Chapter 297 - Empty Darkness

Darkness. It surrounds her like misty silk softly caressing her skin as she seems to float within a vast murky water. She felt her body weight like a ton, unable to move anything and felt alone only accompanied by the endless void. 

She tried recalling the last thing she remembered before drowning in the sea of nothingness. It was a time where her family was blissfully smiling where everything was perfect while avoiding the conflict that ensued from her clan.

Her parents tried their best to hide her in order to save her from the burden of their clan and lived a normal life with many friends where everything heading a bright future until tragedy struck and fell I'll having diagnosed by a Sleep Disease, the sickness is a unique disease to devils that afflicts both ordinary and noble Devils. 

When devils develop that disease, they fall into a deep sleep and won't be able to wake up. Then their body gradually starts to become weak, and they will meet death. 

In the end her parents who tried their best to hide her from the pain of being used were forced to hand her to their clan, the Leviathan in hopes of curing her. 

Unfortunately, such a cure never came to be and for hundreds of years fell into a coma where her parents had long gone. She was unaware of it and only knew that she suddenly felt dizzy and fell unconscious. 

Her awareness was instinctively able to guess that this darkness was death itself. Therefore, the moment she would be swallowed by the darkness, that would spell the end of her life. 

While she was exposed to the freezing coldness emanating from that void, she instinctively hugged herself with her arms.

'I don't want to die…'

The young woman could not help but feel like it was unfair for her to die as a maiden who had never experienced love.

Her desire to sing and dance while surrounded by bright smiles as she lives a life where she is able to have someone by her side till the end. Someone who would do their best for them and never abandon them even in the darkest times.

She felt it was too regrettable to simply yield in to some disease even though she doesn't have the strength to fight the current of death.

'Somebody, somebody save me…I cannot get through this hopeless situation through my own power.'

Thinking so, The young woman was able to stretch her right arm despite the weight she felt towards the empty space in front of her, seeking for someone's help, anyone's.

And at that moment where hope seems lost….A large dependable hand that seemed like it belonged to one of the enticing princes from fairy tale, gently wrapped The young woman's supple and thin fingertips.

'...am I being saved!?'

A warm sensation was transmitted to the princess through that large hand while she clung onto it in her daze. It was giving her a sense of security, like it could protect her from any difficulties.

As she used both of her arms to cling to the hand and embraced it with all of her body, a young person's face came into her view, but she could not distinguish it well due to it being wrapped by light.

The young woman felt relieved from the bottom of her heart, for that person made her feel an unconditional sense of security; he made her feel like all she needed to be rescued from her plight was to leave everything to him.

'It's this person! Is this person my…'

At that moment, The young woman was suddenly invaded by an unbearable feeling of yearning, and she gave her lips to that young stranger.

'.....It's so warm'.

She unconsciously swallowed some of the warm magic power that was coming to her through her lips, as if she was drinking the finest of nectars. 

That small amount alone was enough to warm her chest and to make her feel like her mind was melting. Wanting even more of that magic power, The young woman started stretching her tongue to reach the warm nectar.

She was able to feel how agitated and bewildered the person in front of her was as she entwined her tongue with his. And at the same time, her muddled thoughts were gradually becoming clearer and clearer.

'This strong sense of security that I'm feeling has to come from a man. But, in that case, then who is he… and why in the world am I entwining my tongue with his?' 

When her mind became clear and eyes opened was able to see the face of her prince. He had long silky black hair like the starless sky and blood red eyes seemingly seducing her hearts while smooth creamy white skin and delicate face that made him both manly and feminine but not enough to be called pretty boy band  that she will come to know in the future. 

She hears her heartbeat pounding non stop in daze looking at the man before her. The young woman couldn't believe her first kiss was taken by a stranger and had been saving it for her husband yet she seems to crave more of his lips that remain glossy from their kiss. 

She noticed another person, a woman with rather short stature having a rather appealing body emitting an air of both sisterly and motherly vibe as she smiled softly at her and made feel flustered. The young girl who was known as Ingvild Leviathan was embarrassed that she passionately kissed the man before her and saw him become flustered like her and apologize before calmly asking how she felt and quickly answer before asking who they were. 

"It's a long story but my name is Ryuu Cinco or Ryuu for short and this woman here is one of my lovers, Shinobu Kocho." Ingvild felt even more embarrassed upon learning the woman before her was his lover and was speechless.

"Y-Your lover!? I-I'm sorry that I kissed your lover!" She thought that the woman, Shinobu would be mad at her but only heard a giggle and said.

"No need to apologize, I wouldn't be jealous if I were then I would agree to joining this man's harem, maybe you'll join as well." She teased making her even more flustered while the man flick Shinobu's forehead and said.

"Stop teasing her, you're making things worse than it already should." Shinobu giggled and said.

"Fufufu~ I can't help it. Well, dear it is quite shocking news on what we are about to tell you but…" She doesn't know what to feel hearing everything they told her. Everything and everyone that she knew was now gone, her friends and her parents were now gone. She was now alone in a new strange world. Ingvild felt lost and unable to think of what she needs to do from now on. 

"I…I don't know…my parents…my friends." Ingvild doesn't know if she should cry or not knowing nothing would change and her life now what lies before her. Ryuu looked at her knowing exactly what she was thinking and wondered if she would like to return back in time but it won't be the same. 

He has already done enough and pushing further would make things worse. Ryuu unconsciously reached out and patted her head as Ingvild looked at him and said.

"I won't say I know what you're going through…"

'Even though, I technically do…' Ryuu's power allows him to experience everything instantaneously but seals those of him because to him perfection is boring. Ingvild the warmth of his caress and heard him continue. 

"What I know is your parents would be happy that you are alive and give you an opportunity to continue living. They've given everything for you to live and believe they would wish for you to continue living and chase your dream in this whole new world." 

He can try reviving her parents but is not an expert in the soul and some would have already reincarnated at this point or often would reject getting resurrected. This reason why he was unable to revive his brother was because of his reincarnation.

Ingvild heart skipped a bit while Shinobu gave a knowing smile seeing that Ryuu had planted a seed of interest into her heart and soon another seed would plow into her. Ryuu continued and said.

"If you don't know where you need to go then, do you want to come with us? You can treat us like another family and we'll treat you as one." Ingvild doesn't have anyone left to live with and seeing that the person before her could have taken advantage of her much earlier but didn't show that they are trustworthy enough. 

"I…I want to come with you." Ryuu smiled and nodded as took her arms helping Ingvild stand up while she seemed to blush holding his hand but slowly came over it. He formed a portal surprising Ingvild and said.

"Ready to meet your new family?" Leaving with a bright smile the three head inside leaving the room where the people who are taking care of Ingvild will feel a huge loss in the future. 

=============

Presents. 

Draconic Deus. 

Unknown Location. At the same time As Gaia and Alaya.

Even though hard Ryuu tries, he knows that he's using the knowledge of what he knows to help the people that he's aiming to have but a lingering guilt seeped into his heart. He often wonders if it was fine to help them and take advantage of what he knows. Ryuu can erase the feeling by using his apathy but he dislikes it and feels less…what he is. It madden him akin to being possessed by The Daemon Sultan. 

However, he had the impulse to do certains things without any solid reason because oftentimes it was beneficial to him. Ryuu only buried those guilt and found one of the key people that he wanted to help after so long. It was Koneko's Sister, formerly known as Shirone, Kuroka. 

She was born to a Nekoshou called Fujimai and a human researcher. After losing her parents, she and her sister were later taken in by an unnamed Devil from the branch family of the House of Naberius, and she was reincarnated as the Devil's Bishop using up two Evil Pieces.

While serving her master, she became extremely talented in Senjutsu and Youjutsu, and her magical power as a Bishop became so great that she surpassed her own master in terms of magical power alone. This later became her undoing when she later became a Stray Devil after killing her master, with everyone assuming that she was drunk with her own powers.

The true reason for the killing was to protect her sister Shirone from her master, who attempted to conduct tests on her in his research on creating a Super Devil. This resulted in her sister's near-execution and depression, as well as the reason why she refuses to use Senjutsu and Youjutsu.

Following the incident, Kuroka became one of the Underworld's most wanted criminals, ranking at SS-Class. At some point before the series, she joined the Khaos Brigade along with the rest of the Vali Team.

Ryuu can't deny his annoyance when he thinks about how neglectful their parents were, especially their Mother Fujimai who was chasing someone who only viewed her as nothing more than a Cunt. 

'How vile…what an unfortunate woman. Blinded by a scum and unable to move on.' He pity their mother but didn't desire her unless Koneko wanted to talk to her mother. Though, reviving someone who long died would be tricky but it not that long therefore was possible. 

Ryuu relates to Kuroka and Koneko a bit, always pondering if his brother was alive and experienced the same. Would he feel the same betrayal while his brother bears the burden of his hatred as he busily protects him from the truth. 

He only shook his head and began to journey his way to a cave protected by a barrier using his power to go past it and appear before the person he was looking for. 

There sat on top of a rock was a beautiful young woman with a voluptuous figure, long black hair with split bangs, and hazel-gold eyes with cat-like pupils. Her attire consists of a black kimono, a yellow obi, a set of golden beads, and an ornately detailed headband.

The kimono features a red interior and it is open at her shoulders, giving view to her large breasts. She was quickly on guard alert by his presence as Ryuu let his arrival known and having the [ Beast lordship ] after defeating the beast monarch was still prominent. She quickly questions him in a serious rone while flaring her power. 

"Who are you?" Ryuu took a moment to appreciate his beauty even more as the anime and manga doesn't do justice to how beautiful she was. The same goes for everyone else.

"I'm….a friend of your sister, Koneko or formerly known as Shirone." Kuroka perked up hearing her sister's name and said.

"Then why are you here Nya~?" She seemed to soften when her sister was mentioned but still prepared to attack him anytime and said. 

"I have an ability to see in the past, present and future as well as every possibility…..I know your past." Kuroka shook seemingly frightened when recalling her past and felt angry while Ryuu continued and said.

"I won't pretend I know you nor know what you've experienced but as someone who grew close to Koneko…I wish to help you." She doubted his words and said.

"Why would you help me Nya~? I don't know and I don't know if you're telling the truth Nya~?" Ryuu found her verbal tick to be quite adorable and said.

"I cannot lie. I can hide the truth but I do not lie. I cannot lie if you ask anything about me then I'll tell you." Kuroka unsure if he should be trusted and Ryuu softly smiled waiting for her to say something and said. 

"Then tell me about my past?" Ryuu nodded but paused for a moment and asked.

"Are you sure….I know how sensitive your past is and frankly I feel Madden by your so-called father who only uses your mother like Fleshlight….no offense." Kuroka, a bit taken aback by his remark, started to believe him since it was true that she doesn't want to remember the past as the pain it brought her was immense. 

"...You don't need to tell me, I believe you. I just want to know what you get from this nya~? Why are you helping me?" Ryuu narrowed his gaze looking a bit and softly said.

"I had a brother." Kuroka perked up and remarked.

"Had?" Ryuu nodded and said.

"It's a bit complicated, but I just don't want Koneko to experience the same thing as I did. I still have my family but she doesn't. You are the only relative she has and if you were to…perish then even how much she seems to hate you, Koneko would surely be saddened." He saw Kuroka start to think about it and she can't allow her sister to be sad and said.

"Then how are you going to help me nya~?" Ryuu nodded and said.

"I'm already working on it. I've already provided the evidence to clear your name and likely in a few days would finally be free. I also let the Naberius clan to pay for what they've done but knowing how their situation is worse, I already gave them warning that if their punishment doesn't suit my taste then they'll perish by my hands." 

He released a portion of his strength and dominating aura instantly made Kuroka shiver in excitement feeling her instinct telling her to take him as mate because they'll have a string kitten but control herself. 

"After that, you and Koneko can finally be together." Ryuu gave a bright smile making Kuroka smile as well jumping down from the rock and moving closer to him, sniffing him and saying.

"You're going so much length then tell me, what do I have to do to repay you nya~?" Ryuu rubbed his chin and thought for a moment and said.

"Nothing, it's up to you. But it's best to come with you to be under my protection until everything is clear." Kuroka kept her gaze at his face and kept sniffing him then touching his body surprising Ryuu a bit then said.

"You have such a dominating aura and I can tell you are the perfect candidate….. let's make a strong kitten nya~!" Ryuu looked straight at her and said,

"I refused."