After dinner, Aika had chosen to stay over and sleep with Asia in the guest room. Haru had offered the girls his room while he took up residence out on the couch, but the perverted girl was insistent on it so he didn't push it any further. As he sat in his room, sitting on his bed and staring up at the ceiling, he reflected back on everything that had been happening in his life so far.
"... When did my life turn into a light novel?" he couldn't help but ask the universe.
Seriously. The way things were going, he couldn't help but feel like his life had turned into something so weird and bizarre it belonged to a manga or something. A power to somehow revive someone who was dead? The supernatural world and mythology was real? His classmates were secretly demons in hiding?
When did the world stop making sense?
It hadn't been a few days since he was nothing but a normal high school student. But that seemed so long ago given what happened these past few days. He's nearly died several times, and learned he has some sort of power to revive the dead.
Now that he thought about it… it all started after he had that weird, Kingdom Hearts-like dream, didn't it? He couldn't quite remember, but weren't there cards involved? He shrugged. It didn't really matter at this point. He just wondered how things would turn out now.
Especially when he learned that more things like this will occur in the future. Still, maybe things would change for the better, now that the Fallen Angels were dealt with. Raynare was captured along with the rest of her friends and Asia was safe.
"All I really have to worry about is Shitori-kaichou and exams and I should be fine." Haru muttered to himself as he laid down on his bed. "And dealing with Tama-chan..."
Honestly speaking, he wasn't sure what would happen to him first. Death by sexiness overload or loss of his virginity. He was sincerely hoping that the former would only happen after they "consummated" the marriage. If only he didn't have those damn nosebleeds! Why did Tamamo have to be so-so perfect?! She was everything he was looking for! Sweet, kind, considerate, had an awesome rack and was the ultimate housewife!
And she more or less declared him hers. And kind of crushed his dream of having a harem.
"Then again, I doubt there's a girl who can compare to Tama-chan." the redhead chuckled. "Kind of hard to compare yourself to the freaking Sun Goddess' avatar."
Still, he doubted school was going to be the same now that he knew his classmates were devils. Plus, he was sure Motohama and Matsuda were still pissed with him. In his defense, it wasn't his fault he scored Tamamo and then ended up getting married like several years earlier than most people. And Aika would no doubt be teasing him to the end of his days.
And Asia...
She'd probably be living in that crummy church. His face turned bitter. He had not forgotten the poor girl's circumstances. He was still angry that those old bastards had thrown her out just because she healed a devil. He was tempted to buy a ticket to Italy, find the bastards and punch them in the face. That place is hardly in the best condition for her. And knowing her, she'd probably try and refuse to be a burden if we tried to offer her a place to stay, even if we insisted.
He wanted to help Asia. He really did. But what was he supposed to do? How could he help her? Growling in frustration, Haru threw his head further into his pillow. This was so aggravating. Maybe he'd think of something tomorrow.
"Are we all set?"
"Yes, Lint. We're all prepared."
The silver-haired girl nodded as she surveyed their troops. They were in small numbers. Little over a hundred, but quite a few of their members were on par with even the Templar Knights—some of the best holy agents the Vatican had to offer. Of course, they weren't well-equipped. All they had were holy sabers and a few blessed guns. Aside from that, this was not something they were prepared to do.
Especially not when one of their targets was protected by the avatar of a deity. It was just another reason why Lint resented her employer and wanted nothing more than to take a page from her "brother" and tell him to shove it.
Sadly, she wouldn't get very far. She had to be the obedient slave and follow orders.
"You all know the plan." Lint addressed the Stray Exorcists before her. "We split into three teams. One team will harass the Devils and garner their attention. The second team will distract Tamamo-no-Mae and the third team will extract the target and kill Haru Namikaze. I won't lie. Many of you will die."
"We mean no offense, Lady Sellzan." one exorcist cut in somberly. "But we are already dead men walking."
Lint smiled back, equally as somber. That was quite true... They were dead men walking, weren't they?
Regardless, even the dead have a role to play.
Another dream. No different than the one from before.
Haru opened his eyes and once again found himself in a Kingdom Hearts-esque like place. The world was consumed in black, the only source of light being the stained glass platform beneath his feet. The design was still the same as before as well, though he noticed that it had changed slightly. Sitting at the bottom of the platform's mural was Tamamo-no-Mae, a peaceful smile on her face while her eyes were closed, numerous fox tails curled around her.
"This place again..."
He never expected to have the same dream again. He had to admit though, the feel for this place was so soothing and comforting, like the actual Kingdom Hearts game.
But why was he having it again? he thought it was a one time thing after those cards… wait, the cards!
Now he remembered! He had a pack of cards with him, but they disappeared somewhere. Where did he lose them?! Scratching his head, he looked around to see if there was anything different. Everything seemed the same as before.
Well, except for the fluffy white thing sitting next to his foot.
"Fou!"
"... Eh?"
"Fou!" The tiny creature chirped again as it nuzzled its head against his leg. Now that Haru got a better look, it resembled a fluffy hybrid of a puppy and a squirrel. Or maybe a kitten and a squirrel.
Either way, it was adorable as hell. "This dream gets weirder and weirder." Haru muttered as he knelt down and rubbed his head against the little creature's head, eliciting a pleasant noise from the strange animal. "Still, you're a pretty cute little critter. I doubt you understand me, but do you have any idea what this place is?"
"Fou! Kyu kyu!" The little creature chirped as it nodded its head.
"Wait, you can understand me?!"
"Fou!" It nodded again.
Haru sweatdropped. What a smart creature! "Okay, then..." he said slowly. "What is this place? No, wait. Even if you understand me, I can't understand you."
The creature let out a chirp before it darted off, right where the staircase was. "Fou!" it called out to him, as if beckoning the redhead to follow. "Fou, fou!"
"You want me to follow you?"
"Fou~"
"Okay, then..."
He complied and jogged after the creature as it scurried up the stairs. Eventually, they made it to the next level. Once more, he found himself standing before the enormous gate, marked by the many various individuals. However, he did notice how the Caster statue had suffered some damage. "It's cracked." he muttered to himself, rubbing his chin. "When did that happen?"
It was certainly strange, but he wasn't about to question it further. This was a dream, after all. Admittedly a very weird one. Recalling what he felt the last time he was near this bizarre gate, he walked over and pressed his palm against it. A strange warmth washed over him, comforting almost.
And like before, he could feel several pulsating beats emanating from behind it.
"Those sound like heartbeats..." Haru said aloud in wonder. "What is this door, anyway?"
"That, my fine young man, is the Gateway to the Root." a voice called out to him from behind. Haru turned around and found an elderly man, cheeks practically hanging off of his bones and wearing a fancy set of robes standing there with a small grin. "It's also been called the Door to Akasha and the Heaven's Gate. Just think of it as a door."
"Who're you?"
"Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg. Call me Zelretch. Pleasure to meet you, Namikaze."
"... This is seriously one weird dream."
Zelretch chuckled. "It is a dream, but at the same time, it isn't. So, tell me, how's living with Tamamo-no-Mae? Lost your virginity yet?"
"Wh-what?!" Haru gawked at the personal question. Wait, how did he...? "Wait, how do you know Tamamo-chan?"
"I know quite a bit." Zelretch replied with a smile. "For example, why were you able to resurrect Tamamo-no-Mae. Plus, I'm the only real reason you were accepted into Kuoh in the first place."
Haru blinked. Wait, what? "Mind clarifying for me?"
"To put it simply, I'm from another world." Zelretch said, causing Haru to develop question marks that danced atop his head. "The same world as Tamamo, actually. One where the Age of Gods ended quite a long time ago. And, of course, where they were hardly a bunch of egotistical brats."
"... Huh?"
"I suppose I'll have to start at the beginning." The old man waved a hand. Suddenly, with a poof of smoke, a table and chairs appeared. Zelretch then took a seat in one of them. "Take a seat. We have quite a bit to discuss."