Ch 5 : Freedom > Slavery

[ Kazuya's Pov ]

After a brief explanation of her revelation about being devils and offer to join her, I was left with the choice to make for myself.

The room felt smaller now, the air heavier with every word Rias spoke. I could see her, standing there before me, her blue eyes calm yet carrying a certain urgency, as if she was offering me a lifeline in a sea of uncertainty. But the more she spoke, the more I felt the sinking realization that there was a price attached — and it wasn't one I was ready to pay.

"You're special, Kazuya. No one can deny that," Rias said, her voice steady, almost comforting. "But you're still human. And that Sacred Gear… it makes you a target." She stepped forward, just a little closer, her gaze never leaving mine. "You'll always be hunted. Without a faction to back you up, you'll have enemies coming after you from every direction."

Her words sliced through the thick tension in the room. I could feel the weight of them, like invisible chains pulling at my chest. The truth was undeniable. I had the power. And that meant danger. Real danger. But joining her — becoming a devil, joining her peerage — wasn't the solution. Not for me.

A part of me wanted to say yes. Power, protection, a family. It sounded so damn tempting. It was a chance to be safe, to stop looking over my shoulder every day. The thought of standing with them, side by side with Rias and her peerage, was a comfort. But I knew what that meant. I would be giving up more than I was gaining.

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could, Akeno spoke up. She stepped forward, her presence a smooth contrast to Rias's more serious tone. There was a grace to her, but something beneath the surface made me wary. "Rias is right, Kazuya," she said, her voice low but persuasive. "The world is dangerous, and you're in it alone. Without us, without a peerage, you'll have no one to watch your back. You'll always be the prey."

I shifted uncomfortably. Prey. It was a stark reminder of my vulnerability. The thought of being out there alone, constantly on guard, was suffocating. But it didn't change the fact that I couldn't accept her offer. I couldn't just submit to a life of obedience, of servitude, even if it was under the guise of protection.

I glanced around at Rias's peerage, all of them watching me intently. Kiba, the knight, stood stoically by the wall, his gaze unwavering, but I could see the slight furrow in his brow. He wasn't saying anything, but his presence was a quiet pressure. On the other hand, Koneko didn't bat an eye to this whole ordeal, as if this wasn't important enough to get her attention.

I met Rias's eyes again, and the intensity of her gaze struck me. "We want to help you, Kazuya. You don't have to be alone anymore." Her voice softened, but there was an underlying strength there that made me pause. "We're not asking you to lose yourself. I want to protect you. I want you to be part of something. Part of us."

I felt the weight of those words, and it made my chest tighten. "Part of us." The words were sweet, kind even. But they felt like shackles in disguise.

Was this what I really wanted? Was I willing to throw away my freedom for security? Could I really live with that kind of dependency, even if it was offered with such care and warmth?

The silence in the room pressed against me. I could hear the distant sound of my own heartbeat, louder than anything else. Then, I felt it — the pressure from Rias's peerage, their expectations.

"What happens if I say no?"

Rias's face didn't change much, but I saw her pause. She was trying to gauge me. "If you refuse... you'll still be on your own, Kazuya. And the danger will only grow. You'll be hunted by devils, fallen angels, maybe even other factions we don't even know about yet."

Her words were like a slap to the face, forcing me to confront the cold reality I'd been trying to avoid. It was true. I would always be hunted. But even so… Was I really willing to give up everything to survive?

I clenched my fists, my thoughts racing. The idea of living in constant fear, constantly running… it sickened me. I wasn't some animal that could be hunted. But I wasn't ready to be someone's pawn either.

I took a deep breath and looked around the room, trying to steady myself. I saw Kiba's eyes narrowing ever so slightly, a knowing look in his expression.

"You don't have to do this alone," he said, his voice steady, almost commanding. "There's strength in numbers. And strength means survival."

I met his gaze, and for a moment, I felt the weight of his words. But it didn't change my resolve. Survival wasn't enough for me. Survival at the cost of my own soul? That wasn't the kind of life I wanted. Not when I had the chance to be something more, even if that meant standing alone.

"I appreciate the offer," I said quietly, my voice cutting through the tension, "but I can't accept."

The room went still. Rias's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of disappointment flashing through her expression, but she didn't say anything right away. Akeno was the first to speak.

"Are you sure about this?" Her voice was softer now, almost coaxing, but there was something darker behind it, like a subtle threat. "You're choosing a dangerous path. If you leave now, there's no guarantee you'll survive. Not without someone like Rias by your side."

I could feel her trying to pull me back in, but I stood firm.

"I can't be a part of this," I said, my voice unwavering. "Not like this. I can't be tied to someone, to a faction, to a life where I'm not in control. I can't be bound by rules, by someone else's expectations."

Akeno tilted her head, her smile never fading, but I could see the slight edge in her eyes. "You'll regret this, Kazuya. In the end, everyone needs something. Someone to stand by them. Without a faction... you'll get in lots of troubles. Your would end up with nothing"

Her words were sharp, but they didn't land. I swallowed hard, the weight of the moment almost unbearable. But I couldn't let her words sway me. "I'd rather be nothing than lose myself to someone else."

Rias stepped forward then, her gaze soft but tinged with something almost... sad. "You're throwing away everything we could offer you. Protection. Power. A place to belong. Don't you want that?"

"I want freedom," I said, barely above a whisper, but I knew it was true. "I want the freedom to make my own choices, to stand on my own. I can't give that up."

The room was silent for a long moment, the tension thick. Then, slowly, Rias nodded, a faint, bittersweet smile on her lips. "I understand. It's not the path I would choose for you, but I understand."

Her voice was tinged with a quiet sadness, and for a second, I felt the weight of her disappointment pressing down on me. But I knew I couldn't back down now.

I turned toward the door, every step heavy, but each one pushing me closer to my future. The world out there was cold, unforgiving, and full of dangers. But at least it would be mine to face. Alone. Free.

And for the first time, I didn't feel afraid.