handing her to him happily.

"You have... a child?"

Mikazuki nodded. Mcgillis wanted to ask more about it but decided not to. It's probably something he doesn't need to know. But still, a child, Mcgillis had never thought about it in his life what with his mind mostly occupied with his plans and his fiancée being an eleven years old child herself. It certainly brought things into perspective when he thought about a child of his own after he died.

What kind of father would he be? What kind of husband would he be?

"Ohh?"

Suddenly Mcgillis felt a strange sensation. He look down and found that he is disappearing. Is this the end for him? He doesn't know. The same is also happening to Mikazuki but the boy is not bothered by it. Mcgillis Fareed smiled. Whatever happens next, he will accept it. To force his way forward, that is how he does things.

If... If he were to be reborn against all odds, he might even try to consider Gaelio's words. The last conversation he had with his one and only friend.

'Is there such a thing as true and fake happiness?'

Mcgillis then turn back to the Demon of Tekkadan. There must be a reason why they met here together. A reason he had yet to find out. He also has this feeling that this won't be the last time they meet.

"Well then, it looks like our time here has come to an end. Let us meet again somewhere else, Mikazuki Augus."

"I hope not."

Mcgillis chuckled on last time before both he and Mikazuki disappear.