Important message: This story is a sequel to the original novel, Angelic Bond. It goes without saying that you need to read that novel first before this one. But you might also want to read at least the first 3 parts of Angelic Bond: Linked Memories before you pick up this book. It may enhance your experience.
Now that that's outta the way, please enjoy!
-The Author.
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Eons past, I spoke your name with glimmering eyes and affection.
But then, your lies shattered me to pieces and I could only feel depression.
In our times together, you offered me love and care. This much happiness, I couldn't bear.
And now, you gravely sinned and betrayed us all. These feelings... No longer can I hold...
Lingering Regrets,
By Ramael, the Unholy.
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Prologue
Since the very beginning, the World has been tainted by a concept known as Death. Regardless of time, place and race, everyone without exception has or will experience this fundamental concept. Therefore, you would expect that death applies to all beings equally. That death is universally equal. But this World has never been equal. And as a result, neither has been Death...
Other races have achieved immortality in a few different ways. Other races have been blessed with powers to counter death. Other races have been granted with energies of life. Every other race has had many beautiful deaths. Satisfying deaths. Joyful deaths. Inspirational deaths. Hopeful deaths. I can't help but envy them all.
On the contrary, We, Humans, have always fought for our freedom. We have struggled to have a place in the World. And we, have bowed to death. Our deaths have always been the most tragic of them all. Sudden deaths. Unfair deaths. Gruesome deaths.
Like a curse that has swallowed Humanity's very essence.
Back then, I hated the Human nature with all my heart. I enjoyed witnessing their deaths. I enjoyed seeing their lives being taken away from them unjustly. That way I could only feel at peace. That way I could only be happy. That way I could only accept my own death...
But then, the Vision I saw you in changed my view on the matter. What did I see in that Vision? Simply put, your Death. How can an ex-Human body, yet a clear Human mind like yours surpass Humanity's curse by achieving such a magnificent death?
Henceforth, you all have my utmost attention. I'll lament our unjust nature. I'll show empathy to all of the future Humans. I will be here to mourn your future deaths.
Thank you for opening my eyes, Aria.
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Vision 1
September 14th, Year 399 Post Barrier (P.B.)
"Farewell, Aniik..."
The eyes of the unique girl called Aniik are forcefully closed and her head is swinging left and right. While tightly holding on a light blanket and murmuring nonsensical words, she can't stop trembling from hearing these tow simple words.
"Farewell, Aniik..."
Again and again, the same two words echo in her ears. And it's not only words that keep on looping. A girl with long straight white hair and a pair of charming, indigo colored eyes is constantly waving at her. With a somber tone of voice, that girl repeats the same phrase.
"Farewell, Aniik..."
A large entry door appears in front of Aniik out of nowhere and begins to slowly close. While trying to stretch her hand forwards so as to not let go of that person, the door closes and the loud thud it makes forces her to wake up.
Aniik- NOOOOO!
The nightmare she saw was really intense, thus tears had formed on her grey eyes even before waking up.
As a result of this chaotic dream, her short black hair is now flying all around the place. Even in this unsightly state, a strand of hair in the middle of her scalp, unaffected by all the chaos, stands out magnificently out of all the other strands. This classic, main-character-like strand of hair I believe is called an "ahoge" nowadays.
After swiping her tears with her hands, Aniik briefly looks around the room. Since it is pretty early in the morning (around 6 am) the room is really dark and she can't make out a lot of things. Just the bunk bed, on the upper bed of which she was previously sleeping, two separate wardrobes on each side of the bunk bed and a pretty brand new wooden desk staring the wall. Well. I'd love to tell you a lot more about the room but it's too dark to notice any details...
In the blink of an eye, the sound of a switch opening can be heard and the room is illuminated. But lightwaves aren't the only type of waves that Aniik is greeted with.
???- What's going on, Aniik?! Don't tell me it was another one of your nightmares that woke me up again! (...) Ahh!
After making brief contact with the girl complaining, Aniik averts her gaze and says
Aniik- Um.. No?--- I mean, what if it was? Whatchu gonna do, Samei?
Aniik raises her hands and clenches them into fists as if she were about to go on a fight with Samei.
Aniik- Wanna go? Huh?!
Samei deeply sighs, raises her eyebrows and shrugs while pretending to have already lost the "battle". She then goes to her desk and grabs a hairband to do her hair. While doing so, with her eyes closed, she thinks about Aniik's irritating personality.
"Pfff.. Why am I even trying to argue with her? She's ridiculously stubborn but she always comes on top in a debate... Ugh I can't take this..."
Lost in thought, Samei spontaneously ties her beautiful semi-long golden hair up in a ponytail and opens her light blue eyes. Then she stares at Aniik one more time.
Samei- 'kay, 'kay... You win... But I'll tell Geord about this! If this keeps happening then I'll never have a proper sleep schedule!
Aniik has both tips of her index fingers touching each other, the one side of her mouth raised and her eyebrows lowered slightly, all in order to express her difficulty in making that compromise.
Aniik- Hmph! As you wish then!
At that moment, Aniik realizes what that would mean... Her expression dramatically changes to worry and she proceeds to her last resort. She joins her hands together and begs for Samei's mercy.
Aniik- Wait! No, please! I DON'T WANNA SLEEP ON THE COUCH!
In response, Samei sarcastically says
Samei- Uh, uh! We just made the compromise!
Frustrated as she is, Aniik grabs a plushie and throws it at Samei. It is a peculiar, colorful teddy bear- or a mouse of some sort- with colorless eyes as if they are staring in your soul.
Ahem* (I think that's an old toy of Geord's...)
Samei- GAAAA! I'm outta here!
Samei opens the door and runs down the corridor leading to the bathroom in order to avoid a second barrage of "projectiles" from Aniik.
Aniik- You're not getting away! I'm faster than you! (Her "weapons" are holding her back, right?! Ha!)
Aniik jumps off her bed and rolls quickly when she touches the floor so as to not get hurt.
She then raises her head and from the open door she can see Samei running. After a light chuckle, she prepares herself for a fast launch and shouts loudly.
Aniik- Target aqcuired!
Samei- AHHHHH!
Exploiting her extremely fast movement, Aniik instantly catches up to Samei. So fast was she for such a small distance to cover, in fact, that she ends up bumping into her. As a result, both of them fall down on the floor and a few seconds later, a loud glass breaking sound resonates across the house.
Aniik / Samei- Whoa whoa whoa! *thud* ... *glass breaking sound*
A person sleeping on the couch suddenly wakes up.
Geord- Those two again... Fucking hell...
A man in his late 50's with curly black hair and light blue eyes stands up from the couch and scratches his head after yawning.
As soon as the brawny man sees Samei and Aniik, he asks them
Geord- What is going on here? For you Aniik, alright I get it. But you Samei? Don't you think it's time to grow up? How do you explain... this?!
And I mean, this reaction is pretty normal. The scene Geord saw was that of a broken vase next to which were the two girls. Aniik had her left leg pressing against Samei's shoulder, her head was on the floor and her right hand was underneath Samei's left armpit.
Their limbs were "tangled" like a ball of yarn. It was as if two little sisters were playing with each other and ended up breaking something— a sight that every parent witnesses.
The moment she hears Geord's voice, Samei tries to untangle herself from Aniik and get up, but to no avail.
Samei- Geord, listen! I didn't do anything! Aniik's just being—
Aniik- Always wanting to get tickled... Tsk* So childish, Samei. Enough with your, uh, fetishes... Look at this mess now!
As always, in order to win in an arguement or to escape a punishment, Aniik used her unbeatable strategy called "Play dumb, frustrate Samei with a lil bit of irony and you're good"
Samei- Ahhh!!!
Geord- Pfff... Samei, please clean this mess, because I've got an important job to do...
(COFFEE. COFFEE. COFFEE!)
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Geord slowly runs to the kitchen to make himself a cup of coffee. (Yes even before going to the bathroom)
Aniik and Samei finally get back on their feet.
Aniik- Yoshi! (Yes!)
Aniik clenches her hand into a fist and flexes her victory. It goes without saying that Samei is really mad at her now.
"Hmph! Is that so, Aniik? I'll treat you with your own medicine then!" she thinks while giggling.
Samei- Alright, I will clean up the vase, older sister. But since I'm acting so childish, I couldn't possibly prepare lunch for school, so guess who's going to! *Plot twist: YOU!
Samei heads to the bathroom to get a broom and clean the glass shards. Aniik on the other hand, looks almost petrified with her mouth open. She holds out her hand as if to reach the distancing Samei but then brings it down again without accomplishing anything.
Aniik- It's okay I d-do know how to... SHIT!
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Thirty minutes have passed since that incident, and the school bus is due to arrive near Geord's. Despite waking up extremely early, Aniik and Samei somehow managed to be late.
Geord- Com' on Samei, tie your shoelaces! The bus is almost here!
Samei- Tell that to Aniik! She hasn't even worn her uniform yet!
Geord- Say what?! Aniik! What the hell are you doing?
Coming from the kitchen, you can hear Aniik's frustrating screams over her failed attempts at making packed lunch. (bento)
Aniik- I'm, umm, readying this packed lunch thing...
Geord instantaneously face-palms.
Geord- Seriously? Get moving already!
Aniik begrudgingly closes her small box—with whatever is inside—and swiftly wears her school uniform. She then joins Samei only to notice that she's still tying her shoelaces. And no, I don't think Samei was the one being slow. Aniik was probably way too fast. Either way, Samei finishes as well and they get out of the house.
Samei / Aniik- See you Geord!
As soon as they start running towards the bus stop, Geord waves at them and wishes them the best.
Geord- Good luck you two! Take car—
"They're long gone now. Ha ha... I'll head inside."
A person wearing sunglasses silently watches the girls' marathon to get to the bus stop. Running as fast they can, they try to get there in time. Despite their greatest efforts, however, the bus heads to the school without them. Alas, they miss the bus.
???- *lightly chuckles*
After witnessing one of the girls' reaction to this event, the expression on the person's face becomes serious. They look left and right, reposition their glasses and quietly leave the scene.
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In the meantime...
Geord closes the door and goes to the kitchen to finish his coffee. The house is much more quiet now and it reminds Geord of the times before the restoration of the Barrier, when he was all alone. Even in the most lonely times of his life, though, he still has a good friend by his side. If you can call that a friend...
Geord- Ah.. A coffee a day makes the spirit go "hooray!—"
Out of the blue, someone starts knocking on the front door and even the alluring smell of coffee can't counter his newly formed stress. The knocking persists. It in fact gets stronger with each beat. Geord gulps. He doesn't know what to do. The knocking changes rhythm. What is going on? The beat resembles some kind of notification sound "tu ru ti-ti tu" That's the same notification sound that Geord has on his phone!
Geord is petrified by fear. The person outside knows Geord well. TOO WELL, in fact. At this point, he has no other choice but to open it.
Geord- Hello..?
The person outside removes their sunglasses and says "It's been a while, Geord."
Although he doesn't want to believe in his eyes, his lips ruthlessly betray him.
Geord- Kanae?!
Her long white hair and her light pink eyes that give out this prestigious aura of security and maturity, her well-developed figure that silences men and her stylish formal outfit with her characteristic dark gloves and elegant bag, it goes without saying that this is Yonuro's mother, Kanae Tokiyama, in the flesh.
Geord steps back a couple times and Kanae follows his movement to get in the house.
Geord- What do y—you wa—want..?
Kanae- Sit down. This may take a while.
His past trauma makes a quick return and Geord can't keep his temper. He starts shouting and charges toward her with his right hand ready to deliver a punch.
Geord- Ahhhhh!
The sound of a gun being lifted is heard and just before his punch lands, Geord is unable to move forward. The reason is simple. Kanae has her silver handgun pointed at his forehead.
Kanae- Don't make me do this Geord. I just want to talk. Nothing more, nothing less.
Geord- Okay, then. Let's put down our weapons on the count of three.
Kanae nods.
Geord- One. Two. Thr—
Geord makes a quick maneuver to the right and hits Kanae's right hand, an action that tosses the handgun away.
He then redirects the attacking hand toward the enemy's face.
Kanae- tsk*
The punch is smoothly blocked and with a quick one two punch kanae brings Geord back.
Kanae- You really don't wanna do this Geord. You don't understand in how much trouble you'll get yourself into.
Geord- I don't wanna hear it from you! You, the reason why I've been in trouble for ten years straight!
Kanae- You'd be fucking dead if I weren't covering up for you! Cut the bullshit and let's talk a bit like two grown-ups! What do you say?
Geord is pushed to a corner. He has to make that compromise. Knowing Kanae, he is familiar with the attrocities she is capable of doing... Consequently, he forcefully agrees to talk it out one last time.
Geord- *Sighs... Coffee?
Kanae- Mhm. No sugar.
Geord- 'right, sit down. I'll be right back.
Kanae sits on Geord's old couch in the crampy living room (if you can call that). After looking around the place a bit, she facepalms. "How's it possible for 3 people to live in this tiny ass place..?"
Out of irritation, Kanae closes her eyes and moves her head left and right. When she opens them again, she notices a framed picture on the left side of the fireplace. Her eyes widen.
The picture depicts Geord, Samei and Aniik, everyone wearing swimsuits and laughing at the beach. And next to that, there's another similar picture, though this time some faces are different.
Geord- Here's the coffee.
Kanae zones out and chuckles.
Geord- Kanae?
Kanae snaps back to reality and returns to "serious mode", or how I like to call it, the overly aggressive, pseudo-tsundere personality.
Kanae- Yeah? Is there a problem in spacing out since it took you so long to make a single cup of coffee? Hell, why even make coffee? Aren't you from England? Shouldn't you have offered me tea in that case? For the love of god, Geord, I'll never understand you...
Geord- Kanae, seriously, what the fuck?
Kanae- Alright, I'll get to the point if you can't even discuss some things and accept criticism. No wonder you're still--
Geord gets furious and shouts "That's enough!"
Kanae- Sorry, I got carried away. Ahem*. Now listen carefully to what I'm going to say. I'm here to offer you a compromise.
Geord- What compromise? We haven't even talked about anything yet!
Kanae- Yeah, I got ahead of myself. He he... Alright. Let me explain. The issue here doesn't have to do with you directly, but it has to do with someone you're responsible for, Aniik. Aniik has not learned how to conceal her true self and abilities and due to her idiosyncratic personality, she's putting you all in danger. The best example would be this morning, when the girls missed the bus...
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After leaving Geord behind, Samei and Aniik start running toward the bus stop. While heavily panting, they try their best to make it in time.
Aniik- Hurry up, Samei! Is that all you've got? We're gonna miss the bus at this rate.
Samei- That's all I got! If my stupid roommate wasn't goofing around all morning, then I wouldn't have to run in the first place!
Aniik- Phew! We made it!
Just as they are about to get on the bus, however, the engine of the bus is heard, the doors close and the bus heads to the High school without picking up Samei and Aniik. It looked as if the driver wanted to ditch them on purpose. Anyone would get a little upset—
Aniik- You're kidding me.
(...)
Aniik- GET BACK HERE you stinky BITCH!
Aniik gets mad at the bus driver and her face shows that she wants her dead. Aniik taps her Demonic Ring and uses her Dark Essence to accelerate herself while being invisible.
Samei- Aniik! Wait!
Not hearing a word, Aniik catches up to the bus's speed and hits the left side with her right hand while shouting "Stop the bus!"
The driver doesn't give a shit apparently.
Aniik- Don't you DARE IGNORE ME, YOU SLUT!
Aniik speeds up even more and gets in front of the bus. The situation the driver finds herself in is unreal.
Bus driver- WHAT IS THIS?!
The brake pedal is pushed so hard that the brakes screech in an attemp to stop the bus in time. Unfortunately, no bus is capable of stopping in such a short amount of time and it ends up hitting Aniik.
Well, kinda... It's the other way around actually. The "helpless" girl sighs and stops the decelerating bus with the nails of her right hand, all while looking away in irritation.
The doors left and right instantly open and Aniik gets on the bus. A few seconds later, Samei catches up to the now stopped bus. On the way, she is loudly shouting "Waaaaaaaiiiiiiittt!" but on the inside "WTF, ANIIK!"
Let's get back to Aniik, who's currently on the bus. As soon as she gives her ticket to the bus driver, she is met with countless questions. The woman is about to ask her what on earth she was doing in the middle of the road and countless similar questions but all she is able to say is "Wha-"
The reason is simple. It's all due to the two gestures Aniik made. She pressed her index finger against her lips to seemlessly tell the woman to shut up and then with the nail of her thumb she mimiced the motion of slicing her own throat with a knife.
After such a performance, the woman can't help but widen her eyes and remain motionless. In response, Aniik smiles and turns around to look for a seat.
The other passengers, mainly new studens, start gossiping about her. Things like "Who's this girl?" , "Why did the bus stop?" and "Is she okay?"
The last comment, Aniik clearly hears. Seeing that the bus is full, she grins a bit and then changes her behaviour to appear injured and helpless. She goes on to press her hands against her stomach and say to the girl that spoke earlier
"Ouchies... I'm hurt... Ugh... Help me..."
She changes back to Aniik.
Aniik- Alright, can I take your seat, please?
To avoid unnecessary stares, the girl gives over her seat to Aniik. Aniik sits down and chuckles at the event.
"Huh?!" The student who just offered her seat say perplexed.
After that, Samei gets on the bus as well. She quickly shows her ticket to the driver and then looks for Aniik. Due to her petite figure, Aniik isn't the easiest person to find and Samei almost goes past her. What stopped her was the following.
Aniik- Don't panic. I'm the one you're seeking for.
Samei stops dead at her tracks and turns her head to Aniik. Even though she tries to whisper something to Aniik, she can't help but shout while confronting her.
Samei- (Tries to whisper) YOU'RE SO RECKLESS ANIIK! USING YOUR DARK ESSENCE LIKE THAT IS GONNA GET YOU KILLED!
Aniik ignores Samei completely and tries to get the attention of the student sitting at the window seat next to her who wears glasses and headphones.
Aniik- Hey, my name's Aniik. Can we swap seats please? (high-pitched voice) I'm in Danger!
The girl with the short hair and glasses doesn't care about Aniik's introduction or proposal. She is just minding her own buisiness looking outside the window intently.
Aniik- Um... Are you okay?
"2nd attempt to get her attention" strategy didn't work either. The girl disregards Aniik and points at a certain building with her index finger.
???- Wow! Check this building out! What a godlike rooftop, Mirrai!
The fact that the girl would much rather talk to herself than Aniik, makes her sigh and facepalm at the same time.
Aniik then turns her gaze to Samei and sees her sulking and nervously hitting her right foot up and down.
Samei- The two of us are gonna have a long talk after this...
Aniik doesn't respond and looks up as if nothing has happened.
Samei moves a couple seats forward where a handhold is and tightly grabs it, as the bus is about to resume its scheduled route.
Speaking of which, the bus schedule in Japan is tight and it is a big deal that comes with a huge fine if neglected. And because of all the ruckus, the bus needs to arrive at school in 2 minutes, so...
Bus driver- BUCKLE UP EVERYONE!
The bus heads to its destination at a particularly fast speed...
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Kanae- Or something like that!
Geord thinks about Kanae's simplified version of the story I described and remains silent.
Geord- Hm...
Kanae- You don't see the situation clearly, Geord. Now that Yonuro is out of the picture, you should know that I have no intention of protecting Aniik and her unpredictable behaviour. But don't worry, since Yonuro really cares about you, I don't have a reason to sabotage you or the girls. The problem is that it's not up to my hand whether I report you and screw your lives over or not.
It's the other members of the Faith Organization... After the collapse of the reformed R.C.S.P. (Research Corporation of Supernatural Phenomena) , we have gotten our hands on that corporation's satelite, which is able to detect fragments of Dark Essence around the globe.
If I don't interrupt the signals and alter the logs in the system, they will come for her. And you already know, they're not messing around. They will kill her.
Geord- So what do you want from me?
Kanae- It's simple. I'll make sure that word doesn't get out about Aniik's true nature- with whatever means possible- and you'll tell me everything that's happened with my daughter.
This is my offer, or compromise, or deal if you will...
Geord- Okay, I'll take your offer, but what you're asking is redundant. Haven't you already learned or heard somewhere about her decision to move out of town and—
Kanae- Cut the bullshit, Geord. You didn't really think I'd buy that, did you? Everyone else, alright you can fool them. Even her own father. But when it comes to Yonuro I, Kanae Tokiyama, will never buy any of your lies!
Geord- But... You won't understand...
Kanae raises her tone of voice and gets up.
Kanae- There are NO BUTS! Do you really think I didn't know about her having an Angel in my house for over half a year? Do you really believe I don't know that she somehow played a role in the disappearance of the Rifts? She's my only daughter for the love of God! Geord please... I need to know where she is and what she is doing... I just wanna know if Yonuro is safe...
Geord is stunned over how much stuff Kanae— and the faith Organization— knows about. It is in fact dangerous to leave things to chance. And Geord isn't the type of person to put the girls' lives in danger.
Geord- Alright, hear me out, Kanae. I'll tell you about what's truly going on with Yonuro. What great things she accomplished and what she must keep on doing.
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After telling Kanae everything about Yonuro's actions and current whereabouts, Kanae can't help but feel proud for her only daughter.
Kanae- Thank you, Geord. I'll do my best on my part to assure your safety. Now then. Farewell.
Kanae leaves the house with teary eyes. Together with a faint smile on her face, she marches on to whatever future, fate has in store for her.
𝕍𝕚𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝟙— ℍ𝕒𝕫𝕪— 𝕌𝕟𝕔𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕣. "𝕀 𝕤𝕙𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕔𝕝𝕠𝕤𝕖 𝕞𝕪 𝕖𝕪𝕖𝕤 𝕒𝕘𝕒𝕚𝕟..."
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