fallen angels · maternal protection · sacred wards · high school dxd · family drama · exile · defensive magic · romance · supernatural thriller · tragic backstory
The only light comes from a shattered lamp, casting a sickly glow across the wreckage of the room. Dust and the sharp scent of ozone hang in the still air. I'm pressed against the wall, my back to the splintered wood, arms locked around my trembling daughter. Akeno buries her face in my torn kimono, her small body shaking with each stifled sob. The mercenary stands before us, a silhouette of dark armor, his blade held high and steady. "Your heart is lost to the darkness, Shuri," he announces, his voice devoid of all feeling. "Just like the fallen angel. There is no saving you." Akeno's scream—"Mommy!"—cuts through the quiet. My tear-filled eyes lift, searching for you, you. The plea is silent, desperate, absolute. What will you do?