The Extra Wants Control

Azrael as he pushed open the creaking door of his apartment. Vera ran to hug him but her smile faltered the moment she saw his face.

"Azrael!" she exclaimed, hurrying towards him.

Her brow furrowed with concern as she reached for his face, her small soft thin fingers held his face. "Where have you been? I haven't seen you all day."

Azrael forced a smile, "Just… looking around," he mumbled, his gaze moving away from hers.

He couldn't bear to see worry cloud her eyes.

Vera studied him intently, her gaze lingering on the dark circles beneath his eyes and the forced smile he was making. "There's more," she stated, her voice gentle but firm.

"Tell me what's wrong."

Azrael hesitated, the weight of the tavern encounter pressing down on him.

He didn't want to burden her with his troubles about the memory of the possessed man, the promise the demon made and whispered in his ear, none of it.

He knew that needed to tell someone, and Vera, his confidante, his rock, was the only one he trusted.

With a sigh heavy sigh he sank down onto a nearby chair, burying his face in his hands. He recounted the events at the tavern, the hate and anger that had filled him, the encounter with the possessed man, and the final, horrifying message.

Vera listened patiently, her hand resting on his shoulder in a silent display of support.

When he finished, a heavy silence settled between them.

"It's not your fault, Azrael," she finally spoke, her voice laced with quiet strength. "You can't control the demons and how you react to them." She said as he saw Azrael feeling guilty about the death of the man.

He looked up at her, a flicker of hope igniting in his chest. "But what if they come for you? What if…"

Vera cupped his face in her calloused hands, her touch grounding him. "We face them together," she declared, her voice unwavering.

"The Goddess chose you for a reason, Azrael. You are not alone in this fight. You also have me." She said with the sweetest smile as her hands cusped his face.

A warmth spread through him..Vera was right. He couldn't let anxiety cripple him. He had a purpose, a responsibility, and she was by his side.

He squeezed her hand, a newfound resolve hardening his gaze. "Thank you," he whispered. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Vera smiled and nodded.

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"Now," she said, her voice firm, "tell me exactly what this demon looks like. We'll be prepared next time." She wa not happy.

Azrael sighed as he smiled and hugged her.

**************

Excitement was full in the air. The Academy grounds buzzed with a nervous excitement as students bustled about in their graduation robes trying them on to get the perfect fit.

Laughter was heard in almost every place... and the air thrummed with anticipation for the grand graduation ceremony that awaited them.

Azrael, however, remained an isolated and quiet he wasn't particularly excited even amidst the celebratory atmosphere.

The events at the tavern still festered in his mind, the demon's chilling words a constant echo in his thoughts. He forced a smile as his classmates bombarded him with congratulations, their joy a stark reminder of the normalcy he craved.

Vera noticed the strain on his face. She slipped her hand into his. "Lost in thought again?" she teased gently.

Azrael managed a weak smile. "Just… trying to soak it all in," he mumbled, his gaze flickering across the jubilant scene.

"Graduation!" Vera exclaimed, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"The reward of years of blood, sweat, and tears and lab accidents." She winked.

A genuine laugh escaped Azrael's lips, the sound foreign to his ears in recent days. Vera always knew how to lighten the mood. "Don't remind me of ' 'Introduction to Alchemy' class," he chuckled.

Vera grinned. "Speaking of the ceremony, have I told you about the festivities?"

Azrael shook his head, grateful for the distraction. He knew what Vera was doing... She was trying to cheer him up.

"There'll be plays, games, fireworks..." Vera explained as excitement grew with each word.

"Sounds impressive," Azrael admitted, a spark of curiosity flickering in his eyes.

"And there's a grand ball afterwards!" Vera continued, her voice rising with anticipation.

"Live music, dancing… a chance to finally relax after all this hard work."

Azrael couldn't help but smile at her infectious enthusiasm.

"What about you?" he asked, squeezing her hand.

"Any grand plans for a post-graduation celebration?"

Vera winked. "Just one," she replied, leaning in to whisper in his ear.

"A celebratory dinner for two. Just you and me." She said shyly as she blushed.

And Azrael blushed too.

**********

Silence hung heavy in the air of the Grand Council Chamber.

The five leaders, representing the major races of the realm, sat around a massive oak table, their expressions grim. Kim, the stoic leader of the Beastmen rested her head on her hand indicating boredom and disinterest.

Aethelred sat with his hands crossed.

Ilyana queen of the elves, her silver hair shimmering like moonlight, kept her gaze fixed on a glass of wine.

Bjorn, the gruff dwarf king with a bushy beard and a booming voice, slammed his fist down, the sound echoing through the chamber.

" You want us to do what?" He asked his voice threatening but no one here could be bothered by him.

Valeriana, the young human queen, remained silent, obviously she wasn't interested but she acknowledged that the situation was indeed dire. The weight of recent events, how after three years of calm they attacked suddenly. Something was about to happen.

Aethelred repeated with a sigh."It's time we stopped reacting and started acting," he declared, his voice deep and gravelly. "We need to send in the Blessed, let them hone their skills against these demonic attacks."

Bjorn snorted. "They are young and weak. What can they do..."

A tense silence descended upon the chamber. Kim her voice low and rumbling, interjected, "Bjorn speaks some truth. But we cannot keep shielding them they need this."

Ilyana finally spoke. "True."

Valeriana, finally finding her voice, spoke up. "The Blessed… they'll eventually fight so wht don't we decide the terms and send them in after graduation."

The room erupted in a flurry of arguments and counter-arguments. Aethelred, convinced of the Blessed's potential, pressed his point, while Bjorn remained a staunch opponent.

Ilyana favored a more defensive approach, while Kim advocated for a balance between offense and defense and Valeriana agreed.

As the debate raged on, a heavy realization settled upon them. There was no easy solution. The demon threat was growing, and their traditional methods were proving inadequate. With a heavy sigh, Bjorn finally conceded, his voice gruff but laced with begrudging acceptance.

"Fine," he grumbled. "Let the Blessed fight. But they won't be going in alone. We'll send experienced warriors alongside them, to guide and protect."

A consensus settled upon the chamber. The Blessed would be dispatched, not as the sole line of defense, but as a critical element in a multi-pronged attack. But ro be honest they just wanted to see how special their status and title is.

***********"

Clouds gathered and suddenly dark-red lightning struck over Babel as Neveah entered the sprawling city.

He was surprised... Gone were the ramshackle buildings and muddy dirty streets he vaguely remembered. In their place stood majestic structures of gleaming white marble, tall buildings reaching towards the heavens. Wide avenues, bustling with commerce and laughter, pulsed with a vibrant energy.

The city of prosperity.

He was filled with pride in his peoples' achievements, a yearning for a simpler time, and a gnawing sense of unease.

He had been so focused on his own mission that he hadn't realized the extent of the changes that had swept across the Human Continent.

Neveah's footsteps echoed through the polished halls of the Babel Tower.

"Welcome, young master," she greeted.

"How may I assist you?"

"Hello Mavis." Neveah said.

She smiled. "My, how you've grown!" she exclaimed.

"Welcome back!!"

"I'm… looking for information," he said, his voice low.

"Specifically about the Academy and, the Blessed in particular."

Mavis' smile widened. "Ah, the Blessed! Tell me, which year are you interested in?"

" Guve me everything you have.'

Mavis nodded, her fingers flying across a shimmering crystal tablet. Rows of data scrolled down, filled with names, abilities, and accomplishments.

Neveah leaned closer, his features unreadable as he scanned the information. There were five names, each representing a blessed with.

He tore his gaze away from the screen, a question forming in his mind. "Mavis," he began, his voice tight,

"what's happening with the Church of Light? Any unusual activity?"

Mavis frowned, a thoughtful crease forming on her forehead. "Now that you mention it," she mused, tapping the crystal tablet with a thoughtful finger

. "There have been reports of increased religious fervor, strange rituals being conducted in remote areas. The Church has been rather tight-lipped about it all. If we didn't personally see it no one would've known."

"Thank you, Mavis. This information is very valuable." He said.

" What now sir?!" Asked Mavis.

" Graduation my dear." He said.